The five stars might be a bit of an exaggeration, as the game's combat isn't particularly special (I mean, it's better than RPGM base fare, but only by one step). The sex scenes aren't particularly amazing art, either (I mean, it is generated).
But the writing is amazing and second to none. And while I usually tend towards fucked over female protagonists who get into some distressing situations, which is a mold this game's protagonist, Sadie, most assuredly doesn't fit, she is exceptionally well realised in her own right (that there is no disconnect between the Very Powerful Protagonist having to Work As a Barmaid and Get Groped as is usually the case helps with immersion, too).
The game has a gradual 'Corruption' (really the wrong term, but whatever) path that the narrative nudges the player towards without forcing things. And I found it rather remarkable I ended up naturally drifting towards this slow corruption from the player's PoV, rather than acting against it to get scenes. Avoiding scenes at the start, but the narrative supporting a more aggressive sexuality later on.
Other characters are just as well realised, and so is the world itself, with a remarkable attention to detail and enjoyable sense of humour that never actually goes overboard.
It isn't a perfect game. Neither gameplay nor art can be considered the top of the heap. But ultimately, what counts isn't what groundbreaking features a game has, but how much the player enjoys a game, regardless of how innovative it may or may not be.
And I happen to enjoy this game a very great deal indeed.
But the writing is amazing and second to none. And while I usually tend towards fucked over female protagonists who get into some distressing situations, which is a mold this game's protagonist, Sadie, most assuredly doesn't fit, she is exceptionally well realised in her own right (that there is no disconnect between the Very Powerful Protagonist having to Work As a Barmaid and Get Groped as is usually the case helps with immersion, too).
The game has a gradual 'Corruption' (really the wrong term, but whatever) path that the narrative nudges the player towards without forcing things. And I found it rather remarkable I ended up naturally drifting towards this slow corruption from the player's PoV, rather than acting against it to get scenes. Avoiding scenes at the start, but the narrative supporting a more aggressive sexuality later on.
Other characters are just as well realised, and so is the world itself, with a remarkable attention to detail and enjoyable sense of humour that never actually goes overboard.
It isn't a perfect game. Neither gameplay nor art can be considered the top of the heap. But ultimately, what counts isn't what groundbreaking features a game has, but how much the player enjoys a game, regardless of how innovative it may or may not be.
And I happen to enjoy this game a very great deal indeed.