VN Ren'Py Imperial Chronicles [v0.8] [Lazy Monkey]

[DevinHesi]

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Spoiler

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[n00bPanda]

Spoiler: He had to confirm

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[Morgana Le Fay]

Damn, this is a great story. I feel bad for having to kill Cass and whatsisface

The number of paths to go down is pretty great as well. I'm actually looking forward to a 2nd playthrough which I rarely do.

You don't have to kill her though? there's always the option to keep her prisoner while attempting to rehabilitate her. Although Cass would surely prefer death to that...

 

[Filipis]

Finished the update, and some thoughts on it and game in general;

I'm ngl, I like the game. I like it a lot.
But having said that, I do think there are some issues that I can see.
So I'm listing them below.
Now Lazy_Monkey this is not an attack on you in any way, and I'm merely putting these out as constructive criticism which you may use to improve your game going forward;


1) Branching
Now there is no easy solution to this problem. Some devs are just more skilled in this area than others, and I'd say devs like GleenXStudios with his EraStorm Saga games (SandStorm, SnowStorm), or TessSadist with her Karlsson's Gambit game are prime examples of devs who know their stuff with branching and paths.

They're able to provide paths with solid content at least for the main LI paths a player may take or the type of character the MC becomes (for e.g. with Tess's Karlsson's Gambit, player's decisions determine whether the MC gets into the Dom or Sub path).
Each path/route provides a very different yet substantially fulfilling experience.

But with this game, I find that the dev seems to be.....struggling with this.

We had a Major branch set with Cass's coup.
Now, I didn't bother choosing "Kill Cass option" (just couldn't bring myself to do it), so my 2 paths are Green Crown (join Cass), & White Crown (oppose Cass).

Since doing that, I thought these two paths will play out very different.
Alas, that was not the case.
With the update in December (which I somehow missed and didn't play until January lol) the update with the aftermath of Cass's coup, I played through the Green Crown route first.
I took some time reading so that took a bit of time.

However with my White Crown save, I used ctrl fast skip to whizz past all the dialogues and parts I've already seen.
And I was surprised that 97% of the White Crown save's aftermath played out exactly as same as Green Crown save's aftermath.
Other than the 2 or 3 scenes difference (which took like 1 minute or so, even with my slow reading), the entirety of going through the White Crown for v0.7 part 2 update (I think I got the number right, the December update) took literally 5 minutes.

And then v0.8 update came out.

Again, I went through the Green Crown path first.
While the story was good, I found Cass's involvement in the story way less than I was hoping for.
There were tons of Queen Seraphina & Elin, Catalina, Josephine scenes but other than little bit in the beginning (where she wasn't allowed in Lord Argus's meeting) and that trip to Black Pit towards the end, there was very little of Cass.
It was Cass who in the previous update insisted to MC that she be present at his meeting with Lord Argus, so why didn't she meet up with MC right afterwards and ask him what happened? Also, what has she even been doing all that time from when she was refused entry to Argus's military meeting in the opening till meeting MC for go to the Black Pit?
It also made me think that MC had completely forgotten about Cass during that time.

Kinda ironic, given this is Cass Green Crown path, and it feels like she's in it......less compared to other characters.

Now with the White Crown path, I noticed there was literally no new content with that path.
Ctrl fast skip and I was already at end of update screen in 3 minutes since it was basically Green Crown Path minus Cass scenes.
Not to mention significant characters seem to act almost exactly the same with the White Path as they do with Green Path.

In the end, there's no easy solution to this.
One way might be taking a look at games of devs who do good branches and learn, but even that's no guarantee for success cause how each dev constructs story is different.


2) Multiverse
Before we get into this topic, I'm gonna be honest.
I am sick and tired of the multiverse.
The concept has been done to death in modern media lately, with MCU, other movies and different fiction.

So I wasn't a fan when the dev introduced the idea of multiverse with Elin.
And...... I am still not a fan.

I mean, is there even point to having multiverse arc with Elin in the first place?
Cause to me, that just feels like an unnecessary side story which has no influence whatsoever with MC's own story.
Even if that plotline was deleted, game's main storyline would work just fine.

Unless that storyline breaches heavily into the main storyline and actually changes direction of MC's saga of him ruling his Empire, I dunno perhaps I'm in the minority in this, but all of it just feels like is a waste of time and resources which could be better spent elsewhere (like having more path specific content for each route, instead of largely overlapping scenes).



3) Sex scenes
(tbh, this isn't as major as the first 2 issues I listed, but I thought, "Oh well, might as well. lol")
Others have pointed out as well, but I think the sex scenes could use some improvement.

Too many of your scenes you have the MC cumming in the LIs, and the angle of the scene is where it's always seen on the side and not in any direct view, with only cum trickling down the LI's legs seen after the act is done.

I'd say use of good angles is important, such as;

- back
- side
- front
- closeups of sex during and afterwards (of MC's dick and LI's pussy still connected when MC cums as well as when he takes his dick out, cum dripping from LI's pussy). Every single one of these 4 are important, but I'm guessing folks will enjoy this last one most.

