VERSION: 0.2.1
Though quite early in development, Come Inside merits a more thorough analysis than most early access games based on its sheer quality which is indisputably superior to myriad finished projects. That is not to imply it's devoid of any defects, yet based on what has been released Come Inside is likely to become not only a genre defining classic, but something of a metric by which its contemporaries are judged.
Graphically, Come Inside employs some of the highest caliber models seen among erotic visual novels to date; the latest generation with high-resolution textures and large poly counts, detailed such that even their toes are exquisite. Indeed, in several scenes the women appear borderline photorealistic and, in others, might be said to have ambled gently past the uncanny valley on account of their impeccably flawless form. Sublimely toned posteriors, delicate feet, aquiline facial features and perfect breasts of every possible shape grace the entire female cast, from a petite Asian with a punk aesthetic to a Caucasian party girl and her prudish sister, an exotic bronze-skinned beauty and the supermodel blonde bombshell that shares our protagonist's home, the potential love interests span nearly the entire spectrum of subjective beauty. While one might complain that more distinctly mature or realistically heavyset women are lacking, it would be unjust to do so at this stage in the game's development and, moreso, the artistic choice to refrain from including such would not diminish the final production.
Having said that, the title does stumble in a few visual respects: in a number of scenes the contrast is poorly balanced, such that white or otherwise pale surfaces appear glaringly bright; a few environmental assets are of distinctly lower quality, which is particularly noticeable given the otherwise overwhelmingly fantastic models, as evidenced in the sequence of meeting the neighbor outside the protagonist's front door wherein the background is better suited as a placeholder; finally, the animations are little more than one two frames between which the camera repeatedly transitions, by no means unredeemable but certainly less than the game deserves.
A limited number of typographical errors appear, far from the typical array in such games and a clear testament to the quality of its development, the most disruptive of which is the consistent misspelling of character names. In one sequence, by way of example, a particular young lady is noted as "Stacy" by one speaker and "Stacey" by the next. The aforementioned oversight manifests again later, when the dialogue refers to her as "Stacy" and the option to speak with one of four potential women directly above lists her as "Stacey." The dialogue is otherwise convincingly written, if somewhat cliche, capable of evoking a degree of interest from the average player and providing ample characterization to the ensemble.
While some may protest that the overarching narrative, involving repressed memories along with some degree of both undesired and unrequited love, entails a touch of what might be deemed "grooming" by modern standards, it is conveyed sympathetically and with respect to the characters involved. Furthermore, the game features a veritable bevvy of genuine choices that distinctly alter the outcome of various scenes, either alienating or enriching the relationship between various members of the cast and clearly mounting toward something more significant further into development. This, coupled with the unique sketching-minigame that allows the player to experience fragments of the protagonist's "memories" after completing a pertinent image in their journal, further invests the player in the lives of these characters without unduly railroading them down a purely linear path.
GRAPHICS ----------------------------------------------------- 9 / 10
+ Gorgeous models, natural and erotic poses with stellar lighting.
+ Extremely consistent style, majority of assets blend together seamlessly.
+ Some animations, though rudimentary, often from various perspectives.
- Animations are created from a limited number of static frames.
- Contrast requires adjustment in certain scenes.
DIALOGUE ----------------------------------------------------- 7 / 10
+ Strong characterization, clear motivations and an intriguing premise.
+ Dialogue is free of any major typographical or grammatical errors. Formatting is clear and concise.
- Minor issues with consistency, particularly regarding proper names.
GAMEPLAY ---------------------------------------------------- 6 / 10
+ The player is provided ample choice throughout the narrative.
- Limited content, at present. Less a negative than in most games, given the early development stage.
INNOVATION ------------------------------------------------- 7 / 10
+ Sketching-minigame and reliving of memories is a novel concept.
+ Context-sensitive reactivity, such that the player must answer their text messages in a realistic manner; the context of that act influences character affection values.
SCORE =========================== 29 / 40
EXTREMELY PROMISING AND WORTHY OF YOUR SUPPORT
Come Inside may appear somewhat pretentious at first glance, an artsy experiment in blending mediums such as handdrawn art, painting and photography in order to convey an erotic tale; that misconception is rapidly disspelled by the sheer earnestness of its presentation. Nowhere near the midpoint of its release, Come Inside has already captivated this reviewer's attention and, for what it's worth, I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone interested in a sensual, reactive visual novel experience.