VN - Ren'Py - Completed - Life with Mary [v1.0.2 Final] [LikesBlondes]

This is my review about the game Life with Mary, developed by LikesBlondes at its final version

The graphics are good with nice and realistic art design. There some animations at the sex scenes.

The gameplay is simple and based on decisions you have to make to progress the story and you can choose some paths that define what ending you want.

This game is story focused, so the main focus of my review is here. This script is well structured, the narrative is good and the dialogues are natural with realistic tone and it’s rare when we talk about erotic games. The pace was good at the major part of this game, this script is funny in some parts, a bit of drama in other (the divorce of Mary’s parents and how Mary deals with the situation) and the dynamic of the couple is really good. But, there are some flaws that maybe they can disappoint you: First, the endings are rushed, so much building up for just few line of dialogues without any detail and several Ellipses to advance the time too fast until the end screen with no impact and the last, some ideas are not explored(three-way relationship) and others almost abandoned(BDSM fetish) and no using the full potential this script has, it’s like a solid structure to construct a fancy house, but you construct a simple one. Good script, but it has a very weak ending.

There are a good amount of sex scenes. Some are arousing and a one is funny, it's about early ejaculation. They are in the game just to spice the story and not for fast fapping because like I said before this game has its focus on the plot.

A game that starts very well, but it ends very weakly

Based on completed game, this game gets 4-star. It honestly felt more like 3.75-star but close enough to a 4-star so I'd go for that.

The game started off promising, and it managed to maintain good quality for most of the game. But unfortunately, the weakness of the game is too big. It's a visual novel which is story heavy, but story is exactly the weakness as the story just felt completely flat.

There's no highs or lows throughout the game, just consistent flat level that dipped lower near the end. I think the disappointing thing is that the game had chances to insert those highs and lows, but I'm sure the dev decided consistency is the way to go for them.

If you just want a feel-good flat story, this is a great game for you. But I want something that would get me hooked into the story, something that I would want to invest my time because I want to know what'd happen next. This never really happened in the game at all.

This is a game that started off at 4.25-star, then hovered around 4-star for most of the game, but quickly dipped into 2.5 to 3-star territory near the end of the game. Still, it's an above average game that leans more towards good than average.

When I saw that this game was animated, I downloaded it and this is what I found:
- No animations
- The story is a little bit boring
- The places and charactersare the same as other well-known games (our fate, Milfy city...)
Afetr downloading and playing it fior 20 minutes, I gave up and deleted it.

In my opinion the whole premise the game relied on was very weak from the start. The MC's background felt odd and I thought the whole story would've worked better if he was someone Mary's age and they are living together through other arrangement other than "Hi, I'm your best buddy! We haven't seen each other in ages, but let my hot daughter live with you for absolutely no fucking reason other than the fact I might very well be a sociopath!". Also, the fact the MC, who is a very rich and successful middle-aged man mind you, seems to have no life, no personality and no drive whatsoever was a very big dissapointment. He's like a teenager who seeks validation from his high school crush.

The writing and characters are bland. There are no choices that influence the story that much and overall I thought the game isn't bad, but it lacks the spark to make it special like Haley's Story, for example, which is another similar VN currently in development.

I really like this story. Congratulations and big thank you for the creator of the game. I like the relationship between Mary and Dan. Also the relations of the threesome Mary, Simone and Dan. I hope that sexual experiences will go further in unbridled learning in future updates.

very boring and predictable, literally fell asleep at one point, sigh ... Game started of really well but quickly transformed into something reminiscent of that one mundane pal of yours - choices barely matter and youre stuck with one boring storytelling..

This is barely a game. It is a kinetic novel masquerading as a game. Which would be fine if the writing was not so terrible. Incredibly boring writing. The main character has the personality of a melon! That is, he is like an android beep boop. Mary herself is an absolute walking cliche, and the very few choices that exist serve as a : end game now? Choices of yes/no that could end your game if you dare get off the script. It is like being a passenger in a very boring car ride with no cool scenery to show for it.

