VN - Ren'Py - Completed - Once in a Lifetime [v1.0] [Caribdis]

I don't write reviews that often but this game deserves one. It nails comedy, romance, a bit of jump scare, likable characters and most importantly the super hot H-scenes with good writing.

Plot: 10/10
Writing : 10/10
Renders: 09/10

I was not expecting this story to be as good as it is. This game definitely deserves much more attention. The comedy is also very good. Not often do I find an AVN where the jokes are actually funny and not forced. This developer did an outstanding job with the story, as it keeps you intrigued all throughout.

Plot: 10/10
Art: 9/10
H-scenes: 10/10

There is much more I can say here, and much more I can use to rate it, but All in All, this game is a 10 out of 10!

I've read a bunch of the five star reviews up here, and I question if there is much more to say...but I wanted to add my own just as a gesture of appreciation to the developers who are really doing some exceptional work on this VN.

The characters are distinct and interesting, the story moves at a good pace, the writing weaves deftly between comedy, horror, and eroticism, and the MC is a fully developed character who you don't mind inhabiting at all.

If I have a tiny quibble it's the way the mother is occasionally dropped in and out of the narrative, because I enjoy her with the MC...but I get it, as the sisters are more involved with the MC's quest.

My only major complaint is that the story must inevitably end at some point...it's going to be like finishing a great novel/movie/show.

Edited to Add:

Now I have played the game to completion (although the dev indicates they may add a few more scenes here or there, I hope they do, particularly in the harem ending) The five star quality is absolutely confirmed; now as a complete game, this is top class through and through. At one point during a wedding Blue da ba dee started playing and it got a little dusty in my room. That doesn't usually happen to me during ACTUAL weddings.

If I have a nit to pick, and it's a minor one, I do think the dev has gotten excited about their next project (as am I, to be fair) and that perhaps that cost this game a more fully fleshed out epilogue. But, if more scenes are added to the epilogue later, even that criticism may be premature.

TLDR: Kudos for making a great game. I'm looking forward to Eternum.

A fantastic blending of dark horror/thriller and (WTF?) comedy gold.

Caribdis takes you on a roller coaster of shock, horror, and utterly disturbing scenes one moment to laughing your ass off the next.

Follow the MC as he finds himself having moved to a new town called Mistbury and is quickly pushed to investigate a mysterious cult while, simultaneously, trying to get his life on track; juggling relationships, and simply surviving.

The bumbling attitude, confident bravado, adequate survival skills, and truly competent women assisting our hero means a fun and wild ride through the darkest corners of Mistbury's (and other locales') freakish underbelly.

The outstanding use of lighting, shadows, and camera angles coupled with well timed sounds and music, puts you in the action and on edge.

Caribdis' use of facial expressions, shifty eyes, surprised faces, and cocked eyebrows provide entertainment value words can't convey. He sticks to the rule of, "Show. Don't tell," in these moments.

Characters are fun and dynamic. From seemingly average or archetypal, to completely over the top, you find yourself constantly battling over who you like most.

Choices are mostly fun. You will, on occasion, be faced with an obviously ludicrous one at times, though your morbid curiosity may have you reloading and viewing that overtly wrong choice just to view the horrible consequence. This will give you a sense of relief as you reassure yourself with a friendly pat on the back and repeating the mantra, "So glad I didn't choose THAT!"

Enjoy the ride. When you feel yourself shuddering over what may happen to our heroes next, take a deep breath and relax a little, knowing the comedy gods will soon be along to bring you back up and laughing (if nervously so).

And, of course, there's sex, too.

This is my favourite VN so far. Just my opinion.

This is without a doubt one of the best games on this site. The writing, the humour, the art, and the animations are all fantastic.

The supernatural plot is really engaging, so much so that if the sex was removed, it'd still be a fun story worth playing through.

Add in the sex, which are some of the hottest scenes I've played, and it's just amazing.

At its core, this is an incest harem game, and it's done so well and the characters are so engaging. And while the LIs aren't limited to MC's mother and two sisters, the game doesn't go overboard with a dozen or so other women that all want MC's rather intimidating phallus.

And the jokes! I don't think I've ever laughed this much to a game.

This one is highly recommended. Amazing work.

