Adastra Build 6 - Confessions of a Prospective Emperor

I think they should release a PS4 version after all of the updates are done but that is what I think anyways 🤔

James Walker

I just finished the current build a little while ago, and I gotta say this has to be one of my favorite VNs so far. The story is equally fun as it is dramatic, all the characters are enjoyable, the artwork in this game is really well made. But hands down, the best part has to be the general relationship between Amicus and the MC. For me I think it's a mixture between the moderate pacing, and the whole Yin Yang dynamic the two have ( Amicus is cocky but well meaning, while the MC is a bit snarky but is always a voice of reason).

Mikeypon768

A story is no good without conflict. A frollick would be nice but would never engage us as well and would lack the depth these tones can give us when applied properly. You have my utmost respect for being able to write these scenes so well. The flowers in particular are a very nice touch.

Azzelfide

I just became a patron specifically because I want to see more Adastra content. At this point, I can't find a character in Adastra that I dislike. It might seem weird, but I've been curious as to what Amicus' parents look like heck, I don't even recall a mother being mentioned, was the intentional and perhaps we'll see later? I'd also like to have some more Cato development sometime in the future maybe not in the next update but somewhere down the line.

WinterFloof

I just read through this VN, over the past few days. I have to say so far its wonderful, I'd personally enjoy a little more player choice, as the certain options seem rather.. unimportant or pointless? Either way, I look forward to the next update.

Osiris Jackal

The Patreon feedback was really taken to heart in this version. Quite the dramatic difference in the flow and build up. This update sends us on a roller coaster of emotions. A little more player choice would be nice, but I understand this part of the story is loaded with story dependent and emotional events. Keep up the wonderful work! Looking forward to the next installment.

Cyto

After finishing this rework of the build .6 from the patreon update, I must say that I'm very very pleased with the extra change in emotions and dialogue that escalated. it truly wowed me completely. YES! I agree as well that it was more realistic and more emotional. Would love for more of that. Also the interactions and emotions of these two.... m-my eyes where glued to the screen and I kept going back to previous text and reading again and slower LMAO! The backgrounds, the facial expressions(was waiting for Amicus to cry though, sorry), the more dialogue. True indefinitely an emotional roller-coaster I.. Freakin... Love it... Keep it up!!!! *Tail Wagging*

BlackWolf007

Totally agree... Definitely much better and longer. I was like "Jesus!!!!" all over the screen at them both.

BlackWolf007

I will be hoping for it!

Алексей Кузнецов

I bet we'll see a good example of the city and culture when amicus finally takes us to the city o: with wolves possibly grabbing at the player like they did with Alex's story when he missed his flight

BlueHSomething

By now I'm mostly satisfied with how this visual novel goes. Lack of choice isn't a problem for me at all, as long as the story is engaging and characters are fun. I'm pretty much fell in love with Amicus from the very beginning and so far I'm satisfied with his character development. The only thing that bothers me is that we know very little about an outside world and setting, and how people live here, minus the overheard conversation with Cass and his sister. Even dedication only a single chapter about Amicus actually showing Marco the city would be enough for me. But that just my personal grievances. Do not want them to distract you from work

Алексей Кузнецов

Really sad about that turn of events.. I really hope Amicus will make up for it in the future.

Datsu

Amicus is way too cute, in more than one way too. You can't be mad at him for long...

Yeah, except that Amicus tells you that AFTER you have to make that choice. I'm not saying it's pointless, I'm saying the player has no idea of the meaning or consequences at the time they have to choose.

Regonoreth

Oh, sorry. I was thinking of the first voice, the one that asks you what death is. THAT one is completely contextless.

Regonoreth

In hindsight it's likely to be them, but it's still not clear in the story at the time, and regardless of that what the two options mean to the voice is unknown.

Regonoreth

Yep, I liked the previous one, but the new one... Infinite times better. Although the MC's response to all that was harsh it was realistic. You know that Amicus hasn't treated him like an equal until this point? I would be upset too.

Yeah, the restraint of the MC didn't do their relationship (whatever it is...) any favors, but it's understandable. Just think yourself in his position and you know what I mean.

