VN Ren'Py Being a DIK [v0.10.1] [DrPinkCake]

[I'm Canadian bub]

What I dislike most about the game:

1)Tybalt is too cartoonish a character. It's hard to take him seriously when all we do the whole game is make fun of him. And he has to be taken seriously when the quest to blackmail Tybalt begins. He just talks, but to back up his words he could send a lawyer or a statement of claim and then we could realize that he's not kidding.

2)Abrupt transitions between character story arcs. For example, there is a story arc of Sage and MC just being sex friends and there is a story arc of MC and Sage in a relationship. There is no smooth transition between them, everything happened abruptly and roughly. On the contrary, Bell's arc is generally structured well and a smooth and logical development of the relationship from cold attitude to affection and love.

3) Useless Characters. I realize that a large number of characters increase immersiveness, but there are useless characters whose presence in the game is very hard to explain. For example, why do you need Becky when her role can be duplicated by Sarah or Ariet? If DPС needs Maya to have a person from the past, then a similar role could be played by Derek, for example. The same could be said for the dorm girls, but they would probably play some important role in the story.

4)Too much branching. The game has tons of variables and choices that don't make any sense at all. The ending with Sarah and Melanie is pointless because they obviously don't have their own romantic line and sex with them could have happened at the party. Why was the "Jill's orgasm" variable even necessary? That there would be a separate subplot in the game where Jill doesn't like sex? What's the point? What's the point of making the game so complicated?

5)The incompleteness of some of the storylines. I realize that the game will probably provide answers in the future, but it's been 2 seasons and most of the questions remain unanswered. The game answers the most minor questions, and the game asks new questions. For example, Chad's arc is still not complete. We don't know who the blackmailer was, why he let Troy get beaten up in episode 1, what his relationship with Sage was, etc.

6) A branch of others. I've said before that the Others branch is a very bloated branch with a lot of girls with their own quests. To unlock all the content of this branch, you will have to replay it several times. For example, in episode 9, the Others branch has 5 endings (Quinn, Lily and Envy, Melanie and Sarah, Night on the Couch, and Night with Vixen).

7) Replayability for the sake of replayability. To unlock absolutely all the content of episode 9 you need to play it 6 times.

Interesting points you have brought up here. I can't say I agree with most of what you said since many points clash with what I understand about the foundation BADik is built on. However, you made two points that are gripes at DPC's storytelling capabilities making it easier to agree with, as many, not just me, have found some issues with his ability to chronicle characters and events.

Tybalt is definitely over the top on the whole rich snob personality. I agree that he goes beyond stereotypical, becoming a caricature, but it can be quite easily ignored as the characters surrounding him are serious threats in the narrative making him a threat by proximity. Also, I don't much care for Jill to begin with, rendering Tybalt a nonentity as he's not even a true threat on her path. So cartoonish but consistently so? Meh, I've tolerated worse.

I must disagree with you on your example of unexpected transitions in character story arcs though the point itself holds merit. Sage's story is perfectly natural to me, it only feels abrupt if you disregard the whole drama with Chad and the time skips. She doesn't just jump into a relationship with Fuckface, she breaks up with Chad then over a month later she agrees once asked to start dating our boy. They build up a strong bond in the 8 episodes before they finally decide to give things a try and it's made very clear how since we actively participate in those chemistry-building moments. The truly abrupt part is episodes 1 and 2 of their relationship but when I was in college I dated an older girl who I met in a similarly blunt situation so it doesn't throw me off as much as the other MG's. There are definitely disconnected transitions that happen though, like the whole Maya and Josy debacle in episode 5 which has been recounted probably more times than there are pages in this thread so I will digress.

Your third complaint confuses me. Useless characters? You literally said it yourself; they are there for immersive purposes, to make the world seem alive. Every character doesn't require a fully formed reason for existing, just like you probably don't know why your neighbor lives next to you. To follow your suggestions, however, would certainly make the BADik universe blander and less interesting. DPC is not George RR Martin though; he's not giving every character their own POV. If every character directly affects the narrative that would only make your next point even more futile. This is an erotic college dating sim game, not a fantasy book series examining the intricacies of societal hierarchies interacting with the supernatural in a mysterious world-ending scenario. Little nods to other people existing and having little to do with the main plot is a mark of genuine worldbuilding which needs to be celebrated in my opinion, not condemned.

This game was always going to have a staggering number of different branches, and securing the funding to go nuts with it only allowed DPC to truly push its limits. Man must be a fan of Star Trek with his constant desire to venture ever further beyond what he knows he's capable of. I'm no landscaper but I believe we should let the branches grow, and see how big this tree can really become, you know?

