VN Ren'Py Friends in Need [Mini-Sode: Blue Valentine] [NeonGhosts]

[PHIL101-YYouPPHard]

Hmm, see that's what I'm not getting. I get having at least 3 paths for each character: Evil, Asshole, Nice. I just don't know how to categorize the other ones or whether they'd be all that different from the main 3 paths.

Aaaah. I get it now. I was too hung up on the archetypes. That makes this game even more interesting now, it's more about the relationship to each character and not so much which "Guy" you're playing as. You're usually kind of stuck in whatever "archetype" you choose to play as in these kinds of VNs. Seems like choices actually matter vs just being sorted into a category then running on a railroad with the illusion of choices.

Sorry for the wall, haha. Anyways, obviously, someone correct me if I'm wrong about any of this, but here we go. So, basically, any evil action Guy does increases his own dark points which influences his inner thoughts and reasoning and things like that. I think it also opens up certain actions, i.e. in Pepper's interrogation scene, I don't think you can do certain (bad) things unless you have enough MC dark points (MC dark points are separate from individual LI dark points). But, that seems to be the extent of it. I guess Neon mostly uses it in order to make Guy's thoughts align with his actions, as it would be weird as hell if he's thinking wholesome thoughts even after he's graped Ashe, Viola, & Pepper...

On top of that, each character has happy points and dark points as well as a relationship status or 'route'. Happy points are pretty self-explanatory, as it reflects how much they like you, but what some people may have missed is that not only can happy points open up options to the MC, it can also influence the likelihood of a character forgiving a.. let's say less-than-nice action. For example, in the changing room with Gabbi, you can try to finger her ass; if she doesn't have enough happy points, she won't like it and it'll come to a stop pretty quickly; on the other hand, if she does have enough, she will end up liking it and even reach orgasm. In that same scene, she gives you the choice of cumming in her mouth or on her tits; you can instead choose to cum on her face and, similar to the other action, if she isn't happy enough, she will be angry and cry; but, if she is happy enough, she will instantly forgive you and seem to have no problem with it "that's ok, I trust you daddy." It's honestly fucking great and is effectively a toxic subroute of romance (and corruption/findom as well? I actually haven't tried that route yet on a playthrough, so I'm not sure how available happy points are on it). My prediction is that successfully cheating with multiple girls will rely heavily on this (i.e., whether they trust you and believe your lies or not, give you benefit of the doubt, etc.)

Dark points (for the LIs) I'm less sure about tbh. Maybe my memory is bad, but I don't recall what actions, if any, were changed or opened up with dark points with any of the girls. It's possible he hasn't utilized them as much yet, I just don't remember. If happy points reflect how much they like you and are willing to forgive mistakes or toxic behavior, the logical flipside of that is dark points reflect how much they hate you and perhaps how likely they are to jump on mistakes or further toxic behavior; or perhaps how much control/domination you have over them and how likely they are to be afraid and allow you to do evil things without complaint? Not sure.

And I guess the relationships/routes are also pretty self-explanatory. In general, you have friend, romance, corruption/findom, and evil/sadistic/domination/grape/whatever else people have called it up to now. Some girls have more routes and I have no idea what they entail; I guess they're branches from the general routes, i.e. Nicki apparently has a toxic romance route according to another comment. So, I guess to finally sorta attempt to answer your question about route switching, I think Neon's plan is to either add another route for situations like that where it makes sense, or to specifically add a variable that gets checked, i.e. whether you switched from corruption/findom to romance, or romance to grape, etc. I'm guessing for route switches that entailed something very meaningful (whether good or bad), it would get reflected in the character's behavior and dialogue, at least for a while. Like, it's hard to believe that the straight romance route should get the exact same reaction and dialogue as someone who switched from the asshole/findom route onto the romance route (assuming that's possible for anyone). But, for other route switches, it might make perfect sense to more-or-less have it the same, i.e. friend to romance vs romance off-the-bat seems like there wouldn't be much of a meaningful difference other than the character referencing it here and there, i.e. friend-to-romance "took a little bit, but I finally saw what made you so great" versus romance-from-the-start "it was love at first sight". Or if the romance route had 1 or 2 extra sex scenes, the friend-onto-romance route would reflect the lack of those events. Stuff like that, probably.