You know who I think it is or better who (plural)? The Parents/Monitors, it's pretty clear to me.

Same, i feel either he loses or the mc will have to do something to help him win. It feels if he wins on his own it will seem too easy cus then the story could easily go smothly, but they said this is just the start of the turmoil.

moobies

This was amazing props u howley get it man that was some legit story telling go hard! :D

While making only decisions that matter is a good style, knowing that a decision matters and yet being forced to choose blindly because you have no context is also pretty stressful. The (edit: first) dream voice comes to mind here...

Regonoreth

As always, this was awesome. I enjoyed the rework and additional content. It seems to me that something is coming. And the mustic in the main menu. Maybe I'm just used to it, but it's so good in there. When you finish the chaper and that melancholic music starts to play. Cool.

Now I've seen both endings of this update and even though I quite liked the first ending the updated version is far better and as others already said more realistic too. I am very curious about what happens next and I almost have a feeling Amicus will lose the trial, because him winning it would be almost too easy, if you ask me. Then again the consequences would be pretty horrible I guess, but if this was the case I already have an idea of what could happen, though it isn't exactly a nice thing to think about... You have outperformed yourself with this update Howley, it's the best so far.

I just seen what the wolf did =0 my mouth dropped to lmao! I,d ripp that wolf a new one the mc deserves to be a brat and then some. maybe another kick in the balls lol its a decent resolve. and the jackal was right if the mc wanted the wolf he shouldnt have been playing games. i do love the story and art and look forward to more. thank you =D

furry81

Also, if the choices don't affect paths and ending, it's not necessary to add solely for flavor. But it would be interesting if the scope changed from a purely linear narrative to something with more end outcomes, since it feels like there are at least a couple of realistic outcomes so far re: main character, amicus, etc.

The new ending was more gut wrenching than the old one. I'm not saying it's bad, just that main character's new response hit hard

I really liked this new ending, it gave some breathing room for the mc and Amicus time to think over what they'd said so the reconciliation was a little more realistic. I'm also glad that both Amicus and Neferu were more open about the fact that the sex wasn't forced, but both wanted it. It shows that Amicus has needs that he's been deprived of for a very long time, and makes him more relatable.

Raygun Draygun

Yeah you got that right on the dot. I believe if some of this update was added to the original it would have been best. I agree with the other half that MC didn't respond quite right, adding this argument in was a great call. Some points he made were a great addition and right, then if the two simply stayed and continued to argue, that could have flowed into talking like the original. Amicus would have heard his faults, MC would have vented and feel/show emotion and cried, that would show Amicus how his actions affected us. The points MC made were on the dot, not the manipulation or mistreated, and Amicus needed to hear them but if allowed to see how it hurt us like before that would have been perfect. But when they split it just became a cliche situation

LLVPandaSevron

This was good and more realistic but in my opinion the other update was more emotional, the mc showed emotion and wasn't being a brat he can be sometimes imo. I liked the older one better but this one was still good tho.

VampyrëanFox

Posted!

Howly

waiting for android build :9

moobies

Hey, thanks for the feedback, and sorry about those typos! I even read your report and wrote them down to remind myself. They should be fixed now :)

Howly

My personal thoughts on the update: Feels more grounded as the details and intentions are clearer. Although it definitely hurts a lot finding out how eagerly amicus accepted sex as a proposition, somehow having all of the context and details laid out so plainly and clearly, especially by Neferu himself, and then to witness how it affected Amicus, giving us such a heartfelt apology... I guess it makes it easier to accept. Or at least emotionally come to terms with it at my own pace. I've never felt such conflicting and confusing emotions before. I just hope the whole ordeal does eventually get talked about properly between the characters. I feel like the level of investment I have in this story is a testament to its greatness. No matter what happens, the least I can say is that it sure as hell made me care.

