VN Ren'Py Echoes: The Lies We Tell Ourselves [Ep.2 Public] [Oldcat]

[Darker than Black]

I don’t agree with some of the comments here. Of course you can’t expect everyone to be satisfied, but personally I really enjoyed the MC’s inner monologues and the overall writing style. A fraud who’s running from his past and has to wear a mask because of it… his inner thoughts are genuinely great and they pulled me into the character.


I’m still at the very beginning of the game, but I felt the need to say the opposite of some of the things written here. Because there are people like me who come here not just for sex but to experience a good story. I’ve never liked MCs who think only with their lower parts, and I don’t see AVNs as just sex games. I look for romance and a good story that happens to include sexual scenes.


And the fact that the LIs have solo routes (according to what the dev said) is a big plus for me. I’ve never been a fan of harems.


Long story short, I’m really liking the game so far and I like the MC too. I don’t know what’s going to happen as I progress, see ya

Edit: alright, now i understand what people meant. The inner monologues are really way too much. Sorry for criticizing the comments, even i didn’t expect this many and i got super sleepy while reading. Okay i get it, new life, new Noah, new character, but you don’t need to repeat it fifty times

 

[jasemkulk]

My laptop is under powered so the animations are choppy for me but I just deal with it. LOL

doesnt matter game is like eternum style but animations are trash

 

[SpyderArachnid]

Honestly, just hope we get the option to put Mark in his place right away within the first second of the next update. And hope that Juno doesn't fall for his bullshit.

Because if they make the MC a submissive cuck because Mark shows up, and MC has to run away and cry and let Mark destroy his life yet again, then I will be so done with this game.

It is an Oldcat (Lyk4n) game though, so I'm holding out some kind of hope lol.

 

[Rayne]

Honestly, just hope we get the option to put Mark in his place right away within the first second of the next update. And hope that Juno doesn't fall for his bullshit.

Because if they make the MC a submissive cuck because Mark shows up, and MC has to run away and cry and let Mark destroy his life yet again, then I will be so done with this game.

It is an Oldcat (Lyk4n) game though, so I'm holding out some kind of hope lol.

I also hope so. In the first game, Mc was sullen, but he could stand up for himself. In the second game, he has super powers, but here, excuse the expression, he’s a whiny bitch.And it raises concerns that this is his first game containing an NTR scene, even if it is in the form of a flashback.

 

[QwertySmurfy]

I also hope so. In the first game, Mc was sullen, but he could stand up for himself. In the second game, he has super powers, but here, excuse the expression, he’s a whiny bitch.And it raises concerns that this is his first game containing an NTR scene, even if it is in the form of a flashback.

It didn't hit me as hard when it happened, because that doesn't seem to be the focus of this game, it's just a plot device used to drive the story forward rather than it being a fetish. I'm just hoping the NTR aspect doesn't actually carry over in the present with the main LIs.

 

[SpyderArachnid]

I also hope so. In the first game, Mc was sullen, but he could stand up for himself. In the second game, he has super powers, but here, excuse the expression, he’s a whiny bitch.And it raises concerns that this is his first game containing an NTR scene, even if it is in the form of a flashback.

It didn't hit me as hard when it happened, because that doesn't seem to be the focus of this game, it's just a plot device used to drive the story forward rather than it being a fetish. I'm just hoping the NTR aspect doesn't actually carry over in the present with the main LIs.

Spoiler: some tibdits

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[Rayne]

It didn't hit me as hard when it happened, because that doesn't seem to be the focus of this game, it's just a plot device used to drive the story forward rather than it being a fetish. I'm just hoping the NTR aspect doesn't actually carry over in the present with the main LIs.

It doesn't hit the emotions because we don't really know either the girl or his friend Mark, but everything changes when he appears in the game.

 

[XV71]

Spoiler: some tibdits

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well so far its anything but a harem power fantasy, cant say if hes testing the water or not but the ntr writing was as braindead as it can get "its not what it looks like", "we just got carried away" "I love you", it may not be a test but it coincidently out of all his games has the best setup for it.

