VN - Ren'Py - Abandoned - Nothing Is Forever [v0.7.3] [MrSilverLust]

⠀⠀This VN lets you take the role or a mentally ill psychologist that struggles with loneliness, despite the fact that he has social skills of a successful con artist. I do enjoy his inner monologue, very entertaining. Nothing is quite like witnessing your personalities arguing with each other, am I right fellow schizos?
⠀⠀Which I cannot say about actual dialogue between real characters, since it's drawn out and excruciatingly boring. And the worst part is that the payoff isn't even that good, even if you're into respective fetishes, since sex scenes are poorly executed and are way too rare. If you are ever struggling with insomnia just boot this game up without skipping any of the dialogue. This game has such solid walls of text, you could probably build an impenetrable fortress with it.
⠀⠀Like yeah, characters feel somewhat real, they have detailed backgrounds and reasonable motives, but to me that doesn't make them any more appealing. Honestly I view them as less of a characters and more of a walking kink advertisements. Because if you don't buy into their fairly extreme fetishes, you might as well not exist to them. And in turn I'm not interested in them either, with an exception of Jen and Lea (kind of), because they are more or less neutral by default and more configurable to your taste palette.
⠀⠀Don't like the choice system at all. It's advertized as you should just pick whatever you feel like saying or doing, but in reality you're forced to pick whatever gives you points for a particular personality trait, otherwise you will be locked out of desired content.
⠀⠀The current version requires ~15hrs to finish, BUT it contains very polarizing experiences. Chances are you're not gonna like half the content, if not more, simply because it's not to your preferences, and then it just becomes a boring blob or text for you to skip through.

I thought I don't like visual novels before I tried this game. I like the plot, and I don't get bored because the good sense of humor throughout it. The four sides of main character's personality and the way they sometimes communicate with each other is a peculiar feature of this game.
This game have scenes for any taste and you can choose your favorite by dialogue options. And most importantly, I can discover which kinks I may like but didn't know about it yet.

Was THIS close to being an all-time great.

Bizarrely, despite having been written and designed in a much more intelligent way than most games on the site, it simultaneously commits one of the most common mistakes you see in your average AVN i.e. introducing way too many characters.

Also, the game seems to be aggressively intent on telling you about things instead of showing them so you'll constantly have these long-winded talks with your LIs over your and their kinks instead of organically discovering and engaging in them which might make some relationships (especially Jen) seem robotic, like the game insists there's chemistry where there's none. This might be a way to cut on asset usage and balancing how much content each girl gets which might be connected to the bloated cast.

Most LIs rhyme somewhat in their characteristics (Deb-Kim, Deb-Emma, Emma-Jen, Jen-Lea etc.) while some just have way too little content (Bri, Olivia). Perhaps the intent was in creating a more complex range/palette by attaching similar attributes to different characters which I can understand and appreciate but this also results in the game spreading itself too thin at times.

Otherwise it's a very good game. It's neither a brainless fuckfest with sex scenes every 2 minutes nor is it too far up its own ass with some irrelevant overwritten musings and other time-wasters that artificially prolong the game.

Notable characters:

1) Jen - overall a very enjoyable sharing arc, one of the options being to realize that you're both submissive and would like to introduce another person to your bed to quench Jen's thirst for a more dominant partner.
The pacing is a bit off to my taste with you two discussing your future sex life (setting the structure of the ENTIRE ROUTE) by your very first romantic encounter with no way to pivot and Jen overall seems to have uncharacteristically little doubt and restraint over your non-monogamy and will have even less as your relationship progresses.

2) Lea - an exhibitionism and social-media focused route. By the end of the available content can evolve into more of a sharing arrangement that, sadly, doesn't go anywhere beyond teasing and dirty talking because the game seems to be abandoned. Still, what's there is very fun and worth experiencing.

3) Deb - the least attractive visually to my taste yet on every playthrough I couldn't help but crawl back. Very enjoyable femdom route the diet version of which is available with Emma.