I like the way this story is woven. It's not anything new, or that you can't see coming a mile away, but it's humour, pacing and characters kept me interested throughout. The mods used to create the characters are a nice improvement over the standard Illusion fodder, although the girls are all a bit on the skinny side. I'm sure certain people will enjoy that however
This is one of the best VN games I've played. Highly recommend.

This one of the best VN in this site. Great artstyle, story thats is pretty good, and pretty good choices in game.

STORY (No Spoiler)
The story in short is pretty good in my opinion. Not the most original or creative, but much much better than most of the VN here. The plot is pretty intriguing compared to other VNs. And the flow of the romance in the game is pretty smooth,the build up bit by bit is great to read.

The game got a bit of a thrilling aspect in it, and it's pretty good for Ren'py VNs. I like how the game could bring you to some thriller, bits of jumpscares, and also jump into happy moments. The game got it all, and it succeeded in creating the thrilling atmosphere.

And the game got some pretty funny jokes and references. Maybe i'm just easily entertained, but this one just feels fun and chaotic at the same time.

ARTSTYLE
Well, The art definitely got better by time.The main character and Dad design is just template model of many Ren'Py VNs. But the design of the girls is pretty good, it has it own charm compared to other VNs. It feels cartoony but not too much so that it looks like an anime.

The level design of some areas are great. it got a lot of variations, from like fun school, house, to thrilling places like some abandoned building. Its great varietyand fits the atmosphere well.
SOUND
The sound in this VN is top notch, it just feels right with the atmosphere. It could make you feel scared, fun, or just funny sometime. But the sounds like the raven sound is just too annoying sometime. But overall is great and fit the situation well

PORN CONTENT
Well, its pretty vanilla if i must say. Its animated smoothly , and in latter chapters it got POVs for you to choose in the scene.

If you like girls with normal sized or small sized milkers, well you wont find it here. The girls tits is all big but not too big like a baloon, its pretty good.

The porn content in this VN is not too much, soo if you go in here for a quick wank, well, you're not in luck buddy. Download the gallery mod.

GAMEPLAY
Its VN, what do you expect? you read and choose. The choices is pretty good too, but its just too easy sometime to know which one is the best one.
Except in the mystery part, i got lost too much lol

SUMMARY
Once in a Lifetime is really a good adult VN. Story is pretty intriguing, artstyle is good, its animated, sounds are great.But maybe you wont like itif you're bored with vanilla porn content. 100% Recommended to play this one, you wont regret it!

P.S.
Sorry if there's some bad grammar, english is not my main language lol.

Fantastic. Linear, but fantastic. Great comedy, interesting story, good character models, and top-tier porn/waifu content. Only halfway through but it keeps you coming back for more. And that's a good thing.

Fucking Stabby Mike.

EDIT: Reached the end of current content. I never thought I'd be so invested in the story of a porn game.

Incredible game with amazing story. Funny, sad, scary and gripping at the same time. Even if you strip all the lewd scenes it is still a great story. Must play if you enjoy well written visual novels.

I have played up to where this last version has left me and I must say that it is one of the best VN I have played, and look that I have played many but this one has everything, sex scenes, very good comedy, mystery and good story, now It only remains to wait for the next update hoping that I can run away with all the girls and if not then I think I would choose Aiko, although when the moment of truth arrived I would not know hahaha
10/10

One of the best games ever! The renders are great and loved the characters. The story is super engaging and actually pretty dark, but the dev has managed to keep it light with a great sense of humour. Really enjoyed the game and can't wait for the next update where the story gets completed.

One of the best games I've had the pleasure of playing: The main character is really likeable (Which is rare, usually they have zero personality or they are terribly cringy), the girls are all attractive and they have their own unique charm, the humor is top tier (I've lost count of the number of times I burst out laughing) and the story entertains well. I can't think of one particular flaw, great job!

One of the best games on the site, the humorous writing, interesting story, cute girls with different personalities and really smooth sex animations.
The only thing I dislike is that the girls' facial structure looks similar.

Review of v0.9...

I really like this game. Easily one of my favorites. The characters are interesting, and the plot is something I wouldn’t have expected. There is a good amount of humor and every so often during a scene there will be funny character stuff going on in the background with a few of the side characters.

The writing is pretty good. The occasional grammar error, but nothing too bad. The dialogue between character is a bit more formal at times than it needs to be though. And the running gag with Stabby Mike got a bit old after a while.

The women are extremely hot and the sex scenes are animated and gorgeous. And there’s pregnancy!