 

[kazeiheikaya]

Let's hope MC's support system is strong in this town, I can already tell Mark will try to fuck with MC again. Guy is a stalker holy shit. Probably will try to spread rumors again, hopefully he doesn't try to fuck the girls close to him.

For sure, but I think how this is gonna play out is Jay is probably gonna get into a fight with Mark. and MC's support structure is going to be strong, Mark is going to try everything to make MC into a villain, might even succeed at times, but I think MC is going to underdog his way to the top over Mark which is whats going to be the main premise of the story. Every story needs an antagonist and it was pretty clear when Mark texted in CH1 it was a re-intro.

If I'm betting on anything, depends on how much our lovely dev wants to be a corrupt boyo, MC might even end up cucking mark in some way. Which would be glorious. Nothing greater than being betrayed only to then get justice betraying the person who betrayed you. I just really hope we dont see ex-gf at all. MC is already involved with two of the most powerful families at the school, and they seem to really have taken notice to him. Personally I'm curious if theres some Elara x Mark thing going on with how sad Elara always is with her responsibilities, that would be something.

Just my guess though, Probably gonna have some fights, a lot of support structures, and Mark trying to just single-handedly destroy MCs life at every turn, until eventually he gets his.


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Also I disagree with the phrasing of NTR, cheating happens all the time, people catch their girlfriends/wives cheating all the time, its not being cucked, you take no active enjoyment in watching the cheating, so its not NTR. It's just flat out cheating and being caught. If we would go back with Sara then yeah theres a bit of a line there thats being crossed, otherwise, its just character development, and its totally fine. Even the greatest men get cheated on lol. It only takes one weak line of thought for a partner to cheat on someone. MC was being too respectful and not sleeping with his girl, mark is that alpha-chad type and pushed the issue and ended up sleeping with her. She got caught and realized how much she messed up when the guy looked like he was gonna off himself and never see her the same. Thats a very sobering moment for people. Committing the crime is never the problem, its getting caught thats the problem. Believe me I took no pleasure in that scene if anything it made me incredibly sad but thats what makes a story good, feeling those emotions.

 

[QwertySmurfy]

Personally I'm curious if theres some Elara x Mark thing going on with how sad Elara always is with her responsibilities

That's kinda out of left field. Didn't really get an impression like that, but now that Mark got reintroduced into the story, I don't know, there could be something (hopefully not).

 

[Rayne]

For sure, but I think how this is gonna play out is Jay is probably gonna get into a fight with Mark. and MC's support structure is going to be strong, Mark is going to try everything to make MC into a villain, might even succeed at times, but I think MC is going to underdog his way to the top over Mark which is whats going to be the main premise of the story. Every story needs an antagonist and it was pretty clear when Mark texted in CH1 it was a re-intro.

If I'm betting on anything, depends on how much our lovely dev wants to be a corrupt boyo, MC might even end up cucking mark in some way. Which would be glorious. Nothing greater than being betrayed only to then get justice betraying the person who betrayed you. I just really hope we dont see ex-gf at all. MC is already involved with two of the most powerful families at the school, and they seem to really have taken notice to him. Personally I'm curious if theres some Elara x Mark thing going on with how sad Elara always is with her responsibilities, that would be something.

Just my guess though, Probably gonna have some fights, a lot of support structures, and Mark trying to just single-handedly destroy MCs life at every turn, until eventually he gets his.


////////////////

Also I disagree with the phrasing of NTR, cheating happens all the time, people catch their girlfriends/wives cheating all the time, its not being cucked, you take no active enjoyment in watching the cheating, so its not NTR. It's just flat out cheating and being caught. If we would go back with Sara then yeah theres a bit of a line there thats being crossed, otherwise, its just character development, and its totally fine. Even the greatest men get cheated on lol. It only takes one weak line of thought for a partner to cheat on someone. MC was being too respectful and not sleeping with his girl, mark is that alpha-chad type and pushed the issue and ended up sleeping with her. She got caught and realized how much she messed up when the guy looked like he was gonna off himself and never see her the same. Thats a very sobering moment for people. Committing the crime is never the problem, its getting caught thats the problem. Believe me I took no pleasure in that scene if anything it made me incredibly sad but thats what makes a story good, feeling those emotions.

