VN - Ren'Py - Being a DIK [v0.10.1] [Dr PinkCake]

I'm quite conflicted about BaDik.

The characters and the setting are great, even if you think the college thing has been overdone. A lot of the character interactions and little subtle details are extremely well done and really flesh out the overall feel of the game. That complexity and attention to detail is key to the experience.

At the same time, it goes completely overboard, which you will mostly notice when you replay the game to tryout different paths.

1. The minigames & general sandbox. I don't mind minigames, but there are way too many and they require too much 'cognitive effort' and general grindy feel.

DrP seemingly wants to remain as a solo dev despite the massive backing the game receives, but that means you need to prioritise what you're doing. Why on earth would i want to spend every single free roam feeding fish? And if i decide not to do it then i have to take a hit to my DIKs relationship. Is it just a way to keep the 'pocket money' relevant? Because what an insane waste of dev time and effort.

Similarly why would i want to do tedious chemistry experiments? As someone that spent up to 30 hours a week in the lab during uni, even i don't have the patience for that nonsense. The same with the other class tests. I can play 'brain games' on my phone if i want to. I'm here to be entertained, not to think too hard. Then you have brawler, which is just too much like hard work and i ignore as much as possible.... even though you're forced to use it at one point.

If DrP insists on having this level of detail (which isn't a bad thing) then it would be much better if it was spent on fleshing out the world more. instead of tests, make grades dynamic with your use of 'study time' during free roams. Have a 'hit the gym' option during some free roams instead of having to use brawler for character development. Do we need a full beer pong game?

Add more messaging/rooster/ other options during free roams rather than rooster engagements being so limited as they are now instead coding mini games. I'd much rather spend my time mocking tybalt or chatting shit with derek.

Also wrt the free roams, a lot of the time you can only engage with certain characters if you're on a specific path with them, meaning in some paths the free roams are actually just really bad with minimal content (e.g. BBQ on bella path). I feel like fleshing out these interactions may be a bettter priority.

The free roams also REQUIRE the official guide, because otherwise you have no idea what to do and you'd just waste hours of your life aimlessly clicking around and going back and forth between rooms. That strikes me as poor design.

2. Whilst i love the general character interactions, the story is a bit questionable at times.

The MC could have basically ended the Maya-tuition story arc in episode 1/2, rather than letting it continue for 8 episodes. It took active effort on his part to not tell Maya about Quinn's 'activities'. Even if he didn't want to be explicit he could have just forcefully stated that there was no free tuition.

Similarly the Mora/ stephen storyline, where the MC sees her in distress (he must have known she was refusing to prostitute herself), she disappears and then everyone basically just forgets about her. I can suspend disbelief, but the trope of characters overtly refusing to communicate things for plot-armour purposes is annoying. Especially for an MC that ostensibly is a good communicator. The MC knows exactly what is going on in any reasonable plotline, but somehow he can't connect the very simple dots despite the wife also calling out stephen.

The MC's naive about relationships, he's not a moron. He's also caring and supportive, so would've gone after mora to see if she was ok.

3. Relationships.

I have no issues with the throuple, but given Josy's character in all the non-throuple paths, it's a bit mad that there isn't a josy solo path where she breaks up with maya *early on*. In most playthroughs it's clear that she cares more about the MC than Maya, so why wouldn't she have broken up with maya earlier, especially given her feelings when she first arrives at B&R. I get the feeling DrP is setting us up for a later josy solo path, but it feels a bit forced

I'm not really sure what purpose the jock/nerd/rich fucks relationship points have? There doesn't seem to be an option to reconcile or get on well with any of them. I know it's sacrilegious and i don't have much use for it, but i'm imagining an amusing scene where you're dating Sage and she realises you're friends with Tybalt (for example) if you're not on the jill path.


Tl;dr: It's a great game with fun/ interesting/ diverse characters and lots of complexity. However it's let down by some questionable plot points and having additional complexity where it's frankly not needed and serves no purpose.

