VN Ren'Py Friends in Need [S1 v0.85c] [NeonGhosts]

[Joshy92]

I'm a tad surprised at all the Nicki hate as, honestly speaking, she's one of the most realistic characters I've seen in a VN or game in a while. People underestimate what lack of experience and a trusting nature can land you in aswell as the unwillingness to let go of consistency, even if that consistency is something bad (i.e dipshit boyfriend she had). Plus, humans are prideful in general and a lot of people have a hard time taking handouts if they've already been helped a lot. As someone who's been in the shitter back in the day, I've seen almost identical stories take place in real life with "friends" I've had.

Overall though, I thoroughly enjoy the story and I like that it gives an option to go full grim-dark, even though it's not my thing. I also just really like Gabby, she a cutie.
Renders are also good, writing is solid and has good pacing.

I agree completely.
The writing in this is some of my favourite in any game on here.

And Nicki is such a sweet & lovable woman.
I really want to protect her.

 

[Quetzzz]

even if it's alot of bad decisions.

she probably just makes a ton of bad decisions

Oh, that much has been clear to me already, and I've only just finished chapter 1.

Some notes I made:
"So what if she was stuck in a crappy job she was way too smart for?"
Why is she stuck? Why can't she find another job, or attend evening classes?
"So what if her boyfriend was a jackass?"
Then she could break up with him and stand on her own two feet?
Being complacent isn't the same as being optimistic. An optimist will take risks, trusting in a positive outcome. She has agency, a bad job or bad boyfriend isn't a hand that life dealt her. Every day she actively chooses to stay in her situation.

That said, making bad choices seems to be theme in this game.

 

[Quetzzz]

I really want to protect her.

Well, I just fucked her in the ass. Nobody comes into my home to disrespect me like that. She came under false pretenses, the friendship was over as soon as she agreed with Brent's idea to doll herself up to prey on the MC's feelings for her.

 

[The Anti]

Always happy seeing Nicki & Risa drawing people over to the dark path.

Join the dark side
Let’s go take a howl at that moon boys.

 

[Ottoeight]

Well, I just fucked her in the ass. Nobody comes into my home to disrespect me like that. She came under false pretenses, the friendship was over as soon as she agreed with Brent's idea to doll herself up to prey on the MC's feelings for her.

Dude.

Safe sex lesson 1, by Dr Ottoeight:

- never have anal sex without a condom. Do I need to explain that most likely she didn't have an anal douche before she went over to your place?

 

[The Anti]

 

[Joshy92]

I know some people think Nicki too advantage of Guy.
But I don't see it that way.
She was forced to do what she did because of Brent.
He has been emotionally abusing her for a long time and she couldn't think straight.

That piece of shit is to blame for everything. Not sweet & innocent Nicki.

 

[Dessolos]

I know some people think Nicki too advantage of Guy.
But I don't see it that way.
She was forced to do what she did because of Brent.
He has been emotionally abusing her for a long time and she couldn't think straight.

That piece of shit is to blame for everything. Not sweet & innocent Nicki.

I'd like to add onto your post. Also the fact how she didn't show up for more help or anything until she was desperate and ran away from the porn shoot as she would of felt bad asking for more money or help. She never once asked for money just a place to stay for a night or two and that's it when she came back after 3-6 months.

 

[Joshy92]

I'd like to add onto your post. Also the fact how she didn't show up for more help or anything until she was desperate and ran away from the porn shoot as she would of felt bad asking for more money or help. She never once asked for money just a place to stay for a night or two and that's it when she came back after 3-6 months.

Exactly bro.
Nicki didn't want to ask Guy for money.
But Brent being the piece of garbage he is used her feelings for Guy against her and poisoned her mind.

 

[Sharpshooter890]

I know some people think Nicki too advantage of Guy.
But I don't see it that way.
She was forced to do what she did because of Brent.
He has been emotionally abusing her for a long time and she couldn't think straight.

That piece of shit is to blame for everything. Not sweet & innocent Nicki.

Nicki is a grown ass woman capable of making her own choices. She choose to stay with that asshole, to endure his abuse, she let him use her money, she let him pimp HER to another dude, she choose to do photoes and tattoes. She could've called police, or broke off with him, or asked Guy for help right away (before the money thing, they are supposed to be friends after all). But no, she choose her path willingly, and I think deep down, she fucking LOVED being treated like the trash that she is.

Hell yeah she earned Guy's dick in her ass, with all the pretense and lies. Damn hoe.

P.S. If you are an IRL abuse victim, call police and seek help.

 

[Dessolos]

Hell yeah she earned Guy's dick in her ass, with all the pretense and lies. Damn hoe.

nah that is not very romantic when the rework comes ill be giving her money without asking anything in return.

