VN - Ren'Py - Completed - Leap of Faith [Ch. 8 v1.0.3] [DriftyGames]

I have never written a review here before. But I had the feeling that I had to do it for Leap of Faith.

At first, I thought this would just be another typical lewd game, but I soon realized that this is not the case for this one. The start of the story is a bit shallow, and the first chapter doesn't really hook you up. But at the end of the first chapter, or at least very soon after, the story starts to build up into a masterpiece.

It's not common to have such good storytelling and character writing in an AVN. To me, it just felt like the characters were real people with all their needs, problems, dreams, and fears. I guess this game is way closer to real life than most of the other lewd games. Even your best buddy "Chris" has a very detailed personality, so he is not just the typical gap filler. You can feel his struggles. And you can really feel that the MC and Chris are old friends. There is quite a lot of interpersonal relationship stuff going on in LoF. And that's also the strong foundation the game is built on. The story that is told wouldn't be possible to tell without the strong foundation of relationships between the main actors of the game.

I just completed the first playthrough. And let me say that I had a blurry vision more than once while playing this VN. There are not many things out there that could make me shed a tear. You can really feel that Drifty created the game to process things that happened in his life, and I guess that is also why this game is so well written, so meaningful, and much more profound than many other games. This could also be related to more serious topics, such as depression and suicide. These are normally not to be found in an AVN. Even if these topics are, of course, only treated superficially due to the subject of the game.
One example of what I mean by “profound” is before Lexi's concert begins, and she is standing in front of the door leading to the concert hall (where she is thinking about the meaning of doors). Such explanations and thoughts are normally not to be found in an AVN. And this is also what makes all the actors so beautiful. Of course they are looking gorgeous, but it's the character behind the nice-looking women that makes them so much more beautiful and adorable.

But of course, not only serious topics are covered; there is also a lot of well-written, funny, and hilarious stuff. I had a lot of things to smile and laugh about, like the MC dancing with his slippers, some jokes about pop culture, or just a fart at the right place... But just a few moments after a hilarious scene, you might find yourself with blurry vision and a chill that goes down your spine. This story really is an emotional roller coaster.
And that's not only because of the story itself but also because of a solid soundtrack. The choice of music in this novel just fits pretty well with the emotions told in the different scenes.

Though I wouldn't recommend this game for the lewd scenes, they are not bad at all but not really needed; the story would also work without them. At least without them in detail. More like the "hinted" scenes in famous movies like "Pretty Woman" or "Notting Hill".

Now that I'm at the end of the game, I just feel sad that it's over. What I mean is that I would like to spend much more time with all of them and see how they do in the future. The last time I had such feelings while playing a game was in the Mass Effect trilogy. Just because the character writing was equally good.

I think I will just give the game at least a second playthrough and try the game with another LI. But to be honest, I think it'll be quite hard to pick another girl on the next playthrough.

Conclusion 10/10 points for this AVN. Not because of the lewd content in it, but because it is one of the most emotional and beautiful stories ever told in a game.

graphics are ok and there is not really a good scene, story is not interesting, gameplay is average. the characters are too similar. you don't get much content when you pick one path, you have to play it several times and events doesn't get much different depending on your path

Leap of Faith moved in a completely different direction than expected and entertained me extremely well over time. I would like to play it again with Linda as the target, but I'm afraid of what might happen to Cece and Stephanie. An absolute recommendation from me

As someone who’s helped people IRL through depression, grief or trauma, I find this game extremely shallow and its story outright comical at times. But I guess the happy ending makes people feel better about themselves? To each their own, I suppose.

This game is a true gem! One of the best stories in AVN, and even in videogames history. All the paths are very, very good. For me, two paths in particular are more "canon" if I could say it like that, but no paths feel awkward, out of place, boring or something like that. They're all great and hits hard.

Also, be sure you are in the right state of mind playing this because even if you are, you're in for a rollercoaster of emotions!

Drifty made an amazing game. If you want to try this game, I'll say do a first playthrough without a mod and just enjoy the ride. After that, you really need to do all paths, they're worth it!

