VN Ren'Py Not Going Back [Ch.4] [Cicada]

[Skylaroo]

Rachel and Lucy clearly have far more screen time than her—but why aren't they in this "8"?
What right does she have to join in now? She's utterly unremarkable among these women. Her appearance is so outdated.

The right of being written as a main girl by the game's creator. Not just a dude who whines on the forum.

Yea I'm interested in seeing how Cicada weaves Alice into the story. Cuz rn they (her and the MC) just run in different circles so there isn't rlly any natural points to fit her in, outside of running into her in the library or other stuff like that. Which again is very realistic, but given that she's a supposed MG, it becomes more tricky

Being in different circle is definitely the main reason why she hasn't been prominent so far, but there is the bit about Rachael wanting to get Alice to come to the Halloween party so maybe she's going to feature more in the next update. Then there's always the new subjects/class, so that's another opportunity to get her interacting with MC.

It's just the nature of the game and how Cicada does it differently than most other devs. We haven't seen that much Bonnie (to be fair, Bobbie hasn't been that prominent either), Ellie is pretty invisible so far (even more so than Alice IMO), Imogen is not really in the circle either. Some might see it as a negative, but I like it because it gives enough room for the supporting girls to shine as needed by the plot to make the story feels alive. Most other devs would just go with the standard progression where MC is doing 10 different unconnected things to develop 10 different relationships.

 

[cicadaNGB]

Tegan stole the show for me again this update. I can't help but feel like the MC has almost been friend zoned by Mia, even on her romantic path. I know she said that she wants to take things slow but still, I find that things have cooled off a bit too much for my liking. Especially since how clearly interested she was at the start.

Don't worry, there's reasons for this that will be explained! But nice to see love for Tegan too

 

[cicadaNGB]

The shortest one on the far left—I really can't see any future for her.

Some were clearly predetermined in the early plot, but as more and more female characters appeared, and they looked too outdated, it seems the developers eventually lost interest in developing them.

The one you're mentioned is the slowest burn of the main LIs. Narratively she doesn't feature much early on because the emphasis is on the frat/sorority stuff and parties, which isn't her scene. Rest assured she, and all main LIs, have fully thought out and established stories. It's just some might take a little longer to develop, as is relevant to their character.

You are right that Mia is more or less the 'main' main girl, and that's deliberate because maintaining at least a friendly relationship with her (even if you're not interested romantically) is intrinsic to the plot of the game, so she does get slightly more screen time early on to establish at least a friendship.

 

[MagicMan753]

From the sounds of it after reading a few comments, Mia is continously cooling off further. After what I heard last update with her romance path too, that sucks, I was planning a full replay, but maybe I'll wait unitl we get that high of Mia instead of all these lows I am hearing about, cause she is my favorite girl and I don't love what I am hearing these past two updates.

Maybe next update brings her back around, hopefully, but if not, guess I will just wait even longer, sadly.

 

[cicadaNGB]

Hello, quick update, turns out there were 2 labels incorrectly named, as well as an option duplicated in the options file and screens file. Small fix, not sure if anyone actually saw an error as a result, but apologies if anyone did. Should be clear now

PC

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Mac

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Same links as I gave before but with updated files, relinking here so the mirrors etc. can be updated as well with the new version

 

[OWSam000]

Hello, quick update, turns out there were 2 labels incorrectly named, as well as an option duplicated in the options file and screens file. Small fix, not sure if anyone actually saw an error as a result, but apologies if anyone did. Should be clear now

PC

Gofile

Mac

Gofile

Same links as I gave before but with updated files, relinking here so the mirrors etc. can be updated as well with the new version

Do you have a fix-patch? Don't want to redownload the whole game.

 

[cicadaNGB]

Do you have a fix-patch? Don't want to redownload the whole game.

Yeah, putting these files in should work, I believe these are the only ones changed. Lmk if that break anything though.

You must be registered to see the links

Also I don't remember if the rpyc are needed or not, I think they weren't last time but included just in case, ignore if not needed

 

[OneEyedBenson]

Yeah, putting these files in should work, I believe these are the only ones changed. Lmk if that break anything though.

