VN - Ren'Py - Completed - Chasing Sunsets [v1.0] [Stone Fox Studios]

I wish I could give it more stars, because the developer clearly cares.

I do prefer the more story heavy porn games, someone even showing too
much skin early on in the story kind of breaks it for me.

However, this is just a very poor way of utilizing games as a medium. This might as well be a comic book.

I don't expect a lot gameplay wise from a porn game. Usually some meaningless choices that slightly make a difference to the dialogue is enough to keep me interested if the story is good enough.

However, I will not press left mouse button or spacebar 5 times for a tiny bit of story progression. A lot of the dialogue I would categorize as filler and fluff. Even if it wasn't, if the story was concise but vivid, without any interaction, might as well be a comic book. I was ready to play a game, not read a book.

Don't get me wrong, I was prepared to read a lot. However, with some interactability. As previous reviews have mentioned, there are choices. Like 2 or 3. It's just not enough for this many dialogue sequences..

Finally, obviously the art is top 10 on the website or so. Amazing. Single handedly earning them the stars.

update to this review for v5.

Much I said is still true, there are more choices than before
and the art is still amazing. The characters are some of the best looking on the site. However, the story is so filled with fluff, and mostly uninteresting and trips itself all the time.

Edit: update for v7. Added one star. At least the character writing hits my kinks well. Love both the main love interests a lot. However, unfortunately these loveable characters with loveable moments are surrounded by 3000 words in between each character moment about corporate politics. I can't think of a more dull topic.

Pretty great for a porn game.

Pros

• visuals
• music
• characters
• plot

Cons

• None so far

If you're into "Cum and Go" games, then this is not for you.
Game is pretty heavy on the story and does so without making it boring.
I prefer games which have at least some weight on the story instead of just being animated porn, so my opinion may be a lil biased.

Overall a great game. A must try.

What could i say about this VN other than amazing. The prologue HOOKED me straight away, couldn't wait for the next update

Pros :

• If you are the same as me and leaning toward the story rather than the sexual content, this is the game for you. The dev didn't mess up on the prologue, they made sure we understand before we jump in and that is rare these days. Looking at how good the prologue was, i expect a high quality, juicy story and of course some sexual content on the side.
• The rendering looks great, the characters are pretty and handsome. Tara is number 1 for me The dev could improve the hairstyle a little bit, not big of a problem tho
• The background is decent, at the party you could see everyone who attend and not some big empty room.

So far, i like everything about this VN and feels like i'm in on one hell of a ride for the foreseeable future.

Keep up the great work, if the story is as amazing as the prologue was then this VN is gonna be a successful project for sure

100% RECOMMEND TO GIVE THIS ONE A RIDE even tho its still early

Imagine my surprise when I named the main character "Jay", only to learn that Jaye is the step-sister.

What a beautiful prologue. Characters are really well-developed and the writing is amazing. The heartbreak, although very real, doesn't quite portray the level of teenage angst and adolescent love that it was aiming for. I had some criticism about the motivations behind the Fiona sex scene, but given her inconsequential status in the game, I don't think it's worth bringing that up. Also, I would have liked to see what happened with Jenna and Tara over the years. If the mc played football and baseball in high school, he definitely should've been popular enough to date some girls. I'm guessing he didn't because of Jaye? That wasn't really explored. I also find it hard to believe he didn't have a best friend after his step-sister (who really stopping being his best friend since childhood) until he met David.

All in all though, it's a fantastic game so far. The chess pieces are set and I'm really excited to see where Chapter 1 goes.

OK. To tell you the truth I never had high expectations for any porn game. The point, I thought, for most, would be to just get off. Games beside this mostly met those low expectations, but I have been surprised a few times. This game, as short & limited in size as it is, shows the best promise yet. I am an artist & a poet, good work requires a story, requires attention to detail. Even just as a prologue, both requirements have been met. The story is well written, well conceived, engrossing & has left me hanging, the visusals are plentiful, beautiful, & also shows the same attention to detail as the story. I can imagine that the whole game, when completed, will take considerable effort & dedication, like any art work worth the effort. I gladly give this game 5 stars & only regret that I did not encounter this when it was completed, instead of at such an early stage. Kudos to the developers, you have my highest regard.

Excellent game , unlike other games, I didnt have to skip dialogue in this one because it was really interesting and flawless. Skin texture is somthing i found amazing as well . All in all, great game, would highly recommend.

This is an update from my original review from October of 2020 and goes through the end of Chapter 6.
PROS
Characters are well developed
Story is really thought out and well developed
Writing is on point. Very few mishaps
CONS
To many love interests for this to not be a harem VN
The achievements could be tossed(my opinion)
Lengthy update time
Summary
How do you even summarize this VN without giving away any spoilers?
The story flows really well. You don't get bogged down with 55 different things happening all at once. They seamlessly flow together to make the story more enjoyable.
The characters are well developed. Which means that they have strong back stories, and their own struggles that are both a part of and separate from the main plot.
Personally having to chose who to love in this VN is a difficult choice. They all have unique personalities. I'm a bit disappointed that this wasn't developed as a harem VN. But I can understand that not every VN has to have that element to be a great one.
Stone Fox Studios have done a wonderful job developing this VN. Good luck to continued success.
I highly recommend this VN to any and all new comers and those who haven't yet enjoyed it so far.

I really wouldn't expect that. Don't let yourself foolled by the banneer. Chasing Sunsets is a story - a GOOD story. Unlike tons of games, here you instantly keep in touch with the different characters. Not a lot of sex - but the game doesn't really need it - and when it happens, it's great. Special attention given to sounds and music. Graphics really stand out too. I'll really keep an eye on the next updates

After being recommended this game I had to come and say something. First time posting here and probably only for this game. This game (for just a prologue) is a masterpiece imo. It has great writing with fluid natural dialogue, the characters are great, music is keyed well to the situation to help hit home with the emotions, and the renders are top notch. I cant wait to see where this game goes.

