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

Alright. Definitely gonna get into the nitty gritty with this review so buckle up. This is gonna be very very in depth.

This game is getting a 4 star rating, but it could easily jump to a 5 star rating because good lord, does it take you for a ride. I'll divide this up into categories so it's not so weighty.

MODEL QUALITY: 9/10

This game contains one of the most attractive female characters I've seen in an adult game and that's after having played probably dozens of them. All of the models are very well done, though I admittedly felt odd because I've seen Liam's model several times but overall, fantastic job. Melissa will forever be burned into my memory.

DIALOGUE: 9/10

Top notch writing in this department. All of the characters have their own personalities and agendas and it's very clear who is talking even if there wasn't anything showing on the screen. This is especially true between the MC and Liam, because this is easily one of the best depictions of a bromance I've ever seen in an adult game. Everyone else is fantastic work as well with just a few exceptions.

OVERALL RENDER QUALITY: 9/10

Very good work. I didn't feel like I was in too many places I've seen before in other adult games and most of the environments looked fantastic.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 10/10

This is easily the best part about this game. Every single character got some spotlight if you chose to let it shine on them. I couldn't find a single character I straight up disliked because I understood enough about them all to care about them. This game will get you to feel for the characters, of that there is no doubt. Every single character has a purpose and there isn't any wasted bodies at all, which I find a lot of adult games do because they focus a lot more on fap material as opposed to a good story. This part of the game is why I love it so much. I've never grown so attached to characters in a game like this before.

STORY: 10/10 for the first 5 and a half episodes. 5/10 there onwards.

Now, this is the real meat of the review. As you will no doubt likely see, there is a massive twist in the game that I won't spoil when, but when it happens, you're going to get angry. You're going to want to throw your mouse at your screen and you're going to want to get angry at the developer. Hear me out before you do so.

The first 5 episodes of this game is among the most beautifully written stories I've ever laid eyes upon in an adult game. This story was so good, it actually caused me to pause and think of my choices and how it would affect the characters I liked. You will love this game, of that there is no doubt unless you dislike romance for the first 5 episodes.

Then you reach the cutoff point. That twist is going to punch you so hard in the feels that you're going to feel divisive about the game. However, as someone who writes stories a lot in his spare time, I understand why it was done and there was likely no different way that it could've been executed without evoking as emotional of a response. It was jarring, but the problem was that it was randomly jarring. No foreshadowing, no warning. Nothing, it just happens and you're left to pick up the broken glass.

I'm clinging to hope that the finale of the game will really wrap things up on a good note, but I'll be honest and say that I didn't like the twist at all. After doing such a beautiful first 5 episodes, for that to happen... it's just not realistic at all. Sure, it's a game but at the same time, yanking the steering wheel THAT damned hard is gonna piss people off.

SEX SCENES: 10/10

These scenes are not just straight carnal knocking bodies. A lot of them are love making scenes and that's the kind of sex I like to see done. This game is not for those who want to fap a lot, it's more for people who want a good romance story. That being said, the animations and models are a cut above a lot of developers and because the story is so good, it adds to the scenes and makes them even better. Is there a ton of fap material? No. But is it good quality fap material? Yes it is.

OVERALL: 8/10.

I'm a huge fan of this game and the writing is easily gonna be worlds about a lot of adult games out there. The developer is a hard working individual with a talent for evoking emotions and I know that he'll only get better from here on out. This game was his first project, so I didn't expect it to be flawless. However, I hope he takes the lessons from this game and learns. Sometimes, even a slight alteration to the original vision can help create an even better one. I love this game, and I say the developer deserves support.

Fantastic storytelling and like I said, this game contains one of my favorite female characters PERIOD.

I have played most of the games in the forum.. but this game.. leaves a mark..
The story is too good but a message for the developer.. it really touches the soul.. people are here for porn based games.. episode 5 climax, 6 and 7 made everything very personal and heart touching..
Other than that, renders, characters, story-line, beautification, punchlines, dialogues.. everything is very professional..
just make the story-line a bit light.. porn game after killing one of the main character is a real buzz killer..

My god. I started playing this game with the intention of having sex with everyone. Eventually I started feeling bad when pursuing Melissa and Megan. I didn't expect to actually fall in love with Melissa while still feeling something for Megan. 10/10 totally knows how to pull on my heart strings.

I'm not sure if it's correct to rate this game with 5 stars because it's not anything I expected to find on this site.
I mean I came here for an average story with realistic characters and good visuals. And instead of that I got a very emotional story that made me feel a connection to many of the characters.
I don't complain at all about the visuals and the characters, they are top notch. But without giving any spoilers, I feel like the story becomes too dramatic after a point and it detracts from the purpose of this kind of game.
I guess I sound like a moron saying this, but the story is too god for the genre.

