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NyxVortex
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- Feb 25, 2022
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I support your comment and you are very right, it made me a little uncomfortable, just me comment, my english is a little bad, I am sorry in advance if I write something wrongDear friend. All games are harem until the final version which will take years in the best case scenario or it will, very likely, never come
shucia
Member
- Jan 3, 2019
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I just cant imagine if Ripples has a multiply branches, imagine the horror for Jestur to developed and the players to wait for content for each of the girls, personally i never like multiply paths in any games especially for most of the solo developers on this platform that i dont think are capable to do such thing or its gonna takes a lot of time, even NLT as a team also didntt have branches in their games, even for Ripples with a straight forward story at least for now getting a scene with each of the girls would be a tough wait because there are so many girls in this game and the worst part is i liked most of them lol.This is so far a "no strings attached" relationship game like others that follow similar logic during more than half of the story. Eternum, MBIML and Projekt Passion on top of my head are like that even though those 3 games have Harem tags on their game threads. City of Broken Dreamers (that is completed) also follows that logic until almost the end of the game but in that one you lock on 1 LI near the end and see the corresponding ending.
So there is a few formulas for this games evolve, another advantage of this is that you require much less split saves for alternate LI paths than those that you lock on a LI early on their development and you can see almost all content with 1 playthrough save.
Some people say that those "monogamy" games give more replay ability but for me that is a false question because most of the times what I do in those is load the alternate LI save and skip the content I already saw and barely we see lot of new content, what ends to be kind of a waste of time but understandable in that formula, a few developers can deliver more content for each path but it is time consuming to develop and we know most people don't have the required patience to wait for updates
Story/plot paths is a different story though and it can be done with a plot event or with the way the MC behaves (Love/Corruption, Good/Evil, Dominant/Submissive, some even have optional NTR/NTS paths like AlwaysFan and Inanna Revenge from the same dev, not for me but love their NO NTR way), and its in this that most Harem games or pseudo-harem like Ripples should aim for.
Machete
Engaged Member
- Apr 7, 2020
- 2,744
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No sweat, friend. English is not the first language of a lot of people here. We see to understand each other the best we can.
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pitao
Active Member
- May 18, 2023
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It would be a nightmare indeed, what I can see happening (just speculation) is partial harem ending in the time event that we chose to stay in and maybe a few solo endings, 1999 or 2019 or any other time, we don't know (and I'm glad I don't) how the story will evolve and how Jestur will decide to finish this, its this mystery and not knowing that got me hooked on Ripples, I'm glad to enjoy the ride. With Sci-fi almost everything is possible and that is why it is my favorite genre.
Ebonheart (FR)
Member
- May 15, 2018
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Jestur has always been quite vague on this topic, which is partly understandable due to the mystery and plot twists he wants to avoid spoiling. It seems unlikely that there will be a full harem covering the two parallel (or more later) timelines of the game, for obvious reasons. I don't think the developer wants to deal with too many scripts, branches and scene variations.
I imagine only a few characters will join an kind of open polyamorous relationship with the MC, leading to some unique scenes or variations, and probably to a scene or ending in the game's epilogue. It's also possible that the developer never openly introduces a harem and keeps it vague, allowing the player to date or have casual relationships with any of the girls in the game.
So, we can't really know what this will look like in the game. Moreover, the game seems to want to stay quite vague on this matter as well. We also still need to figure out which girls are truly the main ones (main Lis), as opposed to the more secondary characters.
For now, the game allows the player to freely date or have sex with any girl without any particular consequences. None of the girls require an exclusive and closed relationship either. While we can guess that some relationships will be or become more serious and invested than others, that's about all we know.
Personally, I don't really mind whether there is a harem in the game or not. Like Pitao, it would be a bit more convenient for me so I don't have to replay multiple times for different girls, but that's about it for me, as long as the game warns us in the future that choosing one route will close off another with a different girl. We'll see what the game has to offer in the future.
I imagine only a few characters will join an kind of open polyamorous relationship with the MC, leading to some unique scenes or variations, and probably to a scene or ending in the game's epilogue. It's also possible that the developer never openly introduces a harem and keeps it vague, allowing the player to date or have casual relationships with any of the girls in the game.
So, we can't really know what this will look like in the game. Moreover, the game seems to want to stay quite vague on this matter as well. We also still need to figure out which girls are truly the main ones (main Lis), as opposed to the more secondary characters.
For now, the game allows the player to freely date or have sex with any girl without any particular consequences. None of the girls require an exclusive and closed relationship either. While we can guess that some relationships will be or become more serious and invested than others, that's about all we know.
Personally, I don't really mind whether there is a harem in the game or not. Like Pitao, it would be a bit more convenient for me so I don't have to replay multiple times for different girls, but that's about it for me, as long as the game warns us in the future that choosing one route will close off another with a different girl. We'll see what the game has to offer in the future.
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-VQueS-
Newbie
- May 1, 2020
- 98
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I agree, but Darci AND Shelby in the same harem sounds pretty damn weird.