Holy mother of....I came for a well-reputed adult game, I honestly didn't expect such a well-paced masterpiece. The camera work is just phenomenal, the cutscenes well-thought-out and beautifully rendered. The theme involved gets quite heavy, definitely not a game for the sex, but rather an HBO-style storytelling with adult themes as a dressing, rather than the meal. I work as a doctor, in hospitals where patients walk the line between living and death all the time, and this still gets to me, can't imagine how an audience of the general public can take this game. The only drawback for me was that, apart from Cece, Holly, and most of Lexi, the other LIs' models don't really fit my taste, kind of takes me out of the story when their facial features get a bit disproportional. It's a rather minor and possibly intentional point? Since Cece is so nicely rendered, I'm not sure why the other characters look so different. Regardless, once you get used to the character's looks, immersing in the plot brings true joy only some of the best fiction novels have done similarly for me.

I Love this game 10/10!, every second I've played felt the connection with the characters and the beautiful story (Cece path the best IMO), I don't think I can even not choose Cece. It's amazing how you can learn something new in the most unexpected place.

Strong 4/5, pushing for 4+ with how low a standard is with 90% of VN's.

Production value? Unseen elsewhere.
Nice music, amazing use of voice effects.
Great transitions, making the best out of just RenPy features.

Lovely, linear story, without branching but choices are meaningful just well enough to not feel like unnecessary.

Everyone should play this game!

And quit it after THE THING.
If it did end on IT, then it would be as I wrote above.
Buuuut... It doesn't.

Ok, I'm not sure where to start, but I'm impressed with this game, how the characters interacted with each other, and how the humor is so well set with the nature of the plot, how the girls in the game ar just not hot chicks but have beautiful personalities and deep problems making the reader enjoy more than just the h-scenes but when they talk, play, enjoy and cry .
I started playing Cece Route, and bro, I almost cried more than once.

spoiler:

I was really scared when she left the note and ran again to that bridge, and the moment of realization that after all the MC and her been through, her emotions were still too much to handle for her, and in the moment in which she didn't take the MC hand and fall, my heart almost stopped, but then the author just said, "Just kidding," and honestly, I was more relieved that Cece didn't die than angry at the author for scaring me like that.


being honest i just played that route and i dont want to try another one, not because im lazy but because the events i been through in that route make me feel wrong to change how they develop i cannot accept the mc and Cece having anything different from what they have in that route . in my personal opinion the Cece route is my favorite and the real ending of the game
100% recommended

I don't know how this game escaped from me all this time.
I was still yet to play a game that's not scared to tell a story without pulling it in 1000 directions to appeal to everyone until LoF.
Thank you for this amazing experience, i hope whoever is reading this doesn't get spoiled on the story and plays it all.
If i need to nitpick something bad maybe the sex scenes could've been better.
You will not want to skip unseen text on this one with holding "ctrl" trust me.

I'm not usually one to go out of my way to leave reviews, but I had to express my appreciation to the dev on this one.

Honestly, early in the game, I didn't feel particularly hooked. The story is a pretty slow build as you get to know the various characters. But the overall quality of the game experience and the stellar reviews convinced me to give it a solid playthrough. As I progressed through the game I grew to know the characters better and I became more invested with everything going on. And then Ch 6 came along and completely transformed my perspective of the game as a whole. It's rare that a game will move me to the point of tears being shed, but this one accomplishes it with flying colors. The slow build is to the game's merit, as it allows you to bond with the characters to the point that they feel like good friends. It's a beautiful story first, and a porn game second.

I want to thank the dev for making this game. It's clear that it comes from the heart and a very personal place, and that resonates with players. I'm glad that you were able to tell your story.

I felt like watching a tv show with this one, very well made and... might i even say well-acted. That scene where CC remembered made my tear dropped because of how real the dev made the characters, it's one of the most genuine and sincere type of feeling i have ever experience in a video game, i can't help but sympethize greatly with James at that moments. That type of connection is rare, which is why the game derserve the highest rate and suppport of me. A very well done game, Drifty

I really enjoyed this AVN , some would say the story was over the top but thats what books and movies mostly are a mental adventure, that are usually over the top to take us out of our current reality. THIS AVN does exactly that when I started Leap of Faith I loved the character and felt connected to most of them. Someone started cutting onions nearby I think and I had some blurred vision from my eyes watering up.... Damn onions...

