I enjoy the html slop out there. Among the legions of that slop, there are rare gems. For a game that uses real porn imagery too, often considered the lowest bar, Domination Mansion comes out swinging. The only other games that I can really compare it to are the likes of Love and Vice, and The Company, both excellent games in their own right, and this one is squaring up to stand among them.
From a gameplay perspective, the game succeeds in surpassing that greatest pitfall of the HTML game, the pointless grind, right from the get-go. Exploring the mansion is simple and making progress is easy, which is so much better then the usual clicking 1000+ times in a circle hoping for something to happen. As you explore, you meet a variety of characters to engage in the game's rather novel attempt at a battlefuck system. It works out well, but is a little unbalanced as of now, with the difference in impact of most moves being dismissably negligible 90% of the time. As you fight, you can EXP, as well as sub, dom, and addiction points, which further shape your interactions, which is neat.
There is also surprising variety in the gameplay itself, and how it relates to its other systems. Or failing that, it at least feels impactfully different. Playing a sub or dom feels distinctly different from each other, and I hope to see this evolve more as the trans and female routes are expanded on.
The story is simple, but the characters are enjoyable, and the threads are there to develop some really interesting plot threads, which in turn can lead to smoking hot sex. The character Kimmy in particular is one I'm looking forward to more development with.
Speaking of, the sex is great too, which I guess is why most people are probably here. The sex battles are great as an idea, a little clunky in execution, but it fits the world and story great, and manages to keep the sexy going without dragging the pace of the game down.
The UI could use a little flaring up to look prettier and maybe play a little better, but I consider this of minimal import, and would much rather see the game excel in its already established strengths. The various characters and systems can also feel a little separate from each other, and I'm fine with that. I'd rather the scope be kept narrow and focus on what its already showing us its good at rather then attempting to create a sprawling, interconnected story. I just hope that as the game continues to be developed, it can keep things clear in its vision and can get things done without having to spend 8+ years in development.
For now, we'll just put this under yet another "prospective five-stars". The potential is here, all that's left is to execute on it, and I eagerly hope it does.
Review on Ver.0.2.5
From a gameplay perspective, the game succeeds in surpassing that greatest pitfall of the HTML game, the pointless grind, right from the get-go. Exploring the mansion is simple and making progress is easy, which is so much better then the usual clicking 1000+ times in a circle hoping for something to happen. As you explore, you meet a variety of characters to engage in the game's rather novel attempt at a battlefuck system. It works out well, but is a little unbalanced as of now, with the difference in impact of most moves being dismissably negligible 90% of the time. As you fight, you can EXP, as well as sub, dom, and addiction points, which further shape your interactions, which is neat.
There is also surprising variety in the gameplay itself, and how it relates to its other systems. Or failing that, it at least feels impactfully different. Playing a sub or dom feels distinctly different from each other, and I hope to see this evolve more as the trans and female routes are expanded on.
The story is simple, but the characters are enjoyable, and the threads are there to develop some really interesting plot threads, which in turn can lead to smoking hot sex. The character Kimmy in particular is one I'm looking forward to more development with.
Speaking of, the sex is great too, which I guess is why most people are probably here. The sex battles are great as an idea, a little clunky in execution, but it fits the world and story great, and manages to keep the sexy going without dragging the pace of the game down.
The UI could use a little flaring up to look prettier and maybe play a little better, but I consider this of minimal import, and would much rather see the game excel in its already established strengths. The various characters and systems can also feel a little separate from each other, and I'm fine with that. I'd rather the scope be kept narrow and focus on what its already showing us its good at rather then attempting to create a sprawling, interconnected story. I just hope that as the game continues to be developed, it can keep things clear in its vision and can get things done without having to spend 8+ years in development.
For now, we'll just put this under yet another "prospective five-stars". The potential is here, all that's left is to execute on it, and I eagerly hope it does.
Review on Ver.0.2.5
