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

About a year and a half ago, I created an account on F95 to post how much impact Acting Lessons did to me. Having zero to none experience with other AVNs, I did what most players probably would: tried to bang every girl, possibly getting a "harem ending" and trying to unlock as many gallery scenes as I could on my first playthrough. As you could imagine, I got one of the worst endings which hit me so hard that I was stuck thinking about it for weeks before I had the courage to replay it.

At this point, you can tell how great of a writer DrPinkCake is. The story is overall great, the main character (aka Jonas) have a believable backstory and traumas, the three LI's are well developed and LIAM IS THE BEST FRIEND YOU COULD EVER ASK FOR.

Recently, I decided to replay it, trying different outcomes. Even though I stand by my original opinion that everyone should play this game and that it's one of the best VNs available, there's a growing uncomfortable feeling inside me that I couldn't get rid of, caused by the inevitability.


TL;DR:
This game is a must play, and you should look forward to future content released by DrPinkCake.
Beware of the inevitable bittersweet ending, though.

4/5

Took a long time to come around and rate this game, but felt it deserved that repect as a work of art.

Short and sweet. Personal Top Five game ive ever played. (I personally think its DrPinkCake's best game. )

This game on paper shouldnt be this good.
Don't recall a game that had taken it upon itself to effect my emotions without consent, so effortlessly.

I don't know DrPinkCake but i felt he put alot of raw (maybe personal) emotion into this to create a base for a game, that is both bitter sweet, and much needed.
Appreciate that

I'm still not nor will I ever be the same after I was done.
This game wont leave you long after.

Just play it.

This has been a...unique experience in which I cried for my friend and enjoyed the bromance as much as the romance. I would recommend playing it when you're feeling into giving it some time and not just hastily skimming through it.

I freaking love this story and game. I have played it 3 times and I love the characters and the dude peeking through the banner image . This one punches you like a train at full speed just amazing. I love all the characters but especially Melissa why oh why?

Brilliant game, but for me it have too dark endings. I expected a happy end but got a very sad game. Strong story, good characters, but ending ruin everything for me. Author do it too much, too dark, this is not good for erotic VN, script is too serious, It good for serious drama movie. Sexual content is good, but not necessary, animations looks weird sometimes. I think it must be a censored version without nudity - and it would be a good VN for everyone, even for your mom. I can recommend this VN for people who do not take too much to heart, if you are too sensitive - don't play.

Before Acting Lessons, I never really took part of discussion on F95. Then this VN came along. I remember first time playing 0.4 back in mid 2018 and it blew my mind. I played many VNs before and many of them are either mindless dating sim fap or some devs tried their hand on making slice of life story but they don't really have the skill to do it. Of course nowadays there are many story and narrative driven VN but I believe Acting Lessons was the first that succeed at making rom com/slice of life/tragedy VN

Great cast of characters. Nice simple plot with excellent use of slow building a romance vs fuck-them-all type of game. Liam by far the best character in the game. Only gripe is most of the character models arent my type so the temptation to cheat aspect was lost on me.

I enjoyed it. In this case we have a standard visual novel (meaning there's no really many gameplay elements) with different paths. Good story (room for comedy and tragedy there) and characters and sex scenes are very nicely done. It works in many aspects and it's not exactly too long.

I came to nut but played through without even thinking about it.
Liam ha to be the best written character in the game. He made my Laught and cry and i am normaly fucking ice cold.

I think this game has even a bit more soul than Beeing a DIK tho its also good

It's not bad, but it feels like 90% of the Ren'Py VNs out there... Don't get me wrong, this should be the standard of how these games should be, but it's not really anything unique or different. Similar rendering and plot... It's ok i guess 7/10

Great game. Its not just some erotic story, its a full dramatic story with just some elements of 18+ content. Characters are so well written, that you become really close to them and the events of the game really work for you because of that good writing.

I think storywise this is the best out there cuz the writing is top notch with a memorable cast. I was really impressed with this 1 as usually after a few hours I would get bored & start skipping text to reach next sex scene but for this I was too much hooked onto the story that I really didn't care about sex. The sex animations are really smooth & good. The characters were just amazing especially Liam what a bro!!. This is a must play guys trust me I will definitely recommend this as 1 of the VN u must play before u die seriously it's just that good.
Spoiler :My only issue was to choose b/w Megan & Melissa I mean how could u make me do that cuz Megan is too good for this world & the world was too harsh on Melissa I would have rather preferred an ending where I sacrifice my life to save them both rather than having to choose

Absolute masterpiece. DrPinkCake should be writing/directing movies and TV. I'm now twice as excited for the direction that BADIK is going to go in, though I'm going to have to wait a long time. The ending was a gut punch, but I respected this Visual Novel all the more for it. Bravo.