Overall I loved this AVN great job Dev!

A great visual novel that it all story, sex and depth. Going into this I didnt expect that it would really touch me, to the point I would tear up on one of the routes.

Beyond that the game has a good sense of humour but doesnt over do it. It made me chuckle a few times and once even outright laugh and tbf the MC really owns the bunny slippers.
The music they picked out for it is also genuinenly good to listen too, normally on games like this I either mute it entirely or turn it down so much you can barely hear it, but during this game I found myself just pausing for a minute or so and just listen to the music.

As for game mechanics, personally I think it was alright. The game forces you to use a mobile phone for a few plot points, which was a bit annoying. Especially cause at times the game forces it upon you and other times you just have to remember its an option. Which honestly made me forget more often then not.

One of the few games I actually played multiple times to see all the different routes. Would definitely recommend this to everyone who enjoys a good story. The lenght is also just fine, managed to play through it over a weekend so it doesnt overstay its dues.

One of the most emotional AVNs I've had the pleasure of playing. Everything about the characters and writing in this game feels so real and vivid that every emotion that you experience in this game is incredibly authentic.

Recommend for people looking for an AVN that is more serious in tone and deals with serious topics. This game has some of the most lighthearted and happy moments in any AVN too.

A must-try for those looking for a serious and touching storytelling experience through this medium.

Wow. Get ready to feel deep emotions with this one. Have not cried this much in a long time. Feels good though. Lost my best friend to suicide in 1985. This game helped me finally come to terms with the loss. And I feel much better now. Still sad, but not so depressed. Drifty is right. With suicide, there are no winners. Thank you Drifty. Sorry for your loss. Played it through twice now. Choose Cece both times.....tough not to. I am afraid of what happens to her if I don't. Best game ever. Play it. You won't regret it.

I love this game. too easy? care to elaborate? sure.

This game made me(who must masturbate 4-5 times aday to stay sane) stop care about sex scene and all I want is to stay with these characters more. I even skip sex scene not because its not good. but I want to go back to be cheeky/cliche with my FRIENDS more. sometime I even refuse to have sex with LIs because I don't want to change our relation dynamic between us in the group... its that good.

Dev might have no idea how much this VN hit home for me, SPOILER ahead!!!

Characters (I will only wrote who I think actually is best)
1.MC&Chris: the friend dynamic of this 2 made me laugh out loud more times than I can count. and the singing while cleaning naked with headphone on. yep that me every weekend. the choices MC do or says almost matched what I want to do. its so good to felt so much related with MC while play as him.
And I got betrayed once by my ex. and still hurtful after 10 years, this game also gave me the closure on this matter that in the end I have a choice to forgive and moving on.

2. Cece : damn she look good (maybe because she look a lot like me and I'm kinda narcissistic myself, yep Im male with feminine looking), dev really good on how to show what people with this kind of symptom actually felt and act. I know one, she is my mom and I taken care of her for 30 years. if you meet someone like Cece in real life. its harsh to says this, but leave them alone. you can't FIX them. I suffered before. trust me. I saw my dad suffered enough and he ended his life in the end.
*I actually ended up with Cece in my first run, because I want to fix her due to I have failed irl. this game give me that satisfaction. thank you so much dev.

for the others I like Lexi(will go for her in 2nd run if I can leave Cece alone this time, lord give me strength to not felt empathy with her this time) and love to be friend with others.

Music
I will talk only with restoration mod. it so good. the music really matters for me and this game use music that uplift your mood excellently. lot of songs ended up in my playlist for years now. I would love if dev go with their heart and do 2 versions with the one their felt right and the one with legal one.

The Cheekiness.
I find myself have a slightly smiles on my face the whole time while play this game. the timing, the back&forth between characters. perfect!.

