VN - Ren'Py - My Bully Is My Lover [Ch.1 Ep.4 - CV] [NiiChan]

Having played roughly 80% through CH1 Ep4's content, I felt it was enough to give the game a fair review out here. It ends up a 2.9 out of 5 for now, due to the reasons below.

Preface: This is more of a "Visual Novel with Adult elements", and not a true "Adult Visual Novel". The reason is simple - it is 95% story, 5% (or less) sex. Since it's in the AVN section, I'm rating it against other AVNs, not VNs.


Pros:
+ Good LI personalities - they are basically all different
+ Good fleshing out of LI backstories (if a bit much)
+ Attractive models - many are varied in body type, but usually attractive
+ A decent-to-good story so far
+ Decent animations, though there's room for improvement
+ Music generally tends to follow scene theme and tone
+ Good use of emotional impact for backstories
+ The solo story with Emma is a fun way to finish, but not the recommended final path. Save before pursuing it (it's VERY long itself), then reload and choose the harem path.


Cons:
- Sex scenes can be short, and not involved enough to pull the viewer in
- Camera angles during sex scenes could be vastly improved to show more
- Choices rarely matter in affecting the story, even the LI preferences
- Far too many flashbacks fleshing out the story
- Flashbacks are unbelievably long in some places (one was an entire early episode)
- Flashbacks rarely if ever include sex scenes, detracting from Adult content
-- The MC can be a fucking moron at times. One of his co-workers finally gets up the nerve to blow him behind the counter while a customer is there (kinky stuff), and when they're done she suggests they "do it". Her older sister calls the MC, and he leaves the younger one hanging while he talks. Of course she gets pissed and leaves work, barely talking to him. He is absolutely clueless of course - a moron at best.


And the biggest Cons:

-- The frequency of sex scenes is perhaps 1/3 to 1/4 of what you'd see in a regular Adult Visual Novel, which is why this is a Visual Novel with adult elements. You're basically here for the story, and are occasionally shown a sex scene. It almost feels at times like skipping text using CTRL is beneficial.

-- Some LIs (like the MC's sister) have so few sex scenes it's pitiful. They're fully into each other (have been since the beginning) and want it, but the MC just goes about his daily routine and skips any chance to make both of them happy. This happens with a lot of the LIs, even after sex is permissible and desired between the two. Often it feels like the developer is teasing the reader, but I can only attribute it to a lazy avoidance of additional scenes.

If you're more into a story, this might be fun for you. And it's not -that- heavy into Anime elements. But if you're here for sex, or equal parts sex & story, it will likely disappoint. It's not a true or 'classic' AVN, at least not 80% of the way through current content.

The game has a chance to improve in the future with effort. But I think in order not to disappoint many AVN fans, the developer needs to go back through existing content and ADD in additional sex scenes to balance the scales.

Weak in all aspects

Standard harem game with poor execution. It feels like somebody giving you a short summary of what is happening in the game, rather than being immersed into the story by yourself.

Pros
- Some of the characters looks cute
- Good quality lewd scenes in latest updates
- Good concept

Cons
- Beginning of the game looks very outdated
- Standard and boring story
- Characters act like programmed robots. Nothing interesting about them.
- Some of the Li looks really weird
- Dialogs are very simplified
- Soap opera. There is no drama or conflicts. You won't find real bullies here.

2/5 Play it only if you run out of other options.

Played Ch. 1 Ep. 4 - CV with the walkthrough mod.

Have to agree with others here in that I'm surprised how highly this game is rated.

I do like the models - the girls are attractive, and there's a bit of variation. I'm also partial to Honey Select, so that bumped this up from 2 stars.

The story and writing is where this is lacking IMHO. The dialog is stiff and awkward, and the story overall isn't particularly interesting. There are a few interesting moments scattered in here, but it's a slog to get from one to the next.

