VN Ren'Py Ripples [v0.8.0 Public] [Jestur]

[Jaga Telesin]

Nope. And that relationship is a little weird tbh. I'm generally a big fan of the "childhood friend" characters (e.g., Annie in Eternum, Lucy in Between Humanity), but Darci isn't doing much for me.

Slow-burn characters are actually a turn-off for me. Waiting forever for a girl to come around makes her actually less attractive and interesting. If it's a few days or even a couple of weeks, that's one thing. But push it a month+ out and as a guy, I lose interest. Same thing happened with Amy in GH - when her scene finally landed, it was barely enjoyable. I think developers have to be careful about that, and drawing out their stories and LIs too far in order to avoid burnout anticipation.

 

[danb35]

Slow-burn characters

It's kind of hard to put my finger on why Darci isn't very satisfying (to me, of course) as a LI, but it isn't just a matter of being a slow burn. I love Luna in Eternum, and I quite like Autumn in Harem Hotel, and both are very much slow-burn characters (their respective MCs haven't had sex with them yet, and both games are at least a few years into development). Annie in Eternum is not quite as slow a burn in-game as is Luna (though she and MC have been crushing on each other for the past 8 years or so, before the game started), but almost.

What I think bothers me about Darci is that she's maintaining this ruse of "practicing." She doesn't, as far as she admits, have any sexual interest in MC, much less romantic interest--he's just someone with a dick and a little more experience, that can teach her things. She doesn't really even hint at such interest--we don't see (at least as far as I remember) blushes, inner monologue, or other behavior indicating that she's into MC but unable/unwilling to accept or admit it. So I don't think she's tsundere, they're not even FWB (they aren't fucking, and she doesn't seem to want to fuck), she's not romantically interested in him, they just occasionally do sexual stuff together. Kind of like Laura in TOXICity, figure out what you actually want, then let's talk.

 

[Walter Victor]

It's kind of hard to put my finger on why Darci isn't very satisfying (to me, of course) as a LI, but it isn't just a matter of being a slow burn. I love Luna in Eternum, and I quite like Autumn in Harem Hotel, and both are very much slow-burn characters (their respective MCs haven't had sex with them yet, and both games are at least a few years into development). Annie in Eternum is not quite as slow a burn in-game as is Luna (though she and MC have been crushing on each other for the past 8 years or so, before the game started), but almost.

What I think bothers me about Darci is that she's maintaining this ruse of "practicing." She doesn't, as far as she admits, have any sexual interest in MC, much less romantic interest--he's just someone with a dick and a little more experience, that can teach her things. She doesn't really even hint at such interest--we don't see (at least as far as I remember) blushes, inner monologue, or other behavior indicating that she's into MC but unable/unwilling to accept or admit it. So I don't think she's tsundere, they're not even FWB (they aren't fucking, and she doesn't seem to want to fuck), she's not romantically interested in him, they just occasionally do sexual stuff together. Kind of like Laura in TOXICity, figure out what you actually want, then let's talk.

I think you are completely misreading Darci's character.

Darci is a tomboy. She is reluctant to show any romantic interest in any boy. But she is completely enamored with the MC, and is using these 'practices' to get closer to him.

Besides, it's supposed to be funny. You seem to be taking it way too seriously.

 

[danb35]

Darci is a tomboy. She is reluctant to show any romantic interest in any boy. But she is completely enamored with the MC, and is using these 'practices' to get closer to him.

If that's the case, I'm fine with that once it's shown to be the case. For now, she's a little too good at hiding her feelings for my taste.

it's supposed to be funny

It isn't landing that way, for me, right now. And even if that never changes, that's OK (not every girl is going to be to everyone's taste), but apparently she gets a good bit of screen time in the next update. I wouldn't at all mind seeing her in a different light.

 

[pitao]

It isn't landing that way, for me, right now. And even if that never changes, that's OK (not every girl is going to be to everyone's taste), but apparently she gets a good bit of screen time in the next update. I wouldn't at all mind seeing her in a different light.