If you enjoy cheating, it's classified more as cuckolding, but this is precisely the real NTR (she cheats on you behind your back), which is designed to evoke negative emotions and jealousy. Incidentally, this falls under the classification on this site, and when the "cheating" tag is listed, it usually means the MC is cheating on their partners.
Of course, if you don’t rely on Japanese definitions, then yes, in our culture this would be considered ordinary cheating, but the term ntr has long existed in our culture.

 

[kazeiheikaya]

If you enjoy cheating, it's classified more as cuckolding, but this is precisely the real NTR (she cheats on you behind your back), which is designed to evoke negative emotions and jealousy. Incidentally, this falls under the classification on this site, and when the "cheating" tag is listed, it usually means the MC is cheating on their partners.
Of course, if you don’t rely on Japanese definitions, then yes, in our culture this would be considered ordinary cheating, but the term ntr has long existed in our culture.

yeah i tend to stick to the typical english definitions lol, MC was cheated on, not standing outside door fapping to his girlfriend getting pounded by her side-lover, that then was like "oh dont mind me" but instead broke it off, which is seen as strength not weakness. so idk. NTR talks are too complicated on this website for me anymore, its impossible. Even cheating for char development drives people nuts. I can agree that WATCHING the scene would be a form of viewer NTR though i guess, but it is skippable. Would make the viewer the cuckold enjoyer tho, and not the MC tho.

I'm not trying to debate it tho, just my worldview. I just try to be fair to the dev and their creations which is why i disagreed.

That's kinda out of left field. Didn't really get an impression like that, but now that Mark got reintroduced into the story, I don't know, there could be something (hopefully not).

Eh like i said its predictions, she seems super sad, has a big family name, and people dont just flock to jocks to be personal bodyguards to them, so it could foreshadow a bit that "mark" is a big shot. Just a shot in the dark.

 

[QwertySmurfy]

Eh like i said its predictions, she seems super sad, has a big family name, and people dont just flock to jocks to be personal bodyguards to them, so it could foreshadow a bit that "mark" is a big shot. Just a shot in the dark.

Oh no, I believe that Mark is some big shot, that's why I mentioned earlier that thing about maybe Mark was blackmailing Sara.

Damn, so Sara seemed to be playing victim with the cheating in that backstory, I get the feeling we'll be confronted with her at some point in the story and she will probably try to gain sympathy from MC. As of right now we have come into contact with the douche . It might be the case that he was blackmailing Sara behind MC's back and that's why she had that look when they were caught, and when MC got beat up at the cafeteria. But it honestly won't change my feelings towards her if she got reintroduced in the story, as it was obvious it was happening for a while.

 

[XV71]

Mark was blackmailing Sara.

aint no way she was being blackmailed based on her behaviour just before being caught

 

[kazeiheikaya]

aint no way she was being blackmailed based on her behaviour just before being caught

Think the blackmail vibe comes from how she reacted to being caught. The question of how they started sleepin together in the first place, if he had something massive over her, then that was an easy in. Lastly, how down she looked when the rumors spread and he confronted them.

Also a potential for a redemption arc for her... Which no thanks.
I genuinely hate the "I was being forced, please, I could have came to you and told you myself but I was too much of a coward so I destroyed you but please just give me a chance to explain myself/try to fix things" so hopefully not.

 

[Rayne]

Think the blackmail vibe comes from how she reacted to being caught. The question of how they started sleepin together in the first place, if he had something massive over her, then that was an easy in. Lastly, how down she looked when the rumors spread and he confronted them.

