I wouldn't go that far to condemn the twist, but looking back on it it's definitely a ridiculously cruel Dude, Not Funny! moment.
Like it does cross the line, and it doesn't come back across. Crossing the line five times, though? Nah, it didn't really come back across in the first place. The VN is very good, especially for a western developer, but I would agree that the cruel twist is pretty awful and it can definitely sour the taste that the otherwise pretty good game leaves.
...Now I want to know what the twist is before I try it.
I do recommend the game regardless, there's just a chance that you won't be pleased by a late game reveal.
I could PM the twist, or something in the same vein of the twist, if you like.
LATE GAME SPOILERS! CAREFUL!
Now, the fact that a certain character didn't actually commit suicide, that didn't bother me. As mentioned, I never believed it to begin with. My first idea was that it was a troll post - and technically, I was right.
What really bugged me was that it was a prank, to make Rook/me lighten up. That was what pissed me off. Call it my Berserk Button but you do NOT make light of suicide! I had suicidal thoughts (they are not fun to have) and had a cousin who commited suicide and it was like the game was spitting into my face for taking suicide seriously. Like, how dare I? I should be laughing. Suicide is a joke, after all.
On a different note, I also hate how the relationship between Akira and Nolan is portrayed. It just never strikes me like Nolan is 100% into it, like he's just playing a part, so he can hang with Akira. I'm not trying to sound like Taylor, but I think Nolan IS forcing himself into a romantic relationship with Akira. And for an Author Appeal, to have several characters be gay/bisexual, it just comes across as... I dunno, it just feels WRONG to portray the relationship like that and still call it healthy.
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One Thing Ruined Everything
Overall, the game is decent. There are some grammar, spelling mistakes or typos outside of the chat speak, but overall the idea is rather nifty.
The player can help certain characters come to terms with their personal or emotional issues, though whether that works out or actually ends up backfiring depends on the dialogue options. The game can play out various scenes differently, depending on how much the player has helped the students.
Unfortunately, the CG images for certain scenes look dreadful. It's such an art-shift, considering how nicely done the character sprites themselves are. It really can ruin the emotion in certain scenes.
My biggest problem, though, is something that is revealed toward the end of the game. While one of the revelations was not a surprise for me, I had figured it out as soon as this subplot had begun, the other - which was the reason for said subplot - was just plain disgusting.
I don't know what Christine Love was thinking when this was written, nor what the intent was. If the intent was to horrify the player, make them sick with disgust and cause them to instantly hate the characters, well, Mission Complete. I was so infuriated when that happened, I ranted at the screen.
I really would've liked this game more, had that specific reason been a different one. Actually, had that subplot been different to begin with, it wouldn't have been so bad. Because that subplot, and its reason, crosses the line five times, each time making it more horrible and goes so far into the Dude, Not Funny! realm... it honestly felt like the game was personally insulting me. And insulting every person in the world, regarding the reason for that subplot.
Overall, okay game. But the plot revelations may leave you hating this game on sheer principle after.