There are bound to be a fuckton of unanswered questions. We are literally only halfway through the story; this is the point when the narrative reaches the rising action, meaning only now will we start to get more answers to the important burning questions like the truth behind Melanie and Sarah's relationship with Chad. Of course, questions like the identity of the blackmailer may not receive an answer until episode 12, if not even later. I, for one, know what I signed up for with DPC and that finding the answers to my questions is, doubtlessly, a very long-term commitment. BADik ain't perfect but I have faith it'll deliver, and if I don't get all my questions answered? So be it.

These last two points are really just DPC catering to the market. Make as many girls available as possible to bring in as many consumers as possible, then keep them playing the game for as long as possible. Those Steam stats ain't going to boost themselves. He's passionate about this but, at the end of the day, he's in it for the money. If he wasn't, he would do what I do and create tons of stories for free in his spare time and keep them locked away for personal use and a few other loved ones.

Thank you for your opinions, Proxy. I enjoyed hashing my own as I so rarely do divulge my own thoughts about the game and I enjoyed reading your perspective. I always enjoy seeing "hot take" posts like yours.

Cheers, bub.

 

[KАRАMBA]

Someone or some people exploited the poll via VPN, etc. to vote multiple times for Quinn. I also found some fishy votes for Sage but she is the winner probably.

Wait a minute, you're saying there are fishy votes for Quinn, and for Sage. What these doubts are based on is not clear. Apparently in the short time interval between the voices. The fact that people from different countries can vote almost synchronously is not taken into account. And now you've already identified the votes for Quinn as fake, but for Sage only - fishy. So, having as you say - fishy votes for Quinn and Sage, nevertheless you give the victory to Sage. It doesn't look too fair. No. It looks like real discrimination. Quinn's rights are being grossly violated.

 

[RandoCard3]

What I dislike most about the game:

1)Tybalt is too cartoonish a character. It's hard to take him seriously when all we do the whole game is make fun of him. And he has to be taken seriously when the quest to blackmail Tybalt begins. He just talks, but to back up his words he could send a lawyer or a statement of claim and then we could realize that he's not kidding.

2)Abrupt transitions between character story arcs. For example, there is a story arc of Sage and MC just being sex friends and there is a story arc of MC and Sage in a relationship. There is no smooth transition between them, everything happened abruptly and roughly. On the contrary, Bell's arc is generally structured well and a smooth and logical development of the relationship from cold attitude to affection and love.

3) Useless Characters. I realize that a large number of characters increase immersiveness, but there are useless characters whose presence in the game is very hard to explain. For example, why do you need Becky when her role can be duplicated by Sarah or Ariet? If DPС needs Maya to have a person from the past, then a similar role could be played by Derek, for example. The same could be said for the dorm girls, but they would probably play some important role in the story.

4)Too much branching. The game has tons of variables and choices that don't make any sense at all. The ending with Sarah and Melanie is pointless because they obviously don't have their own romantic line and sex with them could have happened at the party. Why was the "Jill's orgasm" variable even necessary? That there would be a separate subplot in the game where Jill doesn't like sex? What's the point? What's the point of making the game so complicated?

5)The incompleteness of some of the storylines. I realize that the game will probably provide answers in the future, but it's been 2 seasons and most of the questions remain unanswered. The game answers the most minor questions, and the game asks new questions. For example, Chad's arc is still not complete. We don't know who the blackmailer was, why he let Troy get beaten up in episode 1, what his relationship with Sage was, etc.

6) A branch of others. I've said before that the Others branch is a very bloated branch with a lot of girls with their own quests. To unlock all the content of this branch, you will have to replay it several times. For example, in episode 9, the Others branch has 5 endings (Quinn, Lily and Envy, Melanie and Sarah, Night on the Couch, and Night with Vixen).

7) Replayability for the sake of replayability. To unlock absolutely all the content of episode 9 you need to play it 6 times.

1) This one I agree with. It feels more like a caricature than an actual character, and I think the story would benefit from giving him some actual development, beyond being a punching bag to show how cool Tremolo is. Fuck man, give him a redemption arc. Let us hook him up with a chick. Either someone who'll help him pull his head out of his arse, or Becky, to further torment the both of them.

2) I'm not really seeing the issue you are, so I'll just leave this one.