Also a potential for a redemption arc for her... Which no thanks.
I genuinely hate the "I was being forced, please, I could have came to you and told you myself but I was too much of a coward so I destroyed you but please just give me a chance to explain myself/try to fix things" so hopefully not.

Honestly, I don't think being forced into something won't make you enjoy it and giggle. As I said, her reaction is that she was caught, and yes, he may have some influence over her, but that doesn't justify her actions. And if she really was forced, then it's Dev's fault for writing the scene that way.
And yes, from the game description, "As MC, you'll navigate this new life and build relationships with six very different young women." And all six girls are in the gallery, and yes, Hallelujah, the name Sara is not there.
And I'll even be glad if it turns out that he fucked her and left her.
In my opinion, the game has good potential if MC grows some balls as soon as possible.

 

[QwertySmurfy]

Think the blackmail vibe comes from how she reacted to being caught. The question of how they started sleepin together in the first place, if he had something massive over her, then that was an easy in. Lastly, how down she looked when the rumors spread and he confronted them.

Yeah that's why I thought she was being blackmailed or at least pressured in some way. In the cafeteria, it looked like Mark was making her keep her mouth shut, when he insisted on the rumors being true, and left no room for Sara to rebuttal. Also the "it's not what it looks like", which is the most cliche line after being caught cheating, but there may actually be more to it. Also the "please don't look at me like that". Even though it doesn't matter at the end of the day, she still cheated. So yeah, no sympathy for her really. Sucks too, cause her design looked good.

Also we know Mark is something of a stalker. Why was he keeping tabs on MC through social media and sending him DMs at the end of the first chapter? Also why didn't MC even block him?

 

[kazeiheikaya]

Honestly, I don't think being forced into something won't make you enjoy it and giggle. As I said, her reaction is that she was caught, and yes, he may have some influence over her, but that doesn't justify her actions. And if she really was forced, then it's Dev's fault for writing the scene that way.
And yes, from the game description, "As MC, you'll navigate this new life and build relationships with six very different young women." And all six girls are in the gallery, and yes, Hallelujah, the name Sara is not there.
And I'll even be glad if it turns out that he fucked her and left her.
In my opinion, the game has good potential if MC grows some balls as soon as possible.

I mean to a degree, if you do something long enough you might start to enjoy it as they say. Especially if its something thats so bad, she would rather die than it get out, whose to say.
Not saying you're wrong, but just generally, she wasnt sleeping with MC either. So who knows! lol. It's all speculation.

I am glad Sara isn't in there tho.

If you want my real opinion? She wanted to get closer to Mark and used MC, ended up really liking MC for who he is, but he was too weak to make the right moves, Mark, probably had no interest in her at first, but noticed this, likely through her own gossip, and took advantage of the situation. It happened as a one time thing and turned into a regular occurrence. She loved having her back blown out by him but didn't actually want to be with him, because well, hes a douchebag clearly. She tried to play both fields and got caught. then realized how badly she just destroyed someone she cared about over being selfish. Basically a case of "date the friend to get closer to the real interest" but she didnt plan on actually liking the MC. Mark probably had no real interest in her, but has some crazy vendetta against MC for some reason or another, or is just a douchebag bully, idk. Probably gonna go with MC's got something he doesn't tho and it tears him up inside. Hence why he keeps tabs on the MC.

But I'm trying to be theoretical instead of practical and see it from different perspectives too.

 

[QwertySmurfy]

I am glad Sara isn't in there tho.

For now, she may get reintroduced just like Mark. Better question is, what is Mark even doing in MC's current town? Also we don't see Sara with him, he might've left her behind. Sara had to have felt awful for what she did for what she put MC through. Who knows maybe she locks herself inside just like MC did. Or she didn't really care for MC at all and she's moved on quickly.

 

[ryansFLYIN]

Spoiler: some tibdits

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There was a bit of controversy in MRD that ended with a rewrite of one of the LI's paths/past. It wasn't technically NTR but it left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths how it was first written. Sounds like I should let this one cook for another update or two.