So, as you can see, it's all very complicated and can understandably get quite confusing But, that's honestly what makes it so, so good and gives it an amazing replay value. It's possible Neon will change some of these things in the chp 1 revamp, as he said he's going to streamline stuff and add code references to specific actions (for example, whether you did anal with Nicki, or just oral, etc.). Don't know if he plans for that to replace happy points and (LI) dark points in any significant way?

 

[Old Grumpy Wolf]

Jesus H. Christ, PHIL101-YYouPPHard ! If I wanted to read a book, I'd go to Barnes & Noble and buy one.

 

[kendrickzl]

yeah Jamie, the racist, rapist pos could be further dealt with by having mc fuck with his university applications so he ends up having to go to a shitty college. after all, he did sucker punch mc and that should have repercussions..

Thanks for the comment, I don't like to see the protagonist being humiliated without being able to react. I was playing at the beginning of the game and I wasn't liking it very much because I couldn't ignore some routes, better stop right here.

 

[Joshy92]

We don't need guns guys
We will defeat evil with the power of love

 

[Deleted member 313508]

We don't need guns guys
We will defeat evil with the power of love

 

[NewTricks]

When you are as rich as Guy, guns are for the little people. You have hirelings for that. Unless you are hunting or shooting clay pigeons, of course. When I worked in personal protective service I saw up close that handing a firearm to a rich person is a terrible idea. They barely know what end the bullet comes out of.

 

[Deleted member 313508]

When you are as rich as Guy, guns are for the little people. You have hirelings for that. Unless you are hunting or shooting clay pigeons, of course. When I worked in personal protective service I saw up close that handing a firearm to a rich person is a terrible idea. They barely know what end the bullet comes out of.

Have to say I agree. Have Nikki hire him some security and be done with it.

And after Guy fires them or he passes on, those guys can write tell all books about the rapey rich dude and all his creepy secrets.

 

[Joshy92]

I decided I'm not going to focus on getting points in one path or another.
I'm just going to choose whichever option I would choose If I was in that situation in real life
And not worry about increasing my points

I have to say tho PHIL that was a damn impressive explanation of the point system.
The best I can do on this forum is simp for the girls in these games

 

[Master of Puppets]

We don't need guns guys
We will defeat evil with the power of love

OK, when Brent comes after Nikki, you try the power of love on him, and we'll try a .45, and see which works best.

When you are as rich as Guy, guns are for the little people. You have hirelings for that. Unless you are hunting or shooting clay pigeons, of course. When I worked in personal protective service I saw up close that handing a firearm to a rich person is a terrible idea. They barely know what end the bullet comes out of.

That's everyone who hasn't handled a gun before, nothing to do with wealth.

 

[Deleted member 313508]

OK, when Brent comes after Nikki, you try the power of love on him, and we'll try a .45, and see which works best.

But... the power of love don't need money and don't need fame. It don't need no credit card to ride this train... it's strong and sudden... it can be cruel sometimes... but it might just save Guy's life!

 

[Ragnar]

Are they in America? Because other countries aren't as gun friendly as them.
I can see him training muay thai or smth like that with the gym girl.

 

[soldano]

I usually contributed to Patreon when you released an update, but this time I'm going to try Subscribestar. And I'll go for the $15 one since I have the impression that you've worked harder on this update than usual.

That last image you posted of Ashe is very hot.

 

[Machete]

Are they in America? Because other countries aren't as gun friendly as them.
I can see him training muay thai or smth like that with the gym girl.

So true. Can't imagine casually walking with a gun (even properly sheated and, of course, with licence) in Italy. It's a call for legal trouble. Even when i go around with very basic tools like a screwdriver i've better have a good reason to have them with me.

 

[allanl9020142]

Sorry for the wall, haha. Anyways, obviously, someone correct me if I'm wrong about any of this, but here we go. So, basically, any evil action Guy does increases his own dark points which influences his inner thoughts and reasoning and things like that. I think it also opens up certain actions, i.e. in Pepper's interrogation scene, I don't think you can do certain (bad) things unless you have enough MC dark points (MC dark points are separate from individual LI dark points). But, that seems to be the extent of it. I guess Neon mostly uses it in order to make Guy's thoughts align with his actions, as it would be weird as hell if he's thinking wholesome thoughts even after he's graped Ashe, Viola, & Pepper...

