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

4.20 star(s) 25 Votes
Discussion Reviews (25)
Dessolos

Dessolos

Devoted Member
Jul 25, 2017
10,631
13,629
Den187 said:
This isn’t a multi-protagonist game and never will be. The dev isn’t responsible for the tags added by moderators. The technique used is called 'multiple points of view' or 'shifting perspectives,' which lets the player see events from different characters’ viewpoints, adding more depth to the story. You don’t see this in many AVNs, especially if the game isn’t focused heavily on story.
Click to expand...
ah well I just recall the last time I played this before the rework it felt like a Multi Protag game. I'm personally waiting till the rework catches up or gets to ch 3
 
  • Like
Reactions: MadfireMonkey
Den187

Den187

Member
Jun 27, 2017
372
780
OliviaBlender1PW.png
You must be registered to see the links

Sooo... Yeah, I started learning Blender yesterday.

While I’m still working on my game in Daz Studio, I decided to learn Blender because I know there'll come a day when I want to level up my skills.

I love building environments (like you can see in the image). I enjoy working with lights, learning new things, and this is something that brings me a lot of happiness right now.

Right now, I'm not thinking about creating BT in Blender because there’s a ton of stuff I still need to learn. But I’m not ruling it out for Season 2, Season 3, or future projects.

Anyway, I hope you like my very first render! I’ll probably share something every Sunday, maybe even more often if game development allows it.
//Dream
 
  • Like
  • Red Heart
Reactions: Mikedazz1, laszlo12, rolfcopter and 3 others
Maviarab

Maviarab

Devoted Member
Jul 12, 2020
9,984
23,094
Den187 said:
Sooo... Yeah, I started learning Blender yesterday.

While I’m still working on my game in Daz Studio, I decided to learn Blender because I know there'll come a day when I want to level up my skills.
Click to expand...
Ocean...is that you? :WeSmart:

I mean..I know he your inpsiration but seriously man...you don't have to copy him step by step :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:

Thanks for the share Den.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: Den1mo and xCalon
DevinHesi

DevinHesi

Engaged Member
Uploader
Oct 29, 2021
2,867
22,896
You must be registered to see the links


1729726928587.png

Sasha: You know what? I think we should take a selfie!

Olivia: This again? Our selfies always turn out so stupid...

Sasha: Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s not any better this time either!



When I was creating this image for the game, I realized how weird it is to pose Olivia smiling and looking happy. It felt like I was working with a completely different character. I think... we’re going to need to get Olivia back on the happy train...

You must be registered to see the links


You must be registered to see the links


You must be registered to see the links


//Dream


Size Original

You must be registered to see the links
 
  • Like
  • Red Heart
Reactions: Mikedazz1, DDBA88, Saboracss and 5 others
Quetzzz

Quetzzz

Active Member
Sep 29, 2023
549
844
Looks like I accidentally played the original chapter 1 & 2, and I liked it!
Reading some reviews, it seems the rework changes quite a few things. Having only experienced the original, I'm not certain the rework will actually improve on what's there.

One thing that impressed me was the writing. Sure, the language used isn't perfect, but the writer is talented at hiding exposition in dialog. Meeting the dean and her adopted daughter in chapter 2 is a great example of this, where we learn everything we need to know without being hit over the head with information, or some narrator introducing the characters. Just wonderful.
There's one exception, and that's with the way Sam was introduced. Until she spends the night, it's not entirely clear what kind of relationship they have. It also didn't help that she always got referenced to as "Sam", instead of "she" or "her". This made me think the dev was building up to some kind of reveal, but this never happened.

Samantha... If this was just the story of the MC and his (extended) family dealing with conflict and grief, I would've been fine with getting stuck with a default girlfriend. But, seeing as there are multiple LIs, there are only limited ways the MC could be intimate with them: Samantha turns cuckqueen, MC & Sam break up, or MC just cheats. None of these sound particularly compelling or interesting in the story that's being told. Why would the MC break up with Sam, when he's leaning on her emotionally? What could motivate Sam to turn into a cuckqueen when she's in a happy monogamous relationship with the MC?
The easiest fix that I can imagine, is to turn this relationship into an FWB arrangement. She'd still provide the early lewds for players who want this, while making it easier to avoid her content or break things off entirely.
Currently, with how large a role Sam currently plays in the MC's life, she seems integral to the story. So a break-up would likely (have to) be amicable, or uninteresting. This is much more believable with an FWB arrangement.