As always no information beforehand. This is a crazy but good game. There are so much twist and turn , if you think where the game is going think again because when you see the story of the girls to the MC and how they interwine... sorry no spoiler. At this time CH1 Ep4 i would close the chapter and start a whole new one, because it feels like it. There are stll some mysteries and I think a lot to learn about. Hope this don't gets abandoned, If it will no longer progress just leave it here, im fine with it. it think the chapter can be closed. 5 of 5 stars

The real rating is 2.5 but because of so many unjustified 5 star ratings, I rounded down. now, in order

The graphics are 4/5, there's not much to say. It's pretty good for 3D. The heroines are pleasing to the eye (but not the main character)

Main heroines 2/5. Good foundation but actual implementation is bad. This can be compared to a meme about a horse where the head is drawn by a professional artist and the rest of the body is like a schoolboy drawing.

interactivity 2/5. A classic illusion of choice. You just choose who to fuck and who not to.

Now, let's talk about the main part - the plot. Rating: 1/5. Initially, the story seems intriguing, but as you progress through it, it quickly loses its meaning, becoming boring, strange, and even absurd at times. The narrative jumps around, being uneven, fragmented, and sometimes downright clumsy. The author wants to write a serious story, but it feels like he doesn't know much about the things he's writing about. The narrative structure is particularly irritating: as soon as the focus shifts to a new character, the others simply disappear from the story indefinitely. r example: I decided to improve my relationship with Skye. We had an important scene on the beach, where we figured out the feelings, and after that, her presence in the story decreased by about 98%. The same fate befell the other characters. the player doesn't have enough time to get attached to someone or get to know them better, because as soon as that happens, the focus shifts to someone else.

This is one of the most over-hyped games out there. While there are a ton of far worse games out there, that's a very different thing from saying this is any type of good.

Here's the TLDR version: While the core plot elements are actually not bad, they are told so poorly it all falls apart. Think of a sheltered 9 year old trying to teach you about relationships, dysfucntional families, jobs, etc.

I will start with the 'good'' points. The basic premise is decent enough. It's a redemption story of sorts set to a back drop of a ton of family drama of the wealthy and powerful. The character models are also good looking. And the opening contains a funny bit if you choose the 'bad' dialogue choice when you first meet your former bully. Also I kind of liked the character types he chose and the back stories they were given. Last, I like that it tries to be a positive story with healing and positive relationships with a happily ever after for all.

Now the stuff that wasn't so great. This VN has the reputation of a great story but the writing is awful. It could be the writer is 9, maybe younger, because that's the level of understanding that goes into this world building. It goes far beyond over simplification. It might be mildly funny if the intent was to be a parody but no .... this is a serious writing attempt. This level of understanding or rather ignoarnce covers everything - how a work place functions, how people interact, how relationships work ... everything. It's like it's all through the lens of a young child that knows this stuff exists but really has no idea how any of it works.

Do you like flash backs? Then this one should be in the 'good' column because wow does this have flashbacks. Every character has a backstory and it must be told through multiple, often lengthy flashbacks. Repeatedly.

And while we are on the subject of back stories ... remember when I said I liked the backstories? It's more the bare bones concepts of them that I liked. It's akin to good jokes told really poorly. As alluded to above, you need to have titanium level ability of suspension of disbelief to accept most of what's being related.

Love interests. If they are a human female, they are a love interest. Not just a sex partner but a full blown love interest. And 95%+ of the characters are female. That's fine in a fapfest adult novel but not if you are trying to do a well written love story. Unless you are a really good writer (such as Caribdus of Eturnum fame).

Not sure if I should include this but since it bugged me I will. This is supposed to be a slow burn story. This means you build up the tension and desire and eventually get a pay off. There are tons of 'bonus images' that get thrown on the screen at scene changes that contain nudes and sex. It's totally counter productive to the slow burn. Even though the images themselves are pretty good, they aren't timed right. It's sort of like reading a mystery but at the end of the first chapter somone writes in the margin who did it and why. Takes out most of the suspense and joy of reading a mystery. Same principle for a 'slow burn'.

There's more but I think the point has been made. This VN has some decent plot elements and models but as a story and VN it's a total fail.

Oof. Talk about an overhyped game. If I'm being completely honest, I'd say this is 2.5 stars ('average' rather than 'poor'), but because of the fawning reviews I rounded down instead of up.