I played a lot of games in this site and I would says, until I find the next good one I will put this game as the best game I have played imo.
(Artemis come really close to this one... again so relatable with MC and that lab underground with AI development. that's my dream come true(hardware/AI developer irl)... ok I shouldn't put that game's opinion here)

Please accept my apologize for my poor language. English is my third and Japanese keyboard doesn't help me at all.

[SPOILER ALERT]

I don't know what to say, this game is truly something else. I might not like the way this game looks because it was made pre-COVID, but who cares if the story is good.

This game starts with James (MC's default name) having a mundane life along with his best friend, Chris. James himself is also struggling to cope with his former lover, Stephanie, who was disappeared two years ago with no proper explanation. Everything seems alright-ish until James finds a girl who is waiting alone at a bus stop. That girl turned his life 180 degrees and every anwers he needs are starting to surface, including Stephanie's mysterious disappearance.

I'm not gonna write the entire summary there, so I'm going to talk things that are important.

1. The Graphics
It's not the best looking AVN out there because just like what I said, this game was made during pre-COVID era. For people who are already spoiled with current AVNs and mostly playing them to masturbate, I think this game will disappoint you. For people who are mostly interested with the story like me, you might give this one a try.

2. The Story
I actually like the story, it's not that short but also not that long. The creator says that this game was based from a personal experience of someone who was struggling with mental health issue. But I can tell that he's also put some references from TV series and books such as Homeland (Stephanie being a DHS agent and James' father connected to a terrorist cell in Afghanistan), BoJack Horseman (Cece's issue between depression and happiness), Notting Hill (the relationship between James and a pop star, Lexi), Friends (friendship and relationship between James, Chris, and Linda), and etc. He's also put multiple cameos from other AVNs as well, which is pretty refreshing to see. One thing that I really like about this game is that James isn't an idiot and young. He's not a teenager and he's probably around 24 or 25, just like me. He knows how to act like a proper adult.

3. Sex Scenes
Well, since this game was made during pre-COVID era (I can't believe I said that again), don't expect this game to be that great regarding its sex scenes. Also, this game doesn't have sex scenes that much. This game isn't about sex btw, it's about a journey of someone. Go find another game if masturbation is your number one priority.

4. Choices and Consequences
There's a lot of choices in this game, but around 58% of them aren't that major and detailed compared to Being a DIK. But still, don't let your guards down because even some choices seem unimportant, they will have a greater impact, depends on your playthrough. This game is also let you pick one of the girls to be your future girlfriend or wife. So if you're looking for harem, get the hell out of here.

Last but not least, I just want to say that I really appreciate the way Drifty designed Cece in this game. Her hair and her quirky demeanor reminded me a lot with my former crush in middle school. Her name is Cheryl, everyone calls her Cece too. She used to be my classmate for three years and it's been a long time I haven't talk to her. I feel like this game tells me to make a contact with her again, and I'll do it right away.

Anyway, I won't rate this game 5 out of 5 because there are things that need to be improved. If I'm being honest, I will rate this game 4.7 out of 5 at best. So yeah, I still recommend you to play this game.

Edit: fuck it, I'll give this game 5 out of 5 instead. Drifty deserved it.

Outstanding game. Great writing. I actually felt emotions beyond horniness in this game.

A lot of really far-fetched coincidences, but I'm willing to roll with it.

Really enjoyed the game. So much so that I played a few times with different girls.

Would have loved a harem option.

Leap of Faith [Ch. 8]

Pros:
+ Pulls at many different emotions throughout the story
+ Overall story is very emotionally engaging
+ Characters interactions feel geniune
+ Choices feel like they matter
+ Music felt really great and very fitting
+ Humor is great at times
+ Good replayability

Cons:
- Story can feel a bit unbelievable at times, takes big leaps in development
- Overall story might not be for everyone, especially those just looking for light fun or fap

My favorite completed visual novel out there to this date. This game is a masterpiece that will take anyone through a roller coast of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I got teary eyed. And at certain points I got massive nerd chills. The music is well done and fits the mood of the scenes, with many different choices that matter and different paths.

Overall Rating: 10/10