My only actual frustration, is the mystery of the MC's occupation. This gets dangled in front of the players a few times, but we're left in the dark. We're told that the MC changed, he got tattoos, and works a warehouse job that apparently pays enough to afford the mom's treatment and the sister's tuition. This lets the people close to him (and the players) suspect that what he's doing isn't legal, and that his bad boy image is related to this.
But, we don't actually learn anything about it, and we certainly don't see the MC doing any kind of job/work. Something that could add danger and drama to the life of the MC and those close to him should've been touched on already. One of the reviews mentions that they're missing a hook, a challenge or a driving force in the story, and this would be it.
Even if the writer/dev doesn't want to fully introduce the MC's job yet, there could be some foreshadowing. For instance: His boss could text him to make a delivery, which he does off-screen. A while later, he gets a notification that a considerable sum of money has been deposited into his account. This would also inform players why the MC isn't seen working a lot, when he makes a few hundreds for half an hour of work.

Anyway, just wanted to throw this out in the ether. Going to check on the rework now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Den1mo and yossa999
Quetzzz

Quetzzz

Active Member
Sep 29, 2023
549
844
Finished the rework, and I think it's superior in almost every aspect.

While there's some clunky exposition early on, this is an investment that pays off in better framing and conversations that flow better. The general pacing of this chapter feels better as well, in part thanks to the damaged relationship between MC and Olivia. It's also thanks to this conflict that we learn more about the personality of everyone involved, as well what baggage they have of their own.

The visuals are downright enchanting. I enjoy the little animations and environmental renders between scenes. I don't know if the dev has any experience with cinematography, or just has excellent instincts. He uses these renders in strategic ways, as transitions, to help players shift gears when the next scene changes context or atmosphere. I can't praise this enough.


I do have some concerns, most of these have to do with the timeline.
  • Martin says he'll come over in an hour. In this hour, MC walks Miri home, has a few drinks with her, walks to the pier to watch the sunset, and chats with Jasmine before returning home. At home, he talks to Olivia and Samantha before they go on their run, and Martin only arrives after Olivia & Sam have returned.
    (Suggestion: Just have Martin say he'll come by later tonight, and most of this is fine. Even though the time the MC spends in total could easily cover 4-5 hours, and it's already dusk when he leaves the hospital, making it impossible to watch the sunset at the pier after having spent time with Miri.)
  • Lillian has been in the hospital for 6 or-so months, but only brings up the college funds now. This just doesn't pass the sniff test. It makes more sense that Lily gave the MC power of attorney over her accounts so he'd be able to pay all the bills in her absence. To forget about the college funds makes little sense.
    (Suggestion: After Lily confronts MC about dropping out, she asserts that the funds would be enough, that he has access to it and should've used it. MC says that he used those savings to pay for her treatment, and to pay the rent for Lily's office and taxes. The money is gone, and wouldn't have been enough to pay for Olivia's entire education anyway. He was thinking ahead, and got a job.)
  • MC's father left 20(ish) years ago when MC was 2 and Lily was pregnant with Olivia. This makes him 22, and Olivia 19. Olivia would be in her first year of college, while MC would be graduating. This causes a few issues:
    • The culture that's displayed in the story looks US-centric, but most college courses in the US take 3 years. If the MC was in his final year, he would've been held back a year, or has taken a prepatory course. In a flashback, we see that MC wasn't very studious, so it's doubtful he was doing one of the longer (and more difficult) courses.
    • The time of year is important. MC dropped out a few months ago, somewhere between September and June. It doesn't make sense to drop out in May or June, even April feels too late with such a short time left to graduate. Since he dropped out a few months after Lillian got sick, it can't have been September or October either because, in that case, he wouldn't have started the year instead of dropping out. It would also make sense for him to drop out when a bill was due. Everything considered, he likely dropped out in January, after midterms, making it March/April when the game starts. If the year was paid up, he could've received a refund for the remaining time.
      This is mostly important for details like sunrise/sunsets and outside temperature. If it's March, it's probably too cold outside at night to wear an open shirt.
    • Since it's his final year, it makes little sense to drop out instead of putting a pause on his attendance. If the MC participated in the exams, and because he knows the dean, it makes more sense to take a break with the option to graduate a year later.
 
  • Like
Reactions: yossa999 and Den1mo
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
4.20 star(s) 25 Votes