Unreal Engine - Abandoned - LifePlay [v2023.04 Stable] [Vinfamy]

This game really has potential. Vinfamy, sofar, has delivered a good mix of quality and quantity in every update. Although "the optics", e.g. the character models and sex-scenes, need major polish (written June 26th, 2019), sofar one of the best Dating-Sims out there.

2.17 Review.

After playing this after a year, I am...pretty unimpressed.
I still have faith, but for the most part, I would rather just play sims with adult mods.

Game feels too numbery rather than gamey. I don't feel like I am playing a game. That is the main issue.

4.0 Quick summary.
Its getting better. The inclusion of interiors helps better immerse the player and hiding the numbery nonsense a bit better.
Also the whole picture scanning gimmick is pretty awesome.
Glad he stuck with it and kept improving. Hopefully next we can see even better graphics/animations? Or more gamey feel.

A really great game, and it is getting better and better, graphics and content-wise . My favorite is the bestial stuff provided in one of the mods, though imo there could more varieties with the positions when the PC is engaging in bestial acts. It may also be better if there could some follow-up events after a random incident pops up, an event chain so to speak. But overall this is a really interesting game. Great dev, great game.

The framework is very solid, the freedom is impressive, and the mod-ability is amazing. The game needs more scenes and options, but even without, it's a fantastic game. Loving it so far, and eager for future updates.

The following review is based off my personal experience with playing this Game/Visual Novel... I try to be as brutally honest and detailed as I can, and these are my own opinions and thoughts, from one or more play throughs... The version this review is based on v2.0 Beta 2...

I played this game for a couple hours, more so to get a feel for what it entails and is all about...

The visuals are ok, not the best I've seen, although in this style of game you can only do so much, depending on your budget, developer talent, and overall goals... Being a life management game the characters were not bad... Most characters you run into are randomized, low to moderate quality, 3D models, that could be of various gender types/styles (some clothed and some not)... The downside, for the clothed models (yes, many characters are generated without clothing), is that it's very hard to tell if they are transgender and/or hermaphrodite, etc... It is rather easy to tell from the unclothed models, but not the clothed ones... This could be considered a mix of reality, with total unrealistic visuals, at the same time...

The character creator screen has many body and visual sliders for determining a characters looks, with a small mix of pre-generated things like hair styles and so forth... This feature was a nice touch, although in some cases didn't feel like some of them effected very much... It's a concept you see in many Asian style MMORPG's, but not as detailed... I also noticed, that when clicking on various predetermined clothing, she stayed naked... Not sure if that was a bug, or intended...

The navigation map is basically a top-down (slightly angled) view of an entire city scape, with only grey boxes for the actual building visuals... The Points of Interest were small single colored icons, that are in some cases very hard to see... Even when zooming in... Hovering over an icon is a bit tricky sometimes to get it to show what that location is, as far as name and so forth... It is very complex to be super detailed about most locations in as vast a city as this game focuses on, for a key feature... Over all the city scape map, which is where most of the game mechanics take place, feels a bit archaic and unfinished... At times, the left and right clicking of the map can feel a bit tedious and/or annoying... Such as getting a left click menu to go away (requires right clicking the map) or part of the menu appearing off screen because the location was too close to the edge when you left clicked it... You can't use the mouse movement to move the map around, but instead need to use the keyboard to move it around, which felt a bit dated...

The visuals of the characters, when interacting, as well as during events, presented themselves alright... Using a general backdrop of the location with characters standing in the space, with choices and event text playing out like they might in a Visual Novel... Selecting choices for how you want the character to react to an event... Based on stats and luck, you will either fail or succeed at certain tasks and/or events... Most tasks in the game outside of the events, take a predetermined amount of time to finish, and during that time, events may or may not take place... Different tasks may raise and/or lower specific character stats... Stats like Energy, Mood, Arousal, and several others... You will see some of these stats effect the facial expressions of your characters model as well...

Most of the sexual act visuals are very basic 3D modeled animations, where you can control the speed based (num pad + and -), selecting changes to the scene (left click menus), and some event text that plays out until a climax is reached... So there is a small bit of interaction, which also includes some camera angles... It's not High Quality visuals, but they are ok for a game that has a lot of randomness to the character models... I ran into a bug where I selected 3 NPC's to have an orgy with, and when the visuals spawned, they were all standing in the exact same space, standing up... Which looked bizarre, and was probably a bug... Other one on one scenes, didn't do that... Although sometimes, when you select a new sex position, the models appear off screen until you zoom way out... Definitely got some polish needed with this system...