3) Without those characters, it would make the setting less believable. If you play many other games, you start to notice how unnatural things feel due to only the core cast every being present. And to include another conversation point, it's also weird how, in most games, the MC never has any male friends outside his pervy best friend. BaDIK allows Derek to have interactions outside of his relationship to the MC, which lets him be a character instead of just someone to be lame next to the MC so said MC can look cool. Anyway, Becky. Her role is lewd scenes, a way to gain RP with Maya and Derek, and comic relief when things go poorly for her. Her role isn't deep, but she does have one. Sarah could have taking some of that for herself, but then that then becomes extra baggage that needs to accounted for in future scenes. For example, her being a catty bitch to Maya at lunch would make her apology seem insincere later.

4) We don't actually know if Sarah and Mel will lead anywhere or not. If not, it doesn't matter, since it's not going to lead to a huge change outside a unique opening scene and alternate dialogue for future scenes with them. If it does, then, neat, new route. The Jill orgasm is probably just a minor variable.

5) I mean, you already addressed this. The games not finished. Unresolved questions will likely get resolved in time.

6) I'm not really seeing an issue here, outside of extended dev time, and I rather longer dev time than a lesser game. I imagine the reason you're given so many options, is so DPC can cut out certain events, so he doesn't have to squeeze them all into a limited timeframe. There's no need to worry about how Tremolo manages to do crimes with Quinn, Roll with Lily and have their date with Nicole all in the same night when they're mutually exclusive scenes. I imagine there's other scenes for hooking up with Sarah, and Mel, sleeping with the Vixens or the Sofa. Maybe different scenes, maybe not.

7) Just don't replay it, if you don't want to. I only when through all the routes recently, and it's only because it took me a few years to care enough to do that. If you've only got one playthrough in you, that's totally valid. If you want the other scenes, just unlock the gallery.

Unrelated, but since infighting is flaring up again, I feel it needs to be said: ALL GIRLS ARE BEST GIRL, but Quinn is bestest girl.

 

[Raziel_8]

Translation: I didn't want Quinn to win so I've come up with a reason that disqualifies her, Sage had the same problem but I like her so I'll let her win.

For the record I didn't vote multiple times, I voted once for Sage, Quinn, Rio, Josy and Cam.

IIRC he took away/didn't count the fishy votes for both, Quinn and Sage.

There are 41 recurring votes like this for Quinn, 14 for Sage, and 3 for Josy. After removing them here is the result:

 

[ChipLecsap]

Translation: I didn't want Quinn to win so I've come up with a reason that disqualifies her, Sage had the same problem but I like her so I'll let her win.

For the record I didn't vote multiple times, I voted once for Sage, Quinn, Rio, Josy and Cam.

I voted 0 time. , I've grown out of these online poll things, they so meaningless

 

[funkymonkeyjedi]

The next day I found out from her parents that she had been hit by a car at the crossing. The driver was drunk. She survived, but frankly, it would have been better not, because even if she had somehow miraculously stayed alive, she would have remained in a vegetative state for the rest of her life. She fell into a coma and died 2 weeks later in the hospital. Her boyfriend... well, he visited her only once, after which he disappeared forever. He didn't even come to her funeral. She was an only child in the family and her parents took it very terribly.

Perhaps to someone it will seem childish, a manifestation of weakness or snotty bullshit. But some time after she passed away I did my own memory lane. I felt that I needed to do this in order to remember and relive all the memories. I cried like a bitch for days. And even now, after so many years passed, when I think about her or some our moments, I feel a lump in my throat. It hurts so fucking much.

I can say with confidence (including from personal experience) that the loss of a true and best friend is just as hard as the loss of true love. Whatever the reason.

Sorry for your loss.
And of course friendship can cause similar reactions. For you it's like losing a sibling. This sort of intimacy is just as deep as a romantic one, from what you recount, difference is you never crossed that line with your friend. But even if that 'love' wasn't intimate. The point is, 'love' will make you do things that are 'out of character'. Also, it's nothing to do with 'weakness', it's how we 'cope' with tragedy.

To be honest, I don't see how that invalidates the MC's behavior for doing it as well. You sort of make my point for me there as well. Anyhow, I'm not going to rehash the reasons why the MC does it himself.

Think about how it would turn, if Zoey wouldn't listen to Bret's advice to "ghost" her friend. And they would continue to communicate the same way as at the very beginning after her departure. First of all, the source of the drama here is that she stopped writing and calling him.

Zoey's feelings are in their infancy, just like MC's. She realized that she did not like all that surfing and she leaved in vain. That she was homesick. And only after that - misses MC.

