VN - Ren'Py - Leaving DNA [Ep. 4.3a] [Impious Monk]

Story: 10/10
Renders: 8/10
Animation: 10/10
Sound: 8/10
Characters: 7/10

This is a really well-written game, the story is really good and immersive. Although they are few, the animations are also done really well. Another standout point is the characters facial expressions, which so many devs mess up. It is really done well here, it makes you connect with the game and feel the emotions of characters. The drama and plot twists in this are also good. The recap thing after every chapter is also nice.
Talking about some things that could have been done better, I personally didn't like the character designs of some of the LIs. I feel like the dev spent too much time making the MC design that he completely ignored LIs. Some of their faces look weird. Some side characters look better than the LIs. Also, I would say it has kind of fewer scenes, even though it has 4 chapters. I think the dev focused more on the story, but I think there should be a fine balance between both.
But it's still a very good must-play game.

Nice one with a decent story and narrative. Feels like devs baiting us for a big plot twist in the story. Unusual approach with the "you can't have both of the best friends" rule. But i don't mind. It gives a reason to play multiple times with different choices.

Fantastic legal drama of an AVN.

Usually, I have detailed reviews of games I've played on here, listing all the pros/cons, quirks, specific scenes, etc. Didn't need to do that with this.

• Smart, tight writing.
• Beautiful art and heroines.
• Perfect number of heroines.
• Decent animation.
• Fantastic music.
• Actual drama.
• Little bit of soap opera melodrama, too.

Nearly everything works. Nearly every scene is plot driven or relevant -- even during some interludes -- especially with Chapter 4. Avoids lots of cliches, adds some of its own (like John's panic attacks and constant assessment and reaffirmation of his character). Decent amount of mysteries and conflict. I would personally like more lawyer jargon and events, but the narrative does a good job there for a legal drama.

The only thing I say doesn't fit is there're quite a few twists here and there that feel so soap opera to the point of making soap operas blush. Almost every day John gets hit by several revelations, it might be a bit too much. "Family is #1", "I need to suck it up", "who is my daddy?" Then he sometimes mopes about not being honest or emotional, or having enough trust to share with friends. (I'm surprised there isn't a therapist subplot.) This emotion and trust element should have worked with a path for a certain LI by now, but everything seems almost open still. It's a bit crazy for our boy Johnny here. As a famous lawyer, the odd stumbling in conversation with a certain senator was quite odd. But hey, he's got it rough.

Either way, you can't fault conflict causing characters to be off their game, and thus, there are plenty of great scenes. Great heroines with their own personalities and problems all tied into the story somehow. A touch contrived, sure, but it doesn't pull you out. And next comes another hook that makes you care about this or that character. It's not just sex.

• Didn't see any grammar issues.
• Didn't see any visual issues, but not top of the line. Art, lighting, and rendering could be bit better.
• Music could be a touch better, but lots of scenes just land perfectly with some basic piano tracks.

Definitely not a straight up porn game with fetishes. We're here for drama and plot.

But other than minor nitpicks? If you're here for a smartly written story, it's 5 stars. Not a perfect game on every level, but I'll say it's the best story and storytelling for an AVN I've come across.

We're talking above Leap of Faith levels for plot, and soap opera melodrama.

Leaving DNA... what's that all about then, huh?

If it's a quick fap, harem with easy girls, then perhaps you should look elsewhere. BUT if you like a fukcing WORK OF ART with solid to sensational renders (they get better as the game progresses and they start out good) and an exceptional story with real characters and emotions, then you are in for a treat.

My sole complaint? I started this VN last night and couldn't stop until it was sunny outside... thanks, Impious Monk!

I like being surprised in life, to have to think a little bit, and Leaving DNA fullfils these wishes far, far more than I expected. It merits its high ratings because it delivers an experience that is rarely equaled, and not just compared to works on this site.

BIG PLUS for the subtleties, the attention to detail, the hints and humour, and the fabulous interconnections that Impious Monk (and their team?) have meticulously created for our enjoyment. Leaving DNA can be an emotional ride if you let it, and it treats a number of serious subjects with intelligence and good taste as you are struck at its ambition.