Hands down one of the best games I've ever played.

Let me just start with a short clarification, I and I'm sure many others hate "cucking" in these kinds of games, and I can tell you for sure that that intimidating black dude in the previews are strictly there to be your friend.

Models - 4.5 Stars
There are nothing short of amazing, however I was a little bit disappointed that the main girl that you are trying to have a relationship with is actually the least good looking one, well, at least in my opinion.

Story - 5 Stars ... kinda
This has to be one of the best story lines for a NSFW game I've ever read. The dialogue is smart, and actually is essential to driving the story forward.
HOWEVER --- there was a very shocking twist in the most recent updates, no spoilers, you should see for yourself. Although I don't hate it, I can not say I like it... to sum it up we've been left on a very BIG cliffhanger, and I look forward to seeing what the writers have in store for us.

Gameplay - 4.5 stars

THANK GOD THERE ARE NO MINI GAMES

Again, this was going well for me until the most recent updates, but that doesn't stop me from loving the game.
Previously, the choices you made put you on one linear story line, and their was not too much that you could "miss" other than certain sex scenes.
Recently though, (SPOILER ALERT) one of the characters literally dies, and also you are given a choice before that which girl you want to be with ext.
My personal preference is that the story stays more linear, like another great game, "Milf City"

Anyways all that aside this game is still an absolute must play.
Every game has its flaws, which is why I did not give this one 5 stars.
Still though if you don't give it a chance I don't know what you are doing.

Some of my other favorite games:
- Milfy City (Icstor)
- Dating my Daughter / Melody (Mr.Dots)
- My Sweet Neighbors
- Mythic Manor
- Lancaster Boarding House

Give them a play!

one of renders and great story line
Music is also very leasing, any adult gaming fan would love to play this game. the game maker has put a great effort in making this game. all the characters are so well made

This is my First Review on F95. This Game looks great , stunning beatifull modells. But The Highlight of this Game ist the Story. Well Written with Surprises that i dont wont to spoiler. Lets just say : This is one of the best Adult Games i ever played! Dont skip this one !

Wow just wow, not often do I find myself immersed in the story and burst out laughing in front of my laptop. Great story, great art, great characters and Liam makes for 10/10 game.
Can't wait for more emotional roller coaster!

The best VN I've ever played. Honestly had be dying of laughter at times, and had me fighting back tears at other times. The overall experience is just wonderful and I believe everyone should play it at least once!

Overall rating is average, because while some aspects of the game are absolutely awesome, others are pretty bad if not terrible. Render quality is extremely and noticeably spotty. It reminds me of those movies that aren't necessarily great, but are absolute landmarks for some particular device or effect development that other movies will borrow from for decades to come.

game started out great, it wasn't all sunshine and lollypops but as the story develop it was good, the first 4 episodes were good, thne it starts going downhill in episodes 5 & 6 before episode 7 leaps off a cliff into WTF with little care for any of your choice up to this point, at start you pick traits for MC but they don't matter except for like 2 occasions

Excellent game, nice renders.
Liam is the best bro ever.
Wish the Megan romance wasn't as forced upon you as it is now, I would've liked a pure Melissa path.
Nice use of different looking characters (blonde, redhead, freckled, piercing/tattoos, short/long hair)

Ok this is very difficult.

The Story is a solid 5 Stars for the first 5 and a half chapters. Just really good Art design, likable Characters, a good story. Really nice.

BUT then, for some reason, the Author decided to take a torch, figuratively and literally, and burn everything to the ground. Why? The last 1 and a half chapters are a solid ZERO stars. Not only are they bad in and off themselves, they basically ruin the whole game. Period. They force me to give you 2 Stars for this, just to warn people. If you play this game, play until Megan gets a big movie role and then just save and quit. Just quit. Everything after this is just a huge steaming pile of manure.

I have no Problems with bad endings but this is just complete random bullshit. I don't even know what i did wrong. Or if there is even something i did wrong or if the Author is just completely retarded. IF this is only one bad ending of many than you really have to do a better job to give the player clues. Did JRR Tolkien just willy nilly decide to let everybody die and sauron win in the end? No? DDid John McLane just fall off the Nakatomi Plaza and die? No? Take a frickin hint.

Just really, really disappointed. TBH. Just go ahead delete the last two chapters, go on vacation or something, then come back and do it right this time.

This review is based on version 0.7 extra

I approached this game with mixed feelings due to the cheating tag, which is not really my thing, but I decided to give it a go nonetheless.
I never expected that a porn game - slash - visual novel would grip me so much and have such an impact on me.

STORY

The plot is well balanced and fleshed out with bittersweet moments and great humor. Though I downloaded this games for the titties, I just could not get enough of Liam's antics. To me, the sex scenes were just an extra and yet I couldn't stop myself from clicking on the next dialog frame untile I reached the end of the version. The storyline flows smoothly and keeps you interested all the way.

