VN - Ren'Py - Love by the Water [v0.5] [CURE]

writing 5/5

story is interesting and easy to follow for the most part.
Many things are left untouched in the 0.5v tho.

animations are fine 4/5
music is okay 4/5
overall 5/5
one of the best games on the website

I was really intrigued by this game before the remake. I decided to wait one update after the remake before replaying and was quite happy to see a new update. Unfortunately, the game is mostly ruined for me by the remake. The characters are uglier and more unnatural, the tone and flow of the story is chaotic to an offputting level. Not sure if it gets any better after the early parts, but can't be bothered to suffer through it as it is currently.
Still giving this 3 stars in the hope that some of the original charm is left in the parts I didn't get to.

Version 0.5

I just reread this VN. The first time, which was version v.3, I had a lot of reservations, but the flow was enough to avoid frustration. Only after rereading it, thanks to the new, "improved" version (currently v.5), did I realize how weak a creation I had before my eyes.

The main protagonist's character development is negligible. Initially presented as an agoraphobic with socializing problems, he finds admirers before even taking two steps into the university building. Previously homeschooled, he suddenly becomes the best student on the entrance exam. What's worse, he was not taught by Aristotle, which could somehow explain this success, but by his father, a fisherman. The boy is a book lover who will win any debate. He has the body of an Adonis and the swimming skills of Poseidon. And perhaps the latter is explained by his origins. The rest is a blend of overactive imagination and laziness of writer, resulting in a lack of character development. Okay, maybe not laziness, but something that raises the question: WTF?

The rest of the characters are colorful, which is quite positive in my opinion. However, because this is a porn novel, most of them are subjected to a bimbofication process, resulting in big tits, asses, and lustful intentions, which isn't a negative in itself, but when combined with the other issues, we end up with a weak novel. And I must point out that the earlier version was not so strongly inclined towards this feature.

To recap:
- Lack of character development. The protagonist is presented as flawed, yet he doesn't show any of these flaws. Instead, we're presented with only strengths and superlatives. There's nothing to build on, and considering how advanced the plot is there is nothing to build down (destroying character to build something new - see Witcher's amnesia in game series).

- The side characters, despite their diversity, and having more to offer in terms of character, due to the novel's nature, are reduced to sucking cock.

- The visual "improvements" in the new version trivialized the VN, and the childish like or cartoonish scenes gave the whole thing a bad taste. Or maybe there are just to many of them.

I'm writing this review because I liked the direction this novel was taking but at the end I found only disappointment.

Story score:
Kappa out of 10

Porn score:
Whatever the number of sluts there are in this VN out of 10

This game is probably the biggest let down I've ever downloaded. With the (imo, apparently contentious) good looking visuals, interesting looking character roster, and high rating, I was expecting it to be really good! However, the game was such a big let down that it's actually frustrating.

So to figure out why this game is such a let down, you have to start with the story. I won't give spoiles but I'll give a basic premise. You are a Mary Sue; perfectly intelligent without effort, extremely fit and lean, and you've got heterochromia. Your one weakness being your lack of social skills, from being a stay at home neet since birth. You enroll into university where you begin to introduce yourself and make friends (your lack of social skills aren't apparent at all as you perfectly navigate every situation flawlessly). There's even some poverty porn where you showcase how divine of a saviour you are by feeding/homing a starving homeless girl. The believability of your social skills completely vanishes as random girls, who having met you for less than a few hours, immediately start trying to have sex with you. Then the game legsweeps you and entirely changes genre to a fantasy/paranormal/organized crime thriller. (If you didn't notice the "fantasy" tag like I did, then you'll be in for a wild ride).

So the game has a boring egotistical mc and unrealistic relationships/sex, standard mid-tier porn game stuff. Now this is a glaring issue for one reason; this is supposed to be a story-focused slowburn. For reference; it takes you three entire hours before your first ever h-scene. You spend the first 3 hours of the game, being introduced to the characters and setting. So you'd think for a slowburn, that this blowjob would come from the one character you actually established somewhat of a relationship with? Nope, it's a random woman you've never even spoken with. This is the clearest indicator of this game just being a complete mess. It's trying so hard to be a slowburn, but this h-scene completely undercuts that. It's like the author forgot this was fundementally supposed to be a PORN game and just added a random h-scene.

