VN Ren'Py Shattered Dreams: Redemption [v0.5] [Nebula Dreams]

[Dessolos]

I mean i understand u don't like harem, but for US harem fan just asking why not harem? I mean like why tf I want to save many time to see some branch choice to get the sex scene? How about when dev make update only to add new scene to one girl when im not in that girl Route do i need to start over again to see that scene? I mean cmon man im a harem fan and greedy bastard and i bet my ass the other have favorite girl not only just one LI (can be two ,three or more) so that is why that gentleman there asking why not harem??

I mean I don't go on a harem game thread and ask why harem and ask for solo path same thing. Plus the dev said no harem why should he need to explain beyond no?

Yeah there are plenty of games that aren't harems I have a hard time choosing but I wouldn't like it if they were a harem there. As to me if they were a harems not only would it not make sense most of the time it would be out of character. I don't even see the big deal in making multiple saves when ctrl skip is a feature of Ren'py games. Yeah if you don't play all routes or like all the girls there can be times you draw the short end of the stick depending on the dev. But that is the price you play for a nice romantic / monogamous relationship. I will take that any day over a harem as harems just don't work for me most of the time. Same goes with throuples.

Don't get me wrong I don't mind playing a harem once in awhile but I can only stand them if I one of these 3 things are true. I am playing it for the porn ( which is rare for me) , I like the story alot or I just enjoy the characters. But I can never get into the relationship part of a harem yeah there can be good romantic moments but the fact the girls are okay with the harem 90% of the time just ruins the idea of a romantic relationship to me.

 

[Nebula Dreams]

Nebula Dreams

Going through the latest update, and not sure if this is a bug or not so figured I'd post it just in case.

On Maddison's path, you get a text from her to meet at her parent's house. Her Dad comes to the door, and as he's leaving the property Maddison texts MC to apologize. You can either "Reassure Her" or "Say Nothing". Screenshot is below with URM open to show the choices, the code for "Reassure Her" and the variable parameters for "maddisonOpenLove".

Spoiler

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As you may note, "maddisonOpenLove" is not defined at this spot where you add 1 point to it. But earlier in the game you were using a variable called "maOpenLove" for some Maddison choices.

Is there supposed to be both "maddisonOpenLove" and "maOpenLove" variables? If that's intended, please disregard!

You’re right — that was a mistake in the name of the variable. I thought I had fixed it, but I probably forgot to save the change.
The correct variable is maOpenLove.

Starting from version 0.4, this will be fixed. And for those who have a save where maddisonOpenLove +1 was triggered, don’t worry — the value will automatically transfer to maOpenLove at the beginning of 0.4.

I mean i understand u don't like harem, but for US harem fan just asking why not harem? I mean like why tf I want to save many time to see some branch choice to get the sex scene? How about when dev make update only to add new scene to one girl when im not in that girl Route do i need to start over again to see that scene? I mean cmon man im a harem fan and greedy bastard and i bet my ass the other have favorite girl not only just one LI (can be two ,three or more) so that is why that gentleman there asking why not harem??

Dessolos and metamorphMP gave solid answers. But honestly, coming to the thread and asking “Why not Harem?” when it’s clearly stated in the tags that there won’t be a Harem is about as silly as walking into a restaurant with a sign that says “Only Pizza here” and asking why they don’t serve burgers.
Yeah, the example is basic — but the mentality behind it is exactly what you’re doing.

The main reason there’s no Harem is because the story aims to be immersive, realistic, and coherent — and harems are usually unrealistic and often incoherent in that kind of context.

A lot of AVNs use harems because they’re easier to write — you don’t have to create a unique ending or path for each girl, just have them all agree to share the MC. It’s often done in games that lean more toward the porn-focused side than story-driven narrative.

And beyond the fact that it’s unrealistic (I mean, I doubt many people can name someone they personally know who's in a 4- or 5-person harem), the main reason is that each girl has her own personality, her own story, and her own vision on relationships.

