VN Ren'Py In The Shadows Of Ashwood [Ch.1] [Lament Entertainment]

[jI11jaCksjAkk]

ETA on 2nd chapter? Absolutely love the game so far. Very excited to play next installment.

There was a post or two in the dev's other game thread about the plan for updates to both games over the next months.

 

[chadstewart8567]

There was a post or two in the dev's other game thread about the plan for updates to both games over the next months.

Thanks. I'll check it out. I've played Dev's other game. Really liked it. Glad there's a new update/chapter for it coming out. I'll redownload and play it as soon as it's available.

 

[jI11jaCksjAkk]

Things will be answered. Don't worry. Most of these main bullet points have an actual reason. One thing is for certain. I would hate watching a movie with some of you

How dare you, sir??
But I see right through you. Clearly some major easter eggs in this post about the plot for this game.
"Main" "bullet" "movie" are obviously code words. They are the 10th, 11th, and 27th words in the post, and 10 + 11 + 6 (the # of days God worked to create the universe) = 27, indicating conclusively that either
a) part of the backstory of the vampires dates back to a famous shootout in the state of Maine that was later dramatized as a film
or
b) part of the backstory of the vampires is related to the movieng of a bullet mtrain (i.e., electro-magnetic forces) and (obviously) the secret occult history of the Japanese transportation system.

I haven't had time to work out all the potential anagrams of these 3 keywords yet, nor have I recorded an audio track of the post read aloud so that I can play it in reverse and analyze the phoneme sequences, but I am certain there are many more clues yet to be discovered...

 

[Quetzzz]

How dare you, sir??
But I see right through you. Clearly some major easter eggs in this post about the plot for this game.
"Main" "bullet" "movie" are obviously code words. They are the 10th, 11th, and 27th words in the post, and 10 + 11 + 6 (the # of days God worked to create the universe) = 27, indicating conclusively that either
a) part of the backstory of the vampires dates back to a famous shootout in the state of Maine that was later dramatized as a film
or
b) part of the backstory of the vampires is related to the movieng of a bullet mtrain (i.e., electro-magnetic forces) and (obviously) the secret occult history of the Japanese transportation system.

I haven't had time to work out all the potential anagrams of these 3 keywords yet, nor have I recorded an audio track of the post read aloud so that I can play it in reverse and analyze the phonese sequences, but I am certain there are many more clues yet to be discovered...
View attachment 5537621

Or maybe he's hinting that the movie "Full Metal Jacket" served as inspiration for the game's characters.

 

[wiselord]

Just played it yesterday myself and liked 90% of it. Did not like that Mom was changed without consent. Maybe done intentionally by dev as a big red flag that the neighbors are not as 'nice' as they seem.

The one thing I absolutely hated was the font choice for the names above the dialogue. Maybe I'm just old but I can barely read that lettering without a serious squint, so I found it quite irritating and it distracted me from the story at times.

But otherwise lots of promise to the concept.

I mean that's kind of the point of them being vampires, no, they did something they thought would help the protag, from their view it was the best solution and it did help, in a way, however, in reality what they did to help was pretty monstrous and horrifying from a human's point of view, same thing with how they helped the MC despite if you choose you'd rather die than become one of them, they can't see why he would ever not want to become a vampire its pretty accurate to how vampires probably would see the world if you think about it though, especially for ones who see it as a gift and not a curse

 

[LamentEntertainment]

Let me go ahead and say this now, before the game goes any further.
There will be times that the vampires will do things that we as an audience, and as humans may see as...not good..for lack of a better term.
Good people sometimes do bad things , especially if they are the type to thing the ends justify the means.

Dont look too far into that, just set some expectations or, don't be surprised as much in the future.

 

[Ayhsel]

Let me go ahead and say this now, before the game goes any further.
There will be times that the vampires will do things that we as an audience, and as humans may see as...not good..for lack of a better term.
Good people sometimes do bad things , especially if they are the type to thing the ends justify the means.

Dont look too far into that, just set some expectations or, don't be surprised as much in the future.

That not only sounds right to me, but necessary. Characters acting realistic is a key feature in a novel. They should have their own taste, agendas, interest and weaknesses, not exists around the player.

Anyone who fails to see this is just wrong.

 

[doctorx6969]

just started playing this... damn this is good... and excellent usage of music!

edit: finished... omg i am so upset that it isnt done yet... Lament you are very good at this.

 

[chadstewart8567]

Let me go ahead and say this now, before the game goes any further.
There will be times that the vampires will do things that we as an audience, and as humans may see as...not good..for lack of a better term.
Good people sometimes do bad things , especially if they are the type to thing the ends justify the means.

Dont look too far into that, just set some expectations or, don't be surprised as much in the future.

I pretty much figured that was the case. The mother thought what she was doing was right and in the best interest of herself and MC, but her being who she is, and living for as long as I think she has inevitably altered her perception of life and the world as a whole, leading her to do things most people would think of as immoral or unethical. One has to look at it from her perspective. Morals or ethics wouldn't come into play for someone like that. It's simply a means to an end or a calculated decision on her part. She's thinking "What will lead to the best outcome for myself and MC", and that's what drives her decisions.

