Just finished the game for the (technically) first time, and it was AMAZING
Initially i didn't know the consequences of sending Asterion out to the valley so for some reason, even though i treated Asterion really well during my first playthrough i still got to the start of the ruthless route and i was fuckin' enraged

So then and there i deleted the game for like a day, came back to it because i got the stupidest sense of game guilt, and ended up spending the next 2 days making sure i did everything right, took me doing the Hinterlands over once to figure out the best order for me, but i did basically everything there was to do except develop Pedro and Oscar's relationship to it's fullest, i found the shed, gave the 12 a proper burial, and returned the old Tapir's skin.
Honestly at first i hated the hinterlands chapter because i thought

"are they seriously not gonna find the hotel after all that, and only the ones inside the hotel get a happy ending?"

So i was, as you could imagine, relieved when they showed up at the hotel in the last chapter, i went down the romance route with Asterion and everything turned out A OK', it felt really rewarding giving everyone a pretty satisfying ending, even Nikos and Hermes, and i'm under the impression if i had filled Luke's bar all the way i would have been able to go on a romance route with him as well, decided against it tho before the final one, didn't get to complete Asterion's project or anything other than the restaraunt screens though..

I know it might actually be pretty tedious to implement this, and it would make a lot of players' really pissed if you did but, it would be interesting if there was a way to somehow complete every project, didn't keep me up at night though, i think it's already enough that Asterion and the MC have their entire lives to complete the game's remaining objectives in canon

After a whole bunch of playthroughs and experimentation, I'm finally taking the time to write something.
First of all, congratulations on the update! I had a great time with it and I eagerly await for the next one. Been playing since the first build and I figured it was high time I gave praise.
Your writing, characters and worlbuilding all offer a great and interesting experience. The gameplay/management elements only enhance it. I'm impressed at how well you manage to weave in and intertwine myths together in general.

The Nikos twist was cleverly executed and, in conjuction with his role in the ruthless route, he easily became one of my favourite characters.
Speaking of the ruthless route, it certainly offers a different perspective making us appreciate the good route all the more. It also isn't torture porn and focuses on telling more than that. There's a lot of interesting stuff in there, and a great further exploration of Nikos' character.

I must admit that I felt a bit ashamed for not figuring out who Jean was before the reveal. Even with my limited knowledge of Greek mythology, a lot of hints (some of them obvious) led up to it. I knew something was up with him, possibly something divine, but I didn't try to push my reasoning and research further. Lesson learned! This update did a good of pushing me to dig more into the game's secrets.

Great job with the Hinterlands as well! There's a lot to investigate and speculate on in there. You also did a stellar job with the dynamic between Pedro and Oscar. I ended up loving those two.

I must commend you on the humour too, this update got quite a few laugh out of me (yes, even the "A frenchman!" option despite being french myself). I finally gave a try to the speedrunner route and it's a quality shitpost.

Last but not least, on the topic of Asterion, I must say I am thoroughly smitten. I'm greatly enjoying the developing relationship between him and the Master. It's very heartwarming to see him coming into his own and gaining his confidence back. The old labyrinth scene was certainly one of the highlights.

I have a whole lot of theories but I'll direct them to the appropriate thread(s) later or I'd be here for days.

On a side note, following the update and after delaying it since forever, I finally read the original quest by going through the old archived threads. I'll avoid bringing up any potential spoilers from it of course, but it was a fun ride, and it was very interesting to see the initial creative process and the ways in which the VN and quest differ.

Anyway, congratulations once again! I was already hooked before but I am even more now.

Bonus: I came across this:

I'm not particularly active on this website and I've been holding back on playing Minotaur Hotel since it does feel like a dauntingly big game.

However, I'm glad to say that it is indeed a dauntingly big game - but in a good way. I'm really liking how the story progresses, how it develops and I felt like its pacing is juuuuust nice. It felt real, like how the MC's day-to-day task is going to be affected by uncontrollable events that will happen on that day.

The characters feel REAL. Especially Luke. There is a sense of character development and progression within a few chapters - and I'm really glad about it. For some reason, he's my second fav in the game.

Seriously though, Asterion is so precious and must we must protecc him. Please give him a way out of this (romantic route) in the future update? Also what's up with the little star that sometimes shows up and sometimes doesn't?

