VN Ren'Py Our Red String [Ch. 13.1 BETA] [Eva Kiss]

[BlandChili]

Given that Jess can show up in two different versions in this game, and doesn't just have a specific canon "fate," I imagine Evakiss might just keep it to "dismissable" references when it comes to Ashley, keep it vague so we can imagine whatever canon we think fits for our own playthroughs.

The boyfriend that good Jess references could also be someone other than Dave, right? I can't recall if she specifically references something that concretely says it's him she's with.

 

[xsssssssss]

I didn't even realise there were 2 versions of Jess in the game.

 

[dontcarewhateverno]

It will matter, we just don't really know exactly how yet. Holly can give some advice during her dates with Ian in chapter 3, so we already know what the best combinations for the first two choices will probably be:
Fantasy + Revenge
Sci-Fi + Chosen One
Historical + Call of Duty
Anything after that is just speculation for the time being, Ian can get some general advice from Holly early in the game but it isn't very precise:
Fantasy - Avoid clichés
Sci-Fi - Explore dark themes and philosophical implications
Historical - Don't get experimental, stick to tried and true

Maybe I'm mixing up my playthroughs since I have so many saves, but I thought it was Sci-Fi where she said to
avoid cliches. Since "Chosen One" is one of the biggest cliches there is, I'm guessing I mixed the playthroughs up. I don't remember the first convo you refer to though. Hopefully high wits bypasses all of that, since I don't like her guidance in general there. "Avoid Cliches" is good advice for most writing and I can generally agree with "philosophical implications" for Sci-Fi, but the rest just seems either arbitrary or limiting.

 

[dontcarewhateverno]

And he will jerk off to those dick pics and cum all over his phone again!

But it's all cool though. They're bros.

"Gah! So big!.. Imagine what it would be like to have that di.. um. m-MY dick in between those boobs.."

 

[Deleted member 3064965]

Redlolly, who as far as I know is a friend of Eva, developer of

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has an interesting game mechanic called "Meanwhile", where you get to see what other characters are doing (and even assume control of them briefly) while the main story is happening. I don't know if that would work in a game that already has two MCs, but could be worth considering...

Yes, I've tried it. I don't usually like those kind of narrative solutions, but I think it works quite ok in Lust Campus. One of the reasons is probably that it was introduced early on in the game. I don't doubt a lot of other developers would consider doing changes like that later on in their games as well, but I don't think we'll see it in ORS. Both because it would feel strange, and since Eva seems to have a far more structured plan for the game than most others, both story wise and considering how she wants to tell it.

And yes, you're right, she and Eva are friends, or at least know each other. It's a really promising game, even though it's a bit more cliché than ORS.

1.Axel invite Cindy for the 3rd photoshoot Cindy will invite Ian to come along.

Good point! Not sure how I didn't think of that in my earlier comment. It would probably depend on whether anything has happened between Cindy and Ian or Axel, though. If so, I assume her conscience would steer her away from any new photoshoots with those two at least for the time being.

 

[Albaduldür]

So this is Axel's place?
who are we going to see there first? hm... Lena? Cindy?

Cindy.
Definitely Cindy...

 

[BlandChili]

I wonder if we are going to get more "exclusive" locations like what I assume the office and the apartment to be, like the location for Holly's bookfair, that we will only get to experience by making specific choices.

Ian and Lena could both easily find themselves in Seymours office, but they'd have to be involved with him and neither necessarily have to be.

Assuming that is Axel's place, which seems likely, I wonder if we're going to be visiting other people's homes too.

Holly's parents seem like the kinda folks that'd want to meet the person their daughter is dating. Emma's place has also been brought up in conversation before.

 

[doctor13]

Holly's parents seem like the kinda folks that'd want to meet the person their daughter is dating.

Can't wait 'til she brings home that big bouncer.

 

[BlandChili]

Heh, I suppose you have to. Unless Holly decides to bring Lena for emotional support, thus giving us the POV to see for ourselves.

 

[manscout]

Maybe I'm mixing up my playthroughs since I have so many saves, but I thought it was Sci-Fi where she said to
avoid cliches. Since "Chosen One" is one of the biggest cliches there is, I'm guessing I mixed the playthroughs up. I don't remember the first convo you refer to though. Hopefully high wits bypasses all of that, since I don't like her guidance in general there. "Avoid Cliches" is good advice for most writing and I can *generally* agree with "philosophical implications" for Sci-Fi, but the rest just seems either arbitrary or limiting.

It is pretty arbitrary, but yeah hopefully there will be some leniency and maybe other factors at play (Ian's wits, if he is picking the options to work hard on his book, etc), and also other ways of progressing his career besides winning at the competition (getting contacts through Holly, sucking up to Seymour, etc).

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[Princess Groundhog]

I wonder if we are going to get more "exclusive" locations like what I assume the office and the apartment to be, like the location for Holly's bookfair, that we will only get to experience by making specific choices.

Ian and Lena could both easily find themselves in Seymours office, but they'd have to be involved with him and neither necessarily have to be.