Some are more jealous than others, each has different flaws and strengths — and that’s exactly what makes their story and character interesting.
If I forced them to like, just ignore their jealousy or compromise their views on love and commitment for the sake of a harem, it would completely ruin the player’s immersion and undermine who they are as characters.

 

[PickerLewd]

Starting from version 0.4, this will be fixed. And for those who have a save where maddisonOpenLove +1 was triggered, don’t worry — the value will automatically transfer to maOpenLove at the beginning of 0.4.

Thank you, just make sure you don't forget to save the changes along with the fixes .

 

[MagicMan753]

Dessolos and metamorphMP gave solid answers. But honestly, coming to the thread and asking “Why not Harem?” when it’s clearly stated in the tags that there won’t be a Harem is about as silly as walking into a restaurant with a sign that says “Only Pizza here” and asking why they don’t serve burgers.
Yeah, the example is basic — but the mentality behind it is exactly what you’re doing.

The main reason there’s no Harem is because the story aims to be immersive, realistic, and coherent — and harems are usually unrealistic and often incoherent in that kind of context.

A lot of AVNs use harems because they’re easier to write — you don’t have to create a unique ending or path for each girl, just have them all agree to share the MC. It’s often done in games that lean more toward the porn-focused side than story-driven narrative.

And beyond the fact that it’s unrealistic (I mean, I doubt many people can name someone they personally know who's in a 4- or 5-person harem), the main reason is that each girl has her own personality, her own story, and her own vision on relationships.

Some are more jealous than others, each has different flaws and strengths — and that’s exactly what makes their story and character interesting.
If I forced them to like, just ignore their jealousy or compromise their views on love and commitment for the sake of a harem, it would completely ruin the player’s immersion and undermine who they are as characters.

I am not going to defend that guy or push back any points cause I am fine that it's not a harem, I like all type of games, so it's not a big deal, but I disagree on your view of harem being unrealistic and immersion breaking.

You say it's immersion breaking and incoherent which can be true, but also, your game is a bit unrealistic too in some ways, and media in general is too. All forms of media whether is be Avns, movies, videogames, etc. are not realistic, how many people would encounter any of these situations in any game or movie in real life, so I feel like Media as a whole is unrealistic.

You say Harems ruin the girl's own personality and own visions, I feel like cause that is how you or other writers write the girls, if you wanted you could write the girls in a realistic way within a harem, you made the girls and gave them the personalities you wanted for your story which is fine, but their are other ways to write people as a whole in stories.

So yeah this is just my view point, Media as a whole is unrealistic, and we decide what goes in the story to be immersed. Like I was immersed in Avengers endgame, even though superheroes aren't real.

But that is just my view point, not defending the harem guy, or trying to start an argument, just stating my view of it. I am fine either way, and still really love your game, the story and the girls in it.

Edit: I started playing and am helping with grammar and other changes that might be needed, I am planning on dropboxing you a link in dms at some point, would you like it to come in waves, or just one big doc, with all the changes and errors in one go.

 

[LionBear]

Thanks for sharing this story

 

[Gorse]

Great SIGs, thank you.
But Ella is missing , she is the 5th LI.

Thanks, glad you like them.

Must've missed Ella though - perhaps due to not much screen time, assuming she's not more than a side girl perhaps?! Nevertheless, I added her to my fan sig post as well as directly here:

ELLA - Fan Signature
450 x 124 px / 1,10 MB / .gif

LINK: https://attachments.f95zone.to/2025/04/4759285_SDsiG5.gif​

Thank you for the heads up! Enjoy

 

[MiltonPowers]

Thanks, glad you like them.

Must've missed Ella though - perhaps due to not much screen time, assuming she's not more than a side girl perhaps?! Nevertheless, I added her to my fan sig post as well as directly here:

ELLA - Fan Signature
450 x 124 px / 1,10 MB / .gif

LINK: https://attachments.f95zone.to/2025/04/4759285_SDsiG5.gif​

Thank you for the heads up! Enjoy

She hasn't had much screen time yet, but I have faith her time to shine is coming.

