Reviewed on: 2025/02/09
Score: 7/10
Playtime: About 6-7 hours for a single playthrough.
TL;DR:
“Follow the Leader” (FtL) is a story-driven AVN with nine lewd scenes and over 60 choices of varying effects.
While the story plays out in a predetermined way, individual events branch depending on the choices the player makes. Other choices will determine the mutual love and trust between the (renamable) MC and the LI, or if they enter an intimate relationship.
Players who want a more kinetic experience or canon playthrough can use the built-in walkthrough for guidance.
Visually, this game is on par with most current releases. While I have a few nitpicks about people not always looking at whom they're speaking to, or some environments looking a bit bland, these are the exception.
FtL has animations. These are only present in lewd scenes and are nicely done. There's some clipping here and there, but nothing too noticeable or immersion-breaking.
Sound:
FtL has custom soundtracks that are chosen to fit specific scenes. Tracks are balanced nicely, never sounding too quiet or too loud.
The game does not have any SFX or ambient sounds, which, I think, is to its detriment. There are several instances where I missed more visceral feedback, like when a gun goes off. Similarly, some ambient noises would be great in urban or outdoor environments.
Novel:
Because of how fast-paced and action-packed this story is, there's little I can say without spoilers. What I can say is that the game's synopsis is a good description of how the story kicks off.
From a narrative perspective, FtL reads a lot like an 80s action movie. Action and danger come in ebbs and flows as our protagonist and his refugees look for a way to escape Baron Zeke's reach. They'll hit dead ends, have to regroup, or have to find a way to pay for their expenses. They'll meet people, some of whom are more trustworthy than others, each presenting a challenge for them to overcome. But, like in those movies, we also know that the MC will reach his goal somehow.
Bits of exposition about the world and characters are sprinkled throughout the game's events and allow readers to feel more familiar with the Love Interests as time passes. Choices will decide if the MC gets more intimate with the ladies, or if they remain good friends.
Overall, I found the story engaging, its characters well-developed, and the LI very likeable. It's also of note that all main characters have an arc where they evolve from victims into fully actualized humans with their strengths and weaknesses. While I wouldn't call this story character-driven, the personality of the MC (through player choice) and his group play a large role in how events unfold.
One minor point about the game's narrative is how it combines with the LI's relationship points and choices. I think there's an opportunity to add more unique dialog based on the choices the player made concerning individual LI. Though, this will largely be unnoticeable unless you play through the story several times while making vastly different choices.