7/10
I think a lot of the mixed reception comes from the fact that its characters aren't particularly easy to empathize with for most people. But much of their toxicity stems from the fact that they're fundamentally lost kids trying to make sense of themselves.
I can understand why many players struggle with them their relatively privileged positions can make their problems seem trivial or self-inflicted. That's a fair criticism, but I don't think it hurts the game itself. At its core, it tells very relatable emotional stories, just through deliberately extreme characters and situations.
My main criticism would be the replay structure. It's not a major issue, but I wish it were more flexible, especially since experiencing multiple endings makes the overall narrative significantly more rewarding.
I've focused mostly on the story, but as a visual novel it's impressive across the board. From the presentation to the art direction, it has a distinct voice and a strong sense of identity. The slower pacing is also broken up nicely by the Mirage sequences, keeping the experience engaging.
I'd been interested in this game from the moment i saw, but the mixed reactions made me question what I was getting into. In the end, I found both the characters and the game itself genuinely compelling.