So many very average VNs attain 4 or 5 stars, and hey I'm not judging, but in my eyes, this one simply stands out from (most of) the rest.

Read the Walkthrough PDF very briefly before starting, and prepare yourselves for something special.

Once again, my grats and thanks to Impious Monk.

The renders are nice and the English is really good.

There are humorous moments but overall the game is rather dark since it deals with murders and violence in general. Don't expect to play this for relaxation and good mood.

This game makes it pretty hard to immerse yourself or self-insert. Maybe because so many renders show the MC's face, even when another character is talking. But you don't feel like you're the the main character or that this is your story, which is a big drawback in a game.

There's a very low number of lewd scenes, and the game is almost 3 years old. This is because the dev actually prides himself in having "subverted expectations" (actual quote). The subverting also includes throwing at you fake LIs. You actually thought you could have some fun and pleasure before returning to dealing with murders and murderers? Think again!

There are some sex scenes in dreams, which are totally pointless. And the ones that do actually happen are not that easy to get, it's safer to use the walkthrough for the correct choices you need to make.

Overall, a game that wrongly thinks it's smart to subvert expectations of having a good time. Wasted potential, which is always a pity to see.

a very good game with very nice renders and animations. The story is a very good mystery so far I love it. It has a very mature way of story telling while it portrays very tough subjects as well as complicated feelings.

Furthermore I really love the music scenes and this game managed to make me feel many emotions, kudos to everyone working on this!

Update: This game made me cry damn, anyone wanting a mature captivating mystery story with lots of strong emotions should make his self a favor and play this!

I'm only now starting episode 3, but this story has me hooked. It is a slow burn, for sure, but that only adds to the realism of this game. I am very much enjoying the immersion into the main character and the game as a whole. Most games on here follow a relatively easy, but unimaginable in real life storytelling. Whereas this story actually makes you have to think along with the main character. It definitely does not fit the usual mold for games on this website, but it is very refreshing to have a story like this on here. I'm very much looking forward to what the rest of this game brings.

Some parts are pretty great, others are underwhelming.
First of all it looks as if I'm playing some sort of a SFW version. I kinda went with my gut feeling on a lot of stuff and playing through 4 episodes I got no sex scene. If I come to think I think there was almost 1 kiss scene that didn't actually happen for some reason.

The story is pretty good and backstories of characters too, I mainly played through because I was curious of the story, so I find this its strongest point.
It feels like way too much emotional drama for everyone. It's like some stereotypical soap opera for women, just way too artificial, far from reality. We do have our struggles but man that's just coincidentally a LOT of stuff concentrated around those few characters.
Some of the plot twists seem a bit too strong, a bit immersion breaking even perhaps.
I like the renders, the women look great, well perfect models as usual but closer to real life stuff than a lot of other VNs. Their characters are interesting as well, but they all seems to be stuck in their own little emotional hamster wheel, it didn't feel like there was a lot of development for either one of them.

MC is ok, quite well built as a character, but I feel he acts irrationally sometimes. For example his sudden fascination for his father was very weird, I would have never chosen to pursue that asshole/criminal, it's one thing to give second or third chances to somone and sure it's fine, but I feel that guy lost many chances and just did so much harm that there's just no way I would be interested in him as a father. So it was very weird when the character acted what looked to me, out of character. I had a couple more occasions where I felt very strongly I would have wanted to have a choice as an important decision was made on my behalf automatically.

All in all this is maybe a strong 3, maybe a weak 4, but I don't feel like giving a 4 because of some pretty serious flaws. I don't really like some of the choices but I think the dev has talent and a lot of potential so I will perhaps follow up with the story later and would be interested if he makes anything else. One of the better developers on this forum, which we need, as currently we seem to have a handful overhyped ones and the rest don't get the support they need.

Very very underrated. Great graphics, writing, story, it has some mystery and romance. Love the fact that you can play this on the phone, thats plus points

Aghvani is strong HBB, look forward to see more updates, strong start

Insanely well written characters. Was fully immersed into the story. Character models are unique, renders are beautiful too. All in all a fantastic game, probably one of the best stories on this site.