This game is the best game on this site, you won't find anything better. The excellent storytelling, character building, the animations, the scenes, everything is perfect. The only bad side about this game is the wait time for every episode, which has nothing to do with the gameplay and is understandable considering how good this game is which takes time.

Great animations, interesting story as the character progresses, lots of branching paths and a fair amount of content to go through as of the current release.

The game has a lot of sexual scenes but the variety is pretty vanilla, plus most of the girls on it just want to hop on his dick without any real effort put in, not a big fan of the sandbox elements as these can be quite boring to wade through.

i mean what else can i say. THIS MAN IS THE GOAT. greatest vn of all time. Full playthrough took me up to hundred hours and that was hella fun. Animations 10/10, story 10/10, characters 10/10 dude just fucking try this shit out if you haven't.

The best I've played to date, your choices really change how the game and the story flows, all the characters are well crafted and you can develop the story and the protagonist in any way you want. I recommend it to anyone looking for a game!

I bought this game on Steam. Overall, not bad. Nice pictures, interesting characters. The big plus is that it was completed. That's great rarity.
The downside, the real downside, is the sandbox. It occurs from time to time, but is not intuitive, and is very annoying.
The second is the lack of variability, actual monogamy in the end.
Well, everything is very vanilla, too traditional. Summary - a product of good quality, well thought out, but very amateurish, not interesting for a second playthrough and playing scenes again.
I see that the developers are making a second part. Good luck to them. I respect people who are able to see things through to the end. But I don't plan to buy the second part. Not mine.

I love the characters and the story of this game but the free roam sections genuinely ruin it for me. The game has so many important choices throughout that it is easy to make a mistake early on and then only find out chapters later. This would be fine if it weren't for the free roam sections making it take so long to redo stuff.

All in all a very addicting game but I find it more frustrating than satisfying.

Best AVN overall, great renders, best animations, top lewd scenes, great storytelling, really good choices with music, minigames, free roams, replayability, best LIs, dev cycle of a year, but really worth the wait, if you havent played it, I dont know what you are waiting for

This game is my first experience with adult visual novels, and it has set a high standard. The game masterfully combines an engaging storyline with dynamic character interactions, making it far more than just a series of adult scenes. Each character is well-developed, contributing to the story's depth and keeping the player invested in their journeys and relationships.

The narrative flows seamlessly, offering a blend of humor, drama, and romance that feels organic rather than contrived. Unlike many adult games that fall into a monotonous cycle of repetitive scenes, "Being a DIK" introduces a variety of events and choices that significantly impact the storyline. This gives a real sense of immersion and consequence to your decisions.

Conversations are cleverly written and succinct, avoiding the trap of overly long dialogues that can detract from the experience. This keeps the gameplay engaging and maintains a good pace throughout. The visual and audio elements also contribute to the overall atmosphere, with high-quality graphics and a fitting soundtrack that enhances the experience.

In summary, "Being a DIK" is a standout in its genre, offering a rich, immersive experience that goes beyond the typical expectations of adult visual novels. It’s highly recommended, especially for newcomers.

Wow ... what a game.

Aside from the renders that are awesome, the music and sound which is brilliant and the lewd scenes which are fantastic, I want to focus in my review on three things that stand out the most for me.

First is the minigames and the free roam events. This is a upside as much as a downside for the game at the same time. If you like free roam events and minigames then this game offers you exactly what you want. BUT if you don't like minigames then you miss out on some great features. Yes, you can deactivate the minigames and play the game but IMO you will be missing out on a big feature of the game. In regard to free roam events, there is no way around them.

Second, the characters. Dr. PinkCake really outdid himself when it comes to creating these characters. They are different from each other, they are not one dimensional and they are the main reason (at least for me) to continue to play the game. Not the next lewd scene, not the next conquer but to see what will happen next with the character. This is not only about the main characters but all of them, even the side characters that only get little 'screen time'.