On top of that, each character has happy points and dark points as well as a relationship status or 'route'. Happy points are pretty self-explanatory, as it reflects how much they like you, but what some people may have missed is that not only can happy points open up options to the MC, it can also influence the likelihood of a character forgiving a.. let's say less-than-nice action. For example, in the changing room with Gabbi, you can try to finger her ass; if she doesn't have enough happy points, she won't like it and it'll come to a stop pretty quickly; on the other hand, if she does have enough, she will end up liking it and even reach orgasm. In that same scene, she gives you the choice of cumming in her mouth or on her tits; you can instead choose to cum on her face and, similar to the other action, if she isn't happy enough, she will be angry and cry; but, if she is happy enough, she will instantly forgive you and seem to have no problem with it "that's ok, I trust you daddy." It's honestly fucking great and is effectively a toxic subroute of romance (and corruption/findom as well? I actually haven't tried that route yet on a playthrough, so I'm not sure how available happy points are on it). My prediction is that successfully cheating with multiple girls will rely heavily on this (i.e., whether they trust you and believe your lies or not, give you benefit of the doubt, etc.)

Dark points (for the LIs) I'm less sure about tbh. Maybe my memory is bad, but I don't recall what actions, if any, were changed or opened up with dark points with any of the girls. It's possible he hasn't utilized them as much yet, I just don't remember. If happy points reflect how much they like you and are willing to forgive mistakes or toxic behavior, the logical flipside of that is dark points reflect how much they hate you and perhaps how likely they are to jump on mistakes or further toxic behavior; or perhaps how much control/domination you have over them and how likely they are to be afraid and allow you to do evil things without complaint? Not sure.

And I guess the relationships/routes are also pretty self-explanatory. In general, you have friend, romance, corruption/findom, and evil/sadistic/domination/grape/whatever else people have called it up to now. Some girls have more routes and I have no idea what they entail; I guess they're branches from the general routes, i.e. Nicki apparently has a toxic romance route according to another comment. So, I guess to finally sorta attempt to answer your question about route switching, I think Neon's plan is to either add another route for situations like that where it makes sense, or to specifically add a variable that gets checked, i.e. whether you switched from corruption/findom to romance, or romance to grape, etc. I'm guessing for route switches that entailed something very meaningful (whether good or bad), it would get reflected in the character's behavior and dialogue, at least for a while. Like, it's hard to believe that the straight romance route should get the exact same reaction and dialogue as someone who switched from the asshole/findom route onto the romance route (assuming that's possible for anyone). But, for other route switches, it might make perfect sense to more-or-less have it the same, i.e. friend to romance vs romance off-the-bat seems like there wouldn't be much of a meaningful difference other than the character referencing it here and there, i.e. friend-to-romance "took a little bit, but I finally saw what made you so great" versus romance-from-the-start "it was love at first sight". Or if the romance route had 1 or 2 extra sex scenes, the friend-onto-romance route would reflect the lack of those events. Stuff like that, probably.

So, as you can see, it's all very complicated and can understandably get quite confusing But, that's honestly what makes it so, so good and gives it an amazing replay value. It's possible Neon will change some of these things in the chp 1 revamp, as he said he's going to streamline stuff and add code references to specific actions (for example, whether you did anal with Nicki, or just oral, etc.). Don't know if he plans for that to replace happy points and (LI) dark points in any significant way?

Yea, that makes sense. It's a good way of determining the conditions for scenes/paths.

Also, I don't think "findom" is what you think it is in this context...

 

[Master of Puppets]

Are they in America? Because other countries aren't as gun friendly as them.
I can see him training muay thai or smth like that with the gym girl.

He's rich. If you're rich you can protect yourself in any country. Gun laws are for peasants.

 

[Deleted member 313508]

He's rich. If you're rich you can protect yourself in any country. Gun laws are for peasants.

You can drop the word 'Gun' from that statement and it'd still be true for the most part.