I am only at the start but the story already hit so much. I am glad there is some well written story and not only horny stuff there. Thank you for that i frrl likr the emotions will be hard and lovely in the future

A great game so far. Will hold off from giving my final rating, which will probably be a 5, when this completes. Great story, original and gripping plot, quality writing, decent renders and a dev that is not only nice but helpful. I hope this game keeps delivering because it is rapidly becoming one of my favourites.

Ep. 4.3a

Inspired

That's what I word I would use to describe this game. The characters, the setting, the relationships you make, even the main character. It is all inspired. From the first impression of meeting a character you might have an idea of who they are and how they'll be for the rest of the game and who can blame you? This is a porn game on a porn pirating site. I had the same preconception when I looked at this game. I thought it would just be a quick game straight into the good stuff with pretty character models. I'm happy to report that I was wrong.

This game, much like its characters are much deeper than what is expected of these games. As I got to know each of the characters, men and women, I found myself liking them more and more. I went into this turning on the "skip unseen text" option on so I can speed to the sex but here and there I would stop to see what the characters had to say and I was always surprised by how interesting and deep it takes them. Even the MC, at first he comes off as the typical stoic buff cool guy that everyone likes and wants to bone, but as I played I learned he isn't as shallow as he first appears.

With that being said, the sex scenes are well done. They are animated well and are paired with great music that match your current partner. Despite the somewhat dark tones and storylines involved it strikes a good enough balance between humor, seriousness and sexyness. I recommend anyone playing the game to try paying attention to the story and dialogue. You might find yourself enjoying it, but even if you don't the sex scenes are good enough to stand on their own.

I started it hesitantly, with many elements feeling a bit off to me both aesthetically (the character's physique felt a bit too "caricaturally gigachad" -or as elegantly refered in game "kind of a ken thing going on"-, the LIs didn't really do it for me physically -except Jamie, then later came Malena-) and thematically (must admit both the lost-father-maybe-alive mystery and the "super-duper-giga-elite small group getting their hands bloody for OUR FREEDOMS/shady gov ops" are pretty used tropes that can easily be annoying and immersion-breaking). And I must say...the story and the character's turmoils really grew on me, in particular in part 3&4. The very detailed judicial technical-aspects approach work pretty well for a slow and deep immersion (remind me of Tom Clancy's process tbh, tho obviously a narrator-driven book lend itself much more to that, it still work here), the characters are well written, likeable and more importantly justified in their actions by credible motivations. The irrationnal moves are pointed out as irrationnal (or understood tacitly in the context as such) and the radical changes and twists are consistently handled in a way they reinforce, rather than break, the willing suspension of disbelief (many yellow flag get raised only to be disamorced in-universe later).

The game also has unquestionnal "cinematical" qualities to it, the pace, staging, atmosphere is well handled, and seem to get better and better as the game advance. Maybe it's due to the game growing on me, but I think it's in big part the dev substantially improving his craft through the project. It is rare for a game in general, and in this site in particular, to have me emotionnally immersed in the story and characters in such a way. I do not say that to be pompous or superlative (tbh part of me is still feeling mitigated toward the game), but in my opinion, by definition when a work reach into others people's gut and provoke a raw feeling of emotionnal implication, that is when you've created art. So congratulations on that, it is no easy feat.

The fact that the erotic/sex scenes are hot and press my buttons doesn't hurt in the slightest, obviously And while the game is mostly a linear visual novel (with minor branches on LI choices), a pivotal (and well-handled) fork coming in chapter 4 bring a much-welcome character-defining choice to make it an actual game. I hope the logical difference in scenes/MC actions in both paths is maintaining consistantly, even if it's bound to add up work and time.

So, again, congrats (and thanks) for the game, it definitely get better as it advance, and I'm eager for chapter 5

Leaving DNA is nothing short of a masterpiece. Impious Monk has crafted a story with many twists and turns that keeps you engaged until the end. Every update leaves you wanting more to the point where this might be the best story-telling in all of AVN's. Leaving DNA is the first AVN that I've played that made its love interests both likeable and feel like real people. You will pull your hair out while choosing which route to follow first; the characters are that good. There is no wasted space in the game, which makes it clear that Impious Monk has planned every interaction meticulously. Detractors might claim that there is not enough "adult content" to keep you engaged, but I think that there is a perfect amount of it considering the circumstances of the story. Speaking of this, it is best that you don't play this if you're going through a rough patch. There are dark themes and moments in this story. However, it is not dark to an excruciating level like some other games you might have played. Leaving DNA is balanced by plenty of heart and emotional beats that keep you wanting more.