 

[7_lJzWy3XxoEyow7]

Well, I just fucked her in the ass. Nobody comes into my home to disrespect me like that. She came under false pretenses, the friendship was over as soon as she agreed with Brent's idea to doll herself up to prey on the MC's feelings for her.

It just shows what you use for thinking ... try your brain next time?

 

[Maviarab]

It just shows what you use for thinking ... try your brain next time?

It's called that''s exactly what she did. Maybe try using your own brain next time

And this is also why the entire starting scenes with her are being rewritten btw.

 

[7_lJzWy3XxoEyow7]

It's called that''s exactly what she did. Maybe try using your own brain next time

And this is also why the entire starting scenes with her are being rewritten btw.

Well thats why she reacted as she did ... to that treatment?

I'd would like to see progress instead remaking. I'm OK with malicious behaviour receiving the appropriate Karma

and

Dude.

Safe sex lesson 1, by Dr Ottoeight:

- never have anal sex without a condom. Do I need to explain that most likely she didn't have an anal douche before she went over to your place?

 

[Ottoeight]

P.S. If you are an IRL abuse victim, call police and seek help.

Sometimes you really can't, sometimes the police isn't that sympathetic and useful. You can only hope that you aren't on your own and friends and family will help you.

Last time they stole my bike (again), I immediately went to the police and pressed charges. Well, after I finished I felt like I was robbed twice.

The damn truth is that our MC Guy is the only one who's helping Nicki (if he behaves, of course). Where was her family? friends?

 

[Quetzzz]

never have anal sex without a condom. Do I need to explain that most likely she didn't have an anal douche before she went over to your place?

Don't worry, Guy had a good strong pee afterward to clean the tubes.

I'd like to add onto your post. Also the fact how she didn't show up for more help or anything until she was desperate and ran away from the porn shoot as she would of felt bad asking for more money or help. She never once asked for money just a place to stay for a night or two and that's it when she came back after 3-6 months.

And that's why I was compassionate with her and didn't use her in the bathroom. We'll see how things go, but to me, she's a walking disaster and I rather wouldn't have her in Guy's life.
At least she left Brent, and tried to fix the problem herself this time. That counts for something. Yet, she's now permanently marked by another man. The whole identity theft sob story doesn't convince me. Fraud and identity theft are criminal matters, not civil. She didn't need money to press charges or hire a lawyer. The state would've investigated and charged Brent.

But Brent being the piece of garbage he is used her feelings for Guy against her and poisoned her mind.

And she let him. On the "good" path, Nicki is a cheating whore who turns Guy's generous gift of money into a transaction. On the dark path, Guy just treats her as one based on what she's there to do.

Nicki is a grown ass woman capable of making her own choices. She choose to stay with that asshole, to endure his abuse, she let him use her money, she let him pimp HER to another dude, she choose to do photoes and tattoes. She could've called police, or broke off with him, or asked Guy for help right away (before the money thing, they are supposed to be friends after all). But no, she choose her path willingly, and I think deep down, she fucking LOVED being treated like the trash that she is.

This part is confusing to me. On the dark path, Nicki says she broke up with Brent and moved to a motel. Then lost her job and was hard up for cash to pay for the stay. So I'm guessing this happened after Brent blew the 100k? It's only at the motel that she started onlyfans and the other guy came into the picture?
Going to replay on the "light" & "neutral" path to see how her story changes. Though I doubt her story will change a lot on the neutral path compared to the dark path. She'll still blame the MC.

Hell yeah she earned Guy's dick in her ass, with all the pretense and lies. Damn hoe.

P.S. If you are an IRL abuse victim, call police and seek help.

Yeah, for real. This is just fantasy, a powertrip. I've lent a few thousand to a female friend in the past. As soon as the money was transferred, I realized the friendship was over. And indeed, I never heard from or saw her again. The dynamic had shifted, she now owed me something she couldn't (or wouldn't) repay. Every so often I'll fantasize about getting my money's worth, but it's just that.

It just shows what you use for thinking ... try your brain next time?

To be fair, my brain told me to throw her out, but that wasn't an option. That $20k could've bought Guy the attention of a few high-class escorts instead.

From my notes:
And there it is... She needs money. Was it her idea to come over all dolled up, or was it Brent's idea she willingly went along with to manipulate the MC?
I'm hoping the MC won't decide while he's tipsy from the wine, he's made enough drunk mistakes for one game.
There we go, it was Brent's idea that Nicki dolled herself up. She went along with it.

