VN - Ren'Py - Completed - Acting Lessons [v1.0.2] [DrPinkCake]

Fuck this game for making me feel things.

Acting Lessons is excellent for what it is but it's not light-hearted fap material by any means. The story takes the front seat so much so that the sex scenes almost become a distraction at some point. Not that the sex scenes are bad, it's just that the story is so engrossing that it makes you forget that you actually came here to jerk off in the first place.

I wish more games were this good but in the same way that most people don't appreciate surprise scat when the game wasn't tagged as such, there needs to be a tag for games like this as well. "Soul-destroying" would be a good description.

Sexy women, outstanding story. However:

• Pubic hair of blondes and redheads should be of corresponding color, not black.
• The author doesn't like blonde and especially redhead girls (they are the worst people in the game).
• The story is interesting, with large branches, and diligently crafted. However, I prefer one long and highly satisfying story rather than replaying several not exactly long variations with not exactly happy endings.
• The author doesn't like harems and polygamy, which is kinda counter-intuitive for players of typical erotic VNs. Though I can relate if the author wanted to send some message, to give us some learning experience. Still, monogamous relationships aren't universally the best. Polyamory comes from the fact that people can love more than one partner, just like they can love more than one parent, more than one child, more than one friend...

Pro:

Visuals are good. The girls are pretty. The story is realistic and interesting. (I mean, even though all the girls like the MC, it doesn't grow to unrealistic proportions as in some games where all the girls give the MC their blessings to do anything he wants). Erotic scenes are emotionally well prepared and intertwined with the story. (Some sex animations are not so outstanding, but some are pretty good). Lots of sick humor.

Con:

First, the game feels a bit short. Even though there are lots of contents, with all those multiple branches, I would enjoy it for a bit longer. Secondly, there's a stupid turn of the story in Episode 6. Really, would you refuse to report a crime to the police just because that criminal might have connections among cops? Would you start cover his crimes? That's unbelievable, especially as the MC is supposed to be an experienced middle-age businessman, probably knowing about IA, FBI etc., who would love to hear about corrupt cops. So that stupid move kinda kills the mood. ...And then that Deux ex machina which blows everything up. Finally, the game remains in confines of prejudices. What is "cheating"? Giving some happiness to a needy woman does not, in itself, harm anyone.

Conclusion: the story is the most remarkable feature of this masterpiece; and it also contains the worst faults of the game. Still, it's crafted so well that it doesn't deserve less than five stars.

PS. Sometims the game crashes, often with "Out of memory" error.

One of the better written stories out there, and a few of the twists really were set up brilliantly throughout the game.
The ending is totally out of tune with what one might expect from a game on this website, but if anything, that makes it rise to a different level.

I suppose I will have to play it through at least once more to see if different choices might change the outcomes significantly..though I expect the main twists will still be there, and that certain plot elements are inevitable.
I will not do that playthrough anytime soon though.. I think I will let this simmer for a while, first.

The only negative side of this story is that in fact, the things that happen at the very last chapters are set in motion before the game even begins, so from a gaming perspective, there isn't a whole lot of agency to alter those inevitable plot points.
That said, this may turn out not to be true, in further playthroughs (but I doubt it)..

In a way it does make you feel cheated of a happy ending (and potentially a lot more hanky panky, which is what ultimately one expects from a game found here).. but that doesn't take away from the quality of the story.

tldr: Conclusion: THIS IS A VISUAL NOVEL!
Good Overall Writing, Good Scenario writing, Good Character Development (except for few side/minor characters) + Good Renders + limited uncanny valley models + Good Soundtrack

Not going to comment about animations because i think indie animation is still in its infancy and can still be developed further when development tools becomes accessible/cheaper. that is why I still prefer reading actions/descriptions vs. animated scenes.

This is not a typical game/story, at least from my experience so far (a year on this site).
I downloaded this game thinking that there must be something really good about the animations or art because of the reviews and having tried the other work from this creator, but when I played it, it's really about the story.

You'll laugh, get horny, cry, and learn because of this game. It's really that good. I don't have much to add that hasn't been said before, but just leave my 5 stars!

Kinda late to the party I must say, but glad I discovered this masterpiece it kinda reminds me of myself abit following Rena romance path. But enough of that the game is solid well built with a great story to it and nice character models 10/10 expect a few tips in the future from me.

Well, the story is over, at the beginning I came here because of the morbidity and the sex scenes nothing else, but the story as it progressed, I became more interested and in the end the sex scenes were the least important to me, in the end I chose the route of Melisa since I liked her more than Megan, many mixed feelings, sad at first about Liam, then with what happened with the nurse and Mega, but in the end I decided to leave Rena to Liam and stay with Melisa

very good story

Wow!
I love this game. The story is so amazing and I really adore this Liam character! Every single decision has so much impact on the overall gameplay and makes you really think about what your decisions could cause.
It will definitely take me a lot more hours to look at more endings.

