VN Ren'Py Race of Life [Act 1 v1.04.5] [Underground Studio]

[pupitti]

I just wanted to give my opinion on the latest update.
First of all, I loved the update and Im loving the game so far, so everything I comment is just to find som little improvemente that Id like to see in order to perfect the game for my preferences, but I understand that this changes would make some people not like the game so much.
The improvement on render quality is insane, not just the render itself, butthe position of the camera, the angles, the body position, lighting,I absolutely love it
I love the improvement in all the lewd scenes, not just the animations/renders, but also how you get to the scene (maybe not Alexa/Kris and Vanessa), the different poses, the talking and interactions are great.
I like Veronicas new "jealous/cuckquean" trait, but I dont like that she is getting more recognision because of that rather than because she is a great and understanding woman.
Music also really great, but maybe Im missing some SFX and not so much background music/songs, still great.
Now with some thing I "didnt like".
First, I think the Allison situation hasnt been as good as I expected. Im not talking about expecting a lewd scene with her, but overall the relationship situation. Yes, we now know she wants to be with Jake, but we went from getting a kiss to just a little touch in the shoulder while preping the speech. I know, the bed sequence is development, but just from Allisons perspective, not a relationship development.
I dont know where to stand with the teasing aspect of Jasmine. I like that she is very open and vocal with what she wants and thinks, but the pool scene is weird. Ive seen a lot of people complaining about this, and I dont see it as bad as some people, but I understand their complains. Allison wouldnt do topless if it wasnt for Jas, and I know that this is fiction, but I would have liked seeing Allison setting groundrules with Jas. I can understand that Veronica went topless, but again, because of the jealous trait a mentioned earlier.
Also,Im not really sure how the paths work. The dev said that there were 6 paths, but I dont really see them clearly.Do the paths depend on who you took to the event? Are the paths decided on who you slept with? I dont know. We have 4 clear main girls, Allison, Jas, V and Maddie. Then theres Nat, who I dont see clearly if its a main or a side, and the we have several sides, so there would be 4 paths for MG, Nat, and an others path (yes, im guided by BaDIK paths limitations), which would make 6 paths, but there should also be a "monk" path, a harem path (which could be others path aswell), and with the MG, we have some "variants" of the paths, like cuckquean V, cheating, Early or Late Jas... So im a bit lost with all the pathing. Im guessing a few updates from now it will be much clearer, but right now I dont see it correctly defined.
What I most dilsiked (emphasizing that I absolutely loved the update) is that I didnt see much history development in general. Not much time has passed, not much canon events ocurred, yes, the event went great and there will be funding, also looks like Lily is getting better, but apart from those 2, I dont really see much more. Yes, a lot of development towards the girls, but I still dont know how the girls personally are, we dont know much of any of their background, and Id love to.
Having said all this, Im really looking forward to the future of the game. I know this game is underrated and should have much more recognition, but time to time. I really appreciate anyone who stopped some minutes to read all this, and Id love to see your own opinions on the update

 

[cooldevo]

The only thing wrong with the MC/Veronica relationship is that MC doesn't really deserve her... When It comes to women he's 35 goin' on 13...

There is some truth there. After the hard conversation with Allie in the park, I walked away feeling that it played out like: "I wasn't getting what I wanted at home with Allie. Instead of talking, facing the hard emotions and problems, and working through it, I instead went elsewhere for the sex. And I thought a co-worker where we both worked was a good idea."

 

[motseer]

There is some truth there. After the hard conversation with Allie in the park, I walked away feeling that it played out like: "I wasn't getting what I wanted at home with Allie. Instead of talking, facing the hard emotions and problems, and working through it, I instead went elsewhere for the sex. And I thought a co-worker where we both worked was a good idea."

Hah... the only excuse being... who in their right mind could resist Veronica...

My biggest issue with the whole VN (other than why you'd take random people to a conferance..but that aside)....I hate Cooper...had friends like him when I was 15....the problem is...the MC is just like him too in reality so kinda hard to identify with a dumb immature man-child who never grew up. There's a reason i stopped (for the most part) playing VN's with idiot 18yo MC's in college.

I've always defended the cheating (well, not defended but tried to explain why he did it)...but the bottom line is generally...the MC isn't a terribly likeable character, even when you try to make him one. My issues with illegal street racing and the MC thinking it would be a great idea to raise the hundreds of thousands he needed...is a whole other debate....

Exactly this!!!