When hanging out with other characters, they appear behind the main character model (as shown in the lower right corner), with their facial expressions changing, depending on if they are enjoying a task or not... They will also engage with the player when they are bored of a locations and so on... When with another character, right clicking on the main map will list more options for interacting with that character... And when you go to other locations, they will follow you to that location and may or may not like things you do there... This was an interesting feature of the game...

Game play in general offers many varying ways of playing out tasks and events... Making this game primarily a Life Management Simulator with several options for more adult/erotic themed tasks and events... You have to work on stats and skills, build or destroy relationships, socialize, work for money (how ever that might play out, hint-hint), have a place to stay, shop, and the list goes on... It is a rather complex, albeit slightly hard to navigate game system... Add to that, this game allows for player created Mods, such as varying cities made by other players and/or developers... The game code is also public domain, open for coding changes, for those with the skills to do those kinds of things... Personally I only tried the city that was actually included with the game; London, U.K.

I really feel some sort of Tutorial was needed in the beginning... Something to guide a new player on how the various UI interactions functioned, what buttons to press on the keyboard for various game play functions, when mixed with mouse interactions as well... Sure, I was able to figure it out as I experimented, but for some folks, the complex UI and game play interactions may become tedious to the point of quitting right off the bat, without some guidance....

This game has been in development since late 2017, which is a very long time and it seems to have many of it's basic game play elements nailed down, for how they want it to proceed... But you can tell that some aspect are still a bit rough, and it has a ways to go before being a High End Triple-A type product... If that is even their goal, I don't know... Perhaps it isn't... It is definitely a lot different then most other erotic themed and/or influenced titles that I've played... It's even a lot different then other life management games I've played, without the erotic tid-bits...

Overall, did I have fun? It was alright, but I can see it has many grinding elements to it, which is normal for many management type simulators... I can see much time and sweat has been put into it's development... And it shows a tiny bit of promise... I think with a lot more polish and development, maybe at some point it might shine... But only time will really tell... Do not go into this game thinking it's a story rich visual novel type game, because that is not really it's goal... It is meant as a sandboxy type world, and by sandboxy, I mean you can choose where you go, what you do, and how you do it, as you see fit... You are only limited by time and ensuring the characters stats don't plummet for too long... I can't really say it's a great game overall, but it definitely isn't bad by any stretch... In time, and with a lot more polish, perhaps I can see this title doing well... We'll just need to wait and see...

Edit: Below is my review from Jan. 11th, the last update before 2.0. Vinfamy has updated the models for female characters and I could not be happier. This game gets a 5 and I believe this is the best sandbox game on this website.

First, let me address the elephant in the room for this game, i.e) the graphics. Admittedly, the graphics are very dated and characters models need an upgrade.* But there is future possibilities that this issue will be addressed. Vinfamy has implemented the first of many more visual updates to this game. Females look fantastic and the male and transexual models will be updated in the upcoming updates. My main complaint has been addressed I could not be happier.

Anyways onto the review. The game is an open-world sandbox that takes places in a multitude of real world vistas ranging from small US cities like Buffalo, New York to international cities like Tokyo and Beijing. You are free to choose any location via the mod section on the first page. Though the detail and depth that goes into different cities very so if you want a truly populated city full of various venues to attend to and work at, I would suggest Central London. But if you see a city you particularly like, by all means select it. You may have to dedicate some time to modifying the city to meet your own needs though, as some can be barren and left with only a few stores, places of activities, and places of work. And there is a city you'd like to play in but don't see it in the mod list, ask the author! The list of cities are all user requested cities, with the exception of Central London.

That being said, the number of activities you can do is pretty large. There are dozens of individual choices of things you can do that all vary on the location you are at. For example, if you are home you can practice writing or do laundry while at work you can socialize or actually work. There are no animations dedicated to these various activities but is meant to serve as a way to pass time and either meet new people or build relationships with people you know (the only animations in this game are dedicated to what we're all here for .

