I just finished playing AMFA for the first time, and I really enjoyed it. It was refreshing to see a few male characters done well. Usually, in these games it is like the MC is the last man on earth, so it's a pleasant change to include a character like Billy, and a few others for some contrast and comic relief.
A few thoughts after playing.
I like Harlow, she is probably my favorite character in the game, but she seems like a contradiction. She is focused on her education, is pretty much a loner, is embarrassed in social situations, doesn't want to be noticed, but 100% of the time in her free time and at school wears very revealing tops. Obviously, people can wear whatever they like that they feel comfortable with, and more power to them, but it seems to contrast with her personality. Is this a thing these days, or is this just porn logic and I shouldn't think to much about it?
Vanessa is a great character. I chuckle whenever her scenes come up, so great job with her. I love it.
I enjoy how Erika is fleshing out as a character. Her character bored me a little at the beginning, but we are finally starting to see that there is more to her than how she comes across initially. My favorite part of these games is seeing characters written with more depth and a detailed back-story so they slowly reveal themselves to be complex and multi-faceted. Most characters in most VNs are just there for the MC, without any other life or motivation. That is the biggest problem with 80% of VNs around here, lack of complexity of the LI's, so this is great to see. To me, this is the difference between OK VN where you don't really care that much, and a VN that is truly special. I can't wait to see more.
Not sure about Riley so far. Maybe her character arc hasn't started, but she seems the least interesting character so far. Also, her supposed interest in the MC seems forced. I don't really see it, as a player.
And Kate. I just don't buy it. Her interest in the MC seems to be just thrown in there to create an older LI. Why is she interested in the MC again? From the scenes we've had so far, there is nothing to show why she would risk her career and reputation for a relationship with the MC. Mainly I haven't seen any evidence of a spark between them, other than she wants to be helpful to one of her only students. I think her character needs a little work to make her apparent attraction more convincing.
I loved the budding intimate scenes with Harper. Usually, LIs just go there right away, like with Erika and Marissa, which takes a lot of the heat out of it in my opinion, but I loved that first kiss scene with Harper in the conference room, and later their spicy scene in the MCs bedroom. Whew.
Venus Waltz, were you trying to troll the player with that scene with the fire? Along with 75% of your players, I am sure, I thought we were going to have a Acting Lessons situation, but it looks like we dodged a bullet there at the end with Harlow waking up. When I first saw it, I was gritting my teeth thinking about another Acting Lessons, especially moments after our first intimate moment with Harper. Anytime there is a fire, with an unconscious LI, most all your players are going to think of that.
One last comment, I know that the three dialog reactions are supposed to be your trademark, but if what the MC says has no impact on the story or any future dialog other than a line or two, it kind of takes away the agency of the player. In most VNs, it matters at least a little how you talk to the other characters, so making your comments just change a few lines of dialog immediately after the statement, to then be forever forgotten, takes a lot of the purpose out of having the dialog choices in the first place, at least to me.