Well, to me, this sounds like her last attempt at closing a door on her past so she could move forward with her life, trying to convince herself she made the correct choice. And it fails because as you mention she slowly realizes she had not listened to her own feelings.

I suppose, when you really miss somebody and more important, felt something - you will probably mention it first. She said she missed him in last turn. Then she said she want to hang-out like it was before. And she hoped that he still considered her his friend, or would be able to consider her one again.

I can't can't really agree or disagree, but I can challenge that idea with this.
You return home, and see the MC, he just finishes telling you why he blocked you and changed numbers. And you realize the MC made a choice to move ahead with his life and stop waiting. I'm pretty sure you'd hold off on the shouting you love admission back to him as a first item for discussion. That's just how I understand that bit.

Despite the fact that they started fucking, it was more of a mutual interest, as it happens at their age (well, hell, actually in recent decades it usually happens much earlier, but nevertheless). For them, it was mostly a fun pastime, like hanging out, etc. It was not a manifestation of any feelings, but only a fun adventure. We know how a DPC can convey the right mood or make a message with just a couple of renders. Well, fucking for them was just "fun" and a kind of forbidden fruit, we see that the idea to do it from time to time comes to them spontaneously. Like, let's have a beer? No? When can we fuck instead? parents are away for the weekend.

Yes because as the MC points out, the first couple times they did it was under the influence of alcohol. But after a few times, Alcohol was no longer needed, probably because they're weren't so nervous to do this with eachother.
And for a young teenager, that exploration can quickly turn into something more, which is pretty much what happens in the story.

DPC even showed us a scene with a spontaneous kiss, and the MC's reaction to it. Like, "What are you doing?" Scene in train station shows us that they probably never even hugged. So, it's like, you can think anything in your head, you can feel anything with your heart, but if you don't tell a girl about it, it will stay with you. You'll never know if these feelings are mutual, if your views coincide or if it's just an innocent infatuation.

Can't really contest that, Except for saying again, young teenagers, who know next to nothing about intimate relationships and what they consist of. Just discovering it on their own.

They parted as friends, they never discussed their feelings and did not behave like a couple.

Don't forget Zoey asked the MC to go with her.. And of course they'd depart as just friends. Neither of them wanted to admit openly their feelings at that moment because it would only make that scene even harder and worse to deal with. They might have been teens, but they're not 'Dawe' level idiots. lol

I don't want to say that he doesn't or can't have feelings for Zoey, but, according to the game logic, we need to reject all LI and stay alone for a while. And that's when we have a chance to try to go back and press "play" button and explore their feelings. In AL, we had Ana. We had to reject the girls who, according to the plot, liked MC and for whom he began to have feelings, cheat on them to back to his ex. This is an alternate ending and Ana is SG. It's the same here, I have nothing against Zoey, it's a great and touching story that most likely leads to an alternative ending. But we need to literally reject all MGs, although we have seen and know that the MC had real feelings and affection for them and that by the 8th episode these feelings are finally formed. I.e. in some way we have to go against the canon.

I completely agree with everything here. But in all of that you kinda elaborated on much of what I meant. Sure I might not agree 100% with the causalities of how it got to that point, but the bottom line is there was something between them from the moment Zoey left. Even if they couldn't admit it to themselves.

But good post. It was interesting to see what your point of view was on that and have left me with a few things to think about and consider.

 

[c.mork]

Wait a minute, you're saying there are fishy votes for Quinn, and for Sage. What these doubts are based on is not clear. Apparently in the short time interval between the voices. The fact that people from different countries can vote almost synchronously is not taken into account. And now you've already identified the votes for Quinn as fake, but for Sage only - fishy. So, having as you say - fishy votes for Quinn and Sage, nevertheless you give the victory to Sage. It doesn't look too fair. No. It looks like real discrimination. Quinn's rights are being grossly violated.

Face it, Quinn is fated to trail behind Sage's (and Rio's) shadow

 

[KАRАMBA]

they so meaningless

Of course they are meaningless... If Quinn doesn't win.

 

[KАRАMBA]

Face it, Quinn is fated to trail behind Sage's (and Rio's) shadow

You can say whatever you want. But the fact remains. Quinn's clear and brilliant victory is obvious to everyone.

Divine Quinn ! The incredible Quinn ! The most beautiful Quinn !

 

[Joshy92]

My god did monkeys vote in that pole geez.
That's it guys I don't believe in voting anymore.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go cry.
Because my angel didn't win

 

[funkymonkeyjedi]

I swear every time I see voting between love interests, it always culminates in botting.
Communities can go insane if their preferred LI loses a popularity contest.
View attachment 2785473
The same thing happened last year with the BAD subreddit polls and, more recently, Quinn vs Triss on AVN lovers.

