VN Ren'Py College of Mysteria [v0.11.1] [HappySteveGames]

[JarrenBlake]

Now that the public release has hit the shelves, here are some thoughts I had regarding the update. Please note, all are just my opinions and I am posting in the hopes that others will share their thoughts as well. Even if different from my own. I enjoy just talking to people, respectfully, about VNs I enjoy. Both the things we like and those we disliked.

First Thoughts
I really enjoyed this update. There were a number of elements of the game that were highlighted that I liked and enjoyed. There are also elements that I found odd or frustrating, as with anything nothing is perfect to any viewer and some things that I like, other will dislike and vice versa. I try to at least explain my dislikes as objectively as possible but that means some word salad below. TLDR included at the end lol.

Spoiler: Start

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Spoiler: First Scene

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Spoiler: Cindy the Noble

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Spoiler: Camp Scene

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Spoiler: Finale

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tldr;
Good update overall.
-Very strong technical progression made in animation. Scenes were fire.
-Netori path was strong overall and the most consistent in character portrayal.
-Main couple saw increased time together on both paths to overall positive effect. They do not always seem to be a power couple in love, but their passion was on better display. Making the moments that the swapped partners or mutually corrupted others on the Netori path more impactful.
--Netori path was better for this than the Netori/NTS path.

-Lilly scenes demonstrated strong Netori progression.
-Cindy seems more willing to be submissive to Eustice or at the least give him as much power over her as she gives the MC. This weakens the MC/Cindy dynamic, the MC's prowess, and gives a pending NTR vibe. Cindy is a high ranking noble now, she does not need to be subject to Eustice's sexual whims. She just wants the MC's permission to hunt and play with Eustice whenever the mood strikes her. Just felt the psychology of this was all off.
-Netori/NTS route still not meshing the two concepts well. Sharing dominates over character traits that are otherwise present throughout the rest of the update and previous story. Especially true for the MC.
--Character personality traits seem to randomly alter/flux from the pure Netori route as compared to the Netori/NTS route.
-Scenes that have a pure Netori and Netori/NTs version are not balanced well between the two routes. They will never be even in render counts but one should not 'expose' the other as a lesser.

 

[JarrenBlake]

We need to continue the Cindy X Eustice training.
View attachment 5553386

I am now a bit over this pairing lol. As noted in my diatribe I just felt the balance was off here. Cindy seemed loose some of her dominance over this situation with her last request or at least with how it was phrased. Ready to move her to sexually tormenting Lilly's cuck BF.

 

[Badboll]

All I have to say is, not enough Cindy too much of the other girls. Cindy is supposed to be the FMC.
But also too much Eustice, some fresh material please.
but then again..the game is still 10/10 as it is. So don't take my "complaints" too seriously.

 

[SCORPION.SKY]

compressed please

 

[dexterousgecko]

The phone tech is what worries me most. I HATE that shit. Haven't played the update yet though, but that very much worries me.

Too many opportunities for the MC to just be a passive observer while his women is fucked by someone else. Hate the vibe completely.

 

[JarrenBlake]

All I have to say is, not enough Cindy too much of the other girls. Cindy is supposed to be the FMC.
But also too much Eustice, some fresh material please.
but then again..the game is still 10/10 as it is. So don't take my "complaints" too seriously.

I see her more as the Main LI than a FMC. I liked the break out of moving to the other girls, the Lilly scenes were just awesome. I sometimes feel Cindy gets over used and it reduces some of what she is. Feminine tease that likes to be in control/manipulate. I felt we lost some of that at the end here and mainly for want of forcing her onto the screen more. She had 3-4 different animations in this update. The most of any girl.

I have also grown tired of Eustice and the prospect of that increasing is not my favorite thing but I get it. Hopefully we get some new partners for her.

 

[JarrenBlake]

The phone tech is what worries me most. I HATE that shit. Haven't played the update yet though, but that very much worries me.

Too many opportunities for the MC to just be a passive observer while his women is fucked by someone else. Hate the vibe completely.

There is that concern. I like the idea of it as it will allow us to see Cindy scenes without changing the narrative POV. If we step into trying to wander through Cindy's day then dev cycle bloat will follow. So it is either phone tech or flashbacks as she recounts to the MC. Though I still feel flashbacks/recounts might be too close to narrative pov switch.

 

[dexterousgecko]

To quote my previous comment:

As soon as Cindy either A) gets with a guy without the MC there, B) MC is humiliated while Cindy is taken, or C) Cindy is dominated by another male not MC

ugh. I'll play it through, but if A becomes the norm going forward, which the phone tech would imply, I'm out.

 

[JarrenBlake]

To quote my previous comment:



ugh. I'll play it through, but if A becomes the norm going forward, which the phone tech would imply, I'm out.

It is a danger. All three of the above became more likely with how this update was ended. I am not convinced such was the intent. But there it is.