Cause so-far, the sex scenes have been just very..... meh for most part (honestly? It feels like too many of the sex scenes use obscured angles and far away wide shots when they should be much closer)
And I have seen enough of how other devs do their games' sex scenes to understand what kind works in getting attention and what doesn't (and I'm guessing that's same for a lot of other player who tried out several AVN games as well).

Excellent points made.

One big advantage that LM has over those games you mentioned is speed: LM updates this game every 1.5 - 2 months, which is insanely fast considering the amount of content we get.

Now, that speed comes with obvious caveats, most of which have been mentioned here already: basic UX, basic SFX, sparingly-used (30fps) animations, translation errors, script errors, and whatnot. However, most of us gladly take this compromise in exchange for speed.

And while I agree that each path in this game (White/Green/Red Crown) absolutely deserves an 80% unique path, it just wouldn't be feasible with LM's current development philosophy. He even already "warned" everyone that, coming off of Monkey Business, Imperial Chronicles would focus on world-building and narrative over the lewd parts. In that part, he definitely succeeded.

• The fact that Cass' presence or absence in 0.8 has no bearing on how the Queen or Elin behave around MC (especially the Queen and her meeting with the Elves) is a tragedy. Many of you remember how "annoying" I was during 0.6, when the Coup update dropped and those that killed Cass got essentially no new content - well, now I grieve with those that joined Cass, but you still at least get everything else that I got with 0.8.
• The fact that Queen Mother doesn't even talk to MC about literally having sex with him during 0.6 is deeply upsetting, and shows just how deep of a hole LM dug for himself.

All in all, I'd say that the breadth of Imperial Chronicles is proving to be too much for Lazy Monkey, at least if he is to abide by his reputation of being fast. If the next project is to be as wide as IC, then the development pace needs to slow down.

 

[With The]

Well dev saying he will try to close branching path as much possible and think he should do that. I think he is working alone so having to many branching is pretty hard to manage. Hope dev take all this complain as critic not hate for dev.
He is one of the best dev in this industry.

 

[Filipis]

I know it would mean extra work having different scenes for each class/perk but when MC is being held prisoner, I'm thinking that hold on, he's a mage, why wouldn't he overpower the guards using his magic instead of a more convoluted escape plan? and with going through the castle, he should have been incinerating those enemies...

Our Prince is like the most apathetic future ruler ever

Oh, you are not the only with such grievances.

But like I said, it all comes down to the frustratingly uncertain importance of the Perk system: are they supposed to impact the narrative? In major ways or minor ways?

Even if they were only meant for flavour, they haven't been used well in that manner either. MC prefers weapons over magic almost all of the time, Mage MC gets a lot of resources devoted to exploring the multiverse with Elin (if meant purely as "flavour", this is a far too extensive use of flavouring), and bookworm MC is actually decently used so far. Warrior MC gets to get a few extra lays, but seems mostly relevant for Cass' path.

All of these variables just show that LM has bitten a bit too much than he could chew. It is what it is so far.

 

[Filipis]

Well dev saying he will try to close branching path as much possible and think he should do that. I think he is working alone so having to many branching is pretty hard to manage. Hope dev take all this complain as critic not hate for dev.
He is one of the best dev in this industry.

LM actually said that some updates would be centered around branching out, and others on closing said branches. And in theory, sounds like a good management system. But in practice, it results in disjointed pacing, as 0.8 proves with the Green Crown path.

Even if you want to close the branching around certain universally important narrative moments/locations (like visiting the Western nations during 0.8), the previous branching means your characters should still react or act differently according. That is simply not the case here, and that is the disappointing part.

 

[destroyerofassholes]

Having finally played the update, holy shit the scenes make no sense. There are some hot ideas but you don't actually get to see the action wtf lmao. Like what is that valerie scene?? Same with Elin's blowjob. It seems like it was deliberately made this way to not show the parts that need the most work.

But on a positive note, for the scenes that you can actualyl see like Josephine's it's pretty great., lazy monkey's animation skills are improving update by update.

I wish we had more of a choice as to how to actually treat the characters. MC is often a complete asshole randomly and you never think you're going to get that from a choice.

 

[n00bPanda]

Having finally played the update, holy shit the scenes make no sense. There are some hot ideas but you don't actually get to see the action wtf lmao. Like what is that valerie scene?? Same with Elin's blowjob. It seems like it was deliberately made this way to not show the parts that need the most work.

But on a positive note, for the scenes that you can actualyl see like Josephine's it's pretty great., lazy monkey's animation skills are improving update by update.

I wish we had more of a choice as to how to actually treat the characters. MC is often a complete asshole randomly and you never think you're going to get that from a choice.

No action? Well you got to see MC's ass in a repeated motion a lot actually.

LM actually said that some updates would be centered around branching out, and others on closing said branches. And in theory, sounds like a good management system. But in practice, it results in disjointed pacing, as 0.8 proves with the Green Crown path.