Thank you for making the effort to introduce a fresh and distinct topic to the conversation.
View attachment 2785475

If it were a real life thing, I'd much rather my LI come in last in such polls.
Least that way I'd know I wouldn't have to worry about weirdos going for her.

 

[KАRАMBA]

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go cry.
Because my angel didn't win

Why go somewhere ? You can cry here

 

[despelote]

is there a post with all previews of ep10?

 

[funkymonkeyjedi]

is there a post with all previews of ep10?

Search feature broken in your browser?
here (for fuck sakes)

 

[Mr. Muscles]

is there a post with all previews of ep10?

https://f95zone.to/threads/being-a-dik-v0-9-1-dr-pinkcake.25332/post-9813919

 

[c.mork]

You can say whatever you want. But the fact remains. Quinn's clear and brilliant victory is obvious to everyone.
View attachment 2785486
Divine Quinn ! The incredible Quinn ! The most beautiful Quinn !

You need to lay off the cocaine that your paramour is dealing, looks like big fat L to me.

 

[funkymonkeyjedi]

Search feature broken in your browser?
here (for fuck sakes)

Although now I notice there is 1 preview that's missing, and that would be the camping minigames preview.

 

[Geralt From Rivia]

What I dislike most about the game:

1)Tybalt is too cartoonish a character. It's hard to take him seriously when all we do the whole game is make fun of him. And he has to be taken seriously when the quest to blackmail Tybalt begins. He just talks, but to back up his words he could send a lawyer or a statement of claim and then we could realize that he's not kidding.

2)Abrupt transitions between character story arcs. For example, there is a story arc of Sage and MC just being sex friends and there is a story arc of MC and Sage in a relationship. There is no smooth transition between them, everything happened abruptly and roughly. On the contrary, Bell's arc is generally structured well and a smooth and logical development of the relationship from cold attitude to affection and love.

3) Useless Characters. I realize that a large number of characters increase immersiveness, but there are useless characters whose presence in the game is very hard to explain. For example, why do you need Becky when her role can be duplicated by Sarah or Ariet? If DPС needs Maya to have a person from the past, then a similar role could be played by Derek, for example. The same could be said for the dorm girls, but they would probably play some important role in the story.

4)Too much branching. The game has tons of variables and choices that don't make any sense at all. The ending with Sarah and Melanie is pointless because they obviously don't have their own romantic line and sex with them could have happened at the party. Why was the "Jill's orgasm" variable even necessary? That there would be a separate subplot in the game where Jill doesn't like sex? What's the point? What's the point of making the game so complicated?

5)The incompleteness of some of the storylines. I realize that the game will probably provide answers in the future, but it's been 2 seasons and most of the questions remain unanswered. The game answers the most minor questions, and the game asks new questions. For example, Chad's arc is still not complete. We don't know who the blackmailer was, why he let Troy get beaten up in episode 1, what his relationship with Sage was, etc.

6) A branch of others. I've said before that the Others branch is a very bloated branch with a lot of girls with their own quests. To unlock all the content of this branch, you will have to replay it several times. For example, in episode 9, the Others branch has 5 endings (Quinn, Lily and Envy, Melanie and Sarah, Night on the Couch, and Night with Vixen).

7) Replayability for the sake of replayability. To unlock absolutely all the content of episode 9 you need to play it 6 times.

My five cents, with some I agree, some moments have counter-arguments.

1. Partially agree. He is a caricature, but such people exist in real life. Tybalt of this such banter over a typical "prep spoiled kid" from a very rich family.
That's what I'd like to see - Tybalt PRESENTING A REAL THREAT TO MC. So that there was a challenge to the player on his part and Tybalt really worked as an antagonist. Blackmail challenge seemed like a real danger until a mild denouement came. It's like threatening with a fake gun.

2.If we remove this bullshit moment about "rebound guy", then Sage's route is very well balanced. Their relationship smoothly moves from just mercantile interests, to friendship for sex, and eventually a romantic interest appears. Don't forget that Sage is a very closed person and it is difficult for her to express feelings. Plus she's pretty wild and we're definitely not going to see "vanilla romance".

3. Agree, I think everyone have his own list of useless characters and me too. If we talk about the opinion of the majority, when we are unanimous, then the most useless character is Madame Rose.
Becky here is just for hate, Arieth - comedian relief.

