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

[ename144]

Yeah, I simplified things for the sake of not overextending the comment, but I'd argue every girl but Josy has something that made them grow closer and closer to MC.

Josy: She's already your crush as you start the game. All of a sudden she decides do be very flirty with MC for some reason. She hooks up with you a couple of times, kinda disappears, comes back as Maya's GF, and now you're already discussing relationship status.

Jill: She's meant to be the angel character, so she meets MC as she's trying to help him. But that's just who she is, she'd do that for anyone. However what sets MC apart for her is that you're different than all the snobs she's surrounded by. You're a simple guy, yet you're indifferent to her money and status, and you're not out to impress her like the other guys do.

Sage: Notice I said "romance" and not "sex". Sage has a much more casual vision of sex, so it doesn't mean much here. That aside, you can see them growing closer on other aspects. She starts off blackmailing MC into helping her, but from that you grow into being her confidant, and eventually her friend. As her relationship crumbles, you're the guy that's there for her, listening to her frustrations, and providing her sexual relief. I'd argue she's still in the "growing closer" phase, rather than "romance phase". She's still getting development, as she never thought of the MC as something more than a casual fling, but we're getting there.

Bella: Has a shitty opinion of you, but gives you a chance because of Jill. She's very reluctant to you at first, but comes to know you mean no harm (in chick route). Again, wouldn't say they are at a romance level yet, but definetly growing closer. She's drawn to MC because she's a fairly lonely woman, deemed an "ice queen", but she sees you trying to crack through the ice. Plus, she has unresolved issues with her housband, and you can tell that deep down she craves for affection.

Sorry for the wall of text. If you got this far, here's a photo of a kitten as a reward:

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YMMV, but for me Josy's dinner date was extremely effective at making her feel close to the MC. They got to bond over how much they hate Tommy while eating, then shared some serious introspection about their hopes and fears on the couch. The fact Josy was so openly conflicted about the whole "boyfriend" thing made her less appealing as a LI at the time, but I felt it made her extremely human.

What really frustrates me is that the moment has never really been revisited after the MC learned the truth. In Episode 4 he was too busy sulking to address it, and after Episode 5 it's been largely forgotten now that all three are either platonic friends or a formal trio. It's almost addressed in Josy's Episode 5 path, but she gets sidetracked talking about the summer crush instead (which I find much less interesting).

If, as most of us suspect, Maya & Josy could break up at some point in the future (hopefully it can be prevented!), maybe that bit will finally be fully explored. Until then, I think the best we can hope for is Josy spending enough time with MC to develop some new connections. I certainly think the spark is there, they just need some tinder to catch it.

Personally, I'd argue Bella is the one who never really got a proper chance to bond with the MC. The lunch scene that 'brings her around' might work for her, but it did nothing for me. Likewise the aborted make-out scene that opens up her path is... honestly rather off-putting even before you factor in the ominous narration. And the various lewd scenes after that seem to be about the MC wearing down Bella's resolve rather than any sort of real connection between them.

To be clear, it's definitely not that I dislike Bella. Her scenes are frequently a hoot, and she's marvelous as a friend. But as a romantic partner, I just cannot see it. The MC has apparently been obsessed with her since that drunken kiss, but for the life of me I can't figure out why.

 

[shazba]

Personally, I'd argue Bella is the one who never really got a proper chance to bond with the MC. The lunch scene that 'brings her around' might work for her, but it did nothing for me. Likewise the aborted make-out scene that opens up her path is... honestly rather off-putting even before you factor in the ominous narration. And the various lewd scenes after that seem to be about the MC wearing down Bella's resolve rather than any sort of real connection between them.

In my first play through the mc stayed with Bella. I think that changes perspective on some things.

 

[horusxcaen82]

I had the MC stay with Derek, mostly cause I love Derek, I'd have loved to have a friend like that to keep my grounded, so I chose him, since I didnt really develop anything with Sage she was locked out, and Bella, while I like her as a character, to me it just felt like an odd choice, the scenes where Derek is like "yeah more fish in the sea..." and the hilarious slap fight they have too just had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe.

 

[Gladheim]

Sorry, I would like to know which post of mine has been deleted. Some mod can tell me to know what it was and not repeat the same error again ? Thanks

 

[shazba]

Sorry, I would like to know which post of mine has been deleted. Some mod can tell me to know what it was and not repeat the same error again ? Thanks

Was there a reason stated for the deletion?

 

[ename144]

In my first play through the mc stayed with Bella. I think that changes perspective on some things.

I doubt it would have changed much for me if I'd tried her path first. The problem is, again, there's no spark there. Bella is someone who could be a friend, easily. But she is clearly opposed to becoming the MC's lover, and the MC respects that... for the first 30 seconds.