Exactly, for me most Darci behavior and actions are funny, humor is a very subjective matter anyway. I agree that Darci is a better sidekick/best friend to the MC at the moment than a lover or LI but she can still possible be better at it later.
I understand why it doesn't land that way for some.

Darci is so young and immature/impulsive but not in a bad way and kind of is what makes it funny by being silly (well I'm a fan of PP humor also so silly humor is my thing I guess) but we also see a few moments where she is more serious and introspective but rarely. She is growing and it is by far my favorite character (not favorite LI) in Ripples, she makes it alive and fun.

Darci is a tomboy. She is reluctant to show any romantic interest in any boy. But she is completely enamored with the MC, and is using these 'practices' to get closer to him.

Still young (and a tomboy) and still doesn't know what she wants or how she wants it but yes with those 'practices' she gets closer to him without committing, pretty normal behavior I saw in late teens when I was one 30ish year ago lol guess things don't change that much in 30 years.

Tomboy and the best sidekick ever for me in AVNs, not even Derek from BAD has any chance in that department lol.

 

[dolfe67]

Yes Darci is a tomboy and as such is not for everyone, you must have peculiar taste to appreciate her character as a LI. She showed some feminine side at times but it's quite rare.

 

[Discrepancy]

Yes Darci is a tomboy and as such is not for everyone, you must have peculiar taste to appreciate her character as a LI. She showed some feminine side at times but it's quite rare.

She's also petite, and for someone as me that prefer normal/small boobs which are quite rare on AVN is appreciated.

 

[danb35]

best sidekick ever

Agree that Darci's a great sidekick. She's a hell of a lot of fun. She's pretty cute (from another person who prefers boobs on the smaller side). It's as a LI that, to me, she falls short. I don't see that "tomboy" precludes "show some romantic/sexual interest in MC," because it's the lack of the latter that seems to be the issue for me. But, again, the game/story isn't over.

 

[e6mill]

But, again, the game/story isn't over.

We know that MC's future includes her bc last trip from the new secret lab under the powerplant all the fancy new gear recognized and named both of us and we didn't tell it to do that, nor give it the biometric data...

 

[jvbatman]

Agree that Darci's a great sidekick. She's a hell of a lot of fun. She's pretty cute (from another person who prefers boobs on the smaller side). It's as a LI that, to me, she falls short. I don't see that "tomboy" precludes "show some romantic/sexual interest in MC," because it's the lack of the latter that seems to be the issue for me. But, again, the game/story isn't over.

That's just you. I want to fuck the shit out of Darci.

 

[Discrepancy]

Agree that Darci's a great sidekick. She's a hell of a lot of fun. She's pretty cute (from another person who prefers boobs on the smaller side). It's as a LI that, to me, she falls short. I don't see that "tomboy" precludes "show some romantic/sexual interest in MC," because it's the lack of the latter that seems to be the issue for me. But, again, the game/story isn't over.

Yeah I understand you, I'm kind the opposite, my example is Riley, I find her hot, but she showing too much sexual interest on the MC the first time she met him turned me off, so I guess it's just different tastes, fortunately this game has lots of girls with different personalities that most people can find a few favorites

 

[XK271]

I honestly find Darci kind of offputting, both personality-wise (woo, I'm drunk and zany!) and physically. Definitely the bottom tier of possible LIs for me.

 

[danb35]

Riley, I find her hot, but she showing too much sexual interest on the MC the first time she met him turned me off

Easily my favorite of the 1999 LIs, and probably my favorite overall, is Jenny. Sure, she's cute as hell, but more importantly to me, she's sweet as can be, and head over heels in love with MC--checks a lot of boxes for me.

I like "in love" a lot more than "friends with benefits" or "fuck buddies," putting Jenny (or Skylar) above 1999 Scarlett (hot as she is), Krystal, or Khloe--and remember, MC and Krystal were having sex almost as quickly as MC and Riley. The thing that I think hurts my opinion of Riley is that, especially early on, she presents as just plain crazy. She was forward, yes, but that was just one piece of the "crazy," and it was the latter than was the turnoff for me. Now, her popping up in the last update, and her dialogue, make her seem much less crazy, and much more devoted to MC, than had previously been the case. And maybe I'll come to revise my opinion of her.