4. I like how big and branched the game is. If DPC can handle it, I support his path. But I have to put up with the fact that the game is getting bigger and takes more time for development - it happens for all branched games. But hey, it's not without reason that this is the most popular game in the genre.

5.Yes, there are many mysteries and DPC is clearly not going to reveal the cards quickly. Like you said, we're halfway through. I don't think we'll get all but many answers by the end of Season 3.

6-7. Me with my 22 runs say hi. And it is not a record, Toobextra and Kpyna played much more.

 

[Old Grumpy Wolf]

You need to lay off the cocaine that your paramour is dealing, looks like big fat L to me.
View attachment 2785497

Fixed it for you. :

 

[QWareZ]

What I dislike most about the game:

1)Tybalt is too cartoonish a character. It's hard to take him seriously when all we do the whole game is make fun of him. And he has to be taken seriously when the quest to blackmail Tybalt begins. He just talks, but to back up his words he could send a lawyer or a statement of claim and then we could realize that he's not kidding.

2)Abrupt transitions between character story arcs. For example, there is a story arc of Sage and MC just being sex friends and there is a story arc of MC and Sage in a relationship. There is no smooth transition between them, everything happened abruptly and roughly. On the contrary, Bell's arc is generally structured well and a smooth and logical development of the relationship from cold attitude to affection and love.

3) Useless Characters. I realize that a large number of characters increase immersiveness, but there are useless characters whose presence in the game is very hard to explain. For example, why do you need Becky when her role can be duplicated by Sarah or Ariet? If DPС needs Maya to have a person from the past, then a similar role could be played by Derek, for example. The same could be said for the dorm girls, but they would probably play some important role in the story.

4)Too much branching. The game has tons of variables and choices that don't make any sense at all. The ending with Sarah and Melanie is pointless because they obviously don't have their own romantic line and sex with them could have happened at the party. Why was the "Jill's orgasm" variable even necessary? That there would be a separate subplot in the game where Jill doesn't like sex? What's the point? What's the point of making the game so complicated?

5)The incompleteness of some of the storylines. I realize that the game will probably provide answers in the future, but it's been 2 seasons and most of the questions remain unanswered. The game answers the most minor questions, and the game asks new questions. For example, Chad's arc is still not complete. We don't know who the blackmailer was, why he let Troy get beaten up in episode 1, what his relationship with Sage was, etc.

6) A branch of others. I've said before that the Others branch is a very bloated branch with a lot of girls with their own quests. To unlock all the content of this branch, you will have to replay it several times. For example, in episode 9, the Others branch has 5 endings (Quinn, Lily and Envy, Melanie and Sarah, Night on the Couch, and Night with Vixen).

7) Replayability for the sake of replayability. To unlock absolutely all the content of episode 9 you need to play it 6 times.

1) I have seen guys with pictures of their crushes in their wallets (not sure about watermelons). I have seen guys being obnoxious to get the girl's attention (the being loud part, but not playing cello). I have seen guys posting empty seat at dinner table on Valentine's day on their social media. Tybalt might be a bit over the top, but based on my experience it's not that cartoonish (unfortunately).

2) Sage was with Chad, then got MC as a friend (possibly with benefits). Then Chad broke up with her. Then MC can get her as a girlfriend and there is even the "I don't want to be the rebound guy" period. The relationship might progress fast but I wouldn't call it abrupt.

3) I, on the other hand, prefer that the game has more side/"useless" characters instead of the "x girls to date + my friend" I have seen in a lot games. This makes the game feel more alive, or immersive (as you would put it).

4) This depends on your definition of "branching". We have 4 official branches for the main girls plus 1 for "others". As for Jill, I assume you mean the Ep7 scene after "Fight for Jill" and I agree with you, I don't think that scene was needed. Her mental battle between wanting you there and making you leave was good enough.

5) The game is still incomplete.

6) The branch has different endings, but your choice of girl(s) at the end might not result in additional branching (separate story line for each of them). They might converge back into one "others" branch (possibly with you getting a girl at the very end). Also you have to have some content for players who don't want (or won't get) any of the main girls. Staying single and playing the field is a solid option; for example, other games use "backup/fallback girl", usually a childhood friend, that you will end up with should you fail to get any of the "main" girls.

7) This comes with the branching and is kind of standard for AVN/dating sim games. And it also makes sense - at some point the game splits into different story branches based on the selected girl in which you deal with problems related to the specific girl. Also story-based games tend to have low replayability, this is a way to provide some so customers get more value for their money.