I understand why this game got so much praise, but that's more of an indictment over the average AVN than it is because there is anything special about MBML. Let's get into it.

- Writing: The dev can write characters well. They warn about the use of anime style dialogue and tropes, and it's definitely there throughout, which makes all of the characters seem about 10 years younger than they're supposed to be. Which, okay, that makes it a bit easier to read lengthy, slice-of-life dialogue, which there is a metric shit-ton of.
I came into this VN looking forward to something story-heavy, with a deep plot and 3D characters (personality-wise, not looks). And for all that the story is indeed heavy...

- Plot: If you asked me to sum up MBML in one word, it would be BLOAT. We start with a fairly interesting redemption arc, where a meangirl and her posse moves in with their former victim MC, cue romance. There's even an amusing option at the character's arrival for the MC to slam the door in their face and roll credits.
You get an hour or so in, though, and realize that no, that's not the plot. Instead, it's an absurd mafia plotline, with scheming mothers and teenage bodyguards and childhood romances and CHRIST can you stick to a single plot without making everything bizarre and convoluted??!? story. All the realism and immersion completely vanishes thanks to the over-the-top melodrama.

- Mechanics/set up: You know the best way to make a reader like your characters? Have 10-12 minute long flashbacks about innocuous childhood memories in the middle of the narrative. Wait, do I have that right? Oh, I had it backwards; that's how you make readers HATE your characters!
And it's not even just the 'main' LIs -the ones who are forced on you by the dev - it's even the anecdotal side characters. Everyone gets a lengthy flashback sequence. It's infuriating.

- the Love Interests: First off, the game has a simple love point system. You do/say nice things and you get a +1 notification. I rejected the main LI (the bully) at every instance. Never got a single +1. And STILL, the MC waxes poetic every time her name is mentioned, with long internal monologues about "maybe she's really changed!" and "is it possible she likes me?!" practically non stop.
This is the fundamental problem with this AVN. There simply are not impactful choices. Don't like a character? Don't worry! Everyone will just act like you do, so it's fine for you to be as big of a douchebag as you prefer.

And yes, every character has an individual personality and backstory. That's genuinely nice to see in an AVN, and I commend the dev for taking the time to craft characters. But the entirety of their personal narratives (and long flashbacks) are just in service to explain why they love the MC - instead of us getting to see them fall for the MC! It's all been settled a priori; you don't get to enjoy a romance, because one-half the romantic pairing starts the story already in love. It sucks.

And, as a side note, if you want to write a story with 'deep' characters falling in love, you can't have a dozen love interests. There are too many women to care about, wihch encourages the player to reject/ignore the ones that the player dislikes.... which takes us RIGHT back to certain LIs being forced on the MC for the plot's convenience. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I feel like this AVN would be better served as a kinetic novel, because the fact that I am unable to have the MC simply tell certain women to fuck off makes it feel like none of my choices matter anyway.

And, listen - here's the secret about why this isn't a good game - the reason it feels like none of my choices matter is because none of my choices matter. I know what you're going to say - 'Wait! You just said a minute ago that you chose to ignore certain LIs!" Yes, I did say that. And yes, there are choices to ignore/not pursue the women. But the choices DO NOT MATTER, because none of your choices affect the MC's feelings!!!! If you treat Aine - the bully - like shit, the MC will still sob himself to sleep while jacking it into stolen pairs of her panties. If you reject the CEO/businesswoman LI, the MC will still have longing flashbacks and long meandering thoughts about how much he likes her. The MC is who he is, and you can do fuck all to change that.

Ugh. I like this game a lot less after having to put my thoughts into words. Don't believe the hype. Give it a pass.

Edited to add: if you post a review that is anything less than sycophantic, the developer and his toadies will then proceed to harass you over and over. This isn't relevant to the poor quality of MBML, but it does offer insight into why the story so is puerile.

Due to F95's Reviewing Rules, I can't give the same detailed review for My Bully is My Lover on here, that I gave it on itch.io. That said, I will say this:

My Bully is My Lover is an interesting case. It starts out not all that good, but it gets significantly better overtime. I'll admit, it's rough getting past the Prologue. But Chapter 1 makes it worth it! Overall, it's a well written game and a memorable adventure. Easily a 5/5! Compliments to NiiChan.

