VN - Ren'Py - Beyond Tomorrow [Ch.1] [Dream Games]

Ch. 1. From what I understand, it's a rework?

I swear, this is the first time I drop an AVN because it's… boring. No, it isn't bad in any sense, but it's boring!

As porn:
the MC meets a number of pretty girls and we see some of their tits, but his relationship with them doesn't go anywhere and he tells his friend that he isn't into dating right now. Considering what his mother's going through, it's entirely justified in-story. Okay, no porn for now, story it is.

As story:
Aaaand this is when we get into a trap.
1) The MC doesn't get any task he has to complete, but a task for the MC is something vital to hook the player if there's no porn. At this moment in the story, nothing really depends on him. The mother most likely dies, but even if she doesn't, there's no way for him to influence that. Not only do the players have to wait for an update, but the MC has to sit on his ass doing almost nothing. He just... lives, and that's boring. This happens because...
2) The devs really chose a weak point in the story to start the game. If they used the moment where the sister just had her epic conflict with the mother and the Mom first got into the hospital, it'd be much better. We'd get a bit used to their prior lives, and the mother-daughter conflict would mean much more for us as we'd see it in real time. Right now, I don't give a shit about the sister and her ex, because the Mom is dying from cancer! If I learned about the sister's drama first, I would actually care. Besides, that was the moment when a lot really depended on the MC, he had something to do! The tension of "get Mom to the hospital ASAP" could make for a decent action scene! But instead, we start at the moment where the MC's done all he could and just... waits.
3) I don't like the brother (MC) and the sister to begin with. The Sis used to be a sweet girl, but she is now an entitled brat. The Bro does his best now, but he was a jerk growing up.
4) Specific girl: Sam. I hear that she used to be the MC's pre-determined GF, but the players' outrage made the dev change that. Well, it was a bad decision: we lose the only realistic source of porn at this point in story, AND Sam turns out to be so deep in friendzone she's never realistically getting out of there, which ruins her as a LI. I think she understands it herself as she's right now going to sleep topless in a room with a known lesbian who's just off a bad breakup; is she onto something?

So, no porn, the MC does nothing (as there's no task for him to do or an intrigue he can actually solve), and he and his sister aren't really likeable. Nothing grabs my attention. Too bad, as the visuals are good (the video fragments are particularly nice), and the writing isn't bad. But the story and characters are boring, and that settles it.

AVN devs! Don't throw porn away! People like different stories while everyone likes porn, so, by throwing porn away, you take unnecessary risks!

the game itself is very cool and very pleasant, the plot is interesting, the atmosphere of the plot plus the musical atmosphere and all in one, the straight mental and emotional story of the game was very cool and pleasant, it was all a version of the game for me personally

This gets a star because the renders are high quality, but otherwise it's a swing and a miss. Hard pass.

Writing is long and cliché, and dialogue is very clunky overall. Lots of people talking about things that happened or are happening without you actually seeing them happen. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ShowDontTell And when they do talk, conversation doesn't sound natural at all.

Choices are entirely irrelevant, they might as well not exist

There are no lewd scenes other than a couple of boobs which really have no reason for existing

I think the dev is too high on their own supply. Writing something *long* isn't a substitute for writing something *interesting*

SPOILERS

If you really wanted to explore the theme of dealing with terminal diseases and how it affects families, then *show* that happening to this family. Instead we go from mom being perfectly healthy, flash forward a decade and she has stage 4 cancer. Dad is only shown in some black-and-white memory type renders. I don't care about MC. I don't care about Olivia. I don't care about anyone. You haven't *made* me care.

I suggest taking up a course on creative writing and critiquing a few existing novels to understand what's missing here. Great work on the renders and lighting, but those two alone do not a great game make.

You could argue it's early days and the dev is going for a "story-first AVN", but if that's the case, why is everyone other than the token friend a super hot female? Why are most girls automatically smitten by the MC? Why should I believe it???

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ClicheStorm
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TasteTheRainbow
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TattooAsCharacterType

Story wise: 3/5
I think there is a lot of potential for this game but in my opinion there is a lot of pitfalls that the developer needs to navigate in order to avoid cliches. Traumas like cancer and partner abuse are tragic but tragedy isn't new in this genre, of visual novels, so I am more kin on how the author will tell his story on it.

Animation: 3/5
Animation needs work but I can see the there is a real talent in the developer's ability to direct a scene. The intro was by the far the best part of the game, and with the game being so small, it's concerning but with time maybe other parts of the game will shine.