I'd like to see that Darci's romantically interested in MC. I suspect that is the case; she's just been too good (for my preference) at hiding it. I'd accept "sexually interested." But what she's been showing is neither, which is fine if she isn't a LI, but she is. I want to like her that way, but I'm not there yet.

 

[Discrepancy]

Easily my favorite of the 1999 LIs, and probably my favorite overall, is Jenny. Sure, she's cute as hell, but more importantly to me, she's sweet as can be, and head over heels in love with MC--checks a lot of boxes for me.

I like "in love" a lot more than "friends with benefits" or "fuck buddies," putting Jenny (or Skylar) above 1999 Scarlett (hot as she is), Krystal, or Khloe--and remember, MC and Krystal were having sex almost as quickly as MC and Riley. The thing that I think hurts my opinion of Riley is that, especially early on, she presents as just plain crazy. She was forward, yes, but that was just one piece of the "crazy," and it was the latter than was the turnoff for me. Now, her popping up in the last update, and her dialogue, make her seem much less crazy, and much more devoted to MC, than had previously been the case. And maybe I'll come to revise my opinion of her.

I'd like to see that Darci's romantically interested in MC. I suspect that is the case; she's just been too good (for my preference) at hiding it. I'd accept "sexually interested." But what she's been showing is neither, which is fine if she isn't a LI, but she is. I want to like her that way, but I'm not there yet.

Yeah I get you, an LI being romantic or in love with the MC don't do much for me, especially on a game where you can fuck lots of girls at the same time, it makes me feel sleazy, like if MC is taking advantage of the girls feelings (not saying you or anyone are, it's just a me thing and my immersion). And that's why I prefer games and LIs that are usually more flings or sexual than romantic, that's why Darci like she is, it's actually a turn on for me and off to you I think.
Yeah Riley too crazy for me too, but I like her as a character just not much as an LI, but things can change too yeah.
I'm on the fuckbuddies or friends with benefits camp when we have a "harem" or lots of girls.

 

[ShiroGato]

Does Team Skylar mean the Jessica route is closed off? There's quite a large cast after the 0.8 update and I haven't really explored/replayed the game to see what potential routes are still open.

 

[Discrepancy]

Does Team Skylar mean the Jessica route is closed off? There's quite a large cast after the 0.8 update and I haven't really explored/replayed the game to see what potential routes are still open.

Yeah, but will probably merge in the future.
I'm on Jessica route and didn't had the chance to have sex with Skylar after her date, but had some fun with Jess after her photoshoot.

 

[JJ1960]

Yeah I understand you, I'm kind the opposite, my example is Riley, I find her hot, but she showing too much sexual interest on the MC the first time she met him turned me off, so I guess it's just different tastes, fortunately this game has lots of girls with different personalities that most people can find a few favorites

Graphing Riley:

 

[ShiroGato]

Graphing Riley:
View attachment 5446777

Riley is so far top right for me.

 

[danb35]

I'm on the fuckbuddies or friends with benefits camp when we have a "harem" or lots of girls.

I'm greedy, I want to be in love with all of them, and all them with me. As an example, this is (or appears to be) how Eternum is heading (that's on-topic for this thread, right? Since Riley mentions it specifically?). Or where Once in a Lifetime went (albeit not very well IMO). Or (though it's a very different story) How Hard Can It Really Be.

Plenty of harem AVNs don't go this way, and that's OK, but that's what I'd prefer. But it takes some work to make it work and make sense.

 

[Discrepancy]

I'm greedy, I want to be in love with all of them, and all them with me. As an example, this is (or appears to be) how Eternum is heading (that's on-topic for this thread, right? Since Riley mentions it specifically?). Or where Once in a Lifetime went (albeit not very well IMO). Or (though it's a very different story) How Hard Can It Really Be.

Plenty of harem AVNs don't go this way, and that's OK, but that's what I'd prefer. But it takes some work to make it work and make sense.

Hehehe, it's cool that we couldn't be farther on our tastes on this specific thing, but we both seem to be enjoying this game, I think that's a big compliment to Jestur