Ren'Py - The DeLuca Family [Season 1] [HopesGaming]

Review for Season 1. The DeLuca Family is a game that I really enjoyed playing. If you enjoy a decent Mafia story game with good looking girls, you have to try this out. The story is sharp, keeping you on your toes, wanting to find out more, with some plot twist and intense moments. Many badass and funny moments too. The design of the girls are unique, don't think I've seen similarly looking models in other games. Each of them have their own unique personality as well. Character development is also good, though it is pretty slow burn. Contract missions are a little grindy, but I'm okay with it, also I really enjoyed meeting Elektra along the way. Hoping there will be more interaction and scenes with Siobhan and Amata.

Pros:
-Nice renders
-Very beautiful LIs
-Funny moments
-Journal guide is easy to follow
-Ability to choose either sandbox or VN style

Cons:
-No dedicated LI route
-Unavoidable scenes
-Very slow updates
-Little to no music

Let me start off by saying this game is pretty much all kinetic, you can pick all the "worng" choices with both daughters but they are both forced on you no matter what you do and i havent seen anything that changes main story either, dev should learn to tag the game right so people that hate kinetic stuff wont waste their time and its kinetic both in novel and sandbox mode.

It also feels absolutly idiotic that MC goes after Luna as a LI after seeing just how crazy she is, MC is supposed to be a normal dude and trust me any normal dude would run away from her as fast as fucking possible, dont stick your dick in crazy and shes waaaay past crazy so it really dosent even fit in the story, instend MC wants to help? against people he can do nothing
about, people who even the top boss couldent do anything about, its just a shitty story really.

So with story being kinetic it also means you have no freedom in relationships most are just forced on you, one you have a choice in but thats about it, forced LIs is just never a good thing.

What really make no sense is that the game has a weird relationship system where you get + or - hearth points, but they do nothing and i do mean nothing, i tried getting minus point with Luna and it never changed a thing.

And game is also a slowburn and has more focus on story then lewd stuff its just to bad story lacks in details and so many things which i will get into now.

Story 2/5
Starts very weird MC whos a normal dude it pretty much kidnapped by the mafia and forced to work for them, they say its due to a contract which seems idiotc on its own, MC knows nothing about any contract and it sure as hell isent something MC signed, why MC even belive there is a contract to start with i have no clue since he has never seen it, so he starts off like a brainless idiot that apprently belive whatever hes told?

To make matters even more stupid MC dosent even ask about anything when he meets with the boss and the right hand, he dosent ask about the contract, hell he dosent even ask to see it? i mean wtf? he dosent even ask why hes there or whats hes supposed to be doing or anything and dont tell me its dueto MC being scared there would be absolutly nothing worng with asking why the fuck hes there and to see this so called contract him self, but no our MC dosent have the brainpower to ask anyting he just accepts everything blindly....

What MC does think is that hes drawn to the female mafia boss? i mean wtf really drawn to hes kidnapper? lol then he thinks about how he should hate her? it just feels to stupid, also hes not scared of pissing off the soldieres of the mafia? how does that make any sense.....

On a side note MC never sees hes contract not once doing this hole first season? but game just make MC into a criminal that even kills people with 0 choices along the way for the player......

Then he gets a room and first thing he thinks about is to read up on how to break a mafic contract? he still dosent know if there even is one its idiotic.....next he thinks that he better get on the good side of the family which is the only sane thing hes thought so far, but then he goes brainless again and think its better to win over the two daughters of the don? i mean what the fuck that would be a sure way of getting him self killed...nothing makes sense.

Story only gets more wierd, no one ever told MC what hes supposed to be doing there but a small talk about contracts like helping the town which he never does and your then told you can do it whenever you wish which should be never since MC is a normal dude trying to get away and sure as hell not try to work for them and become a criminal? none of it makes sense considering MC knows nothing and only wants to get out of there and he still hasent asked fuck all about what hes doing there in the first place.....

But MC went from normal dude trying to get out to doing crime for the family? what? then he gets promoted to be a real member of the family? why? he still has 0 clue why hes there....story makes to little sense all the time, no one told him to do crimes or do anything what so ever....so theres no logic in him starting doing that shit on hes own when hes just a normal dude...it kinda fucks up the hole story.

And i just love how the hole thing goes down where some idiot say MC has now been with them so long that he understands what it means to become a member of the family, MC knows fuck all about anything what so ever its absolutly idiotc sorry but it really is.
And all the boss tell MC is that he will get used to all the killing and shit and MC dosent give it a single thought....he just seems to accept anything constantly without any questions.

