VN Ren'Py Isabella - Chasing Shadows [Ch. 4.2] [badtimetales]

4.50 star(s) 60 Votes

Jarulf

Active Member
Aug 9, 2020
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While I like these games to have an engaging story as well as interesting relationships and girls, I often find myself focusing on the latter and not always giving the story the attention it deserves.

So what do you think is going on?
We have the shady side of the model industry, with vulnerably girls being pressured or tricked into what certainly looks like a prostitution/escort service.

The Coopers seem to have a business expanding into all sort of areas in town, some of it very shady if not directly illegal (as far as we know so far). A corrupt police force and possibly judicial system and media help keep things quiet. Coopers sr becoming mayor can't hurt the situation, unless some nosey journalist starts digging.

Who is the Owl and what really happened when the MC got kidnapped? Is dad all he seems?

Why does the file manager from the secure Os look like it's from an old version of Ubuntu?

What did I forget or miss?
 
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ThL

Engaged Member
Donor
Mar 9, 2018
3,251
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While I like these games to have an engaging story as well as interesting relationships and girls, I often find myself focusing on the latter and not always giving the story the attention it deserves.

So what do you think is going on?
We have the shady side of the model industry, with vulnerably girls being pressured or tricked into what certainly looks like a prostitution/escort service.

The Coopers seem to have a business expanding into all sort of areas in town, some of it very shady if not directly illegal (as far as we know so far). A corrupt police force and possibly judicial system and media help keep things quiet. Coopers sr becoming mayor can't hurt the situation, unless some nosey journalist starts digging.

Who is the Owl and what really happened when the MC got kidnapped? Is dad all he seems?

Why does the file manager from the secure Os look like it's from an old version of Ubuntu?

What did I forget or miss?
There's also the "league of businessmen" that helps MC and that probably have their own agenda too and Anoushka's brother thirsty for revenge and probably too ho heated for his own good. Well at least he got a double boobjob (that's hearsay at this point we didn't actually see it :cry:) ;)
 

Jarulf

Active Member
Aug 9, 2020
788
1,378
There's also the "league of businessmen" that helps MC and that probably have their own agenda too and Anoushka's brother thirsty for revenge and probably too ho heated for his own good. Well at least he got a double boobjob (that's hearsay at this point we didn't actually see it :cry:) ;)
Right. Forgot about the League. It's interesting, the Dark Paths part of the name, it's probably partly about what happens to the girls, but maybe also what the MC (and friends) may be prepared to do to get justice or revenge. I wonder how dark this will actually turn out to be.
 
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ThL

Engaged Member
Donor
Mar 9, 2018
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Right. Forgot about the League. It's interesting, the Dark Paths part of the name, it's probably partly about what happens to the girls, but maybe also what the MC (and friends) may be prepared to do to get justice or revenge. I wonder how dark this will actually turn out to be.
Well, an uncle ready to pimp his niece is dark enough in my book :devilish:
But, quoting BTT, we're not going to see any heavy BDSM or dungeon like stuff. The game is more a whodunnit, with benefits ;)
 

Jarulf

Active Member
Aug 9, 2020
788
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Well, an uncle ready to pimp his niece is dark enough in my book :devilish:
He doesn't seem like a very good uncle, does he?

But, quoting BTT, we're not going to see any heavy BDSM or dungeon like stuff.
No, I'm not expecting anything like that. Some playful light BDSM looks like an option for Alex at least though.
But I was thinking more of morally dark paths we might take to solve the mystery. What do we choose to do if we can't bring the bad guys down by legal means? If they control the police, the justice system, major media outlets and so on, but we have access to loads of cash and some sort of black ops or criminal organisation.
I'm very likely far off the mark, but it could be one direction for the game.
Either way, I look forward to seeing what BTT has in store for us. I've really enjoyed the game so far.
 

badtimetales

Well-Known Member
Game Developer
Sep 25, 2020
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I wonder if Alex would like getting spanked by Isa while giving the MC a bj. Would Isa enjoy it?
We had a similar situation in the christmas short story, where Alex pushed Isa ;)

The Coopers seem to have a business expanding into all sort of areas in town, some of it very shady if not directly illegal (as far as we know so far). A corrupt police force and possibly judicial system and media help keep things quiet. Coopers sr becoming mayor can't hurt the situation, unless some nosey journalist starts digging.
Val started with with uncomfortable questions already.
We'll see how that will go on.
The news network will play a role in the next update, there are still a few questions left, for example who send Jen to the Caribbean, why did the boss say that she should take it easy with the story and so on.