The game looks nice, but the story is dull and the gameplay is nearly non-existant. The animations in the game are smooth, but awkward. All things considered, it's a boring, predictable, and unambitious game.

The game will frequently give you two dialogue choices to choose from. One is the correct choice and the other is the wrong choice. If you choose incorrectly too often, then you get a game over. There is currently (as of v0.55) only one decision that significantly affects the game without ending it. So it isn't much of a game.

The writing is a mixed bag. There's a very nice scene where the main character talks about his most embarrassing moment, but then there's a couple of scenes where he berates a character for no reason that are mind-bogglingly terrible. The main character's personality is very poorly defined, which is strange since how he acts is almost entirely out of the players control. Sometimes he is kind and caring, other times he is just a self-centred douchebag, and he occasionally acts like an impudent shit stack for no good reason. Also, the nickname is really weird. You're constantly calling Mary a female horse because you want to cut single syllable off her name. It's very awkward.

Mary is cute and all, but I can't help but feel that she's just a poor man's Andi. The two of them look an awful lot alike, but Andi is a straight up goddess while Mary looks like a smaller off-brand imitation of her. I think it's a shame that the game is so linear, because I'd much rather have ended up as Mary's stepfather instead of her creepy boyfriend that's twice her age. I know looks aren't everything, but Mary doesn't have much in the way of a personality either. She's very much the standard innocent girl who gets seduced by an older man. I understand that we are supposed to be rooting for Mary and the MC to get together, but I just couldn't get invested in their story because their relationship wasn't compelling, it was merely convenient.

I've been here a while but this is the first time i've been compelled so much to make a review, been meaning to post one, but they haven't moved me the way this one has, so you'll be taking my first(LOL). it certainly brings out what you have mention you never found in other adult games, it really is unique and I've played near hundreds already but it's safe to say I've never seen one like it.

The script/dialogue is great, it's compelling and the references are interesting and relevant though I really want to point out the use of "could of, would of, should of" it's quite a common and minor mistake but is still quite bothersome so I hope this gets addressed soon.

I really like the way how their relationship is not superficial and actually had time to grow, and not in the span of mere days. Mary's character is amazing mixture of personality, she is cheeky, devoted, funny and caring nearly bordering the psychopathic though, like really yandere tendencies which I also find appealing(haha). Also, the cringe-worthy cheesy moments, lol couldn't have displayed that better, that's what a real relationship is about, making people cringe and puke with your affection towards one another.

All in all, an awesome and inspiring game, can't wait to see more, especially the upcoming confrontation between MC and FMC's father. I'll surely be a patreon as soon as I'm able. I hope you get a chance to read this. Thank you, Mr. Developer.

The game is good and the story is good... but it is very linear. There is little or no choices that actually changes the storyline much, aside from the ones that obviously ends the game prematurely. I get where the original idea of having one main girl and developing a relationship with that one character to make the relationship more realistic, I get that. But that doesn't have to make the entire storyline linear. Take DMD or Melody for example, both develops the main female character and the main character's relationship very well, while having a number of branching storylines, and decisions matter. Here, you're pretty much going through a pictured/animated erotic novel. It's not a bad thing by any means and is still enjoyable, but it's just not great.

I enjoyed it quite a bit, the writing is definitely quite well thought out though in my opinion, there are some odd areas where it's not up to par with the rest of it. This game however is definitely more focused on the "romance" aspect than strictly sex so if you're going in to this game wanting plain nonsensical sex, this won't be for you.

I've been playing this for a while, played v0.25 or so and left it alone but was interested enough to come back for 0.5.

I like the mc. I've seen comments here about his apparent lack of emotion but, for me, it rings true and reflects my own personality a lot (but I'm not a rich, succesfulguy )

My only slight niggle is that it's not really a game, it's a VN. I would prefer more choices, seems to be a deal of time between them but, hey, it's not my call, and I am enjoying the story.

Someone else used the word "sweet" to describe this story and I agree wholeheartedly. The love story between the mc and Mary is just that, sweet, and I wonder how it will turn out.

