The game called "Gateways To Our Destinies" was a girl-oriented otome game that was praised for its good graphics and worldbuilding.
Yet the common criticism of this great game was that the characters were known to be too predictable and cliché.
It is normal in plots found in either manga or games to have some cliches within the story, but as the critics said, they are too predictable to say the least.
One example could be that most of the protagonist's allies are ikemen (handsome men), and any beautiful girls are either mobs or against the protagonist.
One other example could be that they make the male leads so perfect that the moment they introduce their flaws, it does not give the same impact as when one finds a deeply complex character.
The writer of this whole plot looked to be someone into BL as the protagonist is more of a self-insert character for them, and most of the CG are just guys together, not in a sexual way, of course....this is not that type of game.
But the most common complaints came from how the lead girl is too forgiving and is just there.
This is my opinion, but to me, I find that the only time this leads to some emotion is when she spouts out lines such as "But I thought we were friends!" or is not even reacting how a normal person would react after being bullied, or treated harshly, when you enter one of the five love interests!
Sorry....well, this whole explanation was meant to be about explaining the game to you all, but I ended up venting everything to you all.
Well, allow me to explain this whole game plot.
The game takes place in an aristocracy where people of all ages attend an academy to be able to enter into three types of work either as a mage, a knight, or to expound their skills to be used when ruling a kingdom or a piece of land they own.
The game starts when the heroine begins to enroll at the academy located in the South side of the capital because she wishes to gain a suitable career in her life.
Throughout her school year, she has met many friends and foes who have helped guide her along the way.
The heroine, named Olivia Oriana, dreamed of being a mage since she was young, as she witnessed her mom do magic around the house, and she wished to do the same.
She read about mages working at the mage tower, where many high-class mages go to study and make use of rare resources to learn new spells, and use them for the advancement of society.
The game, like every other otome game have male love interests, villainesses, and many side characters.
The first is the crown prince, Lucas Valerious, who is meant to rule over the Western side of the country. He was sent to the academy to be educated on government, intrapersonal skills, military training, and sword fighting, in case he is needed to defend himself.
The second was a rich viscount, Derick Lysander, who enrolled and went to the academy to become a knight of the central part, because of him being fascinated by the many knights and guards who accomplished many wondrous deeds. He was the third son of his family, so his parents had no issues or complaints with his aspirations.
The third one was another crown prince, or rather, the next heir to the kingdom of the eastern side. Leonard Magari is known to be the childhood friend of Lucas since they were ten years old. He is known to be very competitive with Lucas since they first met; he vowed to surpass him in every aspect. This is evident by his taking and enrolling in the same classes as him so he can show off his abilities, and finally win against him for once.
The fourth was a butler of Derick, named Leon Fennick, and he enrolled to find and gain better employment so he could support his sister, who worked as a servant under the same viscount he served.
Lastly was the fifth, who was Jake Magari, which is the younger brother of Leonard, and he wishes to be a mage as well, refusing to fight for the position of the next king of the eastern side.
There was, of course, a villainess who wished to ruin the reputation of Olivia, named Noelle Renee. She does the usual stuff, such as bullying and abusing Olivia, with the male leads defending Olivia at every corner.
This all sounds like a manga or manhwa.
The game works as a type of point-and-click game where you have a map of the academy, and you can interact with any of the male leads by their faces popping out on top of the area where they are currently at. This game also contains choices that will allow you to either boost or reverse any progress you have with the male leads in each of their routes. There are about five routes, of course, and I have played all of them.
There are many more things this game includes, such as a fairy assistant that gives you tips and hints during the loading screens.
You can't form any friendships with any of the other women characters, as their only interactions with them are limited to their repetitive lines, which is annoying.
Noelle Rene so far has a few bad end routes and some neutral routes.....I have yet to find one where she lives a happy life, I mean....there is just something about her that makes her more than just an obstacle or a pawn for us to root for the heroine of this visual novel-esque game.
This game also includes some dungeon exploration, you know, to gather exps and coins to buy gifts to trigger special scenes with the main leads.
This whole game and mechanics cliche, and simple as it may be, is what kept me entertained for the past few years. The plot is simple, yes, but the characters are what got to me. I wished for them all to have a happy ending, and I wished for Olivia to be happy.
This whole game prioritizes drama, violence, and the harshness of reality, rather than a simple, happy game.
The developers kept adding some more content, and many people who liked this game enjoyed this more than other otome games, but to me, this was in my top 3 or rather, the third in my top three now.
I have explained to you all the plot, mechanics, and things in this section to give you a brief idea of what sort of mess I am currently in.
I was someone who transmigrated into the game as a side character named Emilia, no last name, because I am a side-character....but at least I have a name.....I was once a high school student a few years ago.....
"Emilia, why are you staring into the window?"
"Huh, what, oh, nothing lady Renee."
"Why do you have to call me that I told you to call me Noelle...hmmp...aren't we good friends?"
"Sorry, uhm, Noelle, hehehe"
"Pout!"
Currently, I was in class with Noelle sitting beside me, who looked at me, pouting that I referred to her more formally rather than casually.
I let out a silent sigh.
I want to go home now!
I need to study hard, to get to the magic tower so I can find a way home.