I have to say one of the endings is one of the most depressing experiences this game has given me.

[Magus543]

It's the surrender ending. So for context, I've been with this game for a long time. Since V10 to be exact. It helped me out during a really depressing time in my life, and the cast stuck out to me and I vibe with them. Sure I love the mysteries of the game and crazy lore, but the cast were the main attraction to me.

And I kept hearing there's some vital lore bits in the surrender ending even though the VERY premise of it makes my skin crawl. While it was intriguing to see Melia and the MC plan for this, the reactions of the cast were genuinely heartbreaking, and most of them call you a piece of shit for picking this ending.

 

For a bit more context, my save file was from V10 so all my relationship values were messed up and I wasn't close to the cast on this run so I had to deal with missing moments with Aelita because my relationship values weren't high enough despite always being supportive of her. But damn, it was crushing to try to get the Aelita ending but she just tells you she's disappointed and hangs up. I tried calling Venam and Ren but they also called me a piece of shit and hang up. Then the PC just lies down in bed thinking about how they disappointed their friends and how much Melia is suffering.

 

It brought back bad memories and really demoralized me from going over more of the game. Doesn't help my prologue is glitched and I can't get the complete prologue.(To be exact, after doing the fight back ending, and saving my file, I did the prologue got to the part where Melia brought Maria to town. I forgot to save, and all future runs just don't have the two kings scene.)

 

I think it's a GOOD thing that I felt so connected with this cast over the years that it genuinely hurt to have to sit through the surrender endings, and I could only do it twice before just giving up. Maybe there's something deeper to it but I don't have the heart to keep going.

 

I'm not quitting Rejuvenation or anything, I plan on doing a NG+ run once the bugs are ironed out for the prologue, but right now I do feel very demoralized from playing more because the surrender ending really hurt. I know it's silly, but as someone who has very special memories of this game from 2018 as a young teen, the surrender ending really was painful on a personal level. At least in the Fight Back ending, there was still victory and hope for the cast. I'm even cool with the interceptor and Melia dying because it feels earned.

 

Also Renegade revealed Melia turned into a piece of shit. Team Zenos forever!

 

But for now, this is how Rejuvenation ends for me. With the protagonist on a boat with their mom hugging each other as the world ends.

Anyone know any funny memes? Or maybe some wholesome art? RL is already depressing enough as is, I could use a laugh. Thanks in advance.