Speaking of people, there are a number of NPCs you can meet that can either be friends with you or even further. There are countless types of NPCs you will come across with their own traits and skills. You can even have your own family, that you can build relations with. Vinfamy has been dedicated in producing different modules that focus on different kinks. If you're into NTR, there's a module for that. If you're into pregnancy, there's a module for that. And, Vinfamy allows for choosing which kinks you want in your game. Say you're not into NTR but into pregnancy, you have the option of turning off NTR and enabling pregnancy. THe choices and flexibility he provides is excellent which is something I hope he never drops in future iterations of this game.

I would say overall, this game gets a four stars out of fivvvvvvve (more like four and a half out of five but I'll settle with four, there are some areas that desperately need to be addressed). I have two issues with the game, those being the graphics and that the game at the beginning, it is pretty difficult to grind your way up. But if you're not really interested in the grind, you can modify your character's stats at the beginning of each game as well as the pause screen whenever you like. Otherwise, I believe this game has potential to be one of the best sandbox porn games on the market (or perhaps an innovator in the market depending on your definition of sand box).

Pros

• This game is the bastion of "freedom of choice", you can choose to be an office worker or own your own business. You can attend college. You can go to jail. You can be a whore. You can be a pimp. You can be a transvestite, get drunk, knock up your cousin, and have a child that you must raise... and potentially get into a future relationship with that child when they turn 18. Fucked up but none-the-less possible. Endless choices that you can decide to do.
• Customization is excellent, with the refinement of graphics in future iterations, it'll only get better.
• Modification of anything and everything (and is pretty easy to get a hold of after a few tries).
• Variation in the types of sexual acts you can do.
• There is surprisingly not bad story. There are texts for each scenario you encounter which sometimes feel half-hearted (like some social interaction scenes) but overall not bad. Even sex scenes have text to accompany the act that takes place as well as speech bubbles.
• Animations are not too shabby, a bit of clipping here and there but overall gets the job done.
• The game gives you flexibility as to who you are. What skills you find important. How often you can interact with NPCs. And choose how easy or hard you want your life to be.
• And the author, Vinfamy, is dedicated to his game and the small (growing) community around him. Ask and ye shall receive.

Cons

• The graphics. Bad at first, but I found myself getting used to it after some play time. When the author upgrades, this game will be updated to a five for me.
• If you choose normal settings at the beginning, it can become a grind fest.

*Side Note: After digging through this forum, from my understanding, Vinfamy uses models from an open source artist. In all due time, we can see potentially much more realistic looking characters based off of what I have seen from the open source artist.

OLD review from 27 oct 2018

review udpated to V 4.4 as of 09 july 2021

Boo yeah... 3 full years sinze i made a review for this game.
And what a change...What a freaking change...
The game is now like 80% full 3D... like, for real... Now it's full 3D on environement and such, you can still NOT control directly your chars and such, but you can move the camera all around the places to look allaround the NPC and all.
The NPC spawn randomly at places, and they usually get a "fix" position like if they do something (for exemple, NPC can spawn with a broom and in a position like they will use it, but not moving.). Nothing crazy. some animation are even actually here soo it may progress in futur (like eating hamburger etc..)
Visually, in addition to this full (partial LOL) 3D scenes and camera system, the characters are now really, really way more attractive and nicely done. You can even get some absolutly beautiful characters sometime (wich you may try to flirt and get). Some options are still meh-meh, like the male's dicks that aren't that great, specially when you try to make a big dick, it just make a male wearing a baseball bat.
Females, on the contrary can be pretty nice and they are extremly varied, from fat to fit, all kind of girls around flat or big boobs etc.
The game also have some new cool touches now, wich change gameplay a bit and make the game moer confortable to play.

BUT... The game is not exempt of bad things... hence my 4 stars rate only.

Most of the girls model will have absolutly disgusting lines under her chin... that make them like they suddently got older by 200 years ONLY under her chin...WTF? avoid looking in that place as much as you can (wich alsoappearwhen she lift her head up looking the sky or roof.
The game is still very complicated and sometime it's extremly confusing and hard to keep the tracks.
The timing (clock) is also kind of annoying and weird... if you use it at "normal speed", your character will take forever to make like 200 meters from one isde to another side of the street. If you put it more faster, your chaacter will move more faster, but also everything else...AKA, every actions will be more fast, but also you will lose energy and such more faster.