Also in the start MC is promissed never to be forced to do anything or kill anyone, yet hes forced on a kill mission with a group? and ends out killing someone on top of that and ofc its not up to the player if he shoots or not...
and to make it really idiotic you get an achivement for first blood even though you as the player had fuck all to do with it since it wasent a choice?

As for the "full" experince like the mini game where you can level up doing missions, theres barely any content and you reach max level very fast, you also visit diffrent places at the start like tavern, brothel, soldiere quaters and such but it has no content with any of those places either....considering its a 6 year old game content is extremly low and you can do those mission from day 1 and finish em all fast which makes all XP gain for the hole game after that pointless, its not well thought out in any way.

Girls 4/5
I liked the girls and even with so few LIs theres a bit of diversity in builds as well, only issue which is a huge one is that most are forced.

Animations 3/5
Pretty average nothing special

Music 3/5
Average background stuff nothing special none with lyrics.

Choices 1/5
You dont have any choices that changes the main story making it a kinetic novel, also LIs are forced on you so hate em or not you have 0 choice in it, really supprises me how high this game is rated with forced LIs
and being kinetic without a tag, it also gives you those weird idiotic choices where you can say "no i dont want you to do that" then 2 seconds later MC changes to sure lets do it....? why put in the choice of saying no when
every outcome is a yes?

Sandbox 3/5
Its easy a little grind but not much since theres really not much content with missions.

Content 1/5
Well 6 years old game and only a single season is just awfull, i would say its pointless to even play this one since the odd of this ever getting finished is very very low since alot of things can happen for the dev IRL
so he might stop it for whatever reason or just lose interrest in it and the fact that it will take another 6-12 years or more to finish at this rate.
As for lewd stuff there is 2 maybe 3 optional sex scene with girls you know nothing about other then one of them tried to kill ya, other then that nothing other then small stuff like HJ/BJ/grind, nothing with any main girls at all,
considering its supposed to be an adult game its seriously lacking in the lewd area for being 6 years in development, not that i mind a slow build up but still.

Hello, I just finished playing Season - 1 and overall really enjoyed the newly added VN mode implementation.

However, I couldn't tell if anything new was added to the story content, as the S - 1 ended right after "DINNER" cliffhanger, same as previous update.

Overall, I like how it's written to be always fun, goofy, dramatic and naughty without one overshadowing other. The main plot itself is still quite mysterious, so is backstory that's hardly revealed, creating a sense of suspense, curiosity and anticipation.

Also every main character is custom made (at least I never saw them elsewhere, yet) to be beautiful and unique in both behavior, dialogues, action and look. Even random NPCs have a sort of charm to them.

MC here is very interesting and different, from the several other projects which either seem to be too depressed, too carefree, a simp, a narcissist, pathetic or unworthy of being a MC. Overall I liked it.

The story is good and graphics ok, but not really an adult game i.m.o too slow burn. If I want to play a game with story but no sex I would play PS4. Disappointing..... It has a lot of potential but it fail to deliver.

**Review of "The DeLuca Family"**

Alright, let me tell you about this game, "The DeLuca Family." If you're into visual novels and love a good mafia story, this one's gonna be right up your alley. Made by HopesGaming, it pulls you into the world of an Italian crime family, and man, it does a fantastic job.

The story is top-tier. It's packed with twists, betrayals, and all sorts of intense moments that keep you guessing. You'll get hooked on the plot and find yourself really caring about the choices you make because they actually matter. The writing is sharp and keeps you on your toes the whole time.

Now, let's talk about the characters, especially the leading ladies. Luna DeLuca is a total mystery. She's got this dark, intriguing past that slowly comes to light, and her strength is seriously impressive. Gracie DeLuca, the younger sister, is a breath of fresh air. She's innocent and curious, and her interactions bring some much-needed humor and warmth to the story. Then there's Isabella DeLuca, the badass matriarch of the family. She's got killer leadership skills and a fierce loyalty to her family, guiding them through all the chaos.

The gameplay is smooth as butter. Navigating through dialogues and making choices is super intuitive. The visuals are stunning, with detailed characters and beautifully designed backgrounds. The music and sound effects add to the vibe perfectly, making the emotional and dramatic moments hit even harder.

