VN - Ren'Py - One Day at a Time [Ch. 17c] [Zoey Raven]

absolutely loving the new update, fantastic music selection by the way, soundtracks can make or break an experience and it really adds to the character immersion from my side at least.

Thank You Zoey.

Just finished the latest update. Holy hell Sam's my new favourite! Loved this game from its first release.

Yeah it's not your fap fest like some would want (if you want that there's other VN's that would be more suited to your tastes). Frankly, not all of us are looking for a wank-a-thon and prefer a story that hits hard.

I too have dabbled with drugs and addition in the past, thankfully not to the level details in this VN, but I can feel a lot of the writing comes from the heart.

Well done ZoeyRaven - keep up the good work!

This game really doesn't hit the ceiling for me. There's some ok things about this game, but nowhere near enough to hit a five star overall.

1. Story
Story is kinda bland and boring, there is a step up from many other visual novels, but realistically what people come for is not a riveting story that leaves them at the edge of their seat. You cannot convey suspense and action like a book or a movie can, through a visual novel.

I don't know why so many devs try to focus on the story when it's not what people want. Story is ok to do, there needs to be a theme to follow, but it doesn't need to be great. What needs to be good is the dialogue between characters, so they don't act out of character, but the story itself is not the primary focus.

2. Models
I don't really like how the models look. Primary focus of a VN should always be to find the most attractive and lookers you can. Doesn't matter if you spend 30% of your dev time making, or polishing your models you're going to use in the story, they are the prime focus of a visual novel focused on erotica.

If the models are not pretty or they don't look lifelike, the whole story just gets this eerie feel of undeath, where the models don't come alive, and you cannot connect with them at all.

3. The Scenes
The scenes are also not that great, I'm sure the dev would love for the story to carry, but that's just lazy, and it really doesn't.

For devs that want their game to pump the numbers on patreon, focus firstly on models, then scenes, then dialogue, then story. I come here to have some of the best wanks of my life, to be surrounded by erotica and sexual experiences. Not listen to some story that wouldn't even hit 20 copies sold if it was a real book.

It may sound harsh, but really didn't find my experience enjoyable.

Version Reviewed: Ch. 3d Final (this is the only version that I've played)

The game is enjoyable and has a deep and meaningful story. It focused on life as a drug addict and does a very good job helping the player understand the ins and outs of addiction.

The best part of the game is the story and writing. The addiction theme is the best one I've seen on this site. There is good character development and interesting characters that you meet throughout the game.

The character models are good but look weird sometimes, especially Mary's face. I can't put my finger on what is wrong with the models but they look good and bad at the same time. They look like they may have been state-of-the-art 10 to 15 years ago.

Some animations are done well but most look awkward. The character models lacking skin detail exaggerates the problem.

There aren't a lot of sex scenes in the game but I didn't really expect there to be either.

There is almost no foreplay with nearly all of the sex scenes. You are literally talking to the girl one second and then naked and fucking her the next second with no build-up or foreplay in between. Occasionally there is verbal foreplay but almost never physical foreplay (kissing, touching, rubbing, sucking, etc.).

I understand that sex isn't the focus of this game but it feels like the author is trying to power through it as quickly as possible as if he hated doing it.

The sex scenes also feel one dimensional. You fuck the girl in one position each time and it doesn't last very long. I really wanted a few marathon sex scenes where I fucked the girl in several different positions and cummed three times. When I was in my 20s I could cum 5 - 7 times every 24 hours.

I believe that this is the first game release for the author and it is quite good for his first game. He has done a lot of game mods in the past.

The story, writing, and theme definitely deserve 5 stars but I have to take one away for the character models, animations, and sex scenes.

I recommend this game and encourage everyone to give it a try! It is the best addiction themed game on this site that I have come across!

This story is told in a humorous, yet very real way - it captures what it's like to be an addict. it explains things in such a way that it pulls you in. Really enjoyed this story! I can't wait for the next installments.

Can you learn about life from a porn game? Having played ODAT, I think the answer has to be 'yes,' at least for me.

As someone with no personal experience with addiction, but who has family members who have destroyed or immiserated themselves due to alcoholism, I've been confused by it. What fraction of their choices was dictated by physical addition or psychological dependence, and what was due to their own (poor) life choices?

This game made it apparent that I was asking the wrong questions -- or, at least, that I didn't know enough about addiction to ask the right ones.

The MC is an interesting guy, despite his manifest failings. He has some great strengths, including genuine charisma and an instinct for friendship. But playing through the game allowed me to see that those strengths, ironically, became part of how he was able to sustain/survive his lifestyle for so long.