I was not prepared for how gteat this story is. Engaging and suspenseful with actual character development. The facial expressions on the renders are fantastic. I really can't wait till the next chapter.

This is easily one of the most well-written and thoughtful VNs ever made. Every detail feels meticulously thought-out and researched, the dialog is intelligent and playful, and the story is perfectly paced, gradually unfolding with twists and turns that never feel out of place. It isn't a game focused on sex scenes and if you go into this expecting that, you'll be disappointed. There aren't a lot of choices either, but it didn't matter to me since the narrative was so intriguing. It's a game focused on story, themes, emotion, relationships, and mental health.

This is very much story first and lewd scenes taking a back seat for the majority of the VN. There is so much court room drama and case work. While the main plot is fascinating with many mysteries and secrets being up in the air. Involving MCs past and his family, it does drag on too much and any element of fun is nowhere to be seen. The main court case shown with the huge amount of discussion is quite boring and unnecessary. It takes up so much time for a gang killing just to show some metaphor meaning. This could have been done over a few minutes so easily. Not take up at least an hours worth of game time. Or at least have a better case to show it off. As it contributes nothing to the actual story.

The renders are really good. Although the first chapter is very stiff with the poses, its gets much better as the game goes on. The animations are good too but theres hardly any of them. Women are ok but nothing great. To me i didn't find any that were that unique or had good personalities. They do vary with appearances and body shape which is nice. Environments are well filled out with care gone in to fill out the Court room with people, cars are filling car parks, although half of the time that is not the case also. With empty waiting rooms, offices, etc. Needs more consistency.

If you plan on viewing this VN for sex or any sort of hot teasing and lewd scenes.... forget about it. Theres hardly any, in fact on certain playthroughs you might only get one sex scene over many hours worth of game time! The flirting options are not flirting lol, its basically just a few seconds of asking them out to dinner! There was nothing sexy about this game at all. None of the situations are hot or exciting. This is more like a depressing courtroom drama TV show, with MCs damaged psyche and all the women around him being a similar vain too.

The variables of which women you choose to try have a relationship with is restricted to one or two. Even then I still couldn't get a sex scene with any of them! My choices were always greyed out. Maybe there was an issue in the variable coding?

Writing is fine, quite detailed (probably overly so) if a bit robotic at times. Everything seems to have such a serious tone all the time. Even when they do look like having fun for a brief moment, it will quickly change to very serious topics instantly. Choices are extremely limited and some don't even make much of a difference.
Episode 4.3 seemed to add in all these cliche twists and unnecessary surprises. Almost as if the dev felt it was getting stagnant and decided to mix it up as much as he could. I dont think I'll continue with this VN. While the main story is engaging, nothing else is at all. When your relationships and lewd scenes are the worst part of your adult game, that's always a major problem!!

I can't recall being this bored while going through an adult game. Renders are high quality, but character models are fairly generic. Uninteresting characters, uninteresting setting, uninteresting plot. Very few artists can handle "dark" topics in a manner that is still entertaining, this is not one of those cases. All this "slow burn" attempts resulting in silly over the top sex scenes, which makes the whole journey unnecessarily stuck-up. Needless to say my disbelief was not suspended, and my libido was not entertained.

The game currently is more like a four star with the potential to be a solid five in the future, however I gave the game a five regardless due to the way it tackles certain themes in an extremely mature way. The relationship between MC and Malena is incredibly relatable for me, to the point where I actually started thinking about my own past experiences and choices, this was honestly a massive bias as to why I bumped it up to a five.

Renders are great, animations are top notch, models are absolutely up there with the best in the genre, especially Jamie and Malena.

I don't want to waffle on for too long so I'll just say, Malena is her.