VN - Ren'Py - Reclaiming the Lost [v0.10] [Passion Portal]

Only up to part III, but thought I should write a review based on what I've seen so far.
This one is very good. The girls are attractive and all unique in their own ways. The author has clearly spent a lot of time designing the models for each girl rather than going with the same lazy\cookie cutter approach you find in 90% of titles.
While adopting some of the narrative tropes typical to the genre - MC's mother died young, daddy didn't love MC, MC has to return to town where he grew up - the story is well written enough and has some unique elements to hook you in.
Your choices genuinely seem to matter.
Music is well chosen and adds to the flow of the narrative.
Overall I would give it 4 and a half stars if I could.
The reason for the half star deduction? Well there is not a tonne of lewd content so far, but for me this is not a deal breaker, especially early in a game and if the other elements are well done. Mainly it's down to some of the dialogue being a bit non-sequitur in nature at times. Your sitting there thinking - it doesn't quite make sense that the character would say that\react like that based on what has just been said. Examples are when the MC calls Bob about not being able to contact the private detective - it's just one missed call, yet somehow the MC wants to deep dive into how he's now lost trust in Bob cause Bob recommended the detective. Then there is the fact that after the early groping scenes with Emily (on the sleazy path) neither her or the MC mention it again in their next half dozen scenes together. Yeah, I know, I'm critiquing scripting and believability in a porn game. I just found these and similar examples to be quite jarring at times, spoiling full immersion. It's a credit to how well done the other aspects of the game are that I wanted the dialogue to be more cohesive - I just feel it's one aspect that lets the game down at times and prevents what is a very well done game otherwise achieving 5 star perfection.
Will come back and update my review later if subsequent chapters change my opinion on any of the above.

Glad i tried this. Well written and mature screenpla i must say. Animation and dialogues are steamy. I liked the character development of all them, and cuking someone else is cherry on top. Since the sexual tension between characters has been cleverly done till now without hurrying into anything, the existing scens and upcoming ones gonna be so good to look forward to..

This was originally a 4 star game for me, but after playing the last update and completing all the possible paths, I now upgraded my rating to 5.

A couple of things changed my mind.

The multiple paths are also a strength of the game.
In a lot of games, you feel like you are playing a different character if you choose the dominant- corruption route. The one is a loving partner, and the other one is a psychopath. (IE it cannot be the same person)

Not so in this game. You can play different routes, but your MC still stays in character regardless of your route. He is basically still the same person, but when it comes to bedroom stuff, he uses a different approach.

Not a lot of games get that right. Different choices lead to widely different paths and actions, but you still feel like you are playing the same story with the same MC. Bravo!

hmm there are a lot of gorgeous women in this game. I also appreciate the option to choose a love route. With the exception of my best friends wife of course which is still somewhat positive despite the cheating. I assume from the way the game is going that my BFF is up to no good. The mafia loan and other things make him look like a frenemy at best. Besides his wife is hot as hell and frustrated with her life. It was the signs of the buddy being behind some crap that decided it though.

So why only three stars? The story isn't that compelling for one. The MC keeps wanting to confront the friend despite Emily warning him not to tip him off. It doesn't make much sense to tip his hand when the signs look so bad for his guilt. It's a bit annoying to have the same scene with the MC just wanting to tell him everything.

The other thing was the stupid chat scene with Chloe. God sakes-they are really talking about their odd relationship in front of a chatroom? It's so dumb. Suddenly Chloe goes and puts on some sexy dress to tease everyone.
You finally get the option to turn off the stream and Chloe puts on some revealing bikini. The Mc of course suggests she wear it on camera to get subs. Jesus I wonder if the dev in an OnlyFans simp? She turns it down and changes back to her dress and then they go back to streaming again. I found the whole thing really silly. Anytime an MC suggests his LI go be a cam girl you have to wonder what the point is. The scenarios are really the weak point in this game. Whether it's the streaming or how the MC and Evelyn go about their first time in front of the drunk passed out husband. The Mc too sometimes comes across as creepy. Anyway, I'm still playing so it could get better.

Anyway, the game isn't terrible overall. The streaming thing was the first real silly thing so hopefully it's an exception. The models are a strong point in the game but not much has happened so far. 3/5 seems fair for now.

V0.1 (i did not fail math)

disappointing is my chosen word here. i was torn between that and boring, but after 2 years of going nowhere fast, disappointment is more fitting.

there is talent here but mainly artistic and visuals carry this. for a VN it fails miserably for me. delivers a slow boring plot that is a dime a dozen and even fails in the adult department. i am all for a slow burn but i prefer to be awake for it.
a certain VN that spawned two animated series and Three movies, that was slow burn and i was engrossed every second of reading it, and it had even less adult scenes than this one.
there is little sign this will ever get done and there is zero signs of the plot becoming interesting any time soon.
not even worth spank bank material as there barely anything to scratch that itch either.
it may get better but for me this journey has come to an end

Reclaiming the Lost; what's it all about? Now that's a very fine question. An adult VN like none other I have seen. Clever. Teasing. More thought has been put into the story than most, so much more. Complex, puzzling, intriguing, emotionally charged, unexpected, mischievous. And dark. For those of you who like something more intellectually appealling. It's an amazing work.