 

[jI11jaCksjAkk]

That not only sounds right to me, but necessary. Characters acting realistic is a key feature in a novel. They should have their own taste, agendas, interest and weaknesses, not exists around the player.

I pretty much figured that was the case. The mother thought what she was doing was right and in the best interest of herself and MC, but her being who she is, and living for as long as I think she has inevitably altered her perception of life and the world as a whole, leading her to do things most people would think of as immoral or unethical. One has to look at it from her perspective. Morals or ethics wouldn't come into play for someone like that. It's simply a means to an end or a calculated decision on her part. She's thinking "What will lead to the best outcome for myself and MC", and that's what drives her decisions.

Agreed. I didn't like it, but it was obviously deliberately (not arbitraily) part of the story and I assume intended as foreshadowing that as 'nice' as the neighbor seems to be acting toward the MC, the 'niceness' does not extend across the board and the act of turning a family mamber of the MC without consent demonstrates that while something about the MC is important/valuable to her, in the end she doesn't really care about how ruthless she will need to be to get what she wants from him, even if it includes dropping the act eventually and getting it by force.

Because despite claiming otherwise she has to know (having once been human) that this would displease the MC. So she is only acting nice and probably does not really care for the MC (at least at this point in the story), and there will be a limit to how nice she will continue to act if consistent progress toward attaining her goal(s) stalls. MC had best be very cautious...especially now that she unexpectedly discovered that she can no longer compel him. This might force her to have to continue/increase the niceness charade beyond her original intent but it will probably also make her annoyed/angry and increase the likelihood that she will get fed up with the act and show her true colors earlier than she had planned. So MC needs to at least make a show of going along with her 'requests' to delay this as long as possible.

And nothing to indicate this so far, but I am wondering if the future holds a daughters-siding-with-MC-against-Mommy plot development if thegirls genuinely begin to like the MC after hanging around him for a while. Looking forward to more story so the near-unlimited range of possibilities to speculate about currently start to get a little narrowed down with more plot developments.

I mean that's kind of the point of them being vampires, no, they did something they thought would help the protag, from their view it was the best solution and it did help, in a way, however, in reality what they did to help was pretty monstrous and horrifying from a human's point of view, same thing with how they helped the MC despite if you choose you'd rather die than become one of them, they can't see why he would ever not want to become a vampire its pretty accurate to how vampires probably would see the world if you think about it though, especially for ones who see it as a gift and not a curse

Agree to disagree on that point - it's probably not a 50/50 split, but I have consumed plenty of vampire content over the years and there is plenty of it (including most of the best stuff) that includes many characters who hate what they have become. So assuming that all vampires consider it a gift is not really consistent with general lore. It could certainly be what the dev of this vampire story has in mind, but I don't assume the blessing-not-a-curse mindset by default.

 

[Quetzzz]

in the end she doesn't really care about how ruthless she will need to be to get what she wants from him, even if it includes dropping the act eventually and getting it by force.

Or, from her perspective, becoming a vampire could be the highest honor possible. For her to see it as evil, she'd have to be self-loathing. I doubt that's the case.

Because despite claiming otherwise she has to know (having once been human) that this would displease the MC. So she is only acting nice and probably does not really care for the MC

This makes sense, but there is some doubt nagging at me. If she were just utilitarian and wanted to control the MC, then turning him into a vampire would make him dependent on her. Instead, she respected his wishes, even while doubting he'd survive.
There's a certain contradiction there that I'm not sure how to interpret. If she's that invested in his well-being and existence, then why is she so respectful of his wishes, even if that could mean his death?

 

[LamentEntertainment]

I cant figure out how to quote messages that are deep into the thread so ill just say this.

Irina IS a kind woman, however, she IS a vampire. there are some truths in your assumptions, but there isnt any malice in her actions, or perspective. Remember, she DID give mc the choice and she genuinely didnt mean to cause him any changes. That part is actually the truth. You should use that info as a base when running with your theorizing.

Why she turned the MC has more to do with her house and how her house is built, than it is to gain something from the MC.

She is actually trying to help him. No deception is meant to be involved, other than what she thinks is right by vampire standards, as you have said, already.

I dont want to chance spoiling anymore, I just dont want you guys to wander too far down the wrong path lol. ( I know, its a part of the fun))

 

[Null Void Abyss]

Holy Fuck, A super nice vampire goth Mommy.

 

[LamentEntertainment]

Holy Fuck, A super nice vampire goth Mommy.

well, she cares about the people she cares about but she has to be a certain way at certain times.

She has responsibilities.

The thing is, as I wrote this first chapter, I had a feeling people may expect certain turns and other shoes to drop, as they do in most movies/stories that have situations that seem really nice and turn awful. I'm not trying to go that way. There are other things to happen that will make up for that.



Irina's too hot to be a Villain.

 

[Digitool]

Ok, just played this chapter and NEED more!
But I'm so torn, I need Ravenous too!
Lament, what have you done to me????

 

[jI11jaCksjAkk]

The thing is, as I wrote this first chapter, I had a feeling people may expect certain turns and other shoes to drop, as they do in most movies/stories that have situations that seem really nice and turn awful.

