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

The dev is an unsung heroic master at creating charming, lifelike female lead characters. His girls actually have their own separate personalities, different from one another in very fun ways. The story itself is like a mystery/conspiracy novel, but spiced with tons of anime-style humour about the male protagonist. Who is goofy, relatable, and often hilariously non-chalant. I know the renders are only 8/10 maybe on first glance, but once you get into the game they will be 11/10 to you because you're so into the girl's personalities and character. They're very erotic because they seem to kinda "breathe" and have a lifelike glow to them, cute expressions going on on their faces.

One other amazing thing the dev does that almost no one else has in their games, is giving the girls consistent facial expressions and emotions during the sexy scenes. They do not suddenly turn into lifeless fuckdolls since now you have "unlocked teh sex scene, it's over", instead they will still be the girls you have come to know and love (mainly the MC's two sisters, but there are more to find). It's hard to explain why this is so great, but it adds a whole other level of hotness when done right.

As the story progresses, the girls wear diff. cute outfits that actually look like something SHE would pick to wear and go on adventures with the MC, it's adorable. The overall structure of the story is VN style, but the dev wants you to do multiple playthroughs because based on your choices, some paths "may" close, while others open up. There is no grinding at all involved, just story. Highly recommend this game to everybody, even though it doesn't take itself so seriously sometimes, it's definitely a once in a lifetime gaming experience.

Definitely a great game, when there's so many good reviews, you know it's not over-rated.

The humor is great, the plot is very interesting, and you actually play the game for the plot, and not for the "plot".

The sex scenes are good and there's a good amount of choices, although it's either you try go get everyone to like you, or you just mess up and have to go back to get the right path.

There aren't a huge amount of kinks though, well apart from the "step mom, step sisters,teacher" you don't have any hardcore kinks like there can be in other games.

All in all.

5/5 plot/story
5/5 humor/ athmosphere
4/5 renders
4/5 fappability


Props to the creator for making such a fantastic game, going to wait for new releases.

I've become emotionally invested to this game... have I hit rock bottom kek
Games require more than just scenes -- they need a well written out story to keep the audience engaged throughout the developer's story, and Caribdis has done just that. The game is near its end, but I continue to look forward to updates and to Caribdis's future projects!

It takes a genuine talent to write such stupid jokes over and over yet not have it feel annoying or forced, it's a legitimately funny game. The jokes also don't fully remove the somewhat unnerving atmosphere which creates an entertaining juxtaposition, the horror elements are kind of tame as everything is left pretty surface level but I suppose that's fine as the overall writing is far more entertaining than average.

My main gripe with this game is that there are very little actual conversations between the characters so the romance seems kinda weak especially towards the later half.

Completely deserving as one of the highest rated titles on the site.

The game absolutely shines for its story which is a very well written and gripping tale of mystery and romance. The characters are all well crafted and interesting. One of the funniest games there is too.

The girls are extremely hot which is all the more impressive since they are HS1, don't think you could make hotter girls with this to be honest.

Sex scenes are well posed and written. Hot af.

Great music and presentation too. Easiest 5 stars ever.

A visual novel with a great balance between serious plot and fun times in between. Sound effects and music also get a little more detailed attention than i'm used to seeing. Great characters, though it did take me a bit to get used to the protag's face. A gem I personally found no flaw in, and I couldn't be looking forward to it's completion more!

I just started replaying through this VN. I think that I'm willing to do that says a lot about the game already. My one critique is the characters are super this, to the point that when first introduced, they look skeletal... creepy. Once you overlook that first impression, they grow on you. The humor is light and easy. Also, as I noted, in the discussion thread, this is not (and I don't think should be) an incest game. Their is a lot of dialog that makes more sense if the MC moved to town with his widowed father 4 years prior. I know a lot of games need that patch, but I implore you... don't do it!

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.