Marek

Yeah, I noticed that too, just awful with such amazing and emotional music...it feeds into the words to build the proper setting. Hopefully fixable

LLVPandaSevron

On the beach where Amicus nearly hit our groin it says didn't "made" contact it should be "make", after the kiss where he worries if he made a mistake the sentence starts with "I" I worried me that I'd..."It" should be used for It worried, while in the garden with Alex "I'm about to ask Alex about how the rumors about Amicus when..." a more appropriate way without using about so much and adding started to state his question would be "I'm about to ask Alex how the rumors about Amicus started when...", after that with Cato "Rumors about Cassius and his intentions involving the Triumvirates once if becomes emperor." the word if should be he "once he becomes emperor.", back in Amicus's room when noticed "I must look like an idiot; my robe dirtty from the garden..." the word dirty is misspelled. Well that's it, some from before LoL, but that's what I found...as for...my new perspective after replaying it...huh. I really don't know, all this talk of poor treatment and looking down at us, I never really saw it. Ignorance, poor thinking, yes in spades. But I never really saw the rest just him not understanding our differences and add to that his lack of well any sort of thinking about anything and it causes plenty of issues. I'm probably just too open minded when there's room for such understanding, his lack of knowledge is a strong case, but all things considered I'm okay with this version too. I loved the other one better because it was so emotional especially with the hug and consoling but this one is fine too...definitely more realistic...an average response...I guess I just wanted something "different" less cliche but hey I'm just one person...can't please everyone LoL

LLVPandaSevron

this update is perfection

thedumpcat13

worth the damn wait. i loved every second.

Every issue I had with the patrons only update was addressed in even less than a week, God. It is very much appreciated. Great work, Howly!

Being his bratty and insecure self, not apologizing for his harsh words, That's the MC I used to know. Just one problem, when I tried to roll back to previous dialogues while the new soundtrack was playing, it just stopped and I have to roll back to where the soundtrack started. It happened in the patreon version as well. I like that soundtrack though so I hope it could be fixed.

you did good mate, I like this version a lot more

CameIlia

While I was fine with the previous version of 0.6, I love how you reworked it. The MC has a spine, Amicus shows some selfishness, and they both work past it with Neferu's unexpected help. Can't wait for the next bend in this emotional roller coaster.

Swearwolf

That...that was...I don't know what to say. It felt real, warming, but...I...I could also feel it was forced. Not to say I didn't enjoy it or that it was bad but I could tell I was reading stuff I've read before. I don't know really, its just really different, I'll play from the start again and try to get a new feel, maybe its just cuz of the situation. I'll post edits afterwards. Still though it was very touching and nice...I did enjoy it

LLVPandaSevron

The 3rd trial is combat, I believe. They're assuming Amicus will win that one.

Love your writing, where the story is, and where it's going. Having said that, I'm aware that you can't please everyone, but I felt that the tweaks made the MC a lot more bratty (which is more consistent with the character he's been portrayed to be so far, I suppose), so I actually prefer the previous version of events. Nevertheless, still looking forward to where it goes from here (just... hopefully a more positive direction than Echo?). (Spoilers) On a different note, some of the new text implies that Amicus will be emperor if he wins this trial. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he lose the first trial, and that this is the second trial? Wouldn't he just be tied if he wins the trial of rhetoric?

Darkpaladin

Im sure everything else will be said but I enjoyed seeing new sides of the protag, Amicus, and Neferu in this rework as well as the Dynamic Duo finally getting everything on the table. This was a big improvement and ended far more sweet than bitter

thank you, father. I will update this comment after playing it. UPDATE: Each update is getting better and better, this is easily hands down the best update for the character development, lore, drama, and conflicts. This update is different in my experience, it leaves us on a cliffhanger (which is every update) but this time, I feel satisfied with it. Thank you Howly, for these great stories. Haps for the awesome illustrations (that scene is hot, ngl) and the Echo Project Developers for making all of this is possible. Either way, I'm really looking forward to the next update as always and that's it from me.

E.Macko

Thank you so much for the rework, the MC is not a doormat now and we actually see Amicus' selfish nature. It's fantastic!

Oyaji

Woah, really nice job on the rework. I liked the previous one too, but this is definitely an improvement :D

seachord

I love the changes that were made. This a lot better than what it was. Things flow more clearly, emotions are more realistic, and the extra bits are really lovely. Keep up the good work.

This_One

So hyped!