With these characters then also comes the part of the game that stands out the most for me. The emotions. If you are looking for a game where you turn down the volume and that you play in secret because you don't want anyone to know that you play this game, then stay away from this. This game will make you laugh so loud that your neighbors will hear you laugh. It will cause you to have such a lump in your throat that the people around you will ask you if you are okay and it will make you grin and smile at times that the people around you think that you are on drugs.
It's fantastic.

Thank you for such a fantastic game Dr. PinkCake, I am looking forward to every single update. And until then, I will play it again for the 90th time, doing just a tiny thing different and then experience how the game develops a little differently.

This game stands out as possibly the finest adult visual novel ever created. Dr. PinkCake (DPC) dedicates months of full-time effort to each episode, evident in the exceptional quality across the board. The narrative captivates, the characters are richly developed, and the renders and animations are of the highest caliber.

What sets this game apart is its ability to excel without resorting to controversial themes like loli, incest, or other borderline-illegal fetishes. It's a refreshing change to see an adult game thrive solely on its merits.

Moreover, the game offers extensive replay value. Your early choices shape the course of the story, leading to diverse sexual encounters and potential relationships with various love interests.

According to DPC, the full story requires a substantial number of episodes, possibly 12 to 16 or more, to unfold completely.

Still the gold standard on this website. Other games might have slightly better graphics now but this outshines them in many other areas.

Its strong points are pacing and variety of girls with well developed personalities. The story flows well it maybe towards the slice of life category which is a good or bad thing depending on your likes. Has a large amount of content now for all the main girls. Only real weakness could be the free roam areas which can drag a bit sometimes.

Story 4/5, Originality 3.5/5, Renders 4.5/5 Playability 5, Animations 4/5, Amount of content 5/5

When it comes to visual novels, this one hits the mark perfectly. It's simply flawless. But let me elaborate a bit more to meet the character limit.

Each storyline is meticulously crafted (I'm particularly fond of the Sage route). It's incredibly relatable, unlike anything else I've experienced besides maybe corporate culture. The writing feels authentic and genuine, drawing you in completely. And let's not forget the stunning graphics and captivating characters.

Honestly, the topics explored are so well-executed that if you stripped away most of the sex scenes and pitched it to Netflix, I'm certain it would become a top-ranking show worldwide. The characters, the unique frat house setting, the developments, the relationships—it's all just perfection.

I first began playing this game during the pandemic of 2022 after putting it off for a long time before that. From the tittle I’d assumed it’d be about playing as a prick or an asshole and that wasn’t my cup of tea. So first I played DPC’s first game Acting lessons which surprised (and scarred) me greatly, right then I knew I had to play his new game, which was getting praised left and right and to my surprise my preconceived notions were (thankfully) all wrong. Instead of being a dick I was being a dik, a frat boy with a good heart, a sad backstory and ready to conquer college and have the time of my life. Now as I mentioned earlier, I started playing this game toward the end of the pandemic but while lockdown was still in effect and in my last year of college. My dorms allowed us to either isolate in our rooms or head home. I chose the former, for days on end I was in my tiny room, only going outside to pick up my takeout or go for a little walk. I believe all of those circumstances come together at the perfect time for me to love the game as much as I did. While isolated I connected with the quite frankly pretty well written characters. I got to relieve some of the awesome parties we’ve had along with some other things . Got to relieve some of the drama, romance and the dumb shit we got up to as college students.

The game’s strongest side is without a doubt the atmosphere and characters. Everything feels like it’s straight from a 2000s college/coming of age movie, but one of the better ones.

The characters, even the minor ones, are written well, each with their own voice and motivation. Now sometimes the authors voice bleeds through which is more noticeable in the later episodes, but by then they have close to enough screen time and backstory to where it doesn’t matter as much. The LI’s are varied, unique and fun in their own way. And most importantly the interactions with non-romancable characters are given just as much care and attention which goes a long way in lifting the quality of the game. The roster of LI’s is already impressive enough but we get even more options toward the end of season 2 and start of season 3 – namely more Quinn, Riona and Nora, Nicole and Lily content, which DPC does in my opinion a good job in establishing them as viable LI’s considering the other ones who have had way more screen time.