I've posted a few times here already, but I also want to sing my praises of this story. I first played this when it was in a pretty early stage in development, iirc it ended right when the second guest (Luke/Kota) entered the hotel, and I remember chatting with nanoff about the game a bit after finishing that part. At that point I thought it was alright, had an interesting concept. On a whim I tried this again, expecting to play for one night, maybe, but got much more invested than I thought I would, to the point of spending the whole weekend and then some playing this. The universe and characters are very compelling, especially Asterion and Nikos. A great improvement in every way.

Asterion's writing is superb. He's strong, but fragile. Traumatized, but hopeful. You want nothing more than to be his absolute protector from any and all sources of danger -- but you need to respect his agency, too. It is such a delight to slowly but surely help him feel again, and of course to reveal the farce of his sentence.

As much as I didn't want to at first, I did go back and do two of the ruthless routes, and while it felt awful to see what the master does there, it made the things I found on my next playthrough of the main storyline all the more gratifying (especially with the events around Argos in chapter 17 onwards).

How much reading must that all have been? There were figures about what was added in 0.5 being about a novel's worth in length? No idea how that extends  to the game as a whole. (I see now that the main page for the game lists the total number of words - my bad, not sure how I missed that)

Man. I have some serious book hangover now.

One particular piece of writing I've found quite charming also shows Asterion gaining belief in himself back. Now I've never seen the dialogue before when you try to have Asterion go out, less than properly dressed. I respect the moo a bit much for that. However for a certain scene leading to a pit of wrestling after the laurel wreath is bestowed, I mistimed what would be the sequence of events and had him in the loincloth too early. But instead Asterion jokes around and ribs the player character for their trickery. I think it shows quite well how much Asterion has developed in his self confidence and self respect as well. Now I'm wondering if that can tie into a possible mechanic for Asterion being more... assertive as some people were wanting.  

Well, I just wanna say this game is such a gem. Really. You wouldn't regret playing this game. The ending was such a cliffhanger really. I think that's not the actual end yet and I'm looking forward for the next update. Though I'll take this chance to do a rerun for better results heh. First thing that I liked about this game is that I get to stay human. It's kinda unsatisfactory when my character becomes another animal like creature. Like, it kinda doesn't scratch the itch well. I mean that's alright too, but I think it's more fun if my character stays human. 

Second thing I love about this game is the characters! Especially Asterion! He's really lovely in his own ways. I like his character development. The romance is awfully slow however it's not annoying. It doesn't feel frustrating, the developments just felt so right.  It's no wonder that the development is slow because of what he went through. Every emotion, doubt, anxiety he was feeling was reasonable. It doesn't feel frustrating to see. It felt justified you know. Cheers to the creator if this game really. What a big bird- Uh I mean big brain you guys have. It's impressive. Another character I like is Luke! Ghad, if he actually exists we'd be total besties. We're vibin. I love how horny and playful he is. He's horny and slutty yes but it doesn't feel offensive to the eyes. He's such a funny character. Idk how many times I cackled because of that guy. Also Dominikos! It's sad how he was torn between doing what is right and upholding his clan's tradition, an Argos' very purpose. Though it doesn't justify the things he did to Asterion, I still pity the guy.

 Now then about the scenes in the game. I love thd drinking game part. It was a fun read because of Luke. I just kinda wish though that it could've been like a push for some steamy scenes between my character and Asterion but then again, baby steps. I do hope in the future updates there'd be, between my character and Asterion. Heh. I cackled on the part where Storm thought that Asterion was his dad. Sorry not sorry, t'was funny. I also love the part where Dominikos and Asterion are having a confrontation about the apology letter and the authenticity of the Gods' take in Asterion's trial. I cackled on the part where Dominikos revealed why my character was being good to Asterion. Cuz damn that minotaur needs that peptalk. That part where Asterion took my character down to the deepest part of the hotel, where he showed the fire thingy was so wholesome. And bitch Jean's real identity was surprising. I mean I have this feeling that Jean is a pretty sus character and that he's prolly not even human but it didn't crossed my mind that he'd be Hermes. There were subtle clues alright but I was too immersed about developing my character's relationship with Asterion that I overlooked those. Oooh and I love the details about Asterion' past especially his trial in the underworld. It's a real wonder and impressive how the devs came up with this game down to it's little details. Oh and I have a suggestion. If there'd be a steamy scene between ny character and Asterion, I do hope I get to have a choice to decide which position my character would take. Overall this game is really great. The devs have big brains I wouldn't be even surprised if they're mythological creatures as well with how awesome they made this game. Really looking forward to the next update! 

P.s I get the feeling that shit's about to go down in the next updates.