Ok, so I just finished Act 1. It was a struggle to get through parts of it, but in the end it was one of the best games I've played.
However, I'm not sure I'll be able to make it through Act 2.
I'm generally ok with NTR, but only certain types. I'm not into humiliation/cuckoldry, I don't want the type of NTR where you lose the Love Interest in the end. I project onto the MC. It's ok to struggle, but in the end I need it to end with a "win". I can feel bad as I go through it, but I need to feel good at the end. As for NTR content that I like and maybe these aren't all considered NTR, but sharing, cheating, swinging, group are all ok. Bring it on, just as I said I need there to be a "win" for the MC in the end.
Act 1 was a win for me. Even with the end content with Morty and the struggle afterwards it still felt positive. I would love it if Act 2 has more of them exploring this kind of thing, but I suspect that it's not going to be that fun.
I'm going to go over a few things and I'd like an honest response from people here if I should wait on Act 2.
Act 1
The things I liked:
1. Jared. I loved this character and he was one of the best villains in any VN I've played. I loved him because of how much I hated him in the story. He wasn't always an in your face bully, but a manipulative villain. And the most important part is defeating him. That leads to...
2. The end of the Jared story. I loved how that story ended. I physically cheered when I played that part. I had already decided that if Jared succeeded and the MC had to let him in the door to sleep with Lacey I was done with the game. So I loved how this ended. However, in a lot of stories authors feel they have to bring back a good villain. This is the biggest thing that made Act 1 a great game. If Jared comes back in a later act it will make all of this in Act 1 mean nothing. I really hope that doesn't happen. However, if you were to develop a relationship with Bella and Jared were to come back because you were doing the same thing to him with Bella that he was doing with Lacey, that would be great. And a good opportunity for the MC to have to deal with become what he hates.
3. The character development. I said I need a story to have a win, but I also need a story to show character development. Act 1 did that for me. I did struggle with the MC continuing to bring the same things up over and over again and I hope at some point he will start therapy and work through this. From the stuff I've read in Act 2, the character development achieved in Act 1 and that alone makes me hesitant of playing Act 2.
4. Lacey. I really like this character. She has had some much development over Act 1. She is still making mistakes and this wouldn't be a game if she weren't. I feel like she is trying to be better, she just struggles making the right choice to be better. And it doesn't help that Mia and Anna is helping sabotage her. I want her to end up with the MC and I want in the end for them to heal together.
5. Damien. I hate that the character went through this, but it was a great point for character development of all the characters. As I said earlier, I don't normally like cuck content, but the way it was done here it wasn't bad.
The things I didn't like:
1. Isaac. I said I loved Jared because I hated him. I just hated Isaac. Not as the MC, but as the player. He is a trope and a stereotype. I understand the author is trying to use the BBC as a threat to the MC. But in a game where you are constantly told how big you are it is hard to believe. If I were the MC, I would be a lot more threatened by Lorenzo than Isaac. Lorenzo can give her the unique thing the MC can, love. I hope the MC will develop and learn his and not be as threatened. As much as I hate him, I was hoping after his mom gave him the come to Jesus talk he would show up at the house on Jared night, apologize, and help by adding some resources to beat Jared. Then have him gone forever. He is such a bad character, Lacey has such a large pool of threats that could be used against the MC I just wish he would go away from Isaac.
2. Isaac. Have I mentioned how much I hated this character?
3. Barty. Another bad character. I've read that he comes back and I don't like that. I hope what you were told happened in Act 1 was true, but with Lacey I don't know.
4. Mia. I did not like her, but she made more sense after revealing her secret. I know she is going to get worse before she get's better. I just really hope she becomes better.
5. Anna. This is a big one for me. She is as broken as Lacey and the MC. She is clearly using her actions to try to drive Lacey and the MC apart because she wants him. In the process she is hurting him and doesn't see how much she is. I could end up liking her, but she needs character development. Her development has ben downward not upwards. She started as a great character and become worse.
Conclusion.
Other than Isaac, even the parts I don't like I can see that they could be developed into a good story. Isaac's character is so lazy and cliche that I don't see that I will ever like him.
Even if I decide to play Act 2, I need a break and to play something more lighthearted first.
But I am going to ask, if I play and get to the end of Act 2 will I feel it ended on a positive note like Act 1. It's ok if there are still problems I just want it to feel like there is hope for these characters.
The succubus doing something dumb (again) 1/10
