I usually never write reviews but this game deserves one. Haven't even finished it but so far I find it highly entertaining! Well done to the DEV and thanks for putting in so much effort into it! One can clearly see that a lot of thought has been put into this game with love for each plot and the scenes.
Episode 1 is really only the intro and the game starts properly in Episode 2. I really 'hated' (in a good way) the MC in Episode 1 and then started to feel sorry for her in Episode 2 which shows that a character can be well developed over time and doesn't need to be so shallow as is the case in most other games unfortunately.
Yes there are occasional stereotype plots and characters in the game and there is a lot of demeaning behavior from some of the NPCs but it fits so well in this game that I find it never annoying. But then you will find friends in unexpected places. It creates a balance and is relatable given the context of the game. That's how a story should be implemented.
There is an aspect of 'hunger' in the game that I find well implemented. You can turn it off in the menu if you like. It is so well done though when you end up with no cash and need to eat and have to make ends meet no matter what. It literally creates the surroundings and build up in this story organically as a side note. This is much better than most games where some form of background feels forced.
Everything looks and feels
HIGH QUALITY!
Sometimes the wait time between screens can be more than in other games but not annoyingly so. Maybe that is a RenPy issue. I like the free roam options that really come into play from Episode 2 as well as the sporadic change of controlling another character in the game. Well done!
Occasionally you have to click 1 or 2 more times to get to a certain location (mostly in MC's house in the basement to change clothes) but I was never annoyed by it. It always makes sense. I think this game is not meant to be rushed through but taking time with it and exploring the various options slowly. The amount of different scenes you can do (e.g. in the 'red light' district) while still exploring other story elements is brilliant!
Yes the story is mostly linear but at the same time you have so many paths to explore and can skip some if you wish. I think it fits and makes perfect sense. The amount of content is INSANE! Really really well done. Some of the NPCs look super ugly but in a good way! It adds so much to the game and makes it much more realistic. Don't worry, there are still more than enough really hot characters. All with their own agendas and schemes. Perfect!
Top implementation. If I could give 10 stars I would. That is why I don't understand some of the low ratings here at all. DEV --> if you are reading this: don't listen to any negative reviews here. None of them are justified in my opinion. Keep going with this great work!
As a tip for players and no spoiler: I would recommend being the biggest b*tch in Episode 1 you can, because it adds so much more depth in Episode 2. Maybe making it slightly harder but also so much more fun! Try this game now. You won't regret it!
EDIT: After some continuation I wanted to add a few more things here for anyone interested: The story does go quite dark (and I am still not even at the end). Most of the humiliation and extreme corruption can be avoided but not all of it. Some of that really isn't my cup of tea because it is just too demeaning and hard to watch if you care about the MC
. It goes way beyond sex I guess and includes harsh punishments and exploitation
.
Some of the NPCs are seriously cruel and vile in their behavior. Makes you wonder if (and that is probably and unfortunately a 'yes') that stuff happens in the real world. How sad.
Again, this isn't my thing. Some people might be into that sort of stuff (as long as it is just game fantasy and
not in reality!!).
However for the evident effort and hard work on this game I am still sticking with 5*, giving the DEV credit for the work done and achieving a very solid sandbox game with many subplots and beautiful renders. This is unlike most other games in this genre as there really is a
ton of content here to explore.