Who is the Owl and what really happened when the MC got kidnapped? Is dad all he seems?
:sneaky:

Why does the file manager from the secure Os look like it's from an old version of Ubuntu?
Hey, that's 18.04 and it runs like a dream. (I think it's time for a new laptop)

Right. Forgot about the League. It's interesting, the Dark Paths part of the name, it's probably partly about what happens to the girls, but maybe also what the MC (and friends) may be prepared to do to get justice or revenge. I wonder how dark this will actually turn out to be.
But, quoting BTT, we're not going to see any heavy BDSM or dungeon like stuff. The game is more a whodunnit, with benefits ;)
But I was thinking more of morally dark paths we might take to solve the mystery. What do we choose to do if we can't bring the bad guys down by legal means? If they control the police, the justice system, major media outlets and so on, but we have access to loads of cash and some sort of black ops or criminal organisation.
I'm very likely far off the mark, but it could be one direction for the game.
You are right, the "dark path" was meant to show the thriller nature of the story and that decisions have consequences, as well as the bad sides of the model industry.
 
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Jarulf

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Aug 9, 2020
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We had a similar situation in the christmas short story, where Alex pushed Isa ;)
Oh, I barely remember that. Is it on Patreon, I couldn't see it when I checked?

Val started with with uncomfortable questions already.
We'll see how that will go on.
She did, and I'm very curious about the things you mentioned in the blurred text.

Hey, that's 18.04 and it runs like a dream. (I think it's time for a new laptop)
Running Ubuntu on my desktop and Mint on my Laptop. None from 2018...
But hey, if you're running a stable, secure system don't mess with it. ;)
 
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Ragnar

Super User
Respected User
Aug 5, 2016
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Some feedback
Let the player decide. While Harem is a popular genre not everyone is into that, some players prefer monogamous relationships. So it would be wise to always give the player the option to avoid sex scenes. Alex is forced on us since the beginning when she can be just a good friend for those who don't like Harems or sharing in sex triangles. This is important too, some players don't like lesbian content.

Show don't tell. So far you're are doing a good job with flashbacks but for future updates you can add content from the bad guys perspective. Like meanwhile in another part of the city...like showing some murders or sex trafficking. This is an adult vn, don't be affraid to show some violence and blood.

Animations and cut scenes. You're getting the hand of it, just try to be creative with it. Like showing some hot photo shots of Isa, or some wardrobe malfunctions while she rides mc's bike.
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And lastly as a foot note, work on the girls asses. It's fine if some girl has carpet ass (looking at you Alex) but give some meat to others :BootyTime:
 

badtimetales

Well-Known Member
Game Developer
Sep 25, 2020
1,365
8,009
Thanks for the feedback, but i don't agree in some points ;)

Alex is forced on us since the beginning when she can be just a good friend for those who don't like Harems or sharing in sex triangles.
That's wrong.
Alex sex scene is "forced" in Chapter one, that's all.

After that you can deny every sex scene with her and dump her in C3.3.


This is important too, some players don't like lesbian content.
There are no lesbian scenes yet.
They are planned though.

But define lesbian?!
A FFM, where one girl licks the other boob, clit?
Is that lesbian?
As a male I would be bored to death if the girls don't interact in a FFM.
But I will make that up to the player.

Show don't tell. So far you're are doing a good job with flashbacks but for future updates you can add content from the bad guys perspective. Like meanwhile in another part of the city...like showing some murders or sex trafficking. This is an adult vn, don't be affraid to show some violence and blood.
The real story just started.
Flashbacks/other perspectives are always a headache.
It helps with story telling, but it breaks the "What do we know" as in what does the MC/player know, actually has seen.
That's why I removed Cooper sen. from Chapter 1.

There will be some flashbacks, like "what did the girls discuss on the bench", but these will be told by a character.
Not just some scenes to spice up the story.

And lastly as a foot note, work on the girls asses. It's fine if some girl has carpet ass (looking at you Alex) but give some meat to others :BootyTime:
I think I'm good with the girls looks.
https://f95zone.to/threads/isabella-dark-paths-ch-3-3-badtimetales.99680/post-11424294
I like that ass as it is ;)
 
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4.50 star(s) 60 Votes