Assuming that is Axel's place, which seems likely, I wonder if we're going to be visiting other people's homes too.

Holly's parents seem like the kinda folks that'd want to meet the person their daughter is dating. Emma's place has also been brought up in conversation before.

Definitely want to see Holly's place. And for Lena to spend the night

 

[BlandChili]

Definitely want to see Holly's place. And for Lena to spend the night

There has been made a point out of underlining Holly's parents being conservative. I am a bit curious if Holly possibly being in a lesbian relationship is going to be made into some sort of path conflict.

GGGB never really used LGBT themes for dramatic effect when it came to Ashley being in a realtionship with Jessica or Eva.

But it would be an obvious way to differentiate between Ian and Lena's narrative if in monogamous Holly relationship.

 

[Princess Groundhog]

There has been made a point out of underlining Holly's parents being conservative. I am a bit curious if Holly possibly being in a lesbian relationship is going to be made into some sort of path conflict.

GGGB never really used LGBT themes for dramatic effect when it came to Ashley being in a realtionship Jessica or Eva.

Hmm... Didn't think about that possibility but I think that's interesting. Certainly would make things more dramatic and maybe even more passionate and romantic between them if Holly's parents are actual bigots, causing her to rebel against them.

 

[Lone Dog]

My Lena just does it, there's no choice. I must have done something prior to this...

You can avoid that event if you warn louise about jeremy playing as lena, and the girls will be safe, also open lesbian route with her.

 

[Deleted member 3064965]

There has been made a point out of underlining Holly's parents being conservative. I am a bit curious if Holly possibly being in a lesbian relationship is going to be made into some sort of path conflict.

Holly's conservative parents arriving on a surprise visit somewhere down the line?

Scene:

The doorbell rings, Holly opens the door, parents enter. They spot Ian standing behind her.

Holly: – Mum and dad, I want you to meet my new boyfriend.

Parents smile, satisfied. Everyone greet. Suddenly they notice some movements from the other side of the room. A scantily dressed Lena is swinging from a newly installed dancing pole in Holly's living room.

Holly: – Aaaaand my new girlfriend. She's teaching me how to dance like that too, by the way.

Parents stop smiling. Sudden tense mood.

The bouncer steps out from the bedroom, naked.

(Aaaand I realise I have absolutely no punchline. You figure the rest?)

 

[BlandChili]

Hmm... Didn't think about that possibility but I think that's interesting. Certainly would make things more dramatic and maybe even more passionate and romantic between them if Holly's parents are actual bigots, causing her to rebel against them.

It's certainly a element to be considered. I get the impression that Evakiss might be careful about using such themes in a way that might be perceived as negative, which is a pity.

I've seen it here and there, a fear of risking outrage. I think it would still fit the game though, exploring backlash to homosexuality, on one of the paths.

In general I have a hard time really picturing what kind of people Holly's parents are. It's brought up quite a few times how strictly Holly seems to keep to being home at the right times and when she's promised to be home for dinner, yet she seemingly has no issues with going out clubbing or bringing a boy with her on book tour, and her becoming an author was even just to spite her father, so she has no issue standing up to him at least.
I get the sense that they aren't necessarily strict, just in general, but might have some sort of idea about family values that they strictly adhere to.
I wouldn't actually be surprised if early marriage might become a theme on the Holly path too.

 

[dontcarewhateverno]

It is pretty arbitrary, but yeah hopefully there will be some leniency and maybe other factors at play (Ian's wits, if he is picking the options to work hard on his book, etc), and also other ways of progressing his career besides winning at the competition (getting contacts through Holly, sucking up to Seymour, etc).

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Seems to be purely puzzle-based I guess, in that respect (though it's a pretty hazy puzzle). Since a combo giving him a good idea as pre-ordained by the game text doesn't necessarily make it a good combo from a writing standpoint. It also means you need to follow the Holly path as much as possible to even get the hints. Not ideal, imo, so hopefully wits plays a big part.

 

[dogedoge]

So, i know Jess being bad or not depends on your choices, but isn't it implied that Ashley becomes a slut?

I may be misremembering, but i'm sure in one of the earlier chapters Ian can jerk off to porn that has a girl that looks exactly like Ashley.

Maybe that was a just a little wink at the audience perhaps?

Eva has already addressed this subject on Discord:

 

[atrebor68]

is it just me or is evakiss really the GOAT writer at the moment, what a genius , what a game , i wish her the best of luck for the future. what a creator. amazing, hardly anyone tops her

True, but Leap Of Faith is very very very well wrote.

 

[yiyoiyi]

It will matter, we just don't really know exactly how yet. Holly can give some advice during her dates with Ian in chapter 3, so we already know what the best combinations for the first two choices will probably be:
Fantasy + Revenge
Sci-Fi + Chosen One
Historical + Call of Duty

I really hope that's not the only combinations. I'm actually putting effort in choosing what I'd like to read, some ATLA-ish story and my choices are not near that