Been enjoying AVNs for a while and I enjoy reviewing them on F95 and it got me thinking about how I got into this genre of visual novels and this was it. I bought it on steam while being horny. You know how it is. At the time I just wanted some pretty renders to look at and a quick fap, and this game robbed me of that. Instead it gave me an unforgettable experience that haunted for me days after.

I literally couldn't stop thinking about this game. It really affected me in a way that's hard to describe. Was I depressed this game was over? Emotionally scarred? Thoroughly amazed? After a few days I realized that it was a combination of those feelings. I didn't know a visual novel could have this effect on me and that scared me a bit. Quickly I concluded that this was a side effect of the amazing writing in this AVN. A lot of the characters and their relatable stories hit close to home in several instances and I wasn't really ready for that.

Acting Lessons set the standard for how I look at AVNs from there on. It's a very personal, but wholesome story that also excellently explores darker themes of suicide, abandonment, jealousy and abuse. It's not a depressing or dark game as it also tackles humor very well. It also explores the value of friendship, loyalty and the consequences of betraying those ideals.

When you finish this game it will feel like you closed a really good novel and you will be met with the emptiness that follows after closing such a book. It pulled me in and immersed me in a way that no AVN has really done after the fact. You could say I was spoiled by playing this as my first AVN, but at the same time it made me fall in love with the genre.

I don't really treat this as a porn game. The stunning girls and the sex scenes are a good bonus, but this game is diamond in the rough when it comes to emotional and fleshed out storytelling that leaves you dwelling on it for days to come.

I'm keeping this vague and won't go into many details because I feel like a new player to this game should go in with as little information as possible. This is a masterpiece and everyone should experience this for the first time with little to no spoilers. My only real con is that I dread every time I replay this game.
When I revisit, the roller coaster of emotions I mentioned earlier come tumbling back. I don't judge the faults of other AVNs based on Acting Lessons, and I have enjoyed others equally as much, but deep in the back of my mind I always compare them to this game, and that is something I think I'll always do. Even if I want to or not.

I hand on heart recommend this game.

The legend period. beautifully done and decent ending
writing is already far beyond the level of those you can usually see from adult games.
hot chicks, unique personality, full of good-feeling events and everything goes smooth like silk.
it could have been a little better if scenes with ex-gf were added. everyone deserves their 2nd chance.

Simply beautiful, touching and with a great story is what can I say about this experience I had with this game by autor named DrPinkCake. I admire it and you. Good job. All I can say, yet, I could write a lot about it. Same goes to Being a DIK.

one of the best games I ever played!

So much depth in the story
Such interesting characters
Good graphics
...

list goes on. This game does great in so many ways - I really recommend you check it out.

I have to say that I have passed by this game so many times not knowing the treasure it is. Finally, give it a chance, and man... what a wonderful game. Deep characters, good renders (although have seen better), very good writting and intense and surprising story. Must admit, heart skip a beat in some choices and sank at some point (not doing spoilers). Must be one of the games I most enjoyed palying and also one of the hardests due to feelings it brings up. Contrats to DrPinkCake. Fabulous work!

★Chef's kiss: Story narration and writing

+ Top-tier plot that gets even better in later chapters
+ Characters are well written (except maybe for the horny college girls)
+ Comedy is unforgettable but not too invasive in the story
+ CG and models are good especially the main love interests ()
+ Liam
+ Very well-implemented choices and dialogue; rewards and consequences make sense
+ Good amount of adult scenes

- Traits mechanic isn't that immersive and didn't affect side or major dialogue that much
- Realism is a bit shoddy
- The poeticism and the dark turn in the story can come off as edgy or corny but that doesn't affect the experience
- Involves character-death which is a total bonerkiller if you're invested in the story (completely or partially) AND are waiting to jack it

Overall, this game is top-notch for an adult VN with focus on the plot. On that note, the story can stick to you (avoid the comments for spoilers if you can). Imo the game is definitely memorable after you've finished it.

I got a "bad" ending the first time through and having more than one twist really threw me off but nonetheless I enjoyed it very much. I prefer harem endings and I don't think there is one in this game, but I can see what the author is going for here and I appreciate it. One of the very few times where I replayed a game just so I could get the ending I want.