Renders: 3.5/5
It is nice to see more variety in the girls, who I assume will be potential love interests. But I had a hard time distinguishing the differences between Olivia and Samantha at times. It was a nice touch in detail on how similar Olivia looks like to her mother, but if incest is not intended to be a focus (which I am unbiased on) remove her from the banner as it can be confusing to your consumers.

TLDR: Story needs to break away from clichés. No NSFW content yet. The introduction was incredible. Potentially good game.

Great story. Cant wait to see what happens. Lost a good hour for chapter one alone. This is one that will be up there with the best as long as they keep to the story. Definitely worth your time. Great art and animations. Looking forward to the story and the extras

This review is based on the reworked version of Beyond Tomorrow, Chapter 1.

This is one of the rare games where you see the developer genuinely concerned with writing a good plot and creating amazing visuals. Lewds and porn will definitely be integrated into this game, but at the right time, not forced just because this is an AVN. The MC in this game is really well-made, likeable, and is growing through the hardships life presents to him.

The LIs are beautiful and I already have my favorite, but I am sure Chapter 2 will introduce 2 or 3 more of them. My only critique is that the most beautiful model is the MC's sister, but beauty is subjective and each person has their own preference.

In short, excellent renders and story, and good LIs. Worth your time to play!

As of the first chapter:
- VN has very good amount of scenes.
- Good writing and good flow between scenes.
- Good characters. To early to say if they will be great.
- Hot models, good angles and great visuals overall.
So why is it a 4? because for the amount of scenes it has, it should have at least 1 "spicy scene". I would understand a no full-on sex scene for the first chapter. But to not have a single "spicy scene" at all? That is blueballing. So it is a solid 4.

A successful start! Beautiful models, a calm pace in keeping with the theme, lots of hopes for future episodes and a very atmospheric overall picture. The highlight for me personally was the moment with Cece. My heart leapt for joy!

First of all, the renders are really, really good. Beautiful models, beautifuly posed, ambiance is cozy and overall this is a really good work of graphic and design. THAT SAID...


I feel like the dev aimed for an "adult journey", with serious topics, but this is still an AVN. When all you got going is a mother with cancer and a problematic, absent dad, paired with a depressed sister and some bad grammar, well guess what? The result is a boring experience that would be much, much more likely to be found enjoyable if read in a book, with better prose, grammar and story development.

I hope to, in the future, see the graphic work of the dev in a setting more fitting of an adult game.

Ch.2

Very good. Incredible potential.

Must warn you, it's a bit heavy reading. Tread carefully.

Usually I don't like when game has very few sex scenes, comparing to the text amounts, but for the first time I feel like it's okay here, in this project. In any case not gonna say no to more lewdness in future.

There's a split path in the mid of playthrough, when you decide to walk or to take a bus. Different characters met on each route.

I like posing in scenes a lot. All cozy cuddling etc. Cute.

Depth of field effect is okay, but when, for example, lower parts of the character model that in front are also blurred looks weird.

GL to dev, waiting for Steam release.

Still too early in the game's lifespan to give a proper review. But From what ive played. it's a really strong start. I dont dislike any of the characters yet, great visuals, story seems interesting and going to just get better as things get revealed. To me this game feels like it could be one of the next Big AVN's.

Negatives : animations while good some of them felt like they were low fps and some felt a bit janky. Not all
Potential forced relationship - not sure if she is a girlfriend or friend with benefits but either way she is close to the MC.

loved the game. Story centric games are always welcome here. if you are playing for lewd part there is not much here. but if you love playing story driven games you must try this. good visuals and models.
loved this one keep up the good work dev looking forward to next updates

+ story centric
+ models & visuals

- No incest ( I'm not that guy who says no incest no party. But sister is quite pretty sadly she won't be a LI )

Edit : with the rework story became much clearer.

This is truly a masterpiece. If you are playing this game for sex alone then honestly you shouldn't be here. This is a story driven game, one of the best i have played on here..story wise this honestly has the potential to be on par with the likes of Being a DIK or Leap of Faith. The only thing negative about this i could think about would be the lack of animations but like i said before if you were looking for a pure animated sex game this probably isnt for you.

This is my first review of any game after playin VNs and other stuff for 2 years, and i couldn't stop myself for writing a review of this game, no game has ever does this to me

I started the game, 5 min in I paused it and started searchin for this song, turns out it is " too soon to say goodbye", what a song choice that too by a not so well known artist.