This sets the precedent for the biggest issue in the whole game: pacing. It's so damn inconsistent and all over the place. Like back to back scenes of wildly different speeds and moods, high paced to extremely slow paced. You just randomly leave the main character and just follow random plots and stories for long periods of time, sometimes without reasoning or explanaiton. Like you spend a couple minutes following some "quirky funny scene" (another big issue is that the game is trying to hard to be funny), and then immediately you spend 20 minutes watching some random character you've never met sexually abusing her maid (hot), that you've also never met. Most glaringly, after a huge climactic scene of some huge emotional arc, you then spend 20 minutes watching your surfer "friend" spend his morning before school and learn he's close with the local bike ship owner. For literally no reason???

Overall, I would haphazardly recommend giving it a try. The game is maybe well-liked so if you like a slowburn go for it??

Now I say 'maybe well liked' cause if you look through these reviews, you'll notice that all these 5 star reviews have literally 0 likes. But all these 1-2 star reviews have like 5-10 likes? Idk if this points to the silent majority actually disliking this game and a vocal minority loving it or what?

It's peak, I'm afraid.
The game is great, the animations are insane and funny and charming, and the voice lines are extremely well done. The LI designs are varied and don't feel like canned characters. Absolutely worth your time, and not a slow burn, either, you can get your first H scenes very early on, after a very, very charming intro. Highly recommended!

It's a little nuts with some of the excited animations and tells a nice story. I like the way this dev gives clues on which dialogue choice is the correct one. I like the choices for the LI's. I look forward to more.

Really great game with a fast moving story, good presentation and style, and a good deal of LIs. It's not the most original for an HS game, but some elements are definitely unique. Overall, I'm into it so far.

Honestly, I was a sucker for this game at the start. After the rework it's even better. The main character is delightful. He's a bad ass without being a bad ass. He's sweet and kind and I think the way the LIs flock to him, supernaturally prompted or not, feels natural. How can you not like someone who is intelligent, kind and considerate?
The characters are unique and interesting and make me want to get to know them better. The comedy does a fine job of being silly, poignant and well-intentioned. This would make an amazing novel in and of itself. The visuals enhance the excellent writing. The story is engaging and well thought-out, both asking questions and answering some as well in ways that keep you hooked without keeping the reader in the dark. It also does a great job of introducing just enough new content without drowning you in so many mysteries you lose the main thread of things.
I can't possibly recommend this enough and I will be supporting the author and looking forward to each new release.

This game is absolutely amazing! The humor hits you hard right at the start, but as you progress, the tone shifts toward a more serious vibe with an intriguing mystery and plot. However, the humor never fully disappears—it’s always there when you need it. The developer has an incredible knack for setting the right tone, whether it’s for a lighthearted moment or a more intense, serious one.

The characters are fantastic. I’m about to start day 2, but I’m already hooked and plan to finish the rest tomorrow. I’m so confident in this game that I’m leaving a 5-star rating now. Each character is captivating, and the story is incredibly engaging—one of the rare games where I don’t skip any dialogue at all. For a "Honey Select"-style game, the quality is off the charts. There’s even some solid voice acting in key moments, which is a nice touch.

Honestly, this game is something special. If you enjoy a witty, engaging, and mysterious story with a touch of deep emotion, I can’t recommend it enough. Amazing job, developer—keep up the great work!

I like the animations and models, but good god this is the most tik tok brained/snorted a whole ass cup of cocaine and actual sugar thing I have ever seen. Take a breather man. There doesn't have to be 10 different moments every single minute trying to pull a hyuk hyuk from the player. It's okay to have more than a short sentence before switching the scene around 12 different times showing a character making a face in a single second.

Was so good I felt the need to make my first ever review. Story has been amazing and I have had many laughs from this novel. Variety of body shapes for love interest is a huge plus. I promise there is one that fits what you like. Can't wait for the next release.

Instantly hooked on this one. Dev is doing great work with this. Intriguing characters, story, plot, and I find myself wanting to engage with pretty much every LI.