 

[WeAreChecking]

First of all great game, I really like the pacing of the game it's not too fast or too draggy. I also like the fact that it's not a harem game because every other game is harem nowadays (No hate to harem enjoyers tho), anyways I wanted to know about the cheating aspect of the game? Will there be actual cheating in the game like some Lis actively being intimate with the MC knowing that MC is in a relationship with someone else? because the games warns you if you make a choice that could lead to cheating? (like if you kissed Jennie you'll get a warning for Lena texts)

And also if I get a certain point in a relationship with a Li, let's say Maddie, will the game automatically locks out other Lis? Or will the game just ignores the fact that MC is juggling with multiple Lis at once? Because if it's the latter I would hate it, personally I believe cheating in a non harem game adds another layer of experience and concequences in the game. Which makes me wanna play every route possible.

Sorry for the long reading hopefully it made some sense.

 

[Assassin_Prime]

A lot of AVNs use harems because they’re easier to write — you don’t have to create a unique ending or path for each girl, just have them all agree to share the MC. It’s often done in games that lean more toward the porn-focused side than story-driven narrative.

And beyond the fact that it’s unrealistic (I mean, I doubt many people can name someone they personally know who's in a 4- or 5-person harem), the main reason is that each girl has her own personality, her own story, and her own vision on relationships.

Some are more jealous than others, each has different flaws and strengths — and that’s exactly what makes their story and character interesting.
If I forced them to like, just ignore their jealousy or compromise their views on love and commitment for the sake of a harem, it would completely ruin the player’s immersion and undermine who they are as characters.

Not trying to attack or anything — just offering a different perspective.

I get that harems don’t fit every story, and that’s totally fine. But calling them “unrealistic” or “immersion-breaking” feels a bit selective when most AVNs already lean into fantasy. The MC somehow ends up surrounded by stunning women who all fall for him with barely any effort — that’s not exactly grounded realism either.

As for them being “easier to write,” I’d argue the opposite — if you’re actually trying to write a good harem. Sure, it’s simple if everyone just magically agrees with no emotional depth, but a well-written harem takes a lot of work. You’ve got to balance multiple character arcs, unique personalities, jealousy, growth, and relationship dynamics — it’s not just slapping everyone into the same bed.

And as for “I doubt many people personally know someone in a 4- or 5-person harem” — sure, that’s rare. But so are most AVN scenarios. How many people do you know who’ve been the center of a dramatic love triangle, or caught in emotionally intense relationships with multiple people in quick succession? Not many — but that doesn’t stop it from making a compelling story. Realism in fiction isn’t about replicating your neighbor’s life — it’s about consistency within the world of the story.

The idea that a harem would automatically “undermine” the characters kind of assumes they’re static. But these are fictional people — their values and boundaries are written, shaped, and evolved. If you can write a believable emotional arc in one direction, you can write it in another — it just depends on whether you want to explore it.

Single routes work great when they fit the story, no doubt. But that doesn’t mean harems are inherently shallow or incoherent. And when done right, they can be just as deep — and sometimes, a more rewarding one when done right.

Best Regards...

 

[Nebula Dreams]

I am not going to defend that guy or push back any points cause I am fine that it's not a harem, I like all type of games, so it's not a big deal, but I disagree on your view of harem being unrealistic and immersion breaking.

You say it's immersion breaking and incoherent which can be true, but also, your game is a bit unrealistic too in some ways, and media in general is too. All forms of media whether is be Avns, movies, videogames, etc. are not realistic, how many people would encounter any of these situations in any game or movie in real life, so I feel like Media as a whole is unrealistic.

You say Harems ruin the girl's own personality and own visions, I feel like cause that is how you or other writers write the girls, if you wanted you could write the girls in a realistic way within a harem, you made the girls and gave them the personalities you wanted for your story which is fine, but their are other ways to write people as a whole in stories.

So yeah this is just my view point, Media as a whole is unrealistic, and we decide what goes in the story to be immersed. Like I was immersed in Avengers endgame, even though superheroes aren't real.

But that is just my view point, not defending the harem guy, or trying to start an argument, just stating my view of it. I am fine either way, and still really love your game, the story and the girls in it.

