There's so much to love about this story. So many themes and ideas are handled exceptionally well, especially thanks to a multilayered protagonist who always thinks more than he says. There were emotional character moments that completely broke me for days. There was a mystery that was compelling enough whenever it was the center of attention.

But then there was the Slice of Life nonsense that was the actual focus for most of the story. And I get it, I know that it served a purpose! I know that it was used to establish the character's relationships for the emotional segments to properly hit! I know that there was tons of hidden foreshadowing for the culprit of the serial killings sprinkled throughout those seemingly mundane moments!

But it just felt like the cheapest way to go about it. Instead of crafting compelling scenarios to flesh out characters, you are meant to connect to them through extended exposure. Instead of hiding clues throughout a proper investigation, it's much easier to hide the needle in the haystack of seemingly irrelevant conversations.

In the end, there was still a lot to enjoy within this first part of Lucid9 - until it felt the need to jump out and REALLY rub in the fact that it is, in fact, a first part. I don't know why the cliffhanger ending was necessary, I really don't. It felt like such a well-rounded experience that was able to stand on its own - now, it feels degraded to the prologue that it always was. Was still worth experiencing! But I'll have to hold out on any final judgment until the full game is out.