The music choices are done tastefully, picked to suit each scene rather than the generic lo-fi and simple guitar strumming tracks we can hear in other tittles. The music here serves a purpose in reinforcing the atmosphere and all the different artists and genres flow well together in the context of the game. Truly one of the highlights of the game.

Those were my initial impressions of the game and a lot of my opinions still hold, now it’s 2 years later, 2 more updates and I’m not looking at the game from pandemic tinted glasses. Objectively the quality has dropped, even if a little bit, and some of the story choices are questionable to say the least. Realism and even basic logic have to be suspended for twists and swerves we can already see coming from a mile away. (something something Mc’s last name, something something minigames, something something dead horse – which I won’t beat!!) And I feel like I have to mention those things, but personally it does not bother me that much, considering the foundations this game is built upon. My biggest gripe is the pace of the story itself, never mind the quality or storytelling choices, has moved at a snail’s pace. We’re 9 episodes in, 5 years dev time, the dev cycle time has reached one year and we’re what? 4-5 months in story time? I understand BaDIK is a one-person endeavor, and what the author has been able to achieve is impressive, but come on man.

And finally, my two cents on the free roams, which I am now beating the dead horse mentioned earlier, are fucking bad. That’s all – they’re just bad. There are some instances where they are almost done well, mostly episode 9 and that’s it, almost done well. The rest of the free roam event are just bad (what? You didn’t think to click a random ass pillow to find a whiskey bottle?) Playing all the paths is a chore with all the free roams, which unfortunately can’t be turned off like the minigames.

I love this game, but some of DPC’s questionable story-telling and game design choices stand out that much more considering the foundations BaDIK is built upon. For me where this title shines the brightest is the dialogue, character interactions and soundtrack, which unfortunately are given less attention these days. There was a time this game was easily the king, but since then other developers have come on to the scene and delivered more, better and in less time.

80/100

An amazing game with a fantastic story. So many hours have gone into makeing this, and it shows! There is such a diverse cast of characters, each with their own quirks and secrets
So many super hot animations and renders - a true masterpiece.

Looking forward to Season 3!

Idk why people crying about mini-games or anything other, game has sandbox and puzzle tags... + you can switch off mini-games whenever you want...

So, whoever read this review should now: You have to play this game at least once! At least once go through the whole game with choices from your heart and enjoy this masterpiece!!! Perfect story, perfect renders, everything's done really good.

I'd highly recommend this game, but I can only give it 4 out of 5 because what was the best game here for a long time, now feels like it's slowly slipping into a vanity project for the developer.

Initially this was a tight, engaging, extremely fun game; the writing was a joy to read, the renders were cool, the music was perfect, the characters were alive. But it's now littered with unnecessary features that detract from the story, and after an entire episode (that takes close to a year to develop now), the often story feels like it has only marginally progressed.

The first several episodes are a delight, whereas the last few have almost become a chore (almost). And the free roams have gotten to the point where the game almost needs a sandbox tag!

I don't expect the developer to ever go back to the initial style of the first few episodes, just like so many Hollywood sequels, each release is trying to be bigger and better than the one before, while forgetting what it was that made the first one so good.

It's still better than most of the games on this site, but it's just not the best anymore.

What can I say? this game is on a whole another level, perhaps one of the best currently. The story is really interesting, the characters feel alive, the LI are loveable. Funny thing is, even though this is an adult game with many lewd scenes, I find myself spent so much time on the mini games, those are simply so fun to play!
I hope the update will come soon, there is just so few adult games with this quality

I just want to feel emotions. To be sad, happy, to laugh, to empathize with girls, to help them with their problems. But sandbox ruins it. It prevents me from playing again and again.


I'm giving 3 stars for the beautiful renders.

Character models and story are great but no matter how good they are its not going to make up for how annoying sandbox parts of the game are, don't deserver more that 4 star for that.(Mostly in early episodes)