Speaking of, yeah, apart from the aforementioned content-less Bri and Olyvia there's also Emma who's just a bit bland but does have some variation based on your level of dominance and Kim who's a lot more Jong Un than Kardashian as her cartoonish evil-ness is more off-putting than genuinely engaging.

Do you want to play a VN that constantly beats you over the head about getting to choose what fetishes you see, but forces you into a painfully long femdom foot-fetish scene anyway? Do you want to play a VN where 80% of the so-called pornography is extremely boring exhibitionism with the dev's extremely boring generic waifu? Do you want to play a VN where the MC's hair modelling is so horrific it looks like he's covered in pubes? Well then this is the game for you.

This game is currently abandoned while I write this, however there is still a lot of content that is well worth the download and play. The characters are very different and each have aspects that make this unfortunately seem more lifelike. I hope there is ultimately more content for this, however, even as it sits, it's absolutely worth the try

v0.7.3

The core issue of this game for me is the fact that the plot feels directionless and convoluted. I understand that this is a more slow burn type of game, but i didnt feel the day-to-day enjoyment of the character interactions, nor did i feel like i was getting attached to them. Thus, it just made me annoyed with the wall of text that i had to get through just to see something interesting happening. It also doesnt help that we may not even get to see the story be finished. That fact alone destroys a large part of what a slice of life slow burn story makes worthwhile.

Credit where credit is due though. The renders are really good, the models are the same and at least this game makes you feel like your choices matter, considering you cant get everything you want in one run.

Just to echo a similar review, the cheating stuff with Kim is excellent and hits the spot perfectly

Overall this is a good VN with good looking women and a believable plot but the cheating kink elevates it for me

Just want more of it really

V. O.7.3.
I was supposed not to do more reviews, but this one definitely deserves one.

Its not the best porn game, but it still is a good porn game. And this is because the developer is obviously an educated person in terms of psychology (also heavy chess!). Also this is why this game doesn't get 5 stars. Because it takes itself too seriously.

LIs and Male friends are well developed, with unique personalities. But everyone addresses a specific standard (as a variable in psychology models), so they feel a bit 2d because they have to move within their own stereotypes. But for sure they stand higher than most games here.

Regarding choices, this game has a ton of them, which definitely matter in terms of LI progression and available sex scenes. Which however fail to follow up in terms of hotness, but for sure succeed in terms of build up. You are diving in a serious slow burn, done immaculately and when you are in the bottom of it you suddenly rise to the top kinda empty. For example, in (more than one occasions) the bed or the sofa,clothed, hugging the girl, what should come next? Foreplay of course. Heh, guess what. Next scene you are balls deep inside her. Very anticlimactic. Not all scenes are like this, but a lot are.

In terms of graphics and models, not my cup of tea, but they work. Nothing really worth mentioning.

Story is rather plausible (especially in comparison with the majority of games here) and works well. Problem here is that the porn supports the story and not the other way around. This is why I am saying that this is a good game but not the best porn game. Because the developer uses the story to get his messages through, make you think etc.

And the most important part and the reason I am giving 4 stars (I would easily give 5 if porn and story were better balanced) are the HUGE innovations done in a porn game. I mean everyone in this site has to play the game at least until chapter 4 or 5 to view all the new stuff this game brings. Unbelievable customization of (actually very important) MC traits, quizzes of major importance to check whether you ate paying attention, a plethora of choices that matter and shape the game the way you (might) want. I have never encountered this in any other game, except maybe Karryn's Prison. If it also had the lewdity and sensuality of KP, then it would also get 5 stars

Amazing...
If you're just looking for porn to get off, you'll want to skip this one.
If you're looking for an "experience" (which happens to include some pretty good sex scenes) that allows you to shape a story to your personality, preferences or just roleplay a different "mood", stop waiting, download this one immediately, and get started...


Despite some of the early "art" issues (there's noticeable improvement as the story progresses), the sex scenes are still smoking hot, and the dialogue, oh my... And some of the art is spectacular, like the "parchment style" transitions and profile backgrounds. So, it's definitely not bad, just the character images could be cleaned up or improved, the shading is a bit "distracting". The subtle changes in facial expressions based on mood, tone, dialogue are a positive.