From then on, advancing her path is all about the MC doggedly insisting she wants the opposite of what she said initially. No reason is ever given for why the MC feels this way now if he didn't in the library, and no reason is ever offered for why Bella *should* change her mind - only that she obviously wants to. Bella's path in Episode 4 help, because we do see the two interact a lot, but I don't find their connections particularly mutual; Bella will react to the MC's tale of girlfriend woes and the MC will react to Bella's advice, but it's not clear they are responding to the same things. So what gives?

Hell, I could probably go along with the silly notion that the MC's magical baseball bat managed to get her libido going again after all those years - if it weren't for just how tormented Bella's monologues clearly are about the whole thing. That just takes any fun out of the porn tropes, and without them there's pretty much nothing left to work with. It drives me crazy.

 

[shazba]

I had the MC stay with Derek, mostly cause I love Derek, I'd have loved to have a friend like that to keep my grounded, so I chose him, since I didnt really develop anything with Sage she was locked out, and Bella, while I like her as a character, to me it just felt like an odd choice, the scenes where Derek is like "yeah more fish in the sea..." and the hilarious slap fight they have too just had me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe.

Funny, it never even occurred to me to stay with Derek. I only did that after a few replays for completionist purposes. He is hilarious though, and you get to go to the Pink Rose a second time.

 

[Gladheim]

Was there a reason stated for the deletion?

General Rule #1 violation: cleanup, sorry

But idk what post was . I want to know, but I guess will be tomorrow, now im going to sleep and dream with Josy good night

 

[shazba]

I doubt it would have changed much for me if I'd tried her path first. The problem is, again, there's no spark there. Bella is someone who could be a friend, easily. But she is clearly opposed to becoming the MC's lover, and the MC respects that... for the first 30 seconds.

From then on, advancing her path is all about the MC doggedly insisting she wants the opposite of what she said initially. No reason is ever given for why the MC feels this way now if he didn't in the library, and no reason is ever offered for why Bella *should* change her mind - only that she obviously wants to. Bella's path in Episode 4 help, because we do see the two interact a lot, but I don't find their connections particularly mutual; Bella will react to the MC's tale of girlfriend woes and the MC will react to Bella's advice, but it's not clear they are responding to the same things. So what gives?

Hell, I could probably go along with the silly notion that the MC's magical baseball bat managed to get her libido going again after all those years - if it weren't for just how tormented Bella's monologues clearly are about the whole thing. That just takes any fun out of the porn tropes, and without them there's pretty much nothing left to work with. It drives me crazy.

I did a totally platonic play though (on speed mode) just for laughs (took about an hour). Things I couldn't control:

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[horusxcaen82]

Funny, it never even occurred to me to stay with Derek. I only did that after a few replays for completionist purposes. He is hilarious though, and you get to go to the Pink Rose a second time.

I consider Derek an Idiot Savant, he acts goofy and is insane at times but (and here is why I love the MayaXMC pairing) is that she even says as wild and crazy as he is she wouldn't want anyone else for a brother the MC in some ways atleast I felt, has a stick up his ass at certain points and Derek is there to *pop* dislodge it and make him see reason, also the shenanigans in episode 6 are great too.

 

[shazba]

I consider Derek an Idiot Savant, he acts goofy and is insane at times but (and here is why I love the MayaXMC pairing) is that she even says as wild and crazy as he is she wouldn't want anyone else for a brother the MC in some ways atleast I felt, has a stick up his ass at certain points and Derek is there to *pop* dislodge it and make him see reason, also the shenanigans in episode 6 are great too.

Idiot Savant indeed. He's already got the place sized up on the first day. When you talk with him when he first offers you cheating techniques, he questions numerous aspects of the college that seems dodgy while the MC is completely clueless of all these facets.

I don't recall any hilarities in episode 6 though. I thought it was quite a subdued episode.

 

[horusxcaen82]

Idiot Savant indeed. He's already got the place sized up on the first day. When you talk with him when he first offers you cheating techniques, he questions numerous aspects of the college that seems dodgy while the MC is completely clueless of all these facets.

I don't recall any hilarities in episode 6 though. I thought it was quite a subdued episode.

I think my brain right now is jello considering I havent slept much but wasn't it episode six when

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[shazba]

I think my brain right now is jello considering I havent slept much but wasn't it episode six when

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Nope, that was ep5 (and it was hilarious). But I get how the episodes all blended on the first play through. The episodes only matter when you have to wait months for them!

 

[horusxcaen82]

so I am trying to figure out who I want to go for on my next save, anyone have suggestions? I have the love triangle of MxJxMC on lock but I dont know who I would want to go for next, that first through was kind of emotionally draining.

 

[shazba]

so I am trying to figure out who I want to go for on my next save, anyone have suggestions? I have the love triangle of MxJxMC on lock but I dont know who I would want to go for next, that first through was kind of emotionally draining.

If you've done the M&J, for total contrast do a Sage/HOTs run - Massive DIK mode.

