Review Based on Steam Version 0.9
Visuals and Graphic Quality
Long Story Short immediately impresses with its high-quality renders and animations. The artwork is well-crafted, with attention to detail that enhances the immersion during gameplay. Characters like Ann, Vanessa, and Alex are visually captivating, which helps keep the player engaged.
Impact of Choices
One of the biggest strengths of the game is the real impact your choices have on the unfolding narrative. Every decision you make directly influences relationships and the direction of the story, giving the player a sense of control and customization. The game allows you to disable NTR (Netorare), which might appeal to those who prefer to avoid that content. However, it's important to note that the main focus of the game is around NTR, and turning it off might cause you to miss out on a significant portion of the content and experience the game has to offer.
Storyline and Character Development
The narrative is engaging and makes interesting use of flashbacks, with the protagonist reflecting on his past. This creates an emotional connection with the player while providing deeper insight into the decisions and situations that shape the current story. To keep the game's pace dynamic, Long Story Short opts not to offer a slow "corruption" of the characters, instead speeding up this process. This keeps the story flowing and allows situations to evolve quickly, which is appealing to players who prefer more direct progression.
Variety of Decisions and Achievements
One clear indication of the variety and impact of choices in Long Story Short is the presence of 98 achievements, which can only be unlocked by exploring all available paths. This proves the game rewards full exploration of options and decisions, allowing for different approaches to each scenario. To unlock all achievements, the player must be dedicated to experiencing all possible routes, highlighting the depth and replayability of the game.
Ambient Sound
The game features a great ambient soundtrack that plays while you're gaming, helping to create an enjoyable and immersive atmosphere. However, Long Story Short lacks ambient audio or voice acting for the scenes, which might be noticeable for players who value even more auditory immersion. Despite this, the background music is well applied and contributes to the overall mood.
Pacing and Replayability
The pacing of Long Story Short is another strong point. Unlike other games in the genre, it avoids repetitive gameplay loops, keeping the experience dynamic and smooth. The different routes and paths offered by the game ensure good replayability, encouraging the player to explore the various options available.
Conclusion
Long Story Short is an excellent example of how a visual novel can combine meaningful choices, impressive visuals, and an engaging narrative. The varied routes, the freedom to shape the game to your liking, and the attention to detail make it a rewarding experience. However, if you decide to disable NTR, be aware that you will miss out on a large portion of the game's content, as this element is central to the experience. Additionally, the flashbacks, where the protagonist recalls his past, add an extra layer of depth to the story, while the accelerated character corruption keeps the game's pace fluid and interesting. The ambient soundtrack is a great complement, even without ambient audio or voice acting.
For those who don't mind the focus on NTR and enjoy this style of game, Long Story Short deserves a solid 9/10.