Sweet Elite - Chapter 7
I reckon I’ve never done one of my big episode review for SE, so here I am, seat tight because there’s lots to unpack. Thus I’m putting everything under a cut.
Episode 6 left us with the meanest cliffhanger ever: we found out that Tadashi’s father has been arrested for colluding with the yakuza. Now we’re waiting in front of Lady Arlington’s office to learn about Tadashi’s destiny at the academy. When he finally comes out, he tells us that Lady A (unwillingly) asked him to start packing because unless he can prove he has no hand in his father’s illegal business, he has to leave.
Now, this part leaves me confused. First of all, no one not even Tadashi suggested that this might be a mistake and that his father is innocent. Aren’t people innocent until proven guilty? There’s been no trial yet. At the end of the episode we find out that there are many proofs against him and he sounds like a total asshole on the phone, so he is (almost certainly but you never know) guilty, still someone should have at least wondered about his innocence.
Also, Tadashi is a minor, fifteen/sixteen years old, he should not be under any scrutiny. Yes we know that he works with his father, but he’s still technically a kid in the eyes of the world. I understand the whispers and damages to his reputation, but I find it kinda absurd that he gets immediately kicked out of school, even if he’s there under “special circumstances”.
Anyway, we spend the whole episode talking with people about what they think about the situation and thinking about a way to help Tadashi. After talking with everyone, we meet Tadashi who shares with scholar about his situation and reveals that his parents are sort of blackmailing him into testify to his father’s behalf (he has pleaded not guilty). Apparently even though there are toooons of proofs including videos and witnesses, somehow Tadashi’s testimony is the key to his father’s freedom (?) Again, I am confused.
By the end of the episode, it seems that we are part of the Save-Tadashi squad which officially includes scholar, Karolina and Alistar, but Raquel also wants to help and Tegan has kinda been thrown into the mix by his sister, who asked him to hack Nakano’s Corp network (🙄 easy peasy right?)
I have to admit, I am not a big fan of this arc, it seems a little illogical from my point of view. But maybe that’s the point? We are normal people who identify with scholar who is a normal person surrounded by extraordinary people in an extraordinary environment. Maybe we are supposed to feel dumbfounded by everything that’s happening? I want to have faith in the team and believe that this story is going to make sense by the end.
I feel that the game is at a crossroad. I know there have been many changes this past year in the team and I really appreciate how they are all juggling life, school, work while at the same time making this amazing game. I bet it’s draining both mentally and physically.
This kinda reflects in the game, because the past two episodes have felt somehow rushed and not at the same level of the previous ones. Episode 7 is basically one objective: find out what people think about Tadashi’s situation. That’s it. Nothing happens in the plot and you spend your whole time just going back and forward trying to talk to people about what just happened. Considering that this is an otome game, you basically have one conversation with your crush and that’s it. I like talking with all the guys, but having one-on-one with everyone made more sense when we were trying to get to know them. I know that technically it has been just around one month or little more of school in-game, but we players wait months between one episode and the next, to just get one short conversation with the crush. Talking as someone who plays loooooooooots of otome games, I would find much more interesting if I could chose with whom to spend time, and spend the whole episode only with those few selected people, 10 LIs are too many to equally divide time with, you end up spending very little with each.
Now, I don’t want to sound like an ass, the game has these few problems that I think could be easily addressed, but it has also lots of potential.
I loved the previous art but I think they are finding their dimension with these new artists, the first look at the new sprites got me excited and the redraw of episode 6 illustrations and the one from episode 7 are really promising. I think they are all moving in the right direction.
Also, the main reason I play this game is neither the plot nor the art, but the writing. I LOVE how each charater is so different and well-characterised and just the way they talk to each other. The dialogues are funny and engaging and even scholar who is supposed to be a blank canvas, is actually a really cool and smart character and a pleasure to identify with.
So, here is the list of my favourite moments of the episode (which I’ve played twice so far, on Axel and Tegan’s routes):
Cheeky Tyler:
Tyler don’t make me fall for you! I already like your new sprite waaaay too much. Also, I’m already playing 4 routes, I can’t add a fifth!
Savage scholar:
The dude deserved it.
Flirty Raquel:
👀👀👀 So much sass... I love this girl!
Axel plagiarizing John Legend:
😂😂😂 babe this song already exists, changing a few words is not enough 😂
Scary Ellie:
This girl would be able to stab you with her trusty screwdriver while still sweetly smiling at you. ROLE MODEL.
Holding Alistair’s hands:
You too Alistar... stop acting so swoony, I can’t play anymore routes!
Now, the piece the resistance. What I really loved about this episode, is seeing how the writing changes according to the route you’re on. I love looking for all the little differences and, since I really love this game’s writing, I had a blast during the couple of minutes we got to spend with our crush.
As I said, I played only Axel’s and Tegan’s routes so far (I also play Tadashi’s and Karolina’s but I’m a few episodes behind).
Axel’s scene in the garden is to fall for. First of all, when you correctly guess that he has issues with his family, he simply tells you that he doesn’t have time to talk about it now if you’re not on his route. But if you have high infinity meter he also acts bashful and cute
I LOVE the fact that when he gets embarrassed and shy he also looks mad ❤, it almost seems like he can’t fathom why he’s feeling like this. Too cute! I hope this is going to be preserved in the new sprites.
And then, afterwards, when he complains he has to write a love song (makes me wonder what he’s written about so far) and doesn’t know how, he decide he’s going to look for some couples around the school to stalk/interrogate. But if you have high meter he basically serenades you 💕💕 I’M DEAD! Looks at scholar in the eyes and just starts creating the song on the spot.
I wonder how aware he is about his own feelings. What I would give for a change in POV!
Now... Tegan... my sweet dork... he’s such a sweetheart.
You meet him in the corridor, he’s in a rush and you apologise for being in his way. If you’re not on his route, he simply tells you that he can spare you a few moments. If you have a high meter instead, this is what happens:
Also, when you afterwards tell him that he is also a great friend, if you have low meter he simply thanks you and leaves. If you have high meter, scholar adds that he is kinda jealous of his friends and he gets flustered.
What do I have to do to smooch this cute stupid genius? If scholar doesn’t literally jump on him I bet he’s never going to make a move.
Anyway, these are all my thoughts about the episode. As I said, I have a few issues, but there’s also lots I liked. I trust the team and I’m sure the’re going to do great things in the future.