 

[byaaahh]

There is some truth there. After the hard conversation with Allie in the park, I walked away feeling that it played out like: "I wasn't getting what I wanted at home with Allie. Instead of talking, facing the hard emotions and problems, and working through it, I instead went elsewhere for the sex. And I thought a co-worker where we both worked was a good idea."

I haven't played the hate-fuck route in a while, but aren't their marital problems discussed? I don't remember if it's stated that one side tried to communicate or not.

As for the co-worker, it's stated that she intentionally pursued MC because he was married to the VP so she could leverage a career. MC wasn't getting affection at home and someone was literally throwing pussy at him, so he pounced.

 

[cooldevo]

I haven't played the hate-fuck route in a while, but aren't their marital problems discussed? I don't remember if it's stated that one side tried to communicate or not.

As for the co-worker, it's stated that she intentionally pursued MC because he was married to the VP so she could leverage a career. MC wasn't getting affection at home and someone was literally throwing pussy at him, so he pounced.

If I recall correctly in the park, as it's been a while, but the MC does say he knew there were problems and was unsure or too scared to bring it up and address it. There were other topics about him not spending enough/any time at home. My memory is far fuzzier than I'd have thought so I'll have to go back and brush up on what he said exactly. In the latest update I just ran from my existing saves.

 

[illya11]

I did get the option to kiss her, but I don't remember the trigger.

Can't seem to trigger it for some reason damn

 

[cooldevo]

Hah... the only excuse being... who in their right mind could resist Veronica...

V wasn't the person that MC hooked up with that caused the marriage to fall apart. It was a different person, a co-worker, at the company both the MC and Allie worked at. He ended up leaving the company, as part of the fallout if I recall.

V came along after that, as far as we know she's only worked at the University.

 

[Maviarab]

If I recall correctly in the park, as it's been a while, but the MC does say he knew there were problems and was unsure or too scared to bring it up and address it. There were other topics about him not spending enough/any time at home. My memory is far fuzzier than I'd have thought so I'll have to go back and brush up on what he said exactly. In the latest update I just ran from my existing saves.

He says she pretty much ignored him for the past x years her response is .....

Which is telling. So she doesn't actually try to deny this accusation. He was wrong for cheating...I've never said it wasn't wrong...but there was a reason. If you're ignored at home..hate the atmosphere...I've also worked longer and longer as I'd rather be there instead of beeing at home (admittedly, no kids for me to worry about).

And as i've said before in this thread (a long time ago) I do really wonder if people are being brutally honest (with themseves)...if their wife ignored them and gave them no affection for years....

Exactly what they would do (especially if there was someone on-tap wanting them)....because I know the truth even if most will never admit to themselves. (and no, I've never cheated or had an affair for the record, I did leave her first).

 

[byaaahh]

If I recall correctly in the park, as it's been a while, but the MC does say he knew there were problems and was unsure or too scared to bring it up and address it. There were other topics about him not spending enough/any time at home. My memory is far fuzzier than I'd have thought so I'll have to go back and brush up on what he said exactly. In the latest update I just ran from my existing saves.

I mean when questioned, Allie states that their marriage wasn't working and she wasn't happy. It sounds like the marriage was dead and the infidelity was just the final nail.

 

[byaaahh]

Can't seem to trigger it for some reason damn

I only remember getting it once, so it might be having a poor relationship with Allie.

 

[cooldevo]

He says she pretty much ignored him for the past x years her response is .....

Which is telling. So she doesn't actually try to deny this accusation. He was wrong for cheating...I've never said it wasn't wrong...but there was a reason. And as i've said before in this thread (a long time ago) I do really wonder if people are being brutally honest (with themseves)...if their wife ignored them and gave them no affection for years....

Exactly what they would do...because I know the truth...

Could just be me, but it'd never been allow to fester that long as I'm not one to sit and become embittered. If I see a problem, I'll say what I see/feel. Not rudely, I do try to be tactful, empathetic, and caring with people I love. If they are not willing to work on it, or flat our refuse, there's a much easier resolution than cheating. That's a hard red line I'd never cross, no matter the situation.

Had he stood up, much earlier, and said something things could have very easily played out differently or the same. At least he could have walked away with a clean conscience.

 

[Maviarab]

Had he stood up, much earlier, and said something things could have very easily played out differently or the same. At least he could have walked away with a clean conscience.

How do we know he didn't and was brushed off...or ignored? There's only so many times you try to discuss something, get met with nothing and...just start to stop bothering....