In a nutshell, "The DeLuca Family" is a must-play if you’re into visual novels and epic storytelling. Each character, especially the main female ones, adds a unique flavor to the plot, making it rich and engaging. Whether you're new to this genre or a longtime fan, this game promises an unforgettable ride. Give it a shot; you won't regret it.

Mini games are useless, and just a time waste.
Plot is mostly just around there but nothing really happens
This just follows on and on and on.
Interesting but nothing there.
It as good ideas, for real developments, this game just leaves it at nothing. It's choices but not.

I really enjoyed this game, it is an interesting story about the disputes between mafia families. I had a great time playing, although the plot moves at a slow pace, so patience is key. The characters are adorable with awesome designs. The romantic love story between the MC and the sisters Gracie and Luna has a slow progression but I don't mind; it's fascinating to see how their relationship evolves. The erotic scenes are tastefully done, with plenty of foreplay, caressing, kissing, and oral activities that add heat to the story. However, it's worth noting that the scenes don't go beyond vanilla content (unfortunately, there's no penetration with the main characters yet).

The visuals in this game are excellent, truly impressive work! Some scenes are so beautifully crafted that I even saved a few as wallpapers. The music is nice and fits each scene well. However, I wasn't a fan of the text-based minigames with the black background; it felt like a weak spot in an otherwise great game. To progress in the story, you need to meet certain requirements like money or a set number of days, but it's not overly grindy. Still, the repetitive daily scenes can get a bit dull. Adding more variety to events could have spiced things up. Despite that, the story is captivating from start to finish and very well told. Luna's backstory is quite shocking, so it may not be suitable for sensitive individuals.

Overall, "The DeLuca Family" is a well-crafted game with a captivating narrative, a diverse cast of characters, impressive graphics, and appealing character designs, especially the main ones in this story: Gracie, Luna, Isabel and Cordia. The cliffhanger at the end of the current version sets the stage for an eagerly anticipated season 2. Congratulations to the dev for this great game.

The story itself is decent, but there's alot of bugs that the developers don't even care to fix, and those bugs are game-breaking bugs that prevent you from progressing.

I have lost hope of even playing this any more, there's many more other games out there that will actually fix bugs if they exist.

I finally decided to try this after season 1 was completed. The game is well done overall however I find it lacking in certain areas.

What this game is

It is a story driven novel with verbose writing. The vast majority of the game is linear with some free roam elements such as missions. The sandbox areas can be a bit annoying at times but thankfully there is a journal that helps you with the next step in the story.

98% of the game is equivalent to a R rated movie with a few sex scenes thrown in. It is not a porn game. It is an adult title but the sex is an afterthought. I believe I counted two vaginal sex scenes (not with main characters), four blowjobs, 2 handjobs, 1 69, 2 dick grinding scenes (without penetration), 3 breast massages, kissing, and touching. That may sound like a lot but with the long length of the story, it is a very small part of the game.

The story is a very slow burn. It is well written so it doesn't become a slog fest very often. I did find myself fast clicking through the dialog a few times because I grew tired of the dialog (I don't wish to read a Harry Potter novel). The author loves to write and this is clearly evident!

The author doesn't do himself any favors with the low version number. Players like myself avoid games until they have at least 3 hours of content to play through. The version number doesn't reflect the high amount of content!

I loved the banter between the MC, Luna, and Gracie during the first half of the game and then it got to be annoying during the second half (especially during the Fawkes mission).

There are a few pacing problems with the game. Mission points get maxed roughly 15% of the way through the game. Experience points get maxed roughly 50% of the way through the game. At the end of season 1, the player is still doing D rank missions (aside from a surprise mission towards the end of the story).

Choices are adequate but minimal overall. It is obvious in most cases what the correct choice is.

I do like the realistic character models in the game. Character development is good but it is a very slow burn.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a porn game, this isn't it. If you're looking for a verbose story driven novel with a slow evolving story then you'll love this. The story is engaging and well done overall.

I enjoyed the game and recommend that players give it a try!

Story is epic. Heartbreaking. Great work Developer.
Came for porn but totally forgot that, story was so good For me, its ART.
A real gem, one from a few here. Thanks. I dont write reviews but the Dev deserve it. Better then most AAA games. With Being A Dik and The Headmaster maybe top 3 adult games.