The MC's personality also made certain porn game tropes more believable, too. Why is it that a harem of hot women develops around this dude? Because, obviously, he has the sort of magnetic personality that he needs to survive and feed his addiction (by charming/stealing from others).

What a strange and slightly wonderful creation. Good job, Zoey.

I'm really liking the dynamics between the characters in the game, it's a good porn game with a variety of situations, a strong theme (drug dependency) and good character interaction. I'm looking forward to the next update, and wishing maybe just a hint of jealousy between female characters.

Writing is very decent, albeit a bit too heavy in places, but if you want 'Requiem for a dream' type of story in a porn game it'll be right up your alley, not my cup of tea personally, at least in this type of entertainment. Character design, animations, sex scenes are unfortunately serviceable at best, and the quantity is a bit lacking. Still you can see author cares about this project which is commendable, but it has a lot of room for improvement.

Be In for a emotional ride.
This was hard play but, something that I felt I need to go through and bring back times in my life in which I blocked out.
If you want a romp sex game. There are thousands out there. This is a real built out story of someone going through hell. I like the development and characterizations of everyone so far.
This might be a hard VN for some people to go through because it is a real life issue that some of us face. I am not here for the animations (which is definitely not the worst out there). This story should be told and shared and supported.
Plus sex so that is always a selling point.
Thank you Zoey for the game and helping other follow a crazy story that is very close to a lot of hearts of ours and keep on!

The main characters of this game, even with the flaws in their life, are still the type, I couldn't help but root for them. And maybe it is the references to F95 Zone, or what I don't know, but they actually felt like real people. Which for me, helped me getting invested into this game. I want to be see the MC turn his life around, and those around him to have success as well. And some of the jokes in it, crack me up as well. So, if you want a well told storyline, that yes, there is a sex in it too, but I would recommend this.

Ok, I just want the author to know that this game is absolutely lovely. Not only because of the amazing story and characters but because I live in a place where there are a lot of drug addicts and knowing even a little bit about what they go through gives me a semblance of peace and lets me know about how I should approach them if need be.

This game gives a great lens through which you can see how the lives of people who are years into drug use live and think. Also the way they think about their situation and their relation to drugs is not something that you would expect and therefore shedding some light into this topic comes of as really enlightening. I love the characters in it and the way they think and speak which leads me to really care for every one of them.

However, I believe in terms of the quality of sex scenes and models the game could use some further work. The choice of music throughout the game is lovely however the game models skins and body looks bland after a while. The game could try and give many of the models like the character Mary different types of sexy/casual clothes to wear throughout their daily lives and the sex scenes could use an overhaul in which the animations are more varied, with different places and positions included. Plus it would be nice if the sex scenes take place with the characters wearing some different types of clothing.

Overall in summary I have given this game a high rating because:
1. The story and the character in game are truly inspired and I really care for them. It seems the author does too.
2. Plus the music and the way the game approaches these characters are also amazing.

However the areas where improvement is required:
1. Are the sex scenes.
2. The clothing's the characters wear daily.
3. The animations and positions you can have sex in the game.

Please keep up with this game. I truly wish to see how everything turns out.

This game impresses me a lot.
Like the best Japanese VNs and only very few Western ones, it handles a very difficult and sombre topic and doesn't shy away from it.
Playing through it was really uncomfortable for me at times, but in the good way that art is supposed to make you uncomfortable and challenge you. I admit though, I'm definitely shying away from the junkie path as much as possible.
Real life is often depressing enough, I don't need to be completely crushed by a game as well.
Kudos to the dev for also managing to keep the sex scenes hot, despite the serious circumstances.

The writing is good, the story is, as I wrote, challenging, the art is not outstanding, but certainly not bad at all and while most of the models don't look too different from the usual suspects in these games, they do look good.

Obviously this is a very personal story and I hope it works out well for the dev and applaud the bravery in telling it like this, up close and without let's say beautifying it.

Depending on how this will go, the game might easily go from a 4 to a 5, it is already really good, but there is still space to improve it and some of the rating depends on the regularity of updates and the content provided.

Edited to add:
As of chapter 9c, I wanted to add a little bit to this review.
The game is still a great story, a serious subject told well.
Again and again, it shows how hard a realistically told story can hit, even when it is not actually related to the addiction issue.
Sure, the MC is still able to get into the pants of basically every female in game, that part isn't so realistic, but it is a porn game at some level, so there's that.
To come back to my initial review, the updates come quite regularly and do deliver a good amount of content, but I won't change my original 4-star rating, because it isn't a game without flaws. Apart from what I mentioned about the not so fantastic models, it can't be denied that the endless back and forth of dialogue can become quite boring from time to time.
I do skip forward a bit here and there and just fly sort of over some parts, that aren't as engaging. I think the dev could cut back a lot on some of the conversations, it's not that they are in itself bad, they just aren't at all necessary. At least not that often.