Even if you want to close the branching around certain universally important narrative moments/locations (like visiting the Western nations during 0.8), the previous branching means your characters should still react or act differently according. That is simply not the case here, and that is the disappointing part.

I think MC in coup path just shouldn't have gone to Western Kingdoms at all, moreover 'Coup' path itself should have been delayed for later with its own unique content however short that would be. Cass just doesn't fit in the whole western kingdoms arc, I dunno. And if you ask me its kinda stupid to leave court just after the coup.

 

[14137]

This new game is more exciting than [Monkey Business] Story.
Female characters with different personalities. Nice big breasts. Pregnancy content. All are my favorite.
But after playing it, I felt weird.
I feel that with this author's style, the development and ends of this game will be darker than [A Song of Ice and Fire].

 

[Krepax]

Many of you remember how "annoying" I was during 0.6, when the Coup update dropped and those that killed Cass got essentially no new content - well, now I grieve with those that joined Cass, but you still at least get everything else that I got with 0.8.

If Cass is alive and in control, there's even more content, though. The ending of chapter 8 is a bit longer (and ends with a cliff-hanger) compared to a route where Cass is either dead or imprisoned. This is not a criticism of the plot/writing. However, I do hope also those who opted to liquidate the troublesome sister will get some beefy storyline with a different outcome, instead of cut/skipped content.

 

[Filipis]

If Cass is alive and in control, there's even more content, though. The ending of chapter 8 is a bit longer (and ends with a cliff-hanger) compared to a route where Cass is either dead or imprisoned. This is not a criticism of the plot/writing. However, I do hope also those who opted to liquidate the troublesome sister will get some beefy storyline with a different outcome, instead of cut/skipped content.

I was saying how those on the Green Crown path (Loyal to Cass) get "shafted" with 0.8, where Cass is irrelevant for 80% of the update. She appears at the start, then fucks off who-knows-where until the epilogue. Her presence literally has no bearing on how everything else goes down: the Queen still asks the elves for help, as if MC didn't just perform a coup and kill his own father. The sister isn't doubting her love for you now that you have proven your affinity towards Cass and killed your father.

But thanks for the wishes at the end, appreciated!

 

[zaqrwe]

So I'm playing as Warrior and I did pick the Vampire lady in the beginning. But after that she just vanished. I even saw the text duirng one of the summaries "she drank your blood again" as she said she would, but the scene itself wasn't even shown. Is this a bug?

 

[Canto Forte]

So I'm playing as Warrior and I did pick the Vampire lady in the beginning. But after that she just vanished. I even saw the text duirng one of the summaries "she drank your blood again" as she said she would, but the scene itself wasn't even shown. Is this a bug?

There are some very particular reasons our players have seen already:

Did anyone have another scene with the vampire besides the one in chapter one?

Yeah, if you are on the bookworm path, which I'm guessing you are since you got the first scene? The second happens after the "family picnic".
Edit: Sorry, I think you have to let her bite you during the first scene.

You can be bitten, if not a bookworm, but sex is only on bookworm path. She does return to visit anyone she drank from earlier, though again it only includes sex for the bookworm. Conversely, if on bookworm path, but opting not to let her drink initially, she is gravely wounded trying to reach you in the palace, and will beg to drink to save her life.

 

[Babybeels]

The only time mc fks elf mother was on bookworm path perhaps but there too gets pushed away leaves with blue balls

 

[zaqrwe]

So then there are errors in the summary somewhere around the coup. Because it clearly said that I had another meeting (and blood drinking) with her. Should I report it somewhere? Does the creator perhaps collects bug reports here?

 

[J0K3RXXX]

Interesting.

 

[Youtiy]

The only time mc fks elf mother was on bookworm path perhaps but there too gets pushed away leaves with blue balls

That's strange, I got it on my Mage playthrough. As you said though I got pushed away but I'm 99% sure there was briefly penetration.

 

[Canto Forte]

However outdated it might be, we do have a walkthrough translated by a kind soul,
telling us how this game functions:
The vampire does get to drink the warrior blood,
but MC does not see or feel anything but something strange - kind of like vapire bats dring off of livestock
- the bull or the horse will not feel anything but something strange and not think anything of it.

So yes, Sona does drink from MC as a warrior, but MC is not any wiser, which makes the recap so very correct.

Spoiler

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Queen does have somewhat different dialogues depending on the perks, yet there is no gated conten
Queen’s content doesn’t depend on a perk

 

[Temp3]

When i last played this, it was 0.5 and I was very pleasantly surprised by the amount of content these last three updates brought. Lazy Monkey might be in the top busiest devs bracket here, does he ever take a break?

I like the story and usually read everything, but I too have gotten multiverse od and had to really push myself through to read and not skip them if there's something important.

Someone in earlier comment mentioned how the MC suddenly shifts into a douchebag out of nowhere. I see this in many games in sex scenes where the only kinda sex talk the MC seems to know is the "slut, my whore, good girl" kind. Maybe some devs should broaden the genres of porn they enjoy when even the nicest MCs turn into Master Daddys when they get to insert the tip.