I really enjoyed the hints, skills, mechanics of this one.
The dev provides an excellent "user manual" so a reader can understand the skills & mechanic functions to make informed decisions, choices instead of blindly guessing or having to "figure it out"...
For replay purposes, there are different "modes" that can be turned on for different experiences.
So many different ways to shape the story, immersion, roleplay, etc.; see the "lewd scenes" you want, miss the ones you don't want to see.

So many good elements (large and small) to this one that are cleverly used and incorporated into the story. The "voices in your head" stuff is brilliant, because it really is that way sometimes...

Found it recently, and I can say in all honestly... is one of the best games here. Much more, if you reallly enjoy femdom as I do, but is not just that. It has one the best sistems out there to let you decide your path with the girls, it explores a great variety of kinks, and the desing of every character is superb, as well as their personalities. Everyone should try it, but for me is the best femdom game, hands down.

A very slow burn game without any of the payoff you get from usual slow burn type games. The thing that people enjoy about slowburns is the rewarding feeling you get seeing a romantic development between the characters but this game goes ahead and does the opposite.

The thing I hate the most about this game that all the LI's are locked behind some sort of fetish. I'm not exaggerating, every LI has some sort of kink oriented path and if you're not into that kink, too bad I guess because there isn't an alternative. You just need to hope that you like that particular LI and also like the particular kink attached with that LI for you to have a satisfactory playthrough. This classic fapfest game feature implemented in a slow burn story ruins the entire dynamic of the game and the worst thing is it's not even optional.

It's the classic case of mixing spaghetti with ice cream, ice cream in itself is good, spaghetti in itself is also good but if you mix the two together you'll most likely get some sort of gag inducing concoction.

One of the best games I'm playing so far!

I could talk about renders, animations etc., but for me the game's strongest point by far is how well it lets you tune it to your personal kinks.

Want to be a full humiliating and forcing dom? Do it! Just want to dominate the girl without hurting her? No problem!

Like sharing and NTR but don't want to be a full simping beta bitch like 90% of NTR games? Yeah, sure. Want to be the biggest SIMP on earth? Yeeeah.

Also, really good story and characters for those who are interested whilst not lacking in sexual content. Great job IMO!!

This VN is inundated with endless walls of text.. it just never seems to stop! I reluctantly threw in the towel around chapter 3, despite my usual patience for slow burns and reluctance to skip dialogues (I held that CTRL button like there is no tomorrow).
Unfortunately, I don't think this VN is my cup of tea. In fact, I found it lacking and wouldn't rate it more than 2 stars, to be honest.

Edit: -1 star for being abandoned. Good shit I gave up on it early I guess... So, GET CUCKED 5 STARS REVIEWERS!!! HAA!!!

[As of Episode 7]

Long story short:
'Nothing is Forever' is a very nice soap opera with some interesting, if not fully explored mechanics.

Long story long:

There are two interesting bits about this game: the story and the game mechanics.

I would say that the writing is quite good. It is a slow-burn type of story, although it is far from being THE slowest adult VN. It is, in general, a rewarding experience due to the pretty interesting and mostly sympathetic characters, mostly plausible events that do not break your immersion, and a variety of fetishes you can explore.

The game has two unusual mechanics:

- a list of kinks your character is comfortable with.
- an 'emotion' you feel toward certain girls, which stucks from your previous encounters and seems to close off certain interactions.

While the second one is mostly to spice things up a bit, it is the kinks mechanics where the game grabs my attention. Basically, it is an RPG-type system where you level up using something like an XP pool.

The way you talk, the choices you make don't just make the story go in a certain direction. They also give you points that you can spend on the kinks you're interested in. This, in turn, offers further story branching or at least different sex scenes.

It seems to me that the most important difference is whether you'd like to be a manly man or a more sensitive guy. But it has shades! You can be manly without having a humiliation kink, for instance, or you can be sensitive and caring without becoming submissive.

