Version 0.4b, 2023/10/24
My first impression of Bare Witness was immediately a good one. The game's renders are on-point, and the visual character design is good too.
On top of that, and something many AVN fail at, is that facial expressions are great!
A player who's new to the story might be confused about the MC's flip-flopping between being confident and introverted. He's also a bit of a nerd, but doesn't wear it on his sleeve. After learning about the MC's past, these things clicked a lot better. His situation and the lockdown have left a mark.
I adored the condom use, innovative! (Though it really shouldn't be. I wouldn't mind seeing more sexual health stuff in AVN.)
At the same time, it's sad that the MC doesn't practice safe sex with his other encounters. He could easily catch something from his other partners.
Besides the visuals, the story in this game manages to be intriguing without being overbearing or saddled with too much mystery. There are hints during the first part of the game, where it's made clear that not everything is as it seems. The MC is very hesitant when he's answering certain questions. Luckily, this mystery isn't dragged out, and the player is soon informed about what's been going on.
The story is assisted by a cast of unique and fleshed out love interests, each with their own personality and experiences. There are multiple paths that lead to a solo or harem ending, and choices actually matter in this regard. The overarching story is (so far) not influenced by any choices the player can make.
On to the nitpicks, in the literal sense of the word.
- Nothing dates media as much as referencing current events. Someone playing this game in 10 years might not be able to place Joss Whedon or the pandemic. The game will be dating itself. Even Firefly and Monthy Python are being forgotten.
- That said, I like that this AVN uses actual names, and not names like Ponthy Mython.
- Val reminds me of how petty I can be. I love everything about her. Her personality, her story... Except for how she calls the MC 'baby' every other line. It just gets on my nerves.
- Somehow I wasn't convinced by Zenda's sincerity at first. Sometimes she'll be very insecure, other times overconfident. ("you know where your priorities are"). She's very submissive towards the MC, even allowing a rival in her bed if he wants to. But she's also proactive and generous, taking the initiative to ask the MC out.
- In chapter 3, when talking with Athena (after the Mora meeting), suddenly being in a relationship with her seems weird, if MC went on the date with Zenda in chapter 2 and chapter 3. I would feel different about this if she appeared in the "7 weeks"-cutscene, because as it is, MC hasn't spent a lot of time with Athena at all.
- I expected a bit more self-reflection out of Val, when she asked MC not to sleep with Nicole again. If Val hadn't talked MC up to Nicole, probably nothing would've happened. Val might say that Nicole is competitive, but in my view, Val instigated it.
- The MC could be a bit more inquisitive, though I suspect this was a conscious choice by the writers. Why does Val have a Panic Room and guns in the house? Who is Zenda's father, that she can travel by private plane on a whim? Of course, these questions are eventually answered, but the MC never even inquires.
I've played through a few of the paths that were available through the initial choices I made. My next playthrough is reserved for the Steam release, if/when achievements are added.