Edit: I started playing and am helping with grammar and other changes that might be needed, I am planning on dropboxing you a link in dms at some point, would you like it to come in waves, or just one big doc, with all the changes and errors in one go.

Not trying to attack or anything — just offering a different perspective.

I get that harems don’t fit every story, and that’s totally fine. But calling them “unrealistic” or “immersion-breaking” feels a bit selective when most AVNs already lean into fantasy. The MC somehow ends up surrounded by stunning women who all fall for him with barely any effort — that’s not exactly grounded realism either.

As for them being “easier to write,” I’d argue the opposite — if you’re actually trying to write a good harem. Sure, it’s simple if everyone just magically agrees with no emotional depth, but a well-written harem takes a lot of work. You’ve got to balance multiple character arcs, unique personalities, jealousy, growth, and relationship dynamics — it’s not just slapping everyone into the same bed.

And as for “I doubt many people personally know someone in a 4- or 5-person harem” — sure, that’s rare. But so are most AVN scenarios. How many people do you know who’ve been the center of a dramatic love triangle, or caught in emotionally intense relationships with multiple people in quick succession? Not many — but that doesn’t stop it from making a compelling story. Realism in fiction isn’t about replicating your neighbor’s life — it’s about consistency within the world of the story.

The idea that a harem would automatically “undermine” the characters kind of assumes they’re static. But these are fictional people — their values and boundaries are written, shaped, and evolved. If you can write a believable emotional arc in one direction, you can write it in another — it just depends on whether you want to explore it.

Single routes work great when they fit the story, no doubt. But that doesn’t mean harems are inherently shallow or incoherent. And when done right, they can be just as deep — and sometimes, a more rewarding one when done right.

Best Regards...

Don’t worry — it’s actually great to have different points of view.
It’s even necessary, as long as things stay respectful and it doesn’t turn into a personal war about who’s “right.”
It’s just different perspectives clashing — and that’s totally fine.

And I didn’t mean to bash that type of game — it was just the impression I’ve always had with harem games.

MagicMan753 & ArunPrime — of course, there are always unrealistic elements in games. Even just the fact that you can flirt with that many attractive women in the same timeline is unrealistic for most people — but to me, that still feels less unrealistic than a full harem situation where those attractive women all agree to share you with other attractive women.

Sure, it’s simple if everyone just magically agrees with no emotional depth, but a well-written harem takes a lot of work.

The problem, from my perspective, is that harems are often in that first category — mainly driven by a porn-first logic in the story (too easy to sleep with the girls, etc.), and where everything is made overly convenient so that the harem ending is easily accessible for the player.

A well-written harem does take a lot of work — but so do solo paths game.

You’ve got to balance multiple character arcs, unique personalities, jealousy, growth, and relationship dynamics — it’s not just slapping everyone into the same bed.

I totally get that — and yeah, in every kind of game, whether it's Harem, NTS/NTR, or solo path, each character has their own arc, personality, and unique dynamic with the MC.

But for me, the issue with harem games isn’t the journey — it’s the destination.
When I play a harem game, I often feel like I already know how things are going to end for the girls. The surprise usually comes when you can have a solo and satisfying path ending — but most of the time, the “main” ending is the harem one, where the girls just somehow agree to set aside any potential jealousy for the sake of multi-love.

And that’s exactly the moment where I feel like a harem setup can actually hurt character development. If I already know how my relationship with her will end — if I can play multiple sides without worrying about jealousy or consequences — then yeah, it feels like the love interest is written in a way where she's bound to love me no matter what I do.

Personally, that really bothers me. Jealousy is probably one of the most universal emotions out there, and the only scenarios where I don’t find it unrealistic for someone in a romantic dynamic to have zero jealousy is in an open relationship — where she also has other partners (and even then, it’s often just sexual, not multiple full-on romantic relationships).

But reading my message again — which I wrote (way) too early this morning — I realize it might have come across as condescending toward that type of game, and that really wasn’t the goal. It was just my personal opinion, and maybe I was still a bit annoyed seeing people come here asking “Why not a harem?” when I had clearly stated from the start that there wouldn’t be one.