CHARACTERS

The cast of characters is great. They have their own personalities expressed in their style, action and words. None sounds (reads) or looke fake or forced.

VISUALS

The renders are good, even those that are still in HD. In some sex scenes the "connection point" is quite dark, but this might be just my monitor disbehaving. The animations, though simple, play smoothly.

MUSIC

The music really ties well with the whole story and never sounds out of place, adding instead flavour to the interactions between the character

GUI

I really like the chapter subdivision. The stat screen between each chapter (and the reminder to save) give you a plethora of replay options without resorting to scumming. Many the times that after seen the stat screen I went back to try different options to see the different results.

Result:
This is a high quality game / visual novel. While I downloaded it for the porn, I ended up playing for the gripping story. I gladly give it a 5 stars rating and can't wait to see the continuation.

Love hate this game. Score is based on Developer taking it from a real good game to a WTF. In release 6 no way of trying to save both or die trying. In release 7 not being able to formulate a valid episode with anything.

I loved the first 5 chapters, but what happened afterwards? I do not want to give any spoilers, so I am just asking: Why did the story collapse? What is the main goal now? In my opinion there is no more reason given to continue playing this game.

Excellent storytelling. Immersive story with choices that actually feel like they make a difference. Good renders and animations. Looking forward to the final chapters being released. Also look forward to what DrPinkCake releases in the future.

Started out good, then story took a sociopathic turn which destroyed what the story built up to that point, chapter 1-5 are a four or a five out of a five rating, but 6 and 7 are a 1, so avg i give it a 3/5

Edit, im chaning this to a 2/5 because the last chapters are just drama, no sex at all in latest updates unless you count the "holy" path and you never cheated

This is my review of the game Acting Lessons final version:

1 – Graphics: Great renders so far. The art design is really incredible and all characters have nice proportions, mainly the female characters with a realistic body that in adult games seems rare. I took 0.5 points because some animations look bad positioned or glitches (clothes inside of the body).

2 – Gameplay: Gameplay simple, but efficient. This game uses decisions to define the destiny of the characters, some of them is easy, but some of them are hard, like at the end of chapter 6. The hints system is good, but it needs a points system too to avoid questions like: where’s the walkthrough?

3 – Script: Man. One of the best scripts and if realize that is an adult game, this is a gem. Tone realistic, Characters well developed with various layers and the twist at the final the chapter 7, it left me surprised and amazed. Some players disagree with dark destiny that developer chosen, but it always was the premise from the game and I never saw the plot like a beautiful fairy tale or a harem story type.

4 – Sex scenes: Perfect amount, because the focus this game is the story not an endless fap time session and each scene is just to spice up the narrative, nothing more and I took 0.5 because the animations that I mentioned before

Final: This game is a masterpiece and I really loved my experience in playing it. Some players didn’t like it’s because they didn’t understand the premise or they expected a triangle romance, but the developer didn’t want and he forced the player to choose one of the girls

If I had written this review 2 months ago, it would have earned a much higher rating, perhaps even 5 stars. Now however, I hate to admit that this has sunk from one of my favourite VNs, to barely above "meh" territory.
The first 4-5 chapters were nicely done. We had interesting characters introduced, good humour and an interesting story. These chapters were light-hearted, but had enough drama in them to keep the story from being dull.

Then the last 2 chapters rolls around, and suddenly tries to make the story Romeo & Juliet 2.0, with even more drama sprinkled on top. The story used to feel real, in that we had mostly good times, but enough bad elements involved, that it never felt perfect. Most people can probably relate to this feeling.
Now we are just bombarded with tragedies, drama, confusing plots and weird character development.

It honestly feels like the dev suddenly watched Game of thrones a bit too much, and decided it was necessary to kill off a couple of characters and add a bit more controversy to the story, which is not what was needing IMO.
The game was already leading up to a dramatic enough ending with Liam's character arch, and plenty enough excitement could have been made from that angle alone. No need to make every aspect of the ending depressing.

Still giving an above average rating, since I still enjoy the first many chapters, but the last 2 chapters sadly ended up making the story worse in my eyes.


Edit*

The game have reached its final release, so I thought it would only be fair to update the review to match this.

The final chapter somehow manages to salvage most of the things that were done poorly in the last couple of chapters and manages to give a satisfying ending to the game.
I will add an extra star to the rating, given that I did not think it would be possible for me to feel satisfied once I reached the end, but was proven wrong (even if the ending is still bittersweet), and the story is wrapped up fairly nicely.

I am actually happy to have been proven wrong about my fears of how the game was shaping up. Good on you, DrPinkCake.