This is fucking awesome game for me , good storyline ,badass action sequences ,MC constantly getting stronger, Cool moments and many more things . There can be work done towards lewd scences to engage more players who like these things more it is always a plus point but for me i don't even need lewd scenes there are many games and porn to see that stuff , as long as you keep storyline good DEV. have my full support . I will support him on patreon ASAP after getting job(sadly It will take two years to complete my masters) and thanku dev. for this awesome game

Kind of a snoozefest and another grindy game (but I think you can turn that stuff off if you want, definitely a plus) if you're into it, but the premise is promising, well executed, and unique.

Give it a try if you're willing to go through a very slow burn, but highly recommend turning those minigames off otherwise the game will become tedious quickly.

This visual novel game is an absolute masterpiece in every aspect. From the captivating storytelling and well-developed characters to the stunning artwork and immersive soundtrack, it surpasses all expectations. Every decision feels meaningful, leading to multiple riveting endings. A true gem in the world of interactive storytelling. 5/5 stars without a doubt!

A pure masterclass as far as the story which brought tears to my eyes. I love it even more because it has added a different flavour on the conventional VNs. I am not going to complain about the scarcity of erotic contents or fap contents. For me a great story and quality renders can make up for any sorts of lackings.

Actions scences sometimes seems unreal but enjoyable and the occasional touch of humour is also very good. So, if you are a fan of a great story it is your holy grail; drink from it.

No idea how to fairly rate this game.
On the one hand, writing and characters are very solid. Story is intriguing, a lot of interesting concepts and secrets. On the other hand, sex aspect is minimal - there are hardly any sex scenes, and those present are hardly exciting. Updates are long, art is decent. Try it out if you want to spend an evening or two reading a good story, but don't expect anything but an erotic adventure at best.

There might be reasons to rate it 4 stars but the story is too amazing and i played it many months ago so i dont remember any bad thing rn. also the only game that brought tears in my eyes... thanks for making this game... waiting for s2

This game has a really interesting premise, and for the most part the renders are ok. The girls seem attractive, but there always seems to be just something missing. Some little bit that keeps them from being really hot.

The game is also weirdly violent when it doesn't really seem like it needs to be. There is also no option to skip the gore, which most games that include this offer.

The real drawback of this game is the "free roam" "mission" aspect. The travel aspect is both clunky and stupid. It turns the game into a fully text based RPG, and it does so really poorly. Its both boring and pointless. Its not fun at all, and is just tedious.

The lewd stuff takes a long time to get to, and I don't really feel like it makes sense. The story didn't really, in my opinion, justify the way the relationships developed. The possibilities were there, but the choices that were made didn't really make sense.

I had high hopes based on the other reviews, but I just can't in good conscience rate this game higher. If you're bored and out of other options its worth a playthrough, but their are better choices otherwise.

I love this game.. like freaking love this! That said, updates are VERY infrequent, which is a fucking bummer; but I suppose it's worth it. Story-telling, character writing, world building and humor quality is top notch, and the visuals are excellent. Am very interested in mc's background story like how is he that intelligent in terms of understanding the situations and coming up with best possible outcomes...also luna's past story really hit the spot , I really never cried playing a porn game before.......its all good but yeah when it comes to lewd content, it's a bit of a slow burn, but I don't care cause this is much more than a porn game, so that's fine. All in all, one of the best games available on this forum. Desperately waiting for the next update.......

Extra points for creative gameplay even if the UI is clunky. The grind isn't too bad...

Passable story (good for AVN standards).

MC is a bit of a cringelord at some points. I thought the whole bit about saying you're offended when a woman says she's offended was eyeroll material, but then he legit hit us with "guys don't like to go down on pussy" and I was like LMAO WHAT? Is this bro DJ Khaled or something? I'd eat pussy every single day of my life if given the choice.

Girls are beautiful. Luna and Isabel's terrible clothing and unreal hair color are weird / distracting. Why not pick a style based on someone IRL so that these things don't feel like LIs dress like they were invented by a boy in his basement?

And then the elephant in the room: you will play for HOURS and get basically 2 lewd scenes. It's downright disappointing. I'm not saying games have to be 100% sex, but at least aim for 50-50% my bro. This is more like 5% sex and 95% story/grind... and you're not James Joyce, so we ain't here for the story...

As of 0.09.6:

There have been very few games that have surprised me. I am not usually a fan of "uber free roam" games. I like a good story, some critical choices, and a handful of minor choices. I tried this out thinking "oh boy, another "let's bang them all" type game. I was pleasantly surprised.