Acting lessons is a sure thing: Entertaining, funny, shocking, time and money well spent. One of the few VN's where I don't feel like mentioning the bad (which in itself is already a double edged sword) Instead of talking about things in dual parameters, let me just mention what I found important:
- Main girl Vs love triangle or square... - Basically, the game feels a lot better if you explore all options. I get the feeling that being faithful, or just picking one of them, isn't the intended way to play this. I'm also pretty sure that the main idea here, is to give the player some moral conundrums, but it never stirred any indecision on my part
Last time I remember entertaining the idea of cheating was in Confession Game. Aoi is a character that can get you to falter, even if you are guarded and decided. That speech at the end could move a heart of stone.
- Best friend character - Liam is a good character, and the reasons for his initial behavior and attitude towards life, obviously make sense. Funny, bro, wingman, real friend, it was very satisfying to watch his journey, and I'm pretty sure I got him a good ending. He has a hot girlfriend too. Sidekicks need love.
Regarding Liam's problem however, I have read much better depictions of the entire process, but I don't think that was the point here. It elicits some emotion and that's good. I must be in a "recommendations mood" today, so if you are moved with this particular aspect of Acting Lessons, try Narcissu (luckily you already have the tissues, now they'll serve another purpose).
- Humor - If you can make funny jokes about cancer, you are doing something right. Acting Lessons had me laughing many times (More R.I.P tattoo please, you didn't reach morbid in my scale).
- Audio - It exists and it's appropriate. That's all I ask.
- Characters have lifelike dispositions - Nothing too fancy, but some characters give a negative first impression and then turn it around. There's only one girl who seems to break this rule (the ex). Argue all you want on blame, the decision to cheat while in a relationship bound by notions of faithfulness, is voluntary and inexcusable. Personally, I'd add unforgivable to the mix. (Props on the "cheating end" though, they deserved each other, and that was exactly what I was aiming for).
- There's a big change in the narrative close to the end - I feel neutral towards it, and I think it ranges from "Did NOT saw that coming" to "What the hell was the writer thinking". The surprise factor works, but there's no logic behind it. It made things more engaging, so there's that. Try to take in stride.
- Nice message - It's been done countless times but yes, even if life gets (very) hard, the best option is to try and fight, as long as you are here. I can guarantee that being alive is full of possibilities, while "being" dead, not so much. Nothing revolutionary, and a bit on "sob story side" but if you have a shred of empathy within you, it will work.
- I replayed it (2 runs) - That's top praise coming from me. The number of titles I replay these days is minimal (Walking at snail's pace, from Seyda Neen to Balmora in 2002 was a thing, nowadays I would have refunded it immediately. If someone finds my lost patience, please return it ASAP).
- Some personal input that doesn't change the score - What this title does is well done, but has less value than attempting to create a "fantasy custom world", removed form contemporary experiences and tropes. What I mean by that, is that reporting your life experience, and your vision has value, but not nearly as much as doing it through the subtext or undertone, while encouraging self-thought.
To be blunt, not all life lessons carry the same weight, and the writer takes minimal risks, focusing entirely on instant satisfaction, common places and a large dose of shock value, closer to the end.
(In fewer words: I prefer things with a different scope and scale.)
As far as short VN's go, this one is likely a 9/10, well worth buying, and highly recommended if you just wanna sit and have a good time. If you want more than that, I don't think you can find it here.