Really well made game, great looking girls, plot is pretty interesting, the writing could use some work as it's a little cringy but it's fine overall. Plot is a little compressed/rushed but not that big of an issue. Shame that it's still so unfinished.

As for V0.9, This game is a uncut gem, can't wait for the next update.

And here some Suggestion to the Dev:

Olivia: I think she is a cute little demon to seduce MC, maybe she will also got a love path?
If she will appear more in upcomnig Chapters, I strongly recommend it might worth Dev some time to re-work on her model? I found multiple negative comment about Olivia in reviews section, IMO her model could rework to a Higher Defination mesh model. All good other than this( Life facial feature, Height and body figure).

Emily: I Feel like the "Business Trip" parts could be main content with Emily since she is the "Assitant" after all, I found the part when MC go on a private jet with her to old town ended like way too short, was thinking this would be another trip like Ch.1 for a day or two with relationship progression, IMO this missed out a huge chance to deepen their bond. Hope to see more business trips and tell what business MC rly working LOL

Grace: No comment, Not my LI haha

Chloe: I found both Lust and Love paths look very promising, guess we will see more Love path in next patch? since Lust path been inclding more in current version.

Thanks for the work, really looking forward to next update.

The only thing this game is missing is MORE. Like every other impatient f95 member, I can't wait for this to have more story. The characters and art are great and the writting isn't dull and forced like most games.

Great Job Devs!

Story and Plot
"Reclaiming the Lost" presents an engaging story that blends mystery and personal drama. The protagonist, an ordinary man, is suddenly confronted with secrets surrounding one of his closest friends while also facing an unexpected revelation about his own past. The narrative explores deep themes such as trust, betrayal, and the consequences of difficult choices, creating a captivating experience that keeps the player immersed from start to finish.

Characters
The characters in "Reclaiming the Lost" are well-developed, each with unique personalities that enrich the narrative. Players can interact with figures like Emily, an intelligent and charming woman representing a deep and emotional romantic interest, and Chloe, a vibrant and energetic streamer. The cast also includes more mature characters ("MILFs"), adding complexity and diversity to the interactions. A notable feature of the game is the ability to customize the names of both the protagonist and the main love interest, enhancing the emotional connection to the characters.

Gameplay and Features
"Reclaiming the Lost" offers rich gameplay and well-designed features. The choice system allows players to explore various paths such as friendship, love, passion, or submission, which shape not only relationships but also the main plot. The game also includes an integrated choice hint system that players can enable or disable based on their preferences, making it easier to understand the consequences of each decision. Additionally, it provides 12 save slots per page, facilitating the management of multiple routes, 17 extra images to unlock, and a replay gallery with 35 scenes. Another highlight is the inclusion of 10 challenging achievements, encouraging players to explore all decision paths for a complete and highly replayable experience.

Visuals and Soundtrack
With high-quality graphics, "Reclaiming the Lost" is visually stunning. The female models are detailed and diverse, while the backgrounds help create an immersive atmosphere that complements the narrative. The soundtrack is another strong point, with pleasant background music that enhances the immersion and enriches the player's experience.

Adult Content and Pacing
In this initial version, the game focuses more on teasing and building tension between the characters than on explicit adult content. The pacing is deliberately slower, prioritizing character development and interactions. This approach makes the game more sophisticated and engaging, though it might not appeal to players looking for immediate gratification.

Areas for Improvement
While "Reclaiming the Lost" offers a rich experience, there are a few areas that could be improved. The slower pacing might be a challenge for players who prefer a more fast-paced progression, as the game prioritizes character building and narrative depth. Additionally, as the game is in Early Access, some elements are still in development, which might leave players wanting more from an incomplete experience. It’s important to remember that this is only an initial version, with plenty of potential for future improvements and expansions.

Highlights and Conclusion
"Reclaiming the Lost" combines intriguing mysteries, memorable characters, and gameplay with meaningful choices. The narrative is engaging, the dialogue is well-written, and features like customizable names, multiple routes, and unlockable achievements enhance the player's connection to the game. Additional features such as the scene gallery, extra collectible images, and the integrated choice hint system add value to the experience, while the soundtrack perfectly complements the impressive visuals. Despite the slower pacing and the focus on teasing in this early version, the game delivers a rich and captivating experience. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking an emotional journey full of mystery and intrigue, with great potential for further growth in future updates.