And, again, I wanted to add more details to this, but my full, detailed review that I put on itch.io breaks some of the Reviewing Rules here, so I couldn't. For that, I apologize.

One of the best game story i've ever played....even tho it's just a visual novel but the story is good enough to keep it interesting....each chapter took quite some time to finish but it's better to take long and give a good story than doing it fast with a half ass story...i would love to see more of the story in the future

After Eternum I was looking for a VN with a similar good and engaging story and MBIML absolutely delivered! (funnily enough it was even referencing the other game several times)

The Grafic is good and as expected from the previews. The many animations are even great.

The Soundeffekts and different background musics are on point.

The story is humorous when possible, serious when needed and far beyond emotional at times - I don't cry often but here it happened several times.

The actual erotic content is rare, but that was clear from the beginning and not my focus in this vn. However some of the scenes are pretty hot!

Overall MBIML was even better than expected and I look eagerly forward to the next updates.

For almost 2 years that I have been registered on this site, I had never left a review on a game. I do not like it because the reviews in their great majority are not objective and the notes either.
However I will make an exception today.

Several games have touched me, but none have ever touched me in the heart as MBML has done.
I thought at first that I was just in a moment of life where I was able to receive this work, but having replayed it (and having discovered its prologue Sicae) I can say that it is, for me, the best title on the entire site. And, one of the best narrative games I have ever played, if not the best.

For someone sensitive, this game is a true narrative masterpiece. It knows how to touch your soul like no other, at least, that's what it did with me.
The game is not without flaws, sometimes too detailed, sometimes not enough, it nevertheless knows how to find a fair balance.

The animations are correct ++, and, the dialogues during the scenes are not exaggerated (like the majority of narrative games) as if the spectator would get bored if he did not have to read moans and others, to read (ridiculous ...).

The narrative construction is mastered, to say the least, the dialogues too, making the writing of the characters perfect, although the story takes time to show itself, but, it's for the best in this case.

There you go, I don't have much more to say, I'm not a professional tester and after all my opinion is subjective, but I really sincerely recommend this "game" to everyone.
I don't agree with the maximum or minimum ratings given my vision of the critics, but I'm going to make an exception by giving it a 5/5.

Bravo to the developer, really, this game did me a lot of good emotionally. I consider your work as art in its own right, even if the music sometimes deserves to be reworked.

I don't really know what to add because, despite having taken a step back from this title, my feelings are still as strong.

Just, CONGRATULATIONS, and, THANK YOU FROM THE HEART!

I know i might seem like I'm a bot and all that but i dont usually leave reviews unless is it actually worth the keyboard to type and this VN ... i have to say deserves it , The story and the character introduction , backstory is incredible every girl has its own deamons to deal with , and that is what makes you get attached to them , i get it im looking for spiritual satisfaction on a pirate VN porn site , but to me its more than that its about the story and the writing if it doesnt keep you interested then whats the point of the sex scenes if you are just here to slap your salami you can do it on any other porn sites really.

But that being said i highly recommend it , for a experience that will move you to your very core, i cried i laughed and i enjoyed every second of it.
I would go as far and say its better than most Triple A crap games that came out lately story wise it puts them to shame. So thank you to the developer and the people supporting it wish i could but such is life, and again i HIGHLY recommend it.

Apologies for the wall of text

- As a whole I could say the Story is interesting and entertaining, however, I think it has too many anime cliches, don't get me wrong I love anime, but man... It's a mess here you have shounen, slice of life, drama, rom-com, action(with a bit of gore), sports, thriller, a bit of seinen etc... hahaha. As I said It's a bit of a mess xD.

- About Writing, characters are well written, however, during sex scenes there is too much "blah blah blah" coming from the narrator, trying to unnecesarily explain in detail what's going on, it gets annoying and as a result I just skipped those texts.

- Characters are great. MC is a bit dull during early chapters (Not gonna lie SICAE has the better MC). Girls models are great and as I said they're well written.