The plot of this game is unuaul, but awesome. The pictures could have been a bit better, but it doesn´t harm the fun. It would make the plot more real, if some NTR elements might be added in the future. Anyway I do like so far the way how the relationships between the MC and the girls develop. Looking forward to give more updates a try... 5 of 5 stars for now.

Really like this game- story makes me actually care, unlike 90% of the games here. It feels like it will actually make the potential corruption of characters have real weight, because the characters are real enough to genuinely care about.

The girls are all hot

Can't wait to see how this develops, I hope the creator manages to keep the content flowing and thread the needle with regards to sexual content and creating tension, it's a tricky balance to achieve.

One of my favorite games right now!

I was curious why this VN rated 5 stars. First thought was maybe the animation or renders?

Then downloaded it and played it, boom! wow!! I didn't expect the story was in this level!

few games can give me such intense and heart-breaking feeling , we don't know where MC and his addict girlfrends are going, we don't know how they can solve this desprated situation.

A great novel about drug, addiction, friendship and love. when people are in harsh circustances like this, the bright side of human nature touched me.

the story is certainly 5/5 and maybe more. Renders and animations are all good.

Can't wait to see next update.

Man, this is like the third new game in a row with surprisingly strong content. There's a real story developing here and I can't wait to see where this goes.

Games like this should be used as examples for aspiring developers. Yes, there is 'the good stuff' but there is also a good bit of effort put into the other aspects. There is an actual story here and actual characters - not just digital blow-up dolls.

And props to the author - their inclusion of their own past experiences gives the whole effort a lot more depth and meaning.

First off, Great renders and animations. Second, The the story is top notch in the way it pulls you into the life of the characters.

To the Dev. Congrats on your Sobriety. I've never been in your shoe's but know people who are still struggling on both sides of the fight. I look forward to more updates of this story.

This one is nowhere near like other AVN's and it shows it in spades.

Story -- So damn good that you almost can't give it the highest score all on it's own. Man, though F me on how emotional it is. Also I love and hate that I have to wait for more story. I also love the fact that every character has their own personality to make the distinct. 10/5

Renders -- Old school, but I still like the old school style. 4/5

Animations -- Some of them looked a little uncomfortable with the positioning of some body parts. I did like the attempt to have those body parts moving, which no one does. 3/5

Other -- Like I said before bring some f'in tissues.

Overall -- 4.75/5

-- Rannell

Updated review since there has been a few contentupdates since I wrote this.

I`m not gonna lie, when I saw this VN was revolving around a couple who are spiralling through drug use, I was tempted to give it a miss. Life is depressing enough, but hey I put on my big boy pants and tried it.

The main characters are a couple who spend their days chasing their next fix and interacting with each other in terms of constant affectionate bullshitting.

They are not too far gone at the start to completely let go of their home and appearance, they still look attractive as well, but you know it won`t last forever. You can feel almost the clock ticking. How long before things really go to shit and tragedy strikes? Well, try it and join the journey...

Renders are great and anims are certainly fine if not anything amazing.
Dialogue is spot on and gives the characters a real personality.
For me, most importantly, the story is engrossing and makes you want to find out what`s next. The subject matter is also treated maturely.

There`s a few hotties our MC will encounter on his daily biz. Samantha is a shady but sexy fellow junkie, Barb, is tough, no nonsense but sexy in her own way, Audrey is a sweet, innocent type hiding under a projected exterior, there`s also a hot nurse that helps our MC. Last not least, sweet Mary who is a childhood friend of our boy.

Latest update brings some nice content and the hope that our MC will take the path to sobriety with his friends.

Only cons for me is I find MC`s long term girlfriend, Lydia becoming annoying with the constant shit talking and how little the affection between them is conveyed. It`s all constant bickering banter but no touches, hugs or even kiss between them. They are supposed to love each other? oh well. There is a date scene early on but I just feel they are like a casual couple.

But fuck me I would be drained listening to a couple like that all the time.

One other niggle and that`s Mary. Her features look great but the skin tone is just yeuch! she looks yellow like she has jaundice. Shame as it detracts from her overall effect but it seems others like it so hey, my preference problem.

Overall, great VN so far and worth checking out.

Sad and pathetic but that's reality for you

Interesting serious Story that depicts reality
Well written script so never boring and keeps the reader engaged
Nice renders with nice models
Definitely Worth it to give it a try if you wanna enjoy a realistic plot
Hope we are in for a great story that represents the real world rather than fantasy like all other VNs
Keep up the good work
Goodluck dev.