Oh for fuck's sake. (disclaimer: enabled the patch)
I can respond to Nicki with:
- Treat her with kindness
- Offer to pay her for sex
- Assault her violently
Why not a "I'll give you a loan without interest", or a "No, please leave?". Seeing that I don't consider her a friend anymore, and refuse to pay for sex, I go with the only other available option. A loan would take some pressure off them, while still making them accountable for their mistakes. Otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if Brent shows up in a new car instead.
While I don't agree with the MC's methods, I can't disagree with the results. Nicki came to whore herself out, and that's what she ended up doing. She takes all the abuse, then asks for the money.

Spoiler: Out of curiosity I played through all three options.

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

 

[Dark Silence]

Don't worry, Guy had a good strong pee afterward to clean the tubes.


And that's why I was compassionate with her and didn't use her in the bathroom. We'll see how things go, but to me, she's a walking disaster and I rather wouldn't have her in Guy's life.
At least she left Brent, and tried to fix the problem herself this time. That counts for something. Yet, she's now permanently marked by another man. The whole identity theft sob story doesn't convince me. Fraud and identity theft are criminal matters, not civil. She didn't need money to press charges or hire a lawyer. The state would've investigated and charged Brent.


And she let him. On the "good" path, Nicki is a cheating whore who turns Guy's generous gift of money into a transaction. On the dark path, Guy just treats her as one based on what she's there to do.


This part is confusing to me. On the dark path, Nicki says she broke up with Brent and moved to a motel. Then lost her job and was hard up for cash to pay for the stay. So I'm guessing this happened after Brent blew the 100k? It's only at the motel that she started onlyfans and the other guy came into the picture?
Going to replay on the "light" & "neutral" path to see how her story changes. Though I doubt her story will change a lot on the neutral path compared to the dark path. She'll still blame the MC.


Yeah, for real. This is just fantasy, a powertrip. I've lent a few thousand to a female friend in the past. As soon as the money was transferred, I realized the friendship was over. And indeed, I never heard from or saw her again. The dynamic had shifted, she now owed me something she couldn't (or wouldn't) repay. Every so often I'll fantasize about getting my money's worth, but it's just that.


To be fair, my brain told me to throw her out, but that wasn't an option. That $20k could've bought Guy the attention of a few high-class escorts instead.

From my notes:
And there it is... She needs money. Was it her idea to come over all dolled up, or was it Brent's idea she willingly went along with to manipulate the MC?
I'm hoping the MC won't decide while he's tipsy from the wine, he's made enough drunk mistakes for one game.
There we go, it was Brent's idea that Nicki dolled herself up. She went along with it.

Oh for fuck's sake. (disclaimer: enabled the patch)
I can respond to Nicki with:
- Treat her with kindness
- Offer to pay her for sex
- Assault her violently
Why not a "I'll give you a loan without interest", or a "No, please leave?". Seeing that I don't consider her a friend anymore, and refuse to pay for sex, I go with the only other available option. A loan would take some pressure off them, while still making them accountable for their mistakes. Otherwise, I wouldn't be surprised if Brent shows up in a new car instead.
While I don't agree with the MC's methods, I can't disagree with the results. Nicki came to whore herself out, and that's what she ended up doing. She takes all the abuse, then asks for the money.

Spoiler: Out of curiosity I played through all three options.

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

I can't wait for the rewrite of the first eps. Not sure when but I'm waitin to restart when the rewrite happens. It should bring better Nikki choices and to get on her friend path at that point.

 

[Maviarab]

I can't wait for the rewrite of the first eps. Not sure when but I'm waitin to restart when the rewrite happens. It should bring better Nikki choices and to get on her friend path at that point.

Correct...will be as it should have been originally. Props to neon for actually realising this and adapting and changing it. It will however require a restart as saves will be broken (unless he manages a way to avoid that)...so perhaps best to wait, which is exactly what I'm doing as have a lot of saves for this I'll have to redo.

 

[Machete]

Oh for fuck's sake. (disclaimer: enabled the patch)
I can respond to Nicki with:
- Treat her with kindness
- Offer to pay her for sex
- Assault her violently
Why not a "I'll give you a loan without interest", or a "No, please leave?".

Well, unfortunately there is a limit in choices even to the best VNs. At last you can full friendzone Nicky and after that she's basically a secretary. There are a lot of games where i would like to go like "no, get the fuck lost Maya and Josy" or "no, Melody, i don't give a fuck of your music career" but the game doesn't work without some character. At last you are not bound to unavoidable choices like "Do you like Haley?" "Well, really, no. Not at all..." "WRONG! You like Haley! Live with that!".

 

[Joshy92]

I couldn't say no to Nicki even it it was a choice.
I was in love as soon as I saw her.

Making Nicki feel safe and loved is my mission in life.