Gofile

Also I don't remember if the rpyc are needed or not, I think they weren't last time but included just in case, ignore if not needed

You shouldn't need them. As long as the rpy files are there Ren'py will automatically compile them on the fly and overwrite the existing ones.

 

[cicadaNGB]

You shouldn't need them. As long as the rpy files are there Ren'py will automatically compile them on the fly and overwrite the existing ones.

Yeah I thought that was the advice I got last time but wasn't 100% sure. Thanks!

 

[Maxwell D]

Any plans to make a side character a main LI in the future? And on the other hand, Im not sure so im asking if it’s possible to be a selfish bad friend like is there a chance to take Taylor away from Alex or Ella away from Noah, Obviously facing consequences, like losing the friendship with them as happened with Nathan and Chloe.

Messing around with Taylor or Ella would be very fitting for a more villainous jerk MC run.
I would like to see that for one of my more villainous runs.

Uh no, Mia is actually one of my least liked LI's in this avn for similar reasons you mentioned already. I rate Teagan, Imogen, the twins and even content-starved alice above mia at this point kinda.

Im talking about his "ex" which i assume is the cover(eye)-girl? The one he's "not going back" to lol (and maybe shes dead i guess )

I actually quite liked Mia.
In my run, when asked who I like better, I always picked "both" when presented the opportunity.
Therefore I missed Teagan's scene in the prelude, but it's worth it because I don't want to get locked out of Mia.

Still, it seems that there will be later opportunities for fun with Teagan, and my MC is not ready to commit to anyone yet.
I need to learn more about the LIs before a final choice is made, MC just met everyone.

 

[NowandAgain]

Nice game, but It would be better with animations.

 

[justheretopirate]

Why is this game rated highly, there is literally no expression or any sort of literal or non literal animation in the face except mouth open and mouth closed!!!!!!

 

[NeoMike]

Messing around with Taylor or Ella would be very fitting for a more villainous jerk MC run.
I would like to see that for one of my more villainous runs.

Yeah I would like a path selfish jerk MC we already got a glimpse of how it could be with Chloe and Nathan even though that storyline could be betttter structured, Imagine the MC just mocking Nathan behind his back while hooking up with Chloe which would eventually lead to consequences same with Taylor and Ella.

 

[Maxwell D]

Yeah I would like a path selfish jerk MC we already got a glimpse of how it could be with Chloe and Nathan even though that storyline could be betttter structured, Imagine the MC just mocking Nathan behind his back while hooking up with Chloe which would eventually lead to consequences same with Taylor and Ella.

I see the MC as someone who is more selfish and hedonistic, choosing pleasure and women over his friends on such a route.

I don't really see the MC as someone that would indulge and delight in mockery unless he was completely wronged first.
On a more selfish route, just a guy that would choose pleasure with his friends' girls over valuing friendship.
Then try to hide it, but if caught, kind of brush it off like he could with Nathan.

Then of course, appropriate tension, consequences, and drama would result from such a storm.

MC could even develop genuine feelings for one of them on a more caring MC route.
Taylor actually is a cool character from the interactions I've seen with her, I can see why Alex likes her.
I don't care for Ella as much, but she could grow on me as episodes are released.

 

[Cpt.SumTingWong]

Rachael

 

[NeoMike]

I see the MC as someone who is more selfish and hedonistic, choosing pleasure and women over his friends on such a route.

I don't really see the MC as someone that would indulge and delight in mockery unless he was completely wronged first.
On a more selfish route, just a guy that would choose pleasure with his friends' girls over valuing friendship.
Then try to hide it, but if caught, kind of brush it off like he could with Nathan.

Then of course, appropriate tension, consequences, and drama would result from such a storm.

MC could even develop genuine feelings for one of them on a more caring MC route.
Taylor actually is a cool character from the interactions I've seen with her, I can see why Alex likes her.
I don't care for Ella as much, but she could grow on me as episodes are released.