This is a great system, but sadly it may be overly complicated for the game as it is now. The girls are different, and they have different routes which are tied with the kinks you open. I'm not quite sure, but I suppose it IS possible to have a completely sexless life in this game if you're really unlucky with your choices. There is a hint system, so you know what the girls do or do not like, but that's it.

It doesn't help that certain love interests have more content than others. Two of the girls have a lot of possible scenes. And one girl in particular has almost nothing so far. There is a story justification for that, and it seems that the encounters will be more balanced in the future, but for now, the game is already too long and you may never become intimate with the girl you're interested in. And it is not a harem game, so it takes at least some dedication from the main character, cutting off other branches.

As you can see, the mechanics don't fully live up to the potential. It is also quite clear that the developed has changed some things as you go: for instance, there is a kink-discovery mini-game that I've played in the first two or three episodes, but then it simply fell into background. Or take the way you 'progress' from one scene to another: two times developer entertained 'a world map' of sorts, but it didn't stick.

To a certain extent the same goes for the narrative. Mostly it is quite consistent in tone, being a pretty serious story about non-sociopathic good-natured fellows (except for one bitch, which will be a real delight to any evil heart). They joke around, they have fun, so the underlying themes of depression, self-doubt and anxiety do not make this game depressing itself. That's certainly a win! Still, sometimes there are some weird parts.

Verdict

I suggest you try 'Nothing is forever' if you like slice-of-life stories. It is vastly superior to most of the similar VNs, and MrSilverLust seems to be a creative and talented person. I think this game already missed its chance to be perfect, but who wants perfect anyway? It is mostly fun, heartfelt, has something for different people, and surely shows great promise for the developer. I certainly enjoyed it and wait for the updates.

And holy fuck there is a lot of chess in the game. I love it. Especially the fact that you don't have to play it. You just have to watch a lot of matches (five? six? seven?). I enjoyed it, but yeah... Not for everyone.

Anyway, the review is getting too long. Cheers!

I first want to say that I think this AVN would be a lot more popular if the beginning renders, well, maybe the overall renders were a lot better because they are average at best, but the rest of it makes up for it by far. The story, characters and point system are what make this VN really great. One of a kind in fact. I just hope the dev continues making AVNs in this style after this one is completed.

I can't give it 5 stars for technical reasons, but the writing and character building is top notch.

Skill system is pretty unique and quite well done.
Lots of variety with the ladies and various fetishes to explore.
Interactions with the MCs personas is a very humorous and sensitive way to approach mental illness. I have never seen it really addressed with such finesse and vulnerability in any other game I've played.

Does not overly rely on unnecessary dialogue which is very nice. When the point of the conversation is over it just kind of faded to black. I like this a lot and would love for some other Devs who typically use excessive dialogue or inner monologue, to carry the narrative, to take a lesson from this.

If this Dev gets a better rig or refines their skill with renders and animations, they would be the total package, which is very rare in adult games.

I just highly recommend this game for anyone wanting a unique and interesting take on the Dating Sim. It is very good.

Lea best girl. Emma best girl I love to hate.

Oh, almost forgot, the music is great. Would really like some sexy sounds in the lewd scenes, but you can't have it all.

The writing and narrative depth in this game are both really raising a lot of bars. The character development is par excellence, with an array of differing kinks and personalities.

The modeling on the LIs is good, though I'd personally prefer a bit more variation in pubic hair. Too many of them are shaved for my tastes, but it is what it is. Still a minor quibble for a really remarkable game with a robust skill system and brilliant writing.

Story 2/5
I really like the idea of the skill system but its barely ever used, you gain a ton of points and theres barely any choices where you have a use for them and since its a none harem game the hole system is kinda pointless and useless since you will only need points a couple of times with the girl you pick, unless you play it as a fuckfest which its not ment to be.