If it was my game, I would write some optional encounters with Andi, Simone, Vanessa and whoever else. The mc would be tempted, succumb, but ultimately cleave to Mary. But, that's me!

Great job, dev, look forward to more updates.

No guy in his perfect mind leaves his 18y old (19?) living with is 40 something single best friend, because no guy in his 40s woudnt hit on his 19y old roommate! But i guess we need some kind of backdrop to the story right?
Well for a 0.5v this game goes long. I think i can split this game in two parts really: in the 1st part the story goes really slow (i still like it) and this is almost a pure VN with very few options. You will also notice the MC almost needs viagra because we see his flacid dick a lot. I get that he´s not your usual MC (its refreshing really) but in your 40s you get hard around hot 20y olds, specialy if youre mixing it up like they are. 2nd part things star to pick up, going faster, you have more choices to make and you start having lots more sex and no flacid MC dick! In this second part you get to make real choices, like if youre into bondage and threesomes. I think Mary is going a bit too fast sometimes (too soon to like it rough?) and too slow other times.
The developer is already introducing anal, bsdm and threesomes (will we be polyamorous with Simone?) so theres a lot to expect from this game. Let´s see what comes next.

Pretty nice game! Story is kind of complicated, but good and it is long. There is humongous amount of content! I was totally surprised that the game version 0.5 has such huge amount of content. The downside on the story or gameplay is that there is not so many choices you to make and that's also the reason only for four stars. This made me even think for a while if there even is a possibility get on side track and to have any different ending for the game. Anyhow in the end the game was a good game. One thing that I missed a little bit too is that you are not able to move freely in the game world (for an example from room to room), the story keeps you going and moving. The chance to influence the game more would be a good addition. Game has also good quality HD graphics.

Rating (out of 5)
Graphics: 5
Story: 4
Content: 5 (I would have given even higher number because of the huge amount of content )
Gameplay: 4

If you wish to play a game that does not end quite quickly, this is it!

[Rev @v0.50]
Art's very nice. Character models are great and varied with nothing too hyperbolic.

Writing voice is strong and enjoyable, with good characterization too.

I personally found the weakest scenes to be the first time and threesome scenes. Both seem rushed and focused on aspects other than what I would find hot in each situation. Being personal preferences/kinks your results may vary.

TLDR I really like it thus far, but it seemed to be losing a bit of steam towards the current end of content. Here's hopin' your muse gets frisky again.

I greatly appreciate the ability of this story to slowly introduce elements of a story before getting into the eventfulness of it. It's a much more natural progression to see the slowly developing romance between you and Mary, or the slow degradation of Mike and Andi's marriage. It takes its time to address an outcome first, think it through, and then watch it play out. It's currently going through this process with exploring your sex life with Mary and the budding polyamorous relationship between the two of you and Simone. This methodical approach is good at pacing the story, and I look forward to the finished product.

EDIT AS OF COMPLETION: The story was 65-70% done yet the game has been ended. All potential the game had was lost, and the slowly developing relationships were rushed to a premature end. Such a waste.

My Rating of this Game (V0.50) is:

Pros:
-Great Renders
-Nice Story
-lots of different scenes
-Long Game Play

Cons:
-None

Been playing this Game for a Couple of Months,and must say, it never got boring.
but to date,version 0.50 was the best chapter of them all.
Can`t wait for more.

An excellent project, I look forward to seeing it progress.

There's something more here then things you can find elsewhere. It's quite enjoyable. Wonderful visuals, and a great story to match.

It's good to see someone who clearly takes pride in what they are producing.

After a boringly typical cliche start, this games has actually managed to be come interesting. There is enough theme variation to keep it from being boring. This is getting better with every update, I am eagerly awaiting each new update.

"There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."

I really enjoyed the overarching plot and twists in this game, as it encompasses all the classic elements of a good story. Although the standalone routes weren’t by any means remarkable, they were great at building suspense and a sense of urgency to figure out the pieces of the puzzle in order to solve the mystery. The universe of this games grows increasingly more complex and interesting the further you delve into the storyline. This demonstrates solid world-building and good storyline pacing by the writers.