Except for Skylar vs. Jessica. Will this be permanent? Who knows, and I'd kind of doubt it. But for now it's a consequence.
I don't know that I really want to see redemption for Shelby, but if we do, it could work, I think.
Ebonheart (FR)
Member
- May 15, 2018
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One could see it that way, but it doesn't seem very restrictive for now. We'll see if it has more serious consequences later.
The multi-mod seemed to suggest that choosing Jessica or Skylar isn’t really a binding choice and that it mainly changes the pace at which one relationship or the other develops. The mod appeared to say, in any case, that the choice made didn't threaten any relationship. So, I can't really say who's right either.
I also think nothing is impossible at this stage regarding Shelby. We know very little about this character, and the MC and she have had very few interactions so far.
A redemption arc doesn’t look out of the question; the character still has a lot of potential. It’s also quite common for a character who starts off somewhat mean, bitchy, or antagonistic towards the protagonist to later reveal their true colors, often explained by important revelations or similar events.
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I agree, hence my comment. She's been bitchy enough, long enough, to enough people, that I don't especially want to see her redeemed--even as some of her more recent content (especially MC's berating her in the cell phone shop, and her reaction to that) does suggest that it's heading that direction. Likely a character flaw on my part. But yes, it's definitely looking like we're going to see how it's all because of her dad. I'd probably prefer to see her as MC's bitch, though I'm not generally a fan of dom/sub.
I have some tolerance for "bitch to lover," but not too much. I like Kali in Harem Hotel (she's probably my favorite LI). I like Alex in Eternum, though she probably ranks #4 for me there (she has some tough competition). But I'm not really a fan of Jasmine in Once in a Lifetime--yeah, she definitely warms up to MC, and she's hot, but she doesn't (to me) ever get away from being a bitch.
Ashira13
Well-Known Member
- Jan 31, 2024
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Ebonheart (FR)
Member
- May 15, 2018
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Definitely, I think so, especially since Shelby's mean attitude seems to be a façade to compensate for her father's dreadful behavior towards her. She constantly tries to be the center of attention and portray herself as better than others in order to hide her own weaknesses. Shelby is probably more fragile than she appears, and much sweeter and kinder once her walls come down and she drops all pretense.
Ashira13
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- Jan 31, 2024
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I could see Darcy and Shelby in the same harem, but I think Darcy would insist on showing her dominance over Shelby, at least until she feels like she's made her point.
At this stage, I don't see Darcy being interested in 'equal' sharing.
One scenario - I could see Darcy suggesting to the MC that they DP Shelby to let her prove to the MC that she really Has changed from the dominant 'Queen Bee Bitch' she acted like earlier in the school year.
I would see this as far less a sexual expression on Darcy's part (bisexual tendencies towards Shelby) and far more an assertion of her dominance over Shelby And something else she shares with her best friend.
I could even imagine a scene where Darcy tells the MC: "I bet you never imagined the two of us giving Shelby the Eifel Tower treatment" then high fiving the MC while they gave Shelby a proper spitroasting.
The real question is, IMO, how long it would take Shelby to reach the point where showing submission to Darcy would be worth it to be one of the MC's women.
Something like this would be played out over 4 or more future revs though so it isn't anything I would expect to see in the next year - 18 months.
I have no idea what Jestur's specific plans are for Darcy and Shelby to reach some level of rapprochement, but this would be a way to even the score (my assessment of Darcy's perspective) and bring them closer to that relationship reset.
Cheers!!
It sure seems like Shelby was written for the redemption arc. She sure seems like a serious bitch with a sweetheart hiding inside with a hard past making her lash out at others.
Since the latest version I have been unable to rollback text. Does anyone else have this issue?
quorkboy
Active Member
- Sep 26, 2020
- 815
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Beware of trusting mods. They don't know any more about the game than you can find out by reading the code yourself. The future is unknown to them, so all they can comment on is the present. Multi-mods like this are also designed to give you all content, so that may affect your experience.
I play without the multi-mod, and I chose Jessica. This has, so far, completely closed off any romantic and sexual relationship with Skylar. There are at least two scenes with her you don't get. And no indication yet when or if this will change.
I believe it will change, if you made the correct choice – my theory, based on posts in this thread at the time, is that one choice offers the possibility of both later, the other does not. Even if either choice leads to the same end game relationships, the choice I made has for the moment shifted one relationship to just friends.
Considering their personalities, I'm betting that if only one choice leads to both, I chose well. I could be wrong.
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Ebonheart (FR)
Member
- May 15, 2018
- 266
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I didn’t say the mod creator is necessarily right, nothing’s really set in stone at the moment. That said, I’m really grateful they took the time to create such a cool and useful tool for us. Just because we can ourselves access the code and scripts doesn’t take away from the effort they put into it. Like I mentioned, I’m not sure if what this person claimed is true.
It seems like Jestur recently said that the girls might be jealous of the MC because of his relationships with others, and there could be a kind of "harem"-like situation, but solely with some of them.