In truth I actually like the pair being able to be split a part as long as they come back together before the end of the update. My issue with it is that such typically bloats development time. Such as the end choice. More Eusticesharing vs not sharing scenes means more dev time spent rendering alternates. Which means either dev cycle increases or the Netori scenes take another hit.

If we go full narrative swap and get into Cindy's headspace or greater detail of what we saw it is also easy to cross into the (C) you listed above. This update avoided that through use of the phone tablet. Hence my love of how that tech was used here.

 

[Silver2301]

The phone tech is what worries me most. I HATE that shit. Haven't played the update yet though, but that very much worries me.

Too many opportunities for the MC to just be a passive observer while his women is fucked by someone else. Hate the vibe completely.

Then simply dont play the NTS path ??? because not every scene will have MC with cindy lol just like how cindy will not be with Mc in every scene with other girls.

 

[Jaspion]

Have to day I liked the style better before. Seems this took a more cartoon style. Seems the color and light are more basic now.

 

[Bob XP]

I decided to try sharing; the fat friend has good chemistry with Cindy, they seem like old friends the request, her losing a little control of the situation, was exciting. I'm going to be hated in 3, 2, 1 i think there could be an ntr branch here I'm not a heartless bitch, I like the protagonist will
there's a good opportunity with the player's choice nobody is obligated to like the same thing as mee

 

[Jimmay503]

Best girl is best girl

 

[Ass Fan]

Best girl is best girl

View attachment 5553730

Damn, look!

 

[JarrenBlake]

Then simply dont play the NTS path ??? because not every scene will have MC with cindy lol just like how cindy will not be with Mc in every scene with other girls.

Not gonna lie, I like Cindy being there when he is with other girls. Her being a cuckqueen was the real draw and much of what makes her Unique.

As stated I am fine with them being a part, in theory. I love when couples part and then come back together hot andheavy for each other. Which we had here...till that last moment lol.

Just the practice of such has lead to other games having longer update cycles. Also there is for some a shadow want for the separation scenes to lead to:
-LI getting dominated to lead to being stolen
-LI going into emotional cheating direction

 

[JarrenBlake]

Best girl is best girl

View attachment 5553730

I want Steve to take time with her and build up that hunt/manipulation of the MC...but then again I dont and want that scene yesterday! lol

 

[Ass Fan]

I am now a bit over this pairing lol. As noted in my diatribe I just felt the balance was off here. Cindy seemed loose some of her dominance over this situation with her last request or at least with how it was phrased. Ready to move her to sexually tormenting Lilly's cuck BF.

I understand, haha, but I confess that the more I see of them, the more I...I BEG FOR MORE
Yes, she should set some boundaries. But I don't know, man, I was too busy to pay attention. XDD
But I understand, don't worry.
..Anton?
I don't know about Lizzy's, the only one I want to make suffer right now is Penelope's boyfriend.

 

[JarrenBlake]

I decided to try sharing; the fat friend has good chemistry with Cindy, they seem like old friends the request, her losing a little control of the situation, was exciting. I'm going to be hated in 3, 2, 1 i think there could be an ntr branch here I'm not a heartless bitch, I like the protagonist will
there's a good opportunity with the player's choice nobody is obligated to like the same thing as mee

Agreed, but if you do an NTR branch then that has to be developed. That would be a huge drag on Dev time. I am more for finishing the current story. And then coming back to do NTR alt timeline if that is what is wanted. NTR and Netori do not mix. Unlike NTS where you can just make small adjustments. For NTR it would be a whole story change. Would we go that Will is just an idiot and not see it? Not kill Eustice? Not completely leave Cindy? And then what? You obviously cannot do those things as it would kill major parts of the game and story. So like most NTR mixed route stories you have to make up silly excuses or make the characters weak/stupid so they do not take those actions.


Truthfully going to the past of Lady Gwen's time would be better NTR fuel as that period sounded dark af.

 

[JarrenBlake]

I understand, haha, but I confess that the more I see of them, the more I...I BEG FOR MORE
Yes, she should set some boundaries. But I don't know, man, I was too busy to pay attention. XDD
But I understand, don't worry.
..Anton?
Lizzy's, I don't know about mini Porto anymore, now I want to make Penelope suffer.

Anton? God no, Ulthred. Lilly's cuck that only chimes in via remote. They made a comment that seems to imply that though he is average in size, he stays constantly hard. Imagine what Cindy could do with a constantly hard skinny boy with a cuck fetish.

 

[Ass Fan]

Anton, I wouldn't let him touch Cindy, not a chance. I only didn't kill him because he'll make a good slave.
Yes, at least it's still passable, being something average, and it can bring us good fun. The best part will be humiliating it and watching it get hard.

I would make that deal, we're in this together. If our girl is going to have fun, then good.