VN - Ren'Py - One Day at a Time [S2 Ch.21 P1] [Zoey Raven]

Start your download while you read...

There's a precious and rather exclusive little club of top notch games on here, which are interesting to read and follow for their story, their gameplay or their characters alone - sex is either an afterthought, or just a bonus on top of a great game and/or great read.
"One Day at a Time" belongs in that league - and even has sexy times on top of it.

The setting of the story, a pair or rather a little group of heroin addicts in various stages of recovery or up-fuckery, feels personal, real and is interesting on and in itself, but even more so compared to your dime a dozen porn-game setting. Copious amounts of drugs make quiet the difference - go figure.
The tone of the story is also quiet masterfully crafted - it's 'desolate' enough to feel real, but neither too heavy handed, too preachy, nor too silly, given the subject. A rather tasteful approach.
The characters are well done and distinct, both in terms of writing as well as render quality.

If I were to cherry pick negatives, I'd say the posing could be improved a little (they are a bit too relaxed, sitting and chilling while the detox hits.. ^^") and all the characters surrounding our MC seem a bit too nice/positive so far. A look deeper into the harsh and sometimes un- but also sometimes justified rejection addicts face would be nice, but is on the horizon as making amends with those burned is part of the recovery process. As stated in the beginning - it's interesting to see where the story takes us!

And while it's not strictly ingame, it should also be noted that the updates are constant and packed. It's been out here since Nov.20, now it's half a year later, we're at chapter 5 and it's already quiet the story and far from done.

Definitely deserving of way more attention and maybe a coffee or two

.. now your download should be done, so stop reading and start playing already.

I really like the story. It is interesting and engaging and the background feels realistic. (But I cannot say whether it actually is, as luckily I have neither first- nor second-hand experience with (serious) drug abuse.)
The only major problem I had with the story was the (unfortunately usual) lack of male characters apart from tokens such as rapist and sponsor and (off-stage) fathers, and from the dealer (the last one is at least fleshed out a little bit). For me, it just breaks the immersion and stretches the imagination too far to have this guy running around having tons of female friends and constantly meeting new ones (and having sex with them, why not) without knowing / meeting any male friends, or any of his female friends every bringing or even just mentioning any.
Also, sometimes the MC is too wise and too preachy. But apart from that the story is great.

The writing is fine, apart maybe from the sex scene descriptions
(lots of "she impales herself on my lenght", "wetness", "rod" and other things that sounded to me like weird pulp romance novellas).
Actually I could have done without the sex scenes altogether and just clicked through them; but the arts and animation (also in the rest of the game ) actually seem fine to me.
There are a few typos (e.g., capitol instead of capital) but that's no real problem.
I found the extensive talk about music and movies boring. I think many people are really enthusiastic about the specific music that was imprinted on them during a certain age, and I sense the author's enthusiasm and desire to share it, but as none of the music involved interests me I found it a bit tiring. Similarly with the movie quotes.

Finally, regarding "Zoe, the dude who writes wanker game walkthroughs? I thought he got sober?":
If the author actually does write from first hand experience, I would like to express my sincere hope they actually managed to get and stay sober and wish them all the best.

Maybe not the quick fap you are looking for but if you are looking for a good story you will defintely like it.
And for once your choice seems to matter and if you add good render and sex scene, this game is pretty solid.
If you are bored of happy go lucky MC who fuck every girls, try this game it will definitely feel different.

The writing is great.....one of those rare times where you may skip a porn scene to actually see more of the story .... even though they are also great. Also a nice darker kind of game. Can't wait for more.

I figured id just turn my comment into a review.. give it a try.

I don't write many reviews. Since I played this game, more then a week ago, I doubted a lot about writing this.
I'm not a drug adict (with the exception of nicotine), but I have too much 2nd hand experience (as many of us have). Among this a brother who died due to alcohol and (hard)drug abuse. This experience has an large impact of this review.
I don't know if you can describe the game experience as having fun, but in my opinion this game gives a good insight of the mindset of drug addicts.
The story is entertaining in a weird kind of way. With a sensitive topic like this, there is a thin line between Real Life and keeping the story a bit light and interesting. But this is exactly what the developer does. I find it very good that the developer describes the link between alcohol and drug abuse. In the case of my brother, the clinic made the mistake to treat only the (hard) drug abuse (one problem at a time). The consequence of that was that my brother was a couple of years clean of (hard) drugs, but due to the continuing alcohol abuse he started using again (with his death as a result).