- Renders/Animations/Music: These three are great. There are some beautiful tunes. My congrats.

- Others: Not a fan of SICAE and MBIML sharing the same universe, thanks to that I got Spoiled about things that are going to happen in SICAE.

Despite its issues I'd say this game is pretty good actually. So for me this is a 8/10. I think this game is just a tad better than Sicae which I also rated a 8/10, not enough to get to that 8.5 IMO. But don't get me wrong It's totally worth checking it out anyways.

One of the best VNs in f95 period.
i just played the game and i believe its a masterpiece , i enjoyed it a lot.
I liked the story and almost all the lis and even i chose only 5 (of the 9) for the harem and also i liked the fact that all the lis have their stories and they have their own personal characteristics (even though some are much better lis with very strong backstories than the other especially Gwen Emma Aine and Moon )
I found MC very good (though i wish he would be a little more dominant and more fighter (he mention that he can protect himself so i assume he had some self defense lessons) i hope with what happened on chapter 4 we see more of that.
Moreover with this story and those Lis ... i believe the true ending and path is the harem path ... and i chose this path for my main save
My lis are (in order by most favorite to least)
1)Gwen (my favorite)
2)Emma
3)Aine
4)Moon
5)Sky
If i had to chose for solo path there is only 2 Lis for which for sure i would go for..
Number one choice is Gwen which she is my favorite and even in the past she was the only one which she supported MC and chose him (yea i know Aine and Emma didn't have much of a choice be even so...)
and then second choice (though pretty close to 1st) is Emma which i believe have the saddest backstory with relations to MC (and serious reason for what she did in the past to MC what she did was for both Aine and MC and she never forget the MC)...
though if have to give a top 3 my number three solo li i guess would be Ainne though she if far away from the other two. (she was also forced by her mother be in my opinion she did it more to protect herself and Emma and less to protect MC which is understadable but .. that the mainreason she is far away from Emma and Gween.
(and for top 5 ... Moon (i realy her backstory and the past with MC) and then Sky my little sister LI and i guess the only LI which was alway at the side of MC.)
Highly recommended VN and i cant wait for more chapters.

Truthfully from the title and overview I had expected an average to slightly above average game at best, so I had put this game off for a long time. Much to my surprise this game was instead an incredibly well made experience, with high quality animations, characters that actually had *character* ( a high bar I know), and an overarching story I didn't expect in the slightest.

I really appreciate the way the harem is executed within the story, as it feels like it has the proper weight applied to it in the narrative. Its not simply a harem game where you can fuck anyone because the girls seem to just ignore the existence of the other members; as so many other games fall into.

The choices offered are fairly simple with it often being choosing between two potential options, but for the kind of game this is aspiring to be the choice allows some player agency within the story, while not needing a comprehensive guide on every single choice.

Now for the big thing, the sex scenes are REALLY well done. Animations that actually appear to have care put into them, character expressions beyond just generic smile or frown, and a decent variety within the specifics of the scenes as well. Additionally there is good emotional weight to the sex scenes, with the scenes feeling right at home in the story, rather than the story needing an excuse to have a sex scene break.

I sincerely encourage anyone who, like me, have been putting off this game due to the fears of "anime inspired, 3dcg, harem" combined with its title painting a certain picture. The only things that I'd think could really improve is the characters having a bit better balance between them as it really feels like each harem member gets a story section then is sidelined for a while, and secondly making the prologue episodes more noticeably distinct as I was quite surprised that the game had effectively 11 chapters instead of 4 like the update number suggested.

Oh also letting us rail the absolute hell out of Would be a very welcome addition to a large amount of people I'm sure.

Excellent game! Emma's solo ending still hit me hard even after I finished 4 episodes of chapter 1. I like the way you build the emotion in the character and their own story. I can't wait to see your next update in the game's story. Wishing you lots of luck!

Each update makes the game so much better. Hats off to NiiChan, I can tell that the craftsmanship only gets better with time. The game itself is well written and has genuinely caught me off guard with some of the humor. This is one of my favorite games I've played.