I had only tried three adult visual novels (AVN) before playing Acting Lessons.
I'm not into hentai so I don't play AVN to fap, but to enjoy a whimsical story with some kinks and beautiful renders.

The creator of Acting Lessons states that it is "an adult VN that many players and fans only could find the strength to play once". Sounds like the usual, self-serving marketing gimmick, huh ?

Well. As it turned out, Acting Lessons is the AVN equivalent of animes such as Kimi ga Nozomu Eien or (so I'm told) Puella Magi Madoka Magica.

Something that starts as a run-of-the-mill, light, enjoyable experience... and then becomes an emotional rollercoaster. Something so lifelike that it can and will hit too close to home ; that you better experience when your own real life is in order, because it'll otherwise leave you bittersweet... torn between the dramatic developments, upsetting even - and the all-around quality of this game, which elevates the genre to that of true cultural artefacts, on par with books and movies.

There's a reason why this visual novel enjoys rave reviews and has become a true classic.

Get this gem and buckle up, because you're in for one hell of a ride.

It's smart and sexy and Dr. Pink Cake actually made me laugh out loud a few times. It doesn't beat around the bush forever before you see any action too. I haven't played lots of these games yet, but this is the best so far.

Highly recommended: beautifully written, great sense of humour and lovely characters. However, some renders (especially at the beginning) feel somewhat outdated and the all-important choice is incredibly binary. The episodes after that and the ending (I ended up with Ana) make up for that though.

Cant explain it enough.

This is by far the BEST GAME I have ever played here. This is actually the first time I am writing a review for a game, so I tell you this is really really effin good! Probably deserves to be on the top.

What I like best about this game is the story - its really captivating and each of the scenes you can feel the emotions of the characters, including the MC, I actually felt that I was him. In fact, the game made me teary eyed (almost cried)... thats how it was so effective. its not just about sex sex sex, but is a truly magnificent story. Additionally, the girls are beautiful and each has own personality.

This game is unique, its the only one that made me felt cheating is a wrong thing.

rating this as 10/10. Play this and you will never regret anything!

definitely a masterpiece!

I cant say anything anymore, my mind cant speak all my hearts want to say. I will remember this story forever. Thank you to the creator of this game for giving us such a wonderful story.

Bravo bravo!

I can not say anything that others have not mentioned before .
Good storytelling
Appropriate characterization
Proper impact of choices
And ...
just play and enjoy it .then enter this game in your top 10 .
huge thanks for this game. great job.

The game I'm not expect that this first adult game that make me crying. I don't know if I can play different road. Highly recommended. Good job Devs. But ending should make they have child with name of person who dead. When therapy season I though Liam is gone but thank God he's not. I can't still stop my tear yet got comedy action slice of life. This first game ever I play I don't know how to say it. Thank for making this game really appreciate it.

so fucking good I bought it on Steam. In all seriousness though this game has made me feel something and as someone who felt little to nothing during several emotional beats in conventional games that means something TL;DR i felt angry happy saddy all during a single playthrough. If you gotta play one porn game play this!

The game hits me in the feels in a completely unexpected way, given the genre. Very well written, rendered, and presented. Unexpected and intriguing. Being a precursor to How to be a DIK, a lot of evidence is present that shows how the Dev evolved between games, and what a great start this one was. Well done!

Beautiful VN with high quality production values. Ending is not to everyone's liking but beautifully done. Solid character romance options with different characters likely to appeal to different players. Good quality renders.

Two absolutely mind boggling great games. This game has a slew of likable characters and a range of different pathways for multiple different endings. The replay ability and the gallery portion are great add ons.

Without a doubt a 5 star from me, excellent story line with good element of humour and sadness and friendship. Wouldn't say it is melodramatic completely, but I definitely feel for the characters for this game which differs it from other games. Played only Megan route and I'm pleased with how things concluded. Definitely, will remember this game for the personal choice i made. I will stay true to the choices i made and won't be replaying it for other endings. Hats off to DPC. Hope everyone else could give a chance and support this brilliant creator.
I do hope to see some cameo in Being A DIK.

Great game. What makes this game stand out vs many other similar games? Without a doubt it is the relationship between the MC and Liam. Its not often you see a Bromance like this that is just more than "Hey let tag-team bitches". The three main girls are all great with the side characters playing there roles well. The pacing can be a little inconsistent especially toward ending. Personally Melissa is the best girl!