You definitely chose a trickier path by telling a new story in a genre that has been a big part of popular entertainment for almost a century now and recently enjoyed a decades-long renaissance as the dominant supernatural genre (after Ann Rice and contemporaries kick-started new interest in vampire stories with actual complexity/depth that quickly saturated TV and movies).

Translation: all of us yahoos are just loaded with assumptions/expectations and WAY too many plotlines in our heads that will probably always make it difficult to follow this story in a vacuum without making all sorts of (incorrect) connections in our nutty little heads.

 

[LamentEntertainment]

You definitely chose a trickier path by telling a new story in a genre that has been a big part of popular entertainment for almost a century now and recently enjoyed a decades-long renaissance as the dominant supernatural genre (after Ann Rice and contemporaries kick-started new interest in vampire stories with actual complexity/depth that quickly saturated TV and movies).

Translation: all of us yahoos are just loaded with assumptions/expectations and WAY too many plotlines in our heads that will probably always make it difficult to follow this story in a vacuum without making all sorts of (incorrect) connections in our nutty little heads.
View attachment 5540510

Completely understandable, and I hope that I wont disappoint you.

 

[wiselord]

Agree to disagree on that point - it's probably not a 50/50 split, but I have consumed plenty of vampire content over the years and there is plenty of it (including most of the best stuff) that includes many characters who hate what they have become. So assuming that all vampires consider it a gift is not really consistent with general lore. It could certainly be what the dev of this vampire story has in mind, but I don't assume the blessing-not-a-curse mindset by default.

but that's obviously what the dev is trying to tell us and has told you, multiple times, how about you open your mind to something a bit different from the oversaturated pop culture version of Vampires you are used to, never did I say all vampires in this universe consider it a gift, only that the group we encounter do or at least they are neutral to it and are open to using darker aspects, even if they aren't evil, let's put it this way if you thought you were a more evolved human, then solving someone's problem by "evolving" them too would be seen as both helping them and a good thing, like the dev said to you, she isn't a bad person, but she is what she is, until you realize that is fine then you aren't going to like how the story continues as it's pretty obvious things like that will happen again.

I'll say one last thing, ironically you are complaining at the dev for not catering to how you feel vampires should act, but also mention how the recent depictions have "actual complexity/depth" (which is debatable as most of them just made them act too much like regular humans with human emotional drives), here we have a much more blended approach behind our vampires thought processes, actual complexity and depth and you don't like it because it doesn't fit your preconceived idea of vampires, we get it, you like vampires who don't like being vampires, the MC can be that for you, but its obvious that the older vampires within this new "family" do not hate what they are.

 

[Quetzzz]

then solving someone's problem by "evolving" them too would be seen as both helping them and a good thing

Exactly, you'd be benevolent. You'd give them a gift.

Was it in this game where it was said that vampires don't need to feed a lot and can use animals? If I'm remembering correctly, then that further supports that vampires in this world aren't necessarily acting like the top of the food chain.
I don't doubt that vampires can be ruthless and cruel, but that goes for everyone. The most significant difference is that vampires are more powerful and can potentially do more damage because of that. And if cruelty isn't part of a vampire's existence, if they don't need to hunt and kill to survive, then I think it would be far easier to accept becoming one instead of resenting it.

you like vampires who don't like being vampires, the MC can be that for you

The MC isn't a vampire though, right? He only had a few drops, didn't get buried, and can handle daylight.

 

[LamentEntertainment]

but that's obviously what the dev is trying to tell us and has told you, multiple times, how about you open your mind to something a bit different from the oversaturated pop culture version of Vampires you are used to, never did I say all vampires in this universe consider it a gift, only that the group we encounter do or at least they are neutral to it and are open to using darker aspects, even if they aren't evil, let's put it this way if you thought you were a more evolved human, then solving someone's problem by "evolving" them too would be seen as both helping them and a good thing, like the dev said to you, she isn't a bad person, but she is what she is, until you realize that is fine then you aren't going to like how the story continues as it's pretty obvious things like that will happen again.

I'll say one last thing, ironically you are complaining at the dev for not catering to how you feel vampires should act, but also mention how the recent depictions have "actual complexity/depth" (which is debatable as most of them just made them act too much like regular humans with human emotional drives), here we have a much more blended approach behind our vampires thought processes, actual complexity and depth and you don't like it because it doesn't fit your preconceived idea of vampires, we get it, you like vampires who don't like being vampires, the MC can be that for you, but its obvious that the older vampires within this new "family" do not hate what they are.

I really hope an actual argument doesnt break out over this.

I'd like to keep it peaceful, if at all possible. I know, I know...but there's still hope...

I didnt really see a complaint though, to be honest. its al been general theorizing. Unless I read something wrong.

Im developing this game because I want a synthwave aesthetic in a vampire vn, with a fun plot that is kinda off the beaten path.

Thats the bottom line.

There will be similarities to what you all know of vampires, and some things that differ.

some of the ingredients are the same, but im trying to cook a meal thats totally different from the rest of the buffet.



Now I'm hungry.