What to say about this game that would do it justice? Without experiencing it for yourself, it can be difficult to realize its true quality just by mere words, so, my immediate advice to you is: go play it now! xD Still... if you want to know my verdict for the game, I'll try to describe it in a decent manner, and be as objective and impartial in my view as possible, offering my honest opinion, without spoilers. But I have to warn you that, in my particular case, this game reached close to home, because, like in it, my personal experiences also involve a poor family environment, university life, martial arts and music backgrounds. So, as I see certain similarities to my tastes and my own circumstances being reflected in the game, I may have a different understanding of the context and perceive it in a different fashion than you. So, this may be considered as me being slightly biased. Bearing that in mind, let's move on.
This visual novel game features amazing renders, awesome animations, beautiful models for the female characters (main and side) and for a few of the male counterparts, as well (a well endowed protagonist included xD). It presents interesting and believable, deep developed characters, many of them likable, some of them not so much (but in a good way), all in an addictive, immersive and intriguing plot revolving the daily life of young students and their struggles with adulthood. With a university life setting, where fraternities and sororities play a vital part in the story, this game will not leave you indifferent.
Filled with plenty of romance, humor and drama, with its very well written narrative and dialogues (and without noticeable grammar mistakes or typos), this visual novel game (depending on the type of person you are) can put a tear on the corner of your eye, or a smile on your face; deliver you a punch to your stomach, or place a hand on your shoulder; it can even be able to leave you sobbing or rolling on the floor, laughing. It also packs some action and a few adventure parts, for good measure (the Dungeons and Gremlins part comes to mind xD).
If that would not be enough, this game also offers clever, interesting and interactive game-play elements (especially the combat system and the puzzle mini-games) and a morality/tendency system that inclines you in one direction in detriment of the other (DIK VS CHICK), depending on the player's behavior, toning the play-through to suit your wishes (mostly). This allows you to slowly built your player character according to the choices you make, having repercussions on how the other characters perceive you and interact with you. Ultimately, resulting in them being interested in you or leading them astray, and more importantly, how you eventually tie your story (AKA the type of ending you achieve). Note: At the end of each episode, the game will display a sheet with stats informing you of your current tendencies, as well as a heroine status page, where you can consult your progress with each of the girls.
And, on top of that, add the soundtrack, which is mainly composed of good quality music of varied styles. Some tunes being quite pleasant and mellow, working well as ambient tracks, while others being more energetic, melancholic, suspenseful, eerie, etc, all well suited for the multitude of situations that you'll encounter, and that will influence your mood according to the circumstances, leaving you fully immersed. And that, coupled with the corresponding plot line, is capable of pumping you full of adrenaline, in some instances, or chilling you to the bone, in others. Yes: expect the occasional plot twist, thrills, and suspense (especially between the episodes). You also have the option to skip the tracks while in free roam mode.
Have all this in consideration and add the fact that you have plenty of choices throughout your play-through, which consists mostly of the narrative/dialogue part, interluded with free roam parts where you're allowed some exploration. Having the freedom to choose between several alternatives, makes this game ideal for reruns, if you like to see what would have happened if you had made a different decision, or if you want to choose a different path that will lead you to a route with more interactions with a certain character instead of the others. And what makes it even more appealing, in this regard, is the ability to play as being a DIK or being a CHICK (the morality/tendency system), that, summed up into the equation with the previous factors, will expand your array of options exponentially.
On a final note, I have to mention that in a "world" saturated with the same types of games, with repetitive, grind-like game-play and almost no palpable content in terms of context and/or interests aside from the sex part itself, where many games lack in content or quality (sometimes, both), and almost always presenting the same fetishes and cliches (incest, duh), this game is a breath of fresh air. By placing the emphasis in the plot and focusing on the interactions between the characters and the consequences of the player's choices, Dr. Pink Cake may well have found the formula that will lead this type of games forward and set a new quality standard, and maybe even help to create a much needed paradigm shift in this form of media.
Oh! That's right! The game is only in its early stages of development, and much can still be added! But even at this time, we can witness all the effort being poured into it and easily come to the conclusion that its production is, at least, close to those of professional level, albeit it being from an indie developer, like the vast majority of other projects found here. If you have an interest for what I have described, you may well be entertained for hours upon hours: a whole experience that goes beyond the erotic elements and that will leave you craving for more, eagerly awaiting for the next update.
PS: Please, bear in mind that this is a work in progress and my final impression may change according to the final product (hopefully not dramatically xD).
TL;DR:
Features:
Excellent renders and animations.
Beautiful models.
Believable characters.
Immersive plot.
Interesting setting.
Imaginative game-play.
Replay-ability value.
Plenty of choices.
Great music.
PROS: All points stated above.
CONS: A few minor nuisances like a few minor glitches (barely noticeable), and the occasional drop of quality in some animations (very few cases). None of them interfere with the overall quality of the product.
NOTE: There's a possibility that the game will feature some gloomy aspects that may disturb you or upset you. As the dev states in the disclaimer, this game may not be suitable for you if you are in a delicate phase of your life. But for the moment, if they exist or not, is currently unknown. Although, you can sense a hint here or there. But maybe that's just my fearful and paranoid mind in the working. Hopefully, no such thing as a traumatic experience will ever occur in this game. One similar to what happens in the dev's previous work...
RATING:
Graphics: 5/5
Sound: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Gameplay: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Final Impression: This game will certainly become a masterpiece of its genre in due time (upon its completion) and is easily one of the very best games in development, right now. Top material.
Ellordrings
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