 

[bamachine]

NeonGhosts I came across your game through someone linking it. I filter out rape from my latest updates page. I read some of the description and decided to give it a chance. I went almost 100% good guy, except minor things like some dom stuff during sex scenes. If you can assure me that any non-con will be avoidable, I may just add you to my supported games. If not, I am sure many others will do it anyway. As someone who is a victim(when I was a kid) and knows actual victims of rape, I cannot support anything that "forces" you down that path. I fully understand reality, I even understand roleplay, so I won't hold it against the game, if we are given the chance to avoid that. I like the story, the way I played it, so far. Unlike many that hate on Nicki, I can see the feelings the MC might have. I know and have been in a relationship with someone similar to her. Someone who did not feel like she was "worthy" of being treated right. Sadly, her demons finally got to her and we lost her. Also, well, I have kinda fell for all the potential LI except the night attendant at the building. She is the only one so far that feels "plastic".

 

[NeonGhosts]

NeonGhosts I came across your game through someone linking it. I filter out rape from my latest updates page. I read some of the description and decided to give it a chance. I went almost 100% good guy, except minor things like some dom stuff during sex scenes. If you can assure me that any non-con will be avoidable, I may just add you to my supported games. If not, I am sure many others will do it anyway. As someone who is a victim(when I was a kid) and knows actual victims of rape, I cannot support anything that "forces" you down that path. I fully understand reality, I even understand roleplay, so I won't hold it against the game, if we are given the chance to avoid that. I like the story, the way I played it, so far. Unlike many that hate on Nicki, I can see the feelings the MC might have. I know and have been in a relationship with someone similar to her. Someone who did not feel like she was "worthy" of being treated right. Sadly, her demons finally got to her and we lost her. Also, well, I have kinda fell for all the potential LI except the night attendant at the building. She is the only one so far that feels "plastic".

First of all, I'm very sorry to hear about your loved one. I have people in my life who have struggled with various difficulties - drug addiction, mental health, poverty, or even just poor decision-making. It's always difficult to watch someone go down that road, where they can't imagine better for themselves. I've touched on this lightly before, but Nicki is actually an amalgamation of a couple people who are quite dear to me, and her story of being pushed into sex work due to a dearth of other options is one that's sadly taken from real life.

One day I'll talk about all this, and specifically how the support for FiN gave me the resources to pull this person out of a bad place, and give her the opportunity to grasp a better life. For now that's all still a bit too fresh, though.

Bummers aside, thanks for taking a chance on the game! I'm glad that you found something here to like. As far as the content goes, I try to give the player maximum freedom, especially when it comes to interactions with love interests. So no, I'll never force you to choose a dark option with a love interest. If even the possibility of it rankles you, I'd encourage you to download Friends Indeed, as it lacks even the possibility of dark content, while still keeping 99% of the normal, domination-based rough sex.

As for Risa, she has a scene in the upcoming update that might flesh her out a bit more.

 

[bamachine]

First of all, I'm very sorry to hear about your loved one. I have people in my life who have struggled with various difficulties - drug addiction, mental health, poverty, or even just poor decision-making. It's always difficult to watch someone go down that road, where they can't imagine better for themselves. I've touched on this lightly before, but Nicki is actually an amalgamation of a couple people who are quite dear to me, and her story of being pushed into sex work due to a dearth of other options is one that's sadly taken from real life.

One day I'll talk about all this, and specifically how the support for FiN gave me the resources to pull this person out of a bad place, and give her the opportunity to grasp a better life. For now that's all still a bit too fresh, though.

Bummers aside, thanks for taking a chance on the game! I'm glad that you found something here to like. As far as the content goes, I try to give the player maximum freedom, especially when it comes to interactions with love interests. So no, I'll never force you to choose a dark option with a love interest. If even the possibility of it rankles you, I'd encourage you to download Friends Indeed, as it lacks even the possibility of dark content, while still keeping 99% of the normal, domination-based rough sex.

As for Risa, she has a scene in the upcoming update that might flesh her out a bit more.

Thanks for sharing. Since you are leaving it up to us on whether to take a dark path or not, I think I will add my support to your game. Like I said, I like the characters and your writing, at least on my chosen path.

