Played this half a week ago and it left such a strong impression on me. I think of it every day.
The most impressive thing to me is the vibe. Like, sometimes there are games that you know will hit hard the moment you open them, purely from the way they feel. This is that kind of game.
All the characters are just so interesting and unique. It’s almost surprising how well we get to know them in such a short time. Probably because of our task being to break them with love. Also so many choices, where often both right and wrong give you a piece of the character. The fact that retrying after failure gives you only the correct path and extra information is so cool. It really feels like Ezekiel is getting desperate, that she needs them.
Writing is phenomenal and it blends very well with its presentation. Replaying there were multiple scenes that I simply couldn’t skip over. Mostly when Ezekiel gets to be her syrupy cruel self. And voice acting, holy shit! Everyone sounds so perfect. And looks so perfect too! The characters look like I can imagine them moving. Ezekiel is so smooth and whispery, like a snake getting closer to pray. Taunting, promising, loving, cruel. Macy is so anxious and meek, unsure of everything, but also so soft. Salxire is so powerful and demanding, but so full of yearning and anger. She sees things for what they are, but still demands answers. Oriel is friendly and kind, protective and nurturing, but also clearly done. And they all feel so desperate, so abused. God is barely in the game, but he feels like such a life-ruining ex to all but Ezikiel. They all loved him, worshiped him, and he left them broken, took all their sacrifices for granted and put them into the most mind numbing place in existence.
The slums feel oppressive and liminal, like nothing is supposed to stay there. So seeing how they twist each character, how they all blame themselves so much. It hurts. But it’s then impressive that watching them fall is so painful too. It doesn’t feel like doing them a favor, but introducing them to new pain, at least less boring and repetitive kind.
Music is extremely effective. I love how it always feels appropriate even when using bells and static. The few times images are used they feel so evocative.
The only actual problem I have is that if you don’t get the true ending first playthrough it is not so obvious what you have to do. I eventually figured it out and it is pretty well hinted, but it is very unintuitive.
So in short I love, love, love, love, love this game.
PS. For note, I played the Linux version and downloaded it about half a month ago. I see there are ore of them and don't know if there are any differences.