Highly recommend, and can't wait to see how this one takes shape as it evolves.

I really liked the game, it's quite interesting and has captivating characters.
I also liked the MC's personality, his original one.
And I hope there will be more female dominance. And I love Sasha. Frankie is also very cool, I hope to see more development of her.

Game has good potential but image quality little low I hope we'll see proper ending.For dev some dialogues confusing and you pour to much information short amoun time I'll hope you consider our constructive criticism .

Really well-written but terrible if you're just looking for porn.

The protag is on a very well-defined and (relatively) straight path towards his goal. And along that path, the writer throws all kinds of obstacles and barriers at him. Though simplistic, it's been executed beautifully. Every time he (the mc) has to overcome a challenge, he does so using his own virtues, not because the author helped him out by tweaking the circumstances. Absolutely loved it.

The dialogue is also done pretty well. The only two criticisms I have are as follows. Firstly, the delivery of information to the reader through dialogue could be done better. The dialogue should never feel like its only purpose is to give the reader that particular piece of info. And secondly, a dialogue should never devolve into a monologue. It should never feel like the character is giving a speech instead of having normal conversation.

Otherwise, the dialogue was excellent. A good amount of subtext, lots of conflict and, most importantly, the dialogue was never boring. None of it felt like idle chatter or "filler". And the humor was also really good.

Overall, I'd say the writer knows what they're doing and I highly recommend that you give it a read.

The Game is really not as good as the rating makes it out to be (4 and a half Stars at the time of writing)
I tried the game out because of that rating but was quickly bored. The Story made little sense and the renders and character visuals are mediocre at best. But the biggest weakness is the story and writing being mostly flat and unrefined with a lot of infantile humor.
I was playing it and simply thought to myself: "What am I doing with my time" Overall it all just feels bland with little redeeming quality.

To be fair, the most pretty of the cast is the MC, but he is a good character and the game has a story, which both of them are good enough for me to write a good review. There are a great cast of LIs, come in all shape and size (yes), though the dev allow you the freedom to choose who to pursuit. Some really grow on me like Sasha. Let see if this game keep it up in the futue

had some really great writing, girls, and art. usually don't like male npc's, but, Bodhi is something else. (if only people were actually as nice as the people in this vn) glad i found this one can't wait for the next update

It's not a bad game per see, and the writting part isnt that bad , there is also some weird humor who wont be for everyone even if it didnt bottered me much, but if you expect a serious story and deep character it's probably not for you.


For me it just dont work sadly, the story and how much character are acting dont make much sens even with some of the explanation given ,

we could also talk about graphics who are severily outdated fo a game from 2023 , and some girls looking realy weird because of it ).

Since most of the girl act like bitch in heat around mc and none of the relationship with the girl can be genuine because of some pheromone stuff , the other character wont save this game in my eyes .

some people who like the fuckfest harem type could maybe appreciate this game but even then the graphic part of the game would make it difficult to appreciate the girls and the sex scene.

i would have rated it a 2.5 but since we cant give semi star and 2 seem a bit arsh so i gave it a 3 .

Definitely a 5-star game, the pros outweigh the cons, I'd probably rate it closer to a 4.5 or 4 but I definitely am encouraged by the plot hooks and overall the setting and the ideas the author has.

Some of the girls are hot as hell, some of the girls aren't and that's okay, you can choose who you want to be with and it's a good time, although there's a weird bit of dialogue in which you reject Emma but Sasha still references her leaving your room in a sexual way even if you didn't do anything, but that was the only time I felt like the dialogue didn't match.

Some of the faces are, off, specifically Mallory and the guidance counselor, I am forgetting her name, if they are meant to be butterfaces then they are exactly rocking it, and more power to them.

The strongest part of this game is the story, I think the worst part is the tone switching constantly, it can get very dark and gruesome and then your character will do a goofy panicky animition. The tone is really hard to nail down.

I hope the author doesn't take my criticisms too harshly! I enjoyed this game immensely, I just wanted to voice some things I think would improve the game, the goofy honey select animations can probably go by the wayside, or at least save them for specific characters like Frankie where it makes sense, and not have everyone do it.