This is a game that has a semi-decent story that is fairly well written, but the story keeps getting buried behind content with LI. This wouldn't be as big of an issue if all of the content with LI actually progressed somewhere. For most of the LI, there is only a single sequence of scenes with them as well. After two years, you would expect there to be progress with *at least one* of the characters if the main story line was going to stagnate, but that is not the case here.

Will check back on this one in the future, it has potential to finish strong

I'd like to give this a 4.5 if I could

The game has standout renders, far above average even for the older li's. The models also all have good proportions which is a win.

The writing is ok, the wrong your is used often and the author completely takes away freedom from the player with the writing - dictating what the mc/you have to be thinking even in the static info screens as well

The mc also basically lectures the player restricting the choices and making pathetic decisions at a few points. I guess this is to slow progression, but I didnt love how it was handled.

Actually the writing is very flowery and feminine in process all the time, even when its supposed to be your thoughts.

The sms's also bug out and dont progress if your mouse is in the wrong position.

Overall, despite the nags above, this game definitely stands out from the crowd

5/5
Great dialogues, nice story, choices matter for different paths which are actually very different.

AMAZING RENDERS and animations. Really one of the greatest games on this site.

Some characters have some poses where they seem mad, even when they are having fun which can be just a little bit distracting, but other than that, it's hard to find flaws in this game

Great game. The renders and visuals are great, all the female models are beautiful and eye candy. The writing is engaging and interesting, the main story is intriguing enough. But the other side stories are also interesting as well. I do understand people's criticism about having not much sexual content other than teasing, as this is a more slow burn game. The teasing is done extremely well and begs you wanting more. if you want a game with a great writing and ongoing interesting developing characters rather than just a game full of horny sluts ready to pounce on your dick then this game is for you.

This is a decent game -- but one of the most infuriating that I've played. It seems that each satisfying moment is then taken down a peg by the next frustrating moment, and the MC is such a schizoid that one cannot buy that he is the head of some important business enterprise.
Main problem: The Best Friend/Business Partner. So this guy is supposed to be this very likeable dude that the MC has absolute faith in to the point of stupidity -- that's how great and charismatic this guy should be, right?
And yet -- he is portrayed by a character that looks like Macbeth's court jester played by Brian Blessed in a red wig. All big, blowsy bonhomie from the outset -- and I for one immediately saw him for what he probably is; why can't MC? And if the best friend ("Bob" -yep) were at ALL likeable/believable/trustworthy-SEEMING even, then I'd feel a bit more tension there with his hot wife. As it is... meh, what are the stakes here, really? You're going to try to save a marriage with THAT? Hm.

Oh, and the banner misspells the game title... "Reclaming..."

Also, MC makes these choices (yup, choices) with no input from me, while I'm going, "No, No, what??!" But I AM allowed the choices as to whether I think his sister's texted pics are Hot or not.

So, why not a 2? Because the game has its moments, the potential is there for a really GOOD game (lose Bob!), the models are HOT...yes, it's a tantrically Slow burn, but that just means the banked fires will burn all the brighter soon -- Right??
Good luck to you, Dev. Keep on working your improveable magic!

The story is truly amazing, and the buildup keeps you engaged throughout. Each scene is crafted beautifully, leaving a lasting impact. The visuals are stunning, and the overall experience feels too good!

Good renders
nothing but teasing
Story is good
Everytime you think there is gonna be a sex scene it ends up in nothing
No bugs
Would wait for some real content because game has potential but just lacks sex scenes

I really like this game. It´s entertaining, not too fast, not too slow in advancement. Grafix is decent (could be better, but not everyone can ace rendering programs on the firts go).
Plot is apealing, makes you want to know more and is not too slow in development.
Biggest problem for me, using a 20´ laptop monitor is: The font is too small!
I don´t know what the dev has for a monitor but it sure does look like a 5-7 pixel font to me on my laptop.
Pretty hard to read. I´d like to have the dev implement a selectable font size and maybe a textbox with selectable opacity. Should be a finger exercise to implement, but it will greatly improve the enjoyability of the the game on smaller screens.
That would be greatly appreciated.

(Review of v0.9)

Characters behave like tin soldiers most of the time and aren't supported by the best script ever; a certain scene in the hospital with you visiting a close person definitely proves that someone decided to use the absolute minimum of renders and facial expressions to illustrate this. So, even if the premise is good, storytelling has plenty of room for improvement. Continuity between scenes isn't the best either, with sudden jumps between places; you will also find a girl randomly switching places around your lap several times in a row.

Visuals and animations are decent and there are a few sexy girls and MILFs, though sex is almost inexistant for now so if you are expecting to quickly rub one out, you better look elsewhere. It's mostly teasing.

An average game in all respects.

Gosh, that's what I was looking for! The game itself is very entertaining, has beautiful models, and has an interesting history that made me excited for more. It was definitely a great start!
Keep up the good work!