All in all, that game have progressed a whole shit tons lots sinze 2018... it's barely the same game if you take away the hard gameplay with tons of stats and such that make it as complicated as before.
Graphically a massive jump, gameplay is a bit more fun and enjoyable (even with tons of stats and stuff to take care of) as some new things are welcome and make the game better.

Now the game have serious lots of mods, using some will make the game even better, less stressfull and more enjoyable. there is mods for pretty much everything.

i give it a 4.5 stars, but i will still keep the 4 stars as some black points are really bad. (specially the fact there is still too much to take care of, and the absolutly ugly lines under girls chin.)

if dev keep up like this, that game is growing efficiently and nicely.

Not really 3D. Runs heavy (lots of lagging). Poor graphics.. Character customization too elaborate on some parts (whole 16 - or more! - boob volume measures) and too little for others - can't choose height, only 3 hairstyles etc.. Difficult camera positioning during customization (click ten-twenty times the left button to rotate). Even worse view during sex scenes (in some poses characters disappear from screen). During customization, characters easily get distorted after adjusting multiple measures - like an ass with angle bumps..)
Gameplay is stuck. Choose career as pornstar, but no way to practice it.
From the presentation I supposed it's meant to rival GTA. Nowhere near even to a poor imitation. I'm really disappointed.

This game is a good start, and honestly aims for a decent simulation of its intended design. However, it is let down from a truly excellent rating by the lack of overall polish, and especially ugly animations and models.

It's a great game that would have 5 stars if the models were better. However, you get used to them and maybe you can even finally find some of them hot.

There's plenty of fetishes to activate if you are into them, freedom for everything... It's like the Sims you always wanted, but without the house, uglier individuals (some sims can be ugly as *** though) and penises.

If you are into terrible models and "animations" then yes this is for you, although it has potential (or at least had) it is can only be viewed as average quality if not less. The tags in what it offers are true yes but why would you want that from this project when there are many that does exactly what it does over 3X better. I rest my case.

Love games like this keep it up please!!!!!!!!
it all seems like you guys are very into updating and the customization seems worthy the get my stars. I hope the popularity train continues to grow and this game gets to flex is muscles a bit more

The overall concept is great and the game has the capacity to be even better being opensource. With multiple maps to choose from, a few modifications, and character customization; it's already in itself a solid life simulator. Apart from that there are a few bugs now and then I come across, usually ones that keep me stuck in certain screens or unable to click anywhere. It isn't too much of a problem, but I end up having to close the game and relaunching it at times. A few things I would change or add to the game though are textures for the eyes (A lot of the generated NPCs tend to look pretty creepy), skin, and clothes. It would also be neat to be able to have neighbors, family, or contacts occupy other vacant homes to give the world slightly more realism. Last thing I would change is the camera during customization and the sex scenes, sometimes the view during scenes look really out of place and it'd do well to have a few other angles other than the first person and being able to move in other ways in third person. During customization it would also be easier to turn the characters with the mouse than having to press the turn button. Otherwise a pretty great game already if you want to sink time in something.

I'm big fan of simulators and sanboxes. This game is the perfect type for me. I like the way that you develop the game, so please go on. P.S. Things you need to work on first (IMHO): fix animation and add more different jobs and work situations

A proof of concept at best. No explanations for anything given, the UI confusing. Movement is weird, and randomized nature of the character models make them very awkward.

Sex is made up of predefined animation rigs without randomization nor adaption to physiology, meaning you fuck air in some poses and a man can get fucked by a woman without penis or dildo.

5 stars purely for the incredible potential this game has.

I love the authors previous works.

The game as of this date v1.0 is in reality a alpha or beta game. But I suppose no one is expecting a complete game just yet.
-The Character models look goofy and sometimes alien.
-All Clothes have clipping issues
-If u change anything on the default character model than the clothes will go crazy not in a good way.
-UI is bad
- Its a struggle to play the game.
-I don't like the maps at all.

And many more problems BUT I still played for 4 hours straight and rated this game 5 stars because I enjoyed it and am excited because of the potential.

I really hope many people will pick this game up and soon there will be lots of mods/modules to add in the game.