.... Then you should probably edit the dev note and what you have told players... because MC gets more NTR than you lead us to beleive.
Also the dialogue is worded as if Sam has his way with her completely... not that it was just teasing or groping, but that she was well and truly his cumrag. But without explicit detail, but heavily implied.
" The remaining 5% is NTR for one of the characters in the game but there is no penetration (Only groping). It's meant as a story mechanic that forces that character into your arms. The end result is you can then keep that character as a Lover going forward."
Specifically this part: "It's meant as a story mechanic that forces that character into your arms. The end result is you can then keep that character as a Lover going forward."
This simply isn't true, because you have it in the game to make leonore a Lover before that happens. You make her MCs woman before he is gone for that period of time.
So there is more NTR with that character than described, and it is where it matters most (after being a full LI), you can semi-get away with the groping before, but now that they are a full LI, and it is full NTR, with the implication that it went all the way...
You can't call that wholesome... not to mention the drama from the trauma of that... would make her less loyal in general because she would then have trust issues....
.... the fact the Lis are f*cking a dog... stops it from being wholesome...
Like think about it this way, there is nothing harem route players would love more, than knowing the LIs would be more than happy to fuck a dog on their harem play through right? (sarcasm... they would hate it, and wish they never knew).
And the lovers route is supposed to be wholesome... ain't nothing wholesome about your lover f*cking your dog.... it makes zero sense for it to be on the lovers route at all, cause then it isn't really a lovers route... it is a sharing route... with a dog.
And the way it is done, having them to yourself comes across as the Optional not-main route, with the dog content being the normal canon route. (i.e. you are opting out of content, that the default would be opt in, not going out of their way to opt into niche content on a route that.. shouldn't even have niche content to begin with).
Creative freedom is one thing, but you also need consistency.
Is it actually a lovers route? or is it a sharing route with the lovers route being an option on that route? (I say it more broadly, because there are a few other things that come across in the same manner, although dog is most obvious).
Like Beast content falls into the same category as NTR when it comes to extreme niche. It ostracizes the players that are into vanilla just as much (if not more). So you can't really handle it like it is "anal" or something.
Not to mention... "Corruption"... beast content is one of the most corrupt things, that can't be wholesome.
Like, being completely honest... I could have sorta looked past the first part... but this second thing was the nail in the coffin for me, I enjoy the game, but the niche content that I hate and want to avoid, constantly being there.... just ruins it.
And both of them are rooted from Leonore XD first the NTR, then the beast content also starts with her.... And you trying to tell me her route has wholesome? sure you can bullshit it and force it with dialogue.... but it comes across as a slap in the face because of how unbelievable it is.
e.g. "Fucking a dog" is something a lover would never do.... that is depraved hedonism... nothing wholesome or loving about it. (not shaming the content... it just simple isn't romantic... in the slightest... its a fkn dog).
Anyway, I believe I have articulated what I wanted to say, long comment i know, just wanted to make sure the point I am trying to make is clear.
I understand you are doing varied content, but you really have to be careful with conflicting genres that can't co-exist, and romance vs beast is one of them, romance vs NTR being another :S
e.g. an LI saying "I only love you MC, and only want you" but then goes and fucks a dog... means they lied.
Cause they would never do that even if MC wanted them to, if they actually meant those words.
It's the whole "I have always loved you MC" but fucked 100 other dudes while supposedly loving him. (yes that is an actual thing that is in a story... and the author was trying to write vanilla only....)
If I was to summarise it with one point: "Actions, not words" the LIs can say whatever you want them to, but if their actions don't reflect that, it won't land and just seem silly... and even insulting to some extent.
Anyway, do with that what you will, if you want to keep it that way, then by all means do. I would suggest to at least change the wording... cause lovers route... isn't really a lovers route tbh, despite me doing everything to keep it as much "Lovers" as possible. (the side characters were more like lovers than the main characters :| )