I feel the need to make a correction when it comes to Aiko. While in Japan in the dojo she says she is a 9th dan blackbelt in Taekwondo. This would be impossible. I would know because I’m a 6th dan. Taekwondo holds an age requirement of 40+ for the 7th-9th dan levels. So unless Aiko is over 40 years old she couldn’t be a 9th dan.

Despite all these things I highly recommend this excellent game.

Honestly probably the funniest and best done game on the site. There's not a lot I can really say beyond what the 160+ voters have said before me, but the story is super interesting, the characters are a lot of fun, and when it wants to be spooky it does it better than almost any other game I've played, and that includes proper horror games. I guess you could call this game a Once in a Lifetime experience.

Just finished the the complete harem route playthrough now.
Sometimes the story line is a bit too unbelievable, but aside fron that - just wow!
Great comedy, women which also take the initiative and are a bit lewd, too, and a very intriguing story line!
Especially the later animations are done very well, they maybe are just missing some lewd human sounds to make them perfect.
Maybe the developer should take some time to improve some of the earlier animations (missing hair and boobs movements) and add some lewd human sounds to them then this game would be nearly perfect.
Also - like some other reviews suggest - maybe extend the epilogue a bit more. Some kind of epilogue wit some final animations would be nice. The slide show is ok but not up to the standard of this game in my honest opinion.
But aside of that I really had a great time playing this game!
Also, I really want this story to be continued in another game. Just like Stabby Mike said: "This is just the beginning..."

truly a 5/5 score. the characters are funny and well written. the sex scenes are really good and not spread out too far. the story is way more engaging and exciting than i had ever thought i would see in a porn game. especially an indie porn game. can't recommend it enough

I have never written a review before but this is the greatest game i have played on this site and im looking forward for more updates, altough im afraid there wont be much seeing how the story is going.

Amazing game 100% in my top 5 favorite games ever. The story is great the characters are amazing and the h-scenes are great. It is definitely a game that is coming to a close story wise and i will 100% miss it when it does. Absolutely worth a try if you're looking for good story and characters. It was soo good that i had to stop to give it a review. I have only ever given 2 reviews on this site so if you take anything from this review take that.

Just Finished the game and am actually sad this game was so much fun the scenes were great the characters were amazing and enjoyable. I almost didn't finish the game since i hate finishing things i love but i just had to! Totally worth a try for the story alone! I can't wait for Caribdis to make his next game and i hope the characters and story will be just as amazing!

Keep up the amazing work Caribdis!!!

This game is a rare gem easily overlooked. There are tons of HS games to play with similar assets and this one didn’t catch my eye until it was on the first page here. But after playing, it quickly became my favorite one.

What sets this game apart from many others is the atmosphere. The game is comfy as heck. All the way from the sedative guitar riff in the main menu through the funny scenes, it all contributes to you having a real good time. The game never takes itself too seriously but still maintains a coherent and interesting plot. There’s mystery, romance, horror, comedy… You name it. There are lots of choices to be made and later on you get to reap what you sow. It rewards you for being a gentleman and punishes you for making stupid decisions.

The game has lots of lovely and sexy girls but lets examine my favourite: Lauren. At first, she seems stereotypical. She’s the older one of the MC’s two (step)sisters, has initially a bit cold exterior, is popular at school, excels at sports and chemistry. Soon the player discovers new sides for her. You’ll find out that despite all she is somewhat shy and very down to earth person with her own thoughts and struggles. Speaking of chemistry, there’s a huge amount of that between her and the MC, which is reflected in the interactions between them. Their conversations are meaningful and funny and their relationship develops throughout the game. Progressing with her feels rewarding because it feels like you get to know her better. In this game all LI:s are fundamentally different with their own personas and stories.

The sex is very vanilla which I am pleased with. The game doesn’t try to cater to all different fetishes but there’s still much variation in positions and locations. Because the preceding writing is so good, all the sex scenes feel very different. For example, you can feel the risk of getting caught in some risky intercourse or the reward of finally taming and penetrating a mean tsundere. The scenes flow smooth and they feel as logical/natural as they should in an adult game environment.

This is Caribdis first game. Nevertheless, it doesn’t fall short compared to other big names on this site. Sure, the renders are a little bit rough in the early parts of the game, but you can see them improve significantly as the game progresses. On the other hand, the narrative remains very strong all the way from the beginning. Try the game out and you will have a blast.