 

[horusxcaen82]

If you've done the M&J, for total contrast do a Sage/HOTs run - Massive DIK mode.

Massive Lewdness Ahoy!

 

[Deleted member 2528490]

DPC's stories have a base plot that require certain characters to remain in the MC's life. It only works if you like those certain characters.

I think you just explained my problem with the Maya/Josy story. I like them as characters, but as I only have one playthrough right now and its a Bella/Sage DIK run, I've just left them to the side. But Maya's story is a main plot, and I really just don't care about the shit with her dad. When he showed up at the end of ep6, I was already done and tired of him, and just sort of dreading to deal with his drama.

 

[Tserriednich'sNen]

I doubt it would have changed much for me if I'd tried her path first. The problem is, again, there's no spark there. Bella is someone who could be a friend, easily. But she is clearly opposed to becoming the MC's lover, and the MC respects that... for the first 30 seconds.

From then on, advancing her path is all about the MC doggedly insisting she wants the opposite of what she said initially. No reason is ever given for why the MC feels this way now if he didn't in the library, and no reason is ever offered for why Bella *should* change her mind - only that she obviously wants to. Bella's path in Episode 4 help, because we do see the two interact a lot, but I don't find their connections particularly mutual; Bella will react to the MC's tale of girlfriend woes and the MC will react to Bella's advice, but it's not clear they are responding to the same things. So what gives?

Hell, I could probably go along with the silly notion that the MC's magical baseball bat managed to get her libido going again after all those years - if it weren't for just how tormented Bella's monologues clearly are about the whole thing. That just takes any fun out of the porn tropes, and without them there's pretty much nothing left to work with. It drives me crazy.

MC literally acknowledges the awkwardness between them in episode 6. It's simply the way they communicate with one another, for now at least.

"MC doggedly insisting she wants the opposite of what she said initially" There is no 'doggedly insisting' she continuously says one thing even though she means the opposite. She doesn't want to admit to herself that she's falling for the guy but deep down knows it's true.

As for the reasoning the more interactions you have with her by pursuing her the more obvious it becomes. There's nothing at all difficult in understanding why any of the girls might be interested in MC. At least imo.

 

[ename144]

MC literally acknowledges the awkwardness between them in episode 6. It's simply the way they communicate with one another, for now at least.

"MC doggedly insisting she wants the opposite of what she said initially" There is no 'doggedly insisting' she continuously says one thing even though she means the opposite. She doesn't want to admit to herself that she's falling for the guy but deep down knows it's true.

As for the reasoning the more interactions you have with her by pursuing her the more obvious it becomes. There's nothing at all difficult in understanding why any of the girls might be interested in MC. At least imo.

The MC thinks it's weird that talking to Bella is still awkward after all they've done. To me, that's lampshading the absence of any acknowledgement.

And yes, the game certainly treats it as Bella wanting one thing but saying another. The problem is that it's barely made any effort to actually SHOW that. The only time it came close was the pool in Episode 4, and unfortunately that scene is entirely optional. The romance proceeds unchanged even if the MC never stayed with Bella at all, which is a big part of what makes it so creepy. Bella's monologues certainly don't help there, either. Far from reinforcing the idea that she really wants something with the MC, they suggest the idea is causing her serious psychological discomfort.

I'm by no means opposed to the idea of the MC and Bella feeling an inexplicable attraction toward one another. I just feel the story has botched the execution. IMHO, we needed to see either a lot more platonic connections between them first, or more consistent interest from Bella in scenes that don't start with the MC hitting on her (even if she shuts that interest down just as often).

As is, my overwhelming impression is akin to the MC insisting a recovered alcoholic go out clubbing with him; the fact she sometimes enjoys herself does nothing to make watching it less unpleasant.

 

[Tserriednich'sNen]

The MC thinks it's weird that talking to Bella is still awkward after all they've done. To me, that's lampshading the absence of any acknowledgement.

And yes, the game certainly treats it as Bella wanting one thing but saying another. The problem is that it's barely made any effort to actually SHOW that. The only time it came close was the pool in Episode 4, and unfortunately that scene is entirely optional. The romance proceeds unchanged even if the MC never stayed with Bella at all, which is a big part of what makes it so creepy. Bella's monologues certainly don't help there, either. Far from reinforcing the idea that she really wants something with the MC, they suggest the idea is causing her serious psychological discomfort.

I'm by no means opposed to the idea of the MC and Bella feeling an inexplicable attraction toward one another. I just feel the story has botched the execution. IMHO, we needed to see either a lot more platonic connections between them first, or more consistent interest from Bella in scenes that don't start with the MC hitting on her (even if she shuts that interest down just as often).

As is, my overwhelming impression is akin to the MC insisting a recovered alcoholic go out clubbing with him; the fact she sometimes enjoys herself does nothing to make watching it less unpleasant.

The same could be said about some of the other main girls, there's no point in trying to make sense of the sloppy writing that's in place.