VN - Ren'Py - Friendship with Benefits 2 [v0.10.0b] [TwistedScarlett]

Just played through the 0.10 update, and would say this has been my favourite so far.

From having played the original FwB, I think it's clear to see both the improvements in writing and artstyle. I really enjoy the character of Umbra, and the way he interacts with the rest of the cast has really helped me see them more as individual characters, which at times I felt had been a bit iffy, might sound a bit harsh but there are times where I feel like the MC is simply imagining how the ideal conversation would play out in his head, rather than a genuine dialgoue between two characters.

I do like the ambition shown with the story, and definitely don't think long texts in an H-game are a bad thing. There's a reason this is being presented in a VN format and not just as an imageset after all.

Artwise, yeah I'd prefer not to see any more AI-generated backgrounds, even if that would slow down the workflow a bit, I don't think I'm the only one in finding them just a bit jarring and cheap looking. What is hand-drawn though is unfalteringly very good, I could nitpick here or there about models being a little inconsistent scene-by-scene, but not enough to take me out of the experience too much.

I'd also maybe prefer some of the sex scenes to be a bit longer? I'd happily trade three 3-panel scenes for one scene with 8 or 9 panels, but that may be just a difference in taste.

Will definitely be keeping up with the game as it develops, and would like to say despite some of the recent reviews, the work you're putting in here is only getting better!

Highly recommend, it's definitely clear that care has been taken in crafting the world and its characters, so much so that sometimes I click through an H-scene just to continue reading and enjoying the story. (Not for lack of great art, trust me.

So this is my review as of v0.10.0a:
The game feels very off putting, to me it feels like a down grade to the first game. The story's pacing feels heavily rushed to where I don't even know what even is going on. Not to mention the giant walls of text, which makes sense since it's a VN. Yet it's more reading and less interacting. Another issue about the story is the plot. The first game's plot was understandable: get back to your dimension while dealing with mares in heat due to mating season. This game's plot feels very lackluster, and I don't even know what the plot is supposed to be about since it constantly shifts. First were trying to unite the virtues, then we have to stop nightmare moon and now we have to stop sombra. Another thing is the characters, FwB1 executed the characters way better since we got to see them develop. Yet in FwB2 we barely get to see any form of character development making them seem very dry. So far the only good thing about the game is the art, I mean twistedscarlett's art is amazing and is by far one of my fav artists. I'll keep playing the game to see if it improves but so far thing's aren't looking good.

After enduring another shallow surface level Ship of Theseus discussion because of cybernetics for the umpteenth time in my life I was then told that cyber pony girl was then so horny that she gave a footjob and her first blowjob and I was so mad that I closed the game.

Played the first game, played this at various points of its development, held on a bit, but I got tired of waiting. And since I'm fairly certain not much will change my opinion anytime soon, Im just gonna review this at it is.

Short summary of the story without spoilers; youre playing as the same person from the first game but transported into a parallel universe where all the characters are the same (with very small exceptions), except they dont know you. Simple plot device to reset everything so you can write a story using the same characters but dont have to bother about relationship dynamics.

But let's be honest here, we're here for sausages and cream, not to read another chapter of war and peace. So how's the fresh porn? Well, its alright. Kinda like what youd expect given the first game, but there is a lot of girls and a lot of variety. All in the typical VN format, so spacebar away at that sausage to make things happen.

Artwork is objectively better than the first game, so at very least it seems the dev have not merely been sitting on that pile of money, so hats off to that. If youre gonna play this game at all it'll be because of the artwork is splendid.


But now here's what I really think....Conclusion

I'll not beat around the bush; I probably wont be finishing this game, and that's because the massive wall of text that is this game makes it a somewhat sour experience, very akin to pulling teeth. Dont confuse the word count with quality - this game disgorges so much fluff you can literally cut 80% of it and nothing changes in world building, characters, or descriptions. Every character in here is like some sort of involuntary hermit who will talk at you for hours at the slightest provocation, and the MC of this game cannot and will not stop describing every little thing around him in painful detail. The end result being that even the sex scenes seems to drag on forever, like counting sheep while you plow away, and your partner verbally counts with you.

If youre gonna fill the game with 50k worth of text, then it definitely needs to be balanced out with more artwork. Would help relieve the tedium if the characters actually change poses to suggest their internal feelings. Show more than tell, that's the whole point of a VN. Otherwise just write a novel, because that's exactly what this game, and its predecessor, feels more like.

But I suppose the game's rabid fans probably seen this coming a mile away, hence the many, many glowing reviews to what I can only describe as ok even at its best. And I suppose the dev is definitely not hurting given the patronage of nearly 12k per month. Recommended for fans of the first game. For everyone else...well, you'll probably know whether the games for you 5 minutes into the intro, as your finger unconsciously motions towards the left ctrl button.

Played the first one and had a blast, second one is just as good so far! Hoping that it will have just as much to it as the first one if not more! Can't wait for the full version to be out in the future!

Every update just shows down well this game was made and how much care was put into it.

MLP taken into it's own new porny take on it all. While some of the structure and backstory was used to help frame the basics in the story and setting, It feels like a genuinely fresh take on it all. Take Moxie, while she shares some common roots with the character she was based off of, her personality feels more earnest and playful. She feels more mature and developed (not in a sex way).

If you want a good story, art, or a MLP parody, give the Friendship with benefits series a shot. it excells in each aspect imo.

I'm about 75% through version 0.8 and having a blast. A really fantastic successor to the original. New takes on the characters, great artwork, options for adjusting the sex scenes, the addition of the phone to-do and gallery, all of these elevate the game to be even better than the first one. Highly recommended for any anthro clop enjoyers.

