The state of chaos on the Kite a Lise Wiki had reached absurd levels.
The comments on the top page were particularly disastrous.
Due to the fundamental disagreements over game genres, the section had devolved into a mess of arguments: "The people with SD graphics are clearly playing a different game, so go make your own Wiki," "The titles are the same, it's confusing," "No, the official URL is the same," "Mine's in Voxel, where do I go?", "Wait, mine is Dot Art and the game is called something else entirely," and "Hey, that’s definitely a different game, the title isn't even the same."
However, that was only the case until noon today.
Everything changed when a post—likely made by my colleague during his lunch break—surfaced. He had commented, "Unlocked Voxel graphics by leveling up-o. Doesn't this mean the systems are different even if it’s the same game-o?" Along with a screenshot of the Voxel display, his post triggered a wave of people sharing whatever information they had on hand.
Furthermore, the "Story" section had been restored, serving as a hub for players to document their experiences. A new convention had emerged: everyone started including their initial graphic style when posting a report.
The group claiming the game was an RPG—though only two people were actually posting—all seemed to have started as adventurers. Those of us playing the Beautiful 3D Action version, like me and my colleague, had started as ordinary citizens or frail young ladies.
There was also a single post for the Voxel display: a story titled "The Apprentice Blacksmith Who Lost His Arm."
The phrase "lost his arm" caught my eye, so I checked the details. According to the post, the player had lost his dominant arm in a workplace accident, was fired from his apprenticeship, had his money stolen by thugs who then broke his remaining arm, and was left to die in a back alley. Like Penpen, he had acquired a "Home" and was currently playing a blacksmith workshop management sim. I wondered if he'd fixed his arm with SP. The post didn't say.
"I guess the gameplay and the graphics really are linked," I muttered.
I left a comment to that effect, and someone quickly replied, "That might be true."
I also spotted three posts from a user named Takuro regarding instant-death scenarios. I’d been a bit curious about those. Let’s see here...
Case one: "Started abandoned in a Dark Cave and the screen was pitch black the whole time. I could only see the menu and the Halo. Does this thing not work as a light source? (Or is it just this area?) Then, before I knew it, something attacked me... I was helpless, and it was Game Over. I spent an hour on Character Creation, but I couldn't even see my character because of the Great Shogun of Darkness..."
Considering the starting location, he’s the type who should have used SP for a Night Vision skill. Definitely.
Case two: "On the Sacrifice to the Dragon course, I started with no legs. You’d normally think you’d have them! Are the graphics really displayed exactly as described? Yeah, I tried to crawl away, but I was easily caught and just went 'chomp.' Ugh, I'm dead-ngo. Hey, Dragon, does my pride and joy, whom I spent a full thirty minutes on in Character Creation, taste good...? I'll kill you one day."
Ouch. So he started without either leg. I almost ended up exactly like that. That was a close call.
Case three: "I had the highest initial SP so far. A girl nailed to a cross. I had both arms and legs, there were no monsters, and for some reason, I even knew the Night Vision skill by default. I started full of spirit. Yeah, I was careless. My race was Vampire... Immediately after starting, I turned to ash from the direct sunlight. I'm done. I'm retiring."
Wow.
How should I put it... Takuro is a guy who just keeps falling into every possible pitfall.
By the way, all of his cases were apparently in 3D Action. Even though the first guy's screen was black, he likely inferred it from the character creation screen.
Apparently, his current fourth character is attempting to escape from deep within a dungeon while trembling in fear of instant-death traps. It seems he didn't actually retire; well, he is still posting on the Wiki, after all. He paid the initial fee, so I suppose he figured he might as well see it through.
I didn't realize there was a difference in initial SP values, though.
While I was at it, I checked the "SP" page on the Wiki, which had been updated with all sorts of new entries.
Relatively powerful Potions, Parameter Enhancements, new limbs, Hair, Breast Enhancement, and various other skills. There were also guns and accessories—many of which had special effects or seemed to be relics of an Ancient Civilization. Even a quick glance revealed a massive variety of items and upgrades.
Strangely, there were Parameter Enhancement items listed separately from the option to enhance Parameters directly. I wondered what the difference was.
Among the list, "Home" stood out as exceptionally unique and expensive. However, it was apparently essential for production-focused players and was forced upon them during their tutorials. A note added, "Can only be purchased during the dedicated tutorial?" Other players had complained in the comments that the option didn't even appear for them.
The downside was that it ate up most of their initial SP.
"Home looks like it would be fun since you can do so many things. I’d love one eventually... but is there a way to earn SP other than leveling up?"
As of now, no such method had been discovered. SP appeared to be one of those "irreversible resources" you had to be careful with.
I’d poured mine into my legs. It had saved my life, so it was the right call in the end, but I found myself wishing I’d saved at least a little bit.
I also saw things like "Reward Pancake" and "Delicious Steak" listed. Their effects? Increasing character Affection Level.
Unfortunately, those were currently the worst possible items to spend points on. Even the person who listed them seemed to be waiting for a guinea pig, writing, "If anyone tries these, please report the results in the comments."
But if I ever get my hands on a steady supply of SP, I’d love to give something like that to Tria-chan.