As for the story its a real slowburn, chapter 1 has one sex scene but only if you want to be with that girl which i dident, i normaly dont really mind slowburns i like relationship build-up and such but i think my issue is really the story, i saw some reviews talking about it being realistic, not sure what world people lives in to think that its realistic having a psychologist helping girls by telling her to remove her panties and walk around outside to explore a kink she might have.....i found that idiotic to say the least and for MC to flirt with her none stop if even more stupid if you as the player has 0 interrest in her.

It also gets annoying that your forced to constantly follow every damn story for each girl since most if not all are sooo boring and has nothing to do with relationship build-up, its just a shitload of meaningless dialogs or drawn out chess games and a ton of wannabe psychologist dialogs, its just to much for very little reward.

And it feels extremly stupid when you then have to turn down girl after girl due to MC going after everything that walks.....girls paths should have been closed of soooo much ealiere or atleast the choice of doing it should have been alot ealiere which would also make game replayable which its really not now.

Its also very boring since there arent really many H-scenes doing the game due to MC going after everyone, so even if you play this as a none harem which it is and play faithfull to one girl, you will realllllly have a boring game since each girl dosent have anywhere near enough screen time for sex stuff, proberly because its expected for you to go after everyone which is also stupid when its a none harem.

It also just feels idiotic and boring being forced to constantly see MC flirt with girls and having to do all kind of pointless things with girls that you have turned down and dont want to be with, game simply just dosent alloow you to drop any of them, i mean even when you tell some one your not the right guy MC then goes on to say next time we can do it? it just dosent make any sense, its like game was ment to be a fuckfest and a harem.

How game has such a high rating i have no clue, my guess is its people that has a stuck skip button so they dont read the story other then when a choice pops up...but even then rewards arent good since animations arent great either....and to me its pretty clear most dont care about story since 94% fucks the first girl? that was pushed onto MC by hes friends and at a time where MC is pissed? makes no sense not even for the story, so not sure how much you can trust those % game shows, since everyone seems too play it like a fuck em all game even though its a none harem.

Also feel like devs has been a bit to lazzy not making a single virgin, Jens story dosent make much sense that shes not a virgin considering the one guy she liked broke her hearth before it got anywhere and her saying she had 0 friends ever after that and only doing her chess stuff but then somehow by magic she had a boyfriend at some point? story lacks in details and its just flawed and insted of making her a virgin they made it so no one has ever seen her nude or seen her tits or done a BJ, so MC will be the first man to ever see her nude, first for a BJ, but not the first to fuck her....its just to stupid.

Renders are nice sure but everything else is just meh.

Story also have some huge flaws where it ignores choices made by the player, take Lea if you say no to her in the park and nothing happens and then later agrees to do her kink with her, they talk about how she took off her panties in the park and gave them to MC and MC says she will never get them back, problem is nothing what so ever happened at the park, so game dosent only lack in details it also cant keep track of whats going on.

Girls 2/5
I dident really like the look of most of them, kinda liked the chess player but thats about it, as for diversity theres arent really any, they are mostly just about the same build.

Animations 2/5
Very boring, no teasing just jumps stright to fucking full speed, single position, its just meh and it dosent help that theres very few of them as well.

Musc 4/5
Mostly just average stuff but a few with lyrics so above average.

Choices 3/5
Nothing is forced and you can pick the girl you want to be with so that part works great, but for the rest of the game its feels extremly kineitc and the only thing you can change is who your going to end up with, problem with that is that it has 0 replayability which is idiotic in a none harem game, issue is play it once and you will have seen all the girls story and it would simply just be to boring to replay to just see a sex scene or two.

Hands down one of the best AVNs ever made. The story is incredibly engaging, the characters are all written as three-dimensional 'humans' (as opposed to one-dimensional caricatures most games employ), and your decisions actually impact the plot in extremely significant ways.

Play this game. You will not regret it. This is what an adult-visual-novel should be!

I don't understand why the game has so many good ratings. After 2 hours of playing, absolutely nothing has happened except boring dialog. And you can't really imagine that there will be any interesting sexual encounters, especially femdom scenes. It does nothing to stimulate the imagination. Not even the renders are particularly good... A complete waste of time!