Amazing game, I love the different styles that I can choose on certain girl. Is it Possible to have this for more girl or more option ? The skin color and clothes chages everithing. Is it plan to add BDSM ? Keep going I love the game <3

Big fan of the first one, one of my favorite games of all time. This one? Ain't it.

The idea is a bit...jank, but the new world is genuinely interesting, gives me Shadowrun vibes, love it. But the writing never gives you a chance to breathe in the new atmosphere, doesn't disclose anything interesting about it, doesn't try to worldbuild even a little bit. How can you have such an interesting setting and do fuck-all with it, running through the nonsensical "story" at a breakneck pace.
Everything resolves in a snap. We never even see the shadows and nightmares that are a supposed looming threat. The characters could be interesting with how their lives turned, but, again, we learn fuck-all, one sex-scene and trauma-dump, and in the next they are all fixed, forming a super-girl super-friends team with people they never met before.
The "twist" is seen a mile away and happens SO FAST that it holds no weight, basically just copying season 1 of mlp.
Music is jarring at times, the lightning-fast chipmunk mumble in the middle of a sex scene had me in stitches.
The art is nice. I prefer the first game's art as it was warmer and softer, but it works. Scenes are hot and written good, though sometimes are too short.

All in all - a disappointment. The idea could be executed way better, but the author got lost in the sauce per their own post on patreon, and this is not a "return to form" as they had hoped.

TwistedScarlett scores again with a shockingly wholesome, character-driven porn game. The main plot arc is indeed pulled "straight from the Blu-Rays", but the main arc in the first FwB was very nearly so. I think the game could use a bit more drama, but other than that, I'm looking forward to the post-game routes!

With how many great reviews I wanted to try this even though Furry was not a kink for me. The biggest issue for me is that this is a sandbox game but does not have the tag for it. Below is my pro and con list.

Pros:
- The artwork for its type is well done and is rendered very well.
- Each LI has a good well rounded personality that is different from the rest.
- The story itself is fairly sound and you can understand the basics

Cons:
- I understand its - There was no Sandbox tag and this is definitely a sandbox. I very much do not like sandbox games and had the tag been there I would never have tried this or reviewed it.
- Being a sandbox the story jumps around to much and at some points is hard to follow.

This is a great sequel to the first Friendship with Benefits. It's great to see the old characters and some new ones added to the game. I love how the choices that you make affects the outcome of the game, and the pregnancy option is a nice addition.

... twistedscarlett60 was the person who made me into a bronny ...
... at least they have taken the responsibility and made a second game which without a doubt will only deepen my love for imaginary ponies ...
... What is a pity is that it does not contain futa content, which is sad ...
... The story starts off strong, wonder if it will stay as superb until the 1.0, but then this developer made plenty of top-shelf (both British and American definition ) games, so without a doubt this will be another game to be added to S tier games ...
... cannot wait until full-release ...
... I pray that the development will be faster than monster girl 1000, but quality takes time, and all I can do is watch ...
... P.S. I don't know if I mentioned this, but I would appreciate futa ...

Surprised no one's also talking about the random inspirational quotes thrown in, I can definitely say I wasn't expecting to read a quote from Alan Watts in here. Art style is great, interesting ideas with the writing as well (as expected though considering the things from FWB1). Looks like it'll be definitely worth playing once fully released. Thanks for the lewds, but also the philosophical discussion about the nature of life itself, identity, and more.

No surprise - another winning title from Scarlett.

I don't consider myself a furry and vanilla sex bores me, yet games like FwB 2 (and FwB 1 and Monster Girl 1000 before it) are the exceptions to my rule. The story is engaging, has twists, character development, and leaves me wanting to know what happens next. Each new event adds to the intrigue by including another piece of the puzzle - another clue with which to piece together the mystery of why you are here and what is threatening this land of naked mares in a society that disregards clothing and happens to be in heat. And the artwork? It's just too god damn cute.

A lot stronger kinks would be my personal preference (note: there may be some I haven't reached in-game yet). In the magical mainland of make-believe mares, may as well get those imaginative juices flowin' with the artwork also. The same vanilla positions get a bit tiring. This sequel does have a new 'spank' option during the sex scenes, but it's just a *smack* sound and a relevant line of dialogue from the smack-ee instead of a new image of the ponygirl bent over the MC's knee (or tied helplessly to a punishing fucking machine two sizes too large? Just sayin'). Still, these are subjective wants and don't take away from the quality of the work itself.

Last note: Appreciating artwork is in the eye of the beholder and hating a story is also understandable, but anyone reviewing this game stating that it has no story clearly does not have the intellectual fortitude to grasp onto the one presented. Or, they're having a really bad day and took their grievances to a forum for porn games.

A My Little Pony game with 5 stars? That's an insult to any content creator. My contribution to constructive criticism is simply that the art is grotesque, the color is pretty good, but the simple fact of using anthropomorphic ponies is nauseating, visually vomit-inducing, and the story? There is no story, it's just for you to live a brownie fantasy that frankly, I think even they deserve more. The fact that this piece of crap has 5 stars is hilarious, because this is without a doubt the worst My Little Pony game that i ever play.

Story is really interesting and everything plays really nice. I'm so glad it was published so we can play it and enjoy. Quality of arts are amazing too. I can't wait for future updates with more content and how story will develop.

amazing game, great art, good story, makes good references to the previous game from characters to past events to justify and analyze such changes in that alternative universe, I can't wait for the next update

great sequel to the first game with a twist and new mechanics, i like how now you can rename the characters and choose the original color schemes and designs although i like how the ones from the first game look better, it still isnt finished by the time i am writing the review but i believe that Twisted will do a great job of this game as they have done with previous games.