The thing is, if I’m not mistaken, Cicada the dev mentioned that there are only 8 LIs and everyone else is just a side character who are basically there to flesh out the story better, So I don’t think they’ll get that kind of storyline, which is honestly a turn off Hopefully Cicada sees this and considers it as a possible future path.

Even having a side character become a LI later on through one of these storylines. There’s a lot of potential, especially with male characters getting jealous or turning against you because of what you do with the girls, I would love the drama.

 

[cicadaNGB]

The thing is, if I’m not mistaken, Cicada the dev mentioned that there are only 8 LIs and everyone else is just a side character who are basically there to flesh out the story better, So I don’t think they’ll get that kind of storyline, which is honestly a turn off Hopefully Cicada sees this and considers it as a possible future path.

Even having a side character become a LI later through one of these storylines. There’s a lot of potential, especially with male characters getting jealous or turning against you because of what you do with the girls, I would love the drama.

The opposite, actually, in a way. There are 8 main LIs, but I don't draw as strict a distinction between main and side LIs as some might. Main LI for me just means they have a variation of the ending, and you can form an 'official' relationship with them. Some side characters will be more prominent throughout the game than main LIs.

Originally, I never really wanted to say either way who was and wasn't a main LI, as I thought the obfuscation would make for a more interesting and engaging narrative. But I quickly realized it was pretty necessary information for a lot of people (though i did assume most most would figure it out by the banner images and original main menu focusing on the same 8 girls)

Salient point, side girls will get plenty of content and some have their own story paths, too. Others are just there for one-off scenes, though.

 

[NeoMike]

I don't care for Ella as much, but she could grow on me as episodes are released.

Agreed she’s a bit lacking in interactions with the MC but it could change later on

 

[NeoMike]

The opposite, actually, in a way. There are 8 main LIs, but I don't draw as strict a distinction between main and side LIs as some might. Main LI for me just means they have a variation of the ending, and you can form an 'official' relationship with them. Some side characters will be more prominent throughout the game than main LIs.

Originally, I never really wanted to say either way who was and wasn't a main LI, as I thought the obfuscation would make for a more interesting and engaging narrative. But I quickly realized it was pretty necessary information for a lot of people (though i did assume most most would figure it out by the banner images and original main menu focusing on the same 8 girls)

Salient point, side girls will get plenty of content and some have their own story paths, too. Others are just there for one-off scenes, though.

Oh, I get it now. For a second I thought everything was locked around the 8 main LIs and that the side girls were just filler, with no real impact on the story.

I even assumed they were just hookups for the MC, but if some of them can actually become LIs and get deeper storylines, that changes things a lot. I really hope the side girls I’m thinking about end up being part of that content and get more story down the line.

 

[Maxwell D]

The opposite, actually, in a way. There are 8 main LIs, but I don't draw as strict a distinction between main and side LIs as some might. Main LI for me just means they have a variation of the ending, and you can form an 'official' relationship with them. Some side characters will be more prominent throughout the game than main LIs.

Originally, I never really wanted to say either way who was and wasn't a main LI, as I thought the obfuscation would make for a more interesting and engaging narrative. But I quickly realized it was pretty necessary information for a lot of people (though i did assume most most would figure it out by the banner images and original main menu focusing on the same 8 girls)

Salient point, side girls will get plenty of content and some have their own story paths, too. Others are just there for one-off scenes, though.

Yes, marketing it on the site, a lot of people ask for clear distinctions and want defined boxes.

I do respect and really like your original idea of making it ambiguous with no clear lines between what is Main Girl and Side Girl.

The whole main girl/side girl categorization boxes can limit creativity, stifle changes that could happen with natural flow of the story, and make things more predictable.

The mystery of not knowing intrigues me, personally, but I understand needing to work with your audience so they are not alienated.

There’s a lot of potential, especially with male characters getting jealous or turning against you because of what you do with the girls, I would love the drama.

For my chaos runs in games, there is a part of me that always has fun causing as much drama as possible.