so i think i tried a much older version of this, but i think the narrative and visuals changed a lot from what i played before, to now. of particular note, nikki looks significantly different from the store, from her attempt to seduce you for the money, to when you meet her later on. the most recent incarnation of her is way hotter, almost night n day, and whoever that guy was that she was modeling for definitely has an artistic vision. that's not to say he's not a scumfuck cockholster, but at least he knows beauty.
that said, the only right decision when she asks for money, is to hinge the money on her dumping brent. she doesn't have to get with protag-kun, but it was obvious then that he was a complete and utter fuckboi who wanted to get into a gang. she could do way better.
other than that, it's a fairly enjoyable ride; most of the women are decently attractive with some standouts, the sex scenes are well done, the narrative fairly compelling. 2 things come to mind.
1. the scene with mason feels......wrong, on a few levels. i'm still gathering my thoughts on that whole debacle, and i've seen it from all the angles. but i don't think I like it.
2. there seems to be something brewing with brent, but there doesn't seem to really be any sort of....fall? often narratives will rise and fall in both tension, as well as success of the protagonist, but there doesn't really seem to be any sort of difficulty that he has, aside from choosing to do the right or wrong thing. maybe there are some choices that could have led to that, but if there are, i either haven't seenm them, or they haven't been developed yet. i'm curious to see if there will be any sort of fall from grace for our 'hero' regardless of whether he made the ethically or morally good choice(s). shit happens in life, and most of it is bad news.