Excellent, well-told story with fine graphics about step-siblings that adore each other as children but end up distant until their parents die. No important decisions and no sex so far so purely a romantic visual novel.

This game is phenomenal. The renders are amazing, the characters act and talk in relatable and believeable ways. The story is predicting (at least I hope it is, because I love they dynamic Jaye and MC have). Can't wait for the update - this one is going to be a banger!

definitely one of my top games already. and it's just 0.1. really look forward to and update. definitely deserves a damn lot of attention. i started of thinking the game was a bit to long and drawn out, but i by all means pick up afterwards. i only have small critics of the game. i'm already considering becoming a patron of the creator now, and i normally wouldn't consider it that easily.

Good writing
Good renders
Great models no boring same old models hits my preferences XD
Thumbs up for not excessive scenes
Good enough humor
Good fantasy story got a touch of reality though might seem a bit unrealistic that's the point of a good fantasy
Most importantly the story is good I play VN not for porn but for story and a good story is hard to come by and the story got me intrigued albeit be it of common notion still i hope it comes out good in the future looking forward to what has to come and hope it's a twisted one. XD

In my opinion the flashbacks could have been told through out different times of the game as it reminds MC of the past as he goes through the present for a better story telling so spreading the flashbacks within different updates rather than a single go would have been nice.
But nonetheless i get the point the Dev wanted to paint a clear picture of the past as the first basis of the story so i still appreciate his way too.

.0.2 well hoped for a twisted one and we are getting there
Other than the cliff hanger everything seems to be on par just gotta see what unravels next
The depiction of the story is very organized
A neatly packed package that includes antagonism XD

Haha, I had to cringe at the couple 2 and 3 star reviews below mine. I'm sorry, but criticising the story as "predictible" is selling this game very short. The narrative is one of the most naturalistic I've seen in a VN. The dialogue is realistic and isn't rushing to creep into anyone's pants. So, if slow means "boring" to you then give this one a pass. But, it's set up as a slice of life tale with a playful atmosphere and dark moments. The writing is good enough to be published. So kudos to the author.

What immediately surprised me as I launched the game was the sleekness of the menu and graphics. The two devs know how to code and render and clearly aren't beginners. On the graphics side, I've seen a few devs who render more granular detail into the facial expressions and know better how to capture a fleeting emotion(Primal Instinct is a good example), but it's decent work.

I'm still on the prologue flashback so, I may extend or change my review after playing the rest. At this point I will be likely supporting this team on Patreon. Consider doing the same if you like the game. Good luck to the devs.

Good start but pretty predictable story. Anyone who has ever read any kind of literature would of saw that plot twist coming a mile away, its literally been done over and over again.

Renders are top notch but the animations could use some work, also the music leaves much to be desired, some of it was even off putting at times.

TLDR: Good start but its a mixed bag.

- Boring unoriginal setting : wealthy american family with a redhead main heroine.

- lack of choices, the game force me to be in love with the step sister, to not be interested in the blonde beauty, to sleep with the married woman... Instead, we got a major choice about Star Wars...

- The step sister is by far the least attractive girl.

- Narration based on flashbacks.

I'll still try the next update to see where it goes, if I'm able to refuse the step sister I might continue, but for now it's not really appealing nor promising, just lots of wasted potential.

edit update 0.2 : choices are meanigless and lacking, I'm forced to be a dick with the sister and to be nice with Mallory, that I dislike at least as much as the sister, but if I still have a reason to be nice with Jaye, she is my sister after all, even if I can't see her as a LI, why can't I refuse Mallory's interview and reject her when she kiss me ? this game offer no control over the MC, but it's not for good reasons, it's just forced cheap drama.
I'm dropping it.

Great Start of a possible blockbuster VN. Loved the visuals and the overall visual mechanics of the game like the starburst while changing stats and the flashback handling.
Kudos to the story writing.
Although it is understandable that the events of the flashbacks were a little rushed, the engagement and story immersion have raised expectations from future updates.
Hope future updates maintain the level of content delivery in terms of storytelling blocks in a chapter or episodic format as it will enhance the anticipation and viewer interest even further.
Glad to see story progression taking precedence over random sexual situations cropping up which is very prevalent in VNs nowadays.

Reviewing: ver 0.02
Amazing game graphics, models, writing, and nice dialogue with a well handled story.
The stand out to me from other games are the good characterization with people acting reasonably and believably and the good introduction to the characters of the story, letting us see their relationships progress, see them live their lives, and thus have us care for the characters.

Story first introduces us to the parent's of the main character, two single parents working in a top tier research company, who fall in love and get together. Fast forward to the present, and the boy, a college graduate who comes home from leaving his family from an international trip, retells his life story to the bartender who is a family friend. He is in love with his step sister and so far she seems to be the ultimate goal or love interest for the game.

Incredibly good start and I'm giving it 5 stars to encourage people to play the game and the devs to keep working on the game

Every now and then there comes along a storyline that you just cannot put down, this is one such story. It's so well written and the artwork is top quality too. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good read and fancies spending a few hours at their computer.

First the good stuff:

Visuals are good. Solid work, thats what the second star is for.

So why only 2 stars? Storytelling, thats why. Backflashes have their time and place and that wasn't it. Everything in that giant backflash should've been told through the actual story. It's not just the time and place of the flashback also the way the flashback is structured is just boring.

When the devs finally decide to get to the actual story I will ajust my review accordingly.