Note to the person who felt the need to "facepalm" my prior post, if it was about basing my potential support based on content, is that not true for support of any project. I was not trying to sway devs towards a certain path, just trying to find out if I wanted to continue with this game and possibly help them out with my meager donations. If it is about what I and those around me suffered in real life, you know exactly where you can go.

 

[PHIL101-YYouPPHard]

Thanks for sharing. Since you are leaving it up to us on whether to take a dark path or not, I think I will add my support to your game. Like I said, I like the characters and your writing, at least on my chosen path.

Note to the person who felt the need to "facepalm" my prior post, if it was about basing my potential support based on content, is that not true for support of any project. I was not trying to sway devs towards a certain path, just trying to find out if I wanted to continue with this game and possibly help them out with my meager donations. If it is about what I and those around me suffered in real life, you know exactly where you can go.

Yeah, best to ignore people like that. In fact, may as well add them to your ignore list since it's obvious they're just shitty trolls That's what I do when I encounter that stuff. People's tastes are their own, especially given certain circumstances such as yours... but yeah, I can guarantee you as an avid player that you're never forced on any route Of course, you're not given a choice in every single circumstance or drama, since that would be insane branching from a dev pov, but you're given a choice where it counts the most. You can just not install the taboo patch or play the fully clean "Friends Indeed" version like Neon said You wouldn't even have to worry about seeing those possible options that bother you and I bet that'd be perfect for you! Cheers

Yea, that makes sense. It's a good way of determining the conditions for scenes/paths.

Also, I don't think "findom" is what you think it is in this context...

I wasn't saying those scenes w/ Gabby were findom, I just meant I don't know how any of the girls' happy points would play out on the corruption/findom route (by findom, I mean from the pov of the girls, not Guy; basically the rich sex pest route where Guy uses money to push people into doing sexual stuff, but never goes as far as full-out violent grape; am I misusing the term findom? maybe sugarbaby or corruption is what I'm looking for?). The findom/sugarbaby stuff with her I think will probably start after the apology in the bookstore (regarding her father) where you establish what your relationship is going to be. Hell, maybe that's actually what the LI's dark points are meant for: financial compulsion in the corruption route. Perhaps the sadistic grape route is meant to just chuck those point systems out the window entirely and do w/e MC feels like

Jesus H. Christ, PHIL101-YYouPPHard ! If I wanted to read a book, I'd go to Barnes & Noble and buy one.

I know, I'm pathetic and am lacking in any kind of useful conciseness

I decided I'm not going to focus on getting points in one path or another.
I'm just going to choose whichever option I would choose If I was in that situation in real life
And not worry about increasing my points

I have to say tho PHIL that was a damn impressive explanation of the point system.
The best I can do on this forum is simp for the girls in these games

That's probably the best way to play honestly. Falling into the min/max OCD 'power player' trap kind of robs you of the game's wonderful organic nature regarding decisions and routes. But, I just can't help myself I think maybe we're used to games with much more linear paths and scope of possibility; we get worried we'll get heavily punished for our choices and lose out on a lot of stuff, maybe even a whole LI altogether. Which, yeah, in this game you may lose out on certain decisions or small mini-scenes (within larger sex scenes usually), but losing entire sex scenes as a whole is really hard to do for the most part and is reserved for those players who want to take a wholesome steady romance building approach (so then the loss of sex scenes is realistic and immersive) or people who don't like a girl and want to remain friends. But this game does a good job at keeping things moving with the girls no matter what and continually gives you opportunities to try and jump in or play the field, which will result in eventual scenes with most girls I'd gander. Then you can finish the game (when that time comes) with the feeling that you organically obtained the relationship(s) your own way rather than the usually binary way most devs give you (she's madly in love with you and has sex on the first date vs she wants nothing to do with you and you'll lose her for the rest of the game; no in between).

If this were to be my first sex game when I was young, it'd seriously be the most enjoyable and nostalgic VN memory, bar none I think... I have a feeling I'd develop a comparison complex where no other games measure up (my own first games were the 3 Sisters + 1st Horny Bunnies, the latter being far superior imo being that it was actually fappable and made me want to continue trying VNs.. if anyone was curious )

Keep in mind btw I don't know how accurate a lot of that wall is lol. I bet someone else could do a much better analysis of the game's mechanics. Speaking of walls, here I've gone and done it again... I have a problem..