Personally, I don’t think the drama with Jessica is final or that it shuts all doors for good. Maybe, as you did, it’s smarter to prioritize Jessica to get the best route with both her and Skylar. I indeed remember that the evening with Skylar gets cut short if you choose Jessica, but the dinner still happens (maybe a kind of continuity error). A make up dinner or friendly dinner that feels very much like a date between lovers, even though they officially call themselves "just friends" in the car after that, but oh well ...
For me, I preferred the route with Skylar; she’s got more charm and personality compared to Jessica. Jessica feels a bit like the jealous, possessive type, a little capricious and definitely brocon girl with MC (on I patch). Overall, her character feels too much like a stereotype, IMO, so I’m curious to see if she’ll get more interesting later in the game.
I thought it was better for the MC to be a bit firmer and not be swayed by Jessica's whims. I prefer characters who make decisions and stick to them, those with real character who don’t get easily influenced.
I think it's possible, even if you follow Skylar's route at first, that Jessica might eventually accept the relationship and the tension between them will ease up a bit. Maybe she'll still be a little jealous, but if it ends up shutting down the option of a relationship with her for good, well, that just means she probably wasn't worth it for me.
Right before this choice, the MC thinks : "There's a chance Jessica might eventually come around, but am I willing to risk that to keep seeing Skylar ?" This gives the impression that there’s still hope both girls could be open to dating him together. As for the question, my answer is yes, of course ! Sky is just the best one. ^^
P.S : I think, but I’m not sure, that the best choice to get in future the Jessica+Skylar route is to choose Skylar first, but I could be wrong, of course. There might be stronger reasons to believe that choosing Jessica may end up friendzoning Skylar at the end (but not hard evidence). This is just my gut feeling and take on it (after replaying the game today).
Edit : I’d suggest rereading the MC's monologue when he's torn between making Jessica happy at Skylar's expense, or the other way around. To me, the best decision, based on his thoughts, is when he chooses Sky. He steps up, showing that his feelings are stronger than jealousy and sensitivity of another one, and believes Jessica will eventually come around to the idea of him and Skylar being together. And from there, maybe even more in the future ? I'm just assuming for now.
I’ve posted a screenshot with the mod active when that particular choice comes up below.
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pitao
Active Member
- May 18, 2023
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That is what I like in mods like this one LightmanP did, it is an informative choice, it isn't saying what is better or not and only giving 3 choices. Plenty mods just highlight green what they consider the best choice and sometimes it isn't.I didn’t say the mod creator is necessarily right, nothing’s really set in stone at the moment. That said, I’m really grateful they took the time to create such a cool and useful tool for us. Just because we can access the code and scripts doesn’t take away from the effort they put into it. Like I mentioned, I’m not sure if what this person claimed is true.
It seems like Jestur recently said that the girls might be jealous of the MC because of his relationships with others, and there could be a little "harem"-like situation with some of them.
Personally, I don’t think the drama with Jessica is final or that it shuts any doors for good. Maybe, as you did, it’s smarter to prioritize Jessica to get the best route with both her and Skylar. I remember that the evening with Skylar gets cut short if you choose Jessica, but the dinner still happens. A dinner that feels very much like a date between lovers, even though they officially call themselves "just friends" in the car after that, but oh well.
For me, I preferred the route with Skylar; she’s got more charm and personality compared to Jessica. Jessica feels a bit like the jealous, possessive type, a little capricious and definitely brocon (with the patch). Overall, her character feels too much like a stereotype, so I’m curious to see if she’ll get more interesting later in the game.
I thought it was better for the MC to be a bit firmer and not be swayed by Jessica's whims. I prefer characters who make decisions and stick to them, those with real character who don’t get easily influenced.
I think it's possible, even if you follow Skylar's route first, that Jessica might eventually accept the relationship and the tension between them will ease up a bit. Maybe she'll still be a little jealous, but if it ends up shutting down the option of a relationship with her for good, well, that just means she probably wasn't worth it for me.
Right before this choice, the MC thinks, "There's a chance Jessica might eventually come around, but am I willing to risk that to keep seeing Skylar?" This gives the impression that there’s still hope both girls could be open to dating him together. As for the question, my answer is yes, of course ! ^^
I’ve posted a screenshot with the mod active when that particular choice comes up below.
View attachment 4548139
With all that said I usually use the mod option like this one while the game is in development but once the game is finished I probably replay the game with those 2 different choices. Using the mod option simply enables to see most content in my main playthrough and I can avoid to have too many saves for 2 or more different paths. Yes I understand that usually the advice is different, usually is "play blind first and then use a mod/walkthrough when you replay the game" haha Well I prefer my way even if seems weird for most of the people.
Ebonheart (FR)
Member
- May 15, 2018
- 266
- 579
I get what you're saying. It’s nice to have the freedom to try different paths and see what works best in a playthrough. Mods make that easier, especially when you can tweak things like the interface. I also tend to use mods like walkthroughs, gallery unlockers, and the URM-UCD combo. They’re really useful for Ren'Py games.
I usually do a first playthrough to check out all the options, then focus on specific routes in later runs. It’s a good way to explore the game more thoroughly.
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