 

[byaaahh]

Could just be me, but it'd never been allow to fester that long as I'm not one to sit and become embittered. If I see a problem, I'll say what I see/feel. Not rudely, I do try to be tactful, empathetic, and caring with people I love. If they are not willing to work on it, or flat our refuse, there's a much easier resolution than cheating. That's a hard red line I'd never cross, no matter the situation.

Had he stood up, much earlier, and said something things could have very easily played out differently or the same. At least he could have walked away with a clean conscience.

I mean he says she ignored him, we don't know if it was just physically or if he tried to make his feelings known.

 

[Elduriel]

He says she pretty much ignored him for the past x years her response is .....

Which is telling. So she doesn't actually try to deny this accusation. He was wrong for cheating...I've never said it wasn't wrong...but there was a reason. If you're ignored at home..hate the atmosphere...I've also worked longer and longer as I'd rather be there instead of beeing at home (admittedly, no kids for me to worry about).

And as i've said before in this thread (a long time ago) I do really wonder if people are being brutally honest (with themseves)...if their wife ignored them and gave them no affection for years....

Exactly what they would do (especially if there was someone on-tap wanting them)....because I know the truth even if most will never admit to themselves. (and no, I've never cheated or had an affair for the record, I did leave her first).

yeah it was on both them for sure. The cheating is maybe slightly worse, but neither him or her did anything to work on their marriage... and it takes two. Allie could have very well been the one cheating a few months down the line. She didn't, but that doesn't excuse her either for all the other stuff.

 

[cooldevo]

How do we know he didn't and was brushed off...or ignored? There's only so many times you try to discuss something, get met with nothing and...just start to stop bothering....

I mean he says she ignored him, we don't know if it was just physically or if he tried to make his feelings known.

Pulling extracts out of the meeting in the park, there was nothing about her ignoring him.

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I didn't grab every screen to save space, but there was no mention from Jake, in the entire conversation at the park, about being ignored by Allie. It was the other way around.

 

[Maviarab]

Pulling extracts out of the meeting in the park, there was nothing about her ignoring him.

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I didn't grab every screen to save space, but there was no mention from Jake, in the entire conversation at the park, about being ignored by Allie. It was the other way around.

Look through all the script (I can't check myself right now unfortunately, not at my pc). IIRC there is a choice before this scene...and on one of them....she gave him nothing for years, no affection at all.

Now..if this has been changed quietly by the dev....

 

[cooldevo]

Look through all the script (I can't check myself right now unfortunately, not at my pc). IIRC there is a choice before this scene...and on one of them....she gave him nothing for years, no affection at all.

Now..if this has been changed quietly by the dev....

I wonder if it plays out differently depending on the conversations prior?

I always take a more "adult" and reconciliatory approach to Allie, if not not pursuing her LI path.

Although that would definitely play into how differently we see the story.

 

[byaaahh]

Pulling extracts out of the meeting in the park, there was nothing about her ignoring him.

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I didn't grab every screen to save space, but there was no mention from Jake, in the entire conversation at the park, about being ignored by Allie. It was the other way around.

I'll probably do another anger bang playthrough and see what they say there. Not tonight though

 

[risky0]

I'm not sure if Natalya is really an LI, and even if she is, she certainly doesn't feel like one given the romantic progression with the other LIs. Natalya is for me the most unlikable LI at the moment, a Russian spy who doesn't even hesitate to sleep with random men in order to complete her mission. It's frustrating that Mc still doesn't suspect anything about Natalya. I hope the developer doesn't delay Natalya's story any longer and we can make some real progress with her.

I feel like at some point in the story Natalya will switch sides and try to protect Mc but we will see.I don't know what the sixth main route is but I hope it is Kris and Alexa.

 

[byaaahh]

I'm not sure if Natalya is really an LI, and even if she is, she certainly doesn't feel like one given the romantic progression with the other LIs. Natalya is for me the most unlikable LI at the moment, a Russian spy who doesn't even hesitate to sleep with random men in order to complete her mission. It's frustrating that Mc still doesn't suspect anything about Natalya. I hope the developer doesn't delay Natalya's story any longer and we can make some real progress with her.

I feel like at some point in the story Natalya will switch sides and try to protect Mc but we will see.I don't know what the sixth main route is but I hope it is Kris and Alexa.

I mean Jasmine flat-out asks if Natalya is interested in MC and she says she has no romantic interest.