I can recommend this game to anyone who has a 2nd hand experience with drug abuse. If you look at this game as a VN to give more insight on the life of drug-abusers. It could have more RL experience. What I remember most (of my 2nd hand experience in RL) was the constant deceiving of the drug abuser to a point that you known you are deceived, but just give in (a bit) to shorten the experience. This comes back in the game, but could be even more. Although I realize that it would be very hard to keep the story interesting and a bit light.
What is done very good is that you also can have good times with a drug abuser. I have some valuable memories about my brother when he was using again.

The game is however a porn-game. There are many sex-scenes in the game. If I look at that more objective these scenes could be more extensive.

The overall experience is very good. I found it very well made and I think it makes this sensitive topic more open to discussion.

Excellent writing, original story, unique and quirky but beautiful models. Animations are improving over time, for this "new" developer, already pretty hot though, and plenty of them. Really love this one and look forward to each release.

Pretty linear in terms of choices so far, despite all the flavors of ways to interact with the characters, but that is kind of nice and relaxing, and too many branches can kill the progress of the canon path, so it is cool.

One Day at a Time (Chapter 4)

There's a word that I am searching for... it's like it's omni-present in the back of my mind, and I so want to reach out for this word which will describe exactly how I feel now [after watching this VN]... but the now not only dominates my being, it refuses to cooperate with my desperate hopes of enlightenment...

I have never done H, for a number of reasons, but mainly it is that I have always recognised that I am an addict in some form or another. But I have tried and loved about everything else... the changes to perception, the heightened emotions, the double-effect of euphoria and peacefulness that pervades me, body and soul... and the now is that over-whelming feeling of pure joy shared with friends while listening to great music [techno would be my choice]... but still I want to know that word...

One Day at a Time is an exceptional project. Good VNs tick some of the boxes, but as you get entertained you readily accept the minor flaws. Great VNs tick most of the boxes [yeah, that's unshamedly subjective] and offer some surprises. I like surprises! But I am struggling to categorise One Day at a Time because it's so fucking good. In every way, like the details in their eyes. My eyes, my brain and my soul have feasted on this wonderful VN and it is delicious. The manner in which it fuses sex and story is accomplished. The models are fabulously constructed, the sexual scenes are effective, but it is the narrative that takes it to another level. The narrative is sublime because it is fuelled with passion, style, intelligence and an impressive insight to a world that most of us never really get to see or touch. And I am hooked, addicted to this VN. It doesn't just tick all the boxes and pushes my buttons, it blows me away emotionally. The author(s) not only speaks from experience, from the heart, but does so in such an orchestrated way that the story outshines the sexual content, even though it is this content that sold me in the first place. One Day at a Time is intelligent, thought-provoking, and wonderfully realised. The story is incredible and credible and I just want more!

I quite like it!

Dear Zoey,

I hope that this is what you expected. I am sorry I can still not solidify that word at the back of my head that would fully describe my enjoyment of your amazing work, but I can hopefully share something with you.

This is an english version of a Marcel Proust quote:

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.

Thanks!

Review as of Ch 4c

Well I came for a porn game, and stayed for the story experience. Having dealt first hand with the main theme of this game I can say it really hits home. I actually had to stop playing it to compose myself and that is not a criticism in the least. It is a testament to the writing ability of Zoey.

Look if all you want is just a pure fuck game then yes you can get better else where. But if you want a proper story with some real issues done in a somewhat humorous but still serious tone, then this is a game for you. And it has sex which to me is really just the bonus.

I really look forward to seeing more of this. It is a much needed change from a endless amount of very similar games. I really highly recommend it.

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.