“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” ― Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan

WOWI2 is the second game in the series as one can guess, and it continues following Vinty's journey as an aspiring calligraphy artist. This one is a lot longer compared to the first game, and contains most of your usual Steam features, like cards and achievements: but even though it bears more material, it comes a bit short in narrative quality and humor departments compared to the first game. Still, it is a cute enough game, and even if you are remotely curious about how Vinty's life turned out to continue after the first game, 5 dollars isn't that expensive to support an indie developer.

After her breakdown makes poor little Vinty an internet sensation, something actually nice happens to even out her bad luck and makes you reconsider whether there may be karma: she gets a government grant to attend a calligraphy event in Melbourne, Australia! All excited, little Vinty makes all her preparations months before the day of travel. On top of all, the same event is to be attended by Excelia, the calligrapher extraordinaire and Vinty's idol. Let's see how it all turns out, huh?

If you haven't played the first game, go ahead and spare 15 minutes of your time to do so now, 'cause it's free here on Steam. You played it? Good, now you are familiar with the art style of the series, which doesn't change at all in this one. It is very simple and comical anime art, stapled on some basic environment backgrounds. The narrative uses up all kinds of idioms and trashy pop culture references from "YOLO swag" to "you were expecting a nude, weren't you?". They bring in a smile or two in that manner.

The whole game can be divided into two things actually: a continuous love letter to the city of Melbourne and Vinty's continuous comparison of her own life to whatever she encounters in this travel – and both these parts has their problems that makes the game a bit boring. Most of the narrative in the game, from start till the end narrates Vinty walking around, exploring the city, using all kinds of vehicles like trams, trains, planes, taxis etc. and none of these scenes contain enough personal narrative or impression. She just gets excited over differences, comparing to her own hometown. It’s as if the developer has been paid a grant from the city of Melbourne for touristic advertisement. Even if that would be the issue, there are not enough narratives of landmarks to begin with. But we spare nearly an hour reading about her using all kinds of transports. Oh, and there are actual video links to developer's YouTube page, which were recorded travelling to, from and within Melbourne city to endorse immersion. Lots of work there, people! At least you are authentic.

As for the other part of the game: she compares herself to Experia, she compares Melbourne to her home town, she compares her hotel room to her apartment etc... and she continuously ends up displaying an exaggerated inferiority complex about all her comparisons. Well, she manages to overcome that inferiority at the end, but it is kinda boring to witness her insecurities and screw ups all through the game. These kinda things bear sincerity to a degree and they are relatable - as it was the issue in the first game - but here, maybe due to game being longer, they come as a bit annoying. Still, the game manages to display a point by the end to wrap up a decent enough life lesson. You just gotta wait until you get there.

Can I recommend the game? Well, not particularly as it is, but I can see there is some heart and real effort put into the game, so I really wouldn't like to give it a downvote. It is just a game that could have been way better. Consider it as a nice enough trial and a promise to make things more interesting in the future, since WOWI3 is about to hit Steam store within 2 weeks. Enjoy, people!

Please also check out Lady Storyteller's Curator page here - follow for regular updates on reviews for other games!

[b]“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.” ― Oscar Wilde, [i]Lady Windermere's Fan[/i][/b] [i]WOWI2[/i] is the second game in the series as one can guess, and it continues following Vinty's journey as an aspiring calligraphy artist. This one is a lot longer compared to the first game, and contains most of your usual Steam features, like cards and achievements: but even though it bears more material, it comes a bit short in narrative quality and humor departments compared to the first game. Still, it is a cute enough game, and even if you are remotely curious about how Vinty's life turned out to continue after the first game, 5 dollars isn't that expensive to support an indie developer. After her breakdown makes poor little Vinty an internet sensation, something actually nice happens to even out her bad luck and makes you reconsider whether there may be karma: she gets a government grant to attend a calligraphy event in Melbourne, Australia! All excited, little Vinty makes all her preparations months before the day of travel. On top of all, the same event is to be attended by Excelia, the calligrapher extraordinaire and Vinty's idol. Let's see how it all turns out, huh? If you haven't played the first game, go ahead and spare 15 minutes of your time to do so now, 'cause it's free here on Steam. You played it? Good, now you are familiar with the art style of the series, which doesn't change at all in this one. It is very simple and comical anime art, stapled on some basic environment backgrounds. The narrative uses up all kinds of idioms and trashy pop culture references from "YOLO swag" to "you were expecting a nude, weren't you?". They bring in a smile or two in that manner. The whole game can be divided into two things actually: a continuous love letter to the city of Melbourne and Vinty's continuous comparison of her own life to whatever she encounters in this travel – and both these parts has their problems that makes the game a bit boring. Most of the narrative in the game, from start till the end narrates Vinty walking around, exploring the city, using all kinds of vehicles like trams, trains, planes, taxis etc. and none of these scenes contain enough personal narrative or impression. She just gets excited over differences, comparing to her own hometown. It’s as if the developer has been paid a grant from the city of Melbourne for touristic advertisement. Even if that would be the issue, there are not enough narratives of landmarks to begin with. But we spare nearly an hour reading about her using all kinds of transports. Oh, and there are actual video links to developer's YouTube page, which were recorded travelling to, from and within Melbourne city to endorse immersion. Lots of work there, people! At least you are authentic. As for the other part of the game: she compares herself to Experia, she compares Melbourne to her home town, she compares her hotel room to her apartment etc... and she continuously ends up displaying an exaggerated inferiority complex about all her comparisons. Well, she manages to overcome that inferiority at the end, but it is kinda boring to witness her insecurities and screw ups all through the game. These kinda things bear sincerity to a degree and they are relatable - as it was the issue in the first game - but here, maybe due to game being longer, they come as a bit annoying. Still, the game manages to display a point by the end to wrap up a decent enough life lesson. You just gotta wait until you get there. Can I recommend the game? Well, not particularly as it is, but I can see there is some heart and real effort put into the game, so I really wouldn't like to give it a downvote. It is just a game that could have been way better. Consider it as a nice enough trial and a promise to make things more interesting in the future, since WOWI3 is about to hit Steam store within 2 weeks. Enjoy, people! Please also check out Lady Storyteller's Curator page [url=http://steamoss.com/steamstore/curator/11672469/]here[/url] - follow for regular updates on reviews for other games!