I haven't completed the game, but this is the best slow burn game ever, the renders are good, the story breaks my mind, devastating story, MC is someone doin things and making decisions, that i will make, if I was put in his boots, this game feels like am not playing the character, I am the character. The game is better written than a movie or any novel, I have seen. Developer/ writer were clearly successful to instill that tragedy feeling,i only played the game for like 5 min,(Spoiler Alert) and I don't want mom to die finger crossed, no VN/novel/movie has given me this feeling that this game has given me. Writing at its best, and that BGM just amplify the feeling, these songs are goin in my playlist.

For a chapter 1, it's brilliant.
There are some limitations, such as the dev not being able to include the animations due to hardware issues, but I think for a new dev starting out, that's entirely forgivable.
I see a chapter one release as sort of a little taste of what will come, and this looks absolutely delicious.
I think a good AVN needs these days needs a good story, good renders, good music and moments that just draw the player into them.
It's a bit early to tell on the story (though the premise does seem engaging) but the renders are top level. Not just the character models, but the lighting and posing tell their own story, right from the opening pic.
As much as I've enjoyed some of the older AVNs, games like Beyond Tomorrow show just how high the standard has moved in the last couple of years. Anyone making a game now has to compete at this level, and it's a tough ask.
Great for players though. I'll be looking forward to seeing chapter 2, and will sub on patreon.

(Ch2 edit)

Foreword:
Very very very few AVN actual portray the what being adult is. This right here is a keeper. Most just focus on unrealistic fucking and man whores. This AVN is a gem because it actually caters towards ADULTS and Adult issues. This is immersion, the ultimate goal of any piece of art.

Pros:

1. MC speaks like a normal person, other characters behave and feel like humans.
2. Plot is realistic with a good pace. Game seems to be story-focused <3
3. The flavorful use of music with beautiful renders and great writing puts this on next level.
4. H scenes are flavorful along with beautiful LIs.

Cons:

1. Some sections didn't have music so I would prefer some bgm everywhere.
2. I caught some misspelled words and some sentences might need to revised so it sounds more natural.

Verdict: Play it for the story (not for lewds) already! Absolute banger!

(Insert Palpatine voice): We will watch your career with great interest..

Well, this review is about First chapter:
the story isn't revealed yet, but so far so good. It's not the same university shit nor mafia nor sci-fi shit. It's a Unique story so far and I'd like that it stays this way.
For Characters, I like MC so far. Got a character at least, isn't dumb and knows how to treat his family. the relationship with his sister isn't revealed fully yet, but at this moment it shows that it's unique again.
about the girlfriend thingy, I think lots of people will disagree with it and say it's forced or .. but I think it's a good idea. It's about the choices we make for MC after his mother's news.
And I like the little gang they have. they friendship from which we saw was good + I hope we get more Lis as the story progress.
I hope this game gets what its deserve and it's more attention and success.

Wow i was really amazed with this one:
Quick summary so far:
Visuals: 8.5/10
Story: 10/10
Writing: 9/10
Sound: 10/10
Choices: 2/10
Kepp in mind that this is only for the first Chapter so there could be a lot of changes. Lets start with the Visuals. The Renders looked really good and the girls looked stunning. I have seen a few games with better visuals so they are not the best but nearly there. Story wise i loved it so far. The emotions transported within the story, the close bond the characters seem to share the realationships, the hardships and the mysteries that are yet to discover. The writing was great aswell, really loved how the characters behave themselves and how their actions are aligned with their personalities. There was soem weirdness at the start with everyone calling the mom of the MC just mom aswell which was kinda weir to me but overall i really loved it.

The only thing that bothered me were the choices in the first chapter. There were some "1 answer choices" so choices were you have to click but theres nothing to choose which i absolutely hate because its just unnessecary. Also the one real choice was the option which way to choose to go home so which girl you will interact with but it spoilered which girl it would be ( just let the players dicover it, dont give away the outcome of the choices) ans also there was an option to just choose both so why even bother. I really hope the dev will give us a way to influence how the story will go, how the mc will behave and have some actually meaningful choices instead of just choosing which girl yu want to interact with. Give us an option to earn trust with the characters through the choices and decide what kind of person the mc will be.
Im really looking forward to seeing more of this game and im excited to see where this will go.

Really enjoyable for a 0.1.

Great intro into a diverse cast of characters who all feel very unique. An extremely likeable MC and it's nice to see an MC who starts off in what appears to be a loving relationship (though I'm sure trouble and him cheating will be incoming but I hope a faithful route will be an option too!)

Renders are great and the character models are all very unique and beautiful.

Definitely left me wanting more.