But yeah, Dessolos summed up my thoughts pretty well on the reasons I would play a harem game :

Don't get me wrong I don't mind playing a harem once in awhile but I can only stand them if I one of these 3 things are true. I am playing it for the porn ( which is rare for me) , I like the story alot or I just enjoy the characters. But I can never get into the relationship part of a harem yeah there can be good romantic moments but the fact the girls are okay with the harem 90% of the time just ruins the idea of a romantic relationship to me.

 

[Nebula Dreams]

First of all great game, I really like the pacing of the game it's not too fast or too draggy. I also like the fact that it's not a harem game because every other game is harem nowadays (No hate to harem enjoyers tho), anyways I wanted to know about the cheating aspect of the game? Will there be actual cheating in the game like some Lis actively being intimate with the MC knowing that MC is in a relationship with someone else? because the games warns you if you make a choice that could lead to cheating? (like if you kissed Jennie you'll get a warning for Lena texts)

And also if I get a certain point in a relationship with a Li, let's say Maddie, will the game automatically locks out other Lis? Or will the game just ignores the fact that MC is juggling with multiple Lis at once? Because if it's the latter I would hate it, personally I believe cheating in a non harem game adds another layer of experience and concequences in the game. Which makes me wanna play every route possible.

Sorry for the long reading hopefully it made some sense.

Without spoiling anything — yes, each girl will have a key moment where the nature of your relationship with her will be defined and/or chosen for the rest of the game (The nature of the relationship will be defined but that doesn’t mean she’ll survive no matter what choices you make).
However, if you lock for example in a romantic relationship with one girl, it won’t automatically block out the other relationships you were pursuing or had already started during that key moment.
(Just to be clear: The script won't block you if you enter a relationship with two different LIs.)

But... yes, there will be consequences if you try to play multiple sides but I can’t say more about what those consequences are.

 

[Miss Kobayashi's]

I really liked the game and the story is heartwarming and the atmosphere in the game there are characters very cute and beautifully made music good environment and choice of actions good in the game in general the game is very cool made in styme in the desired added and very much looking forward to your game and of course I hope in styme will appear in my Russian language

 

[Nebula Dreams]

I really liked the game and the story is heartwarming and the atmosphere in the game there are characters very cute and beautifully made music good environment and choice of actions good in the game in general the game is very cool made in styme in the desired added and very much looking forward to your game and of course I hope in styme will appear in my Russian language

Unfortunately, Russian translation won't be available for the Early Access release on Steam, but in the future, when the game is officially released (final version), I do plan to add many more translations (Russian, Mandarin, Spanish, etc...).

 

[snowman44]

I mean i understand u don't like harem, but for US harem fan just asking why not harem? I mean like why tf I want to save many time to see some branch choice to get the sex scene? How about when dev make update only to add new scene to one girl when im not in that girl Route do i need to start over again to see that scene? I mean cmon man im a harem fan and greedy bastard and i bet my ass the other have favorite girl not only just one LI (can be two ,three or more) so that is why that gentleman there asking why not harem??

Harem games don't make for a very dramatic or engaging and emotional story, they just end up being all about the sex. Play a mindless fuckfest harem game if you want that, there are countless of them on this site.

 

[Assassin_Prime]

Don’t worry — it’s actually great to have different points of view.
It’s even necessary, as long as things stay respectful and it doesn’t turn into a personal war about who’s “right.”
It’s just different perspectives clashing — and that’s totally fine.

And I didn’t mean to bash that type of game — it was just the impression I’ve always had with harem games.

MagicMan753 & ArunPrime — of course, there are always unrealistic elements in games. Even just the fact that you can flirt with that many attractive women in the same timeline is unrealistic for most people — but to me, that still feels less unrealistic than a full harem situation where those attractive women all agree to share you with other attractive women.


The problem, from my perspective, is that harems are often in that first category — mainly driven by a porn-first logic in the story (too easy to sleep with the girls, etc.), and where everything is made overly convenient so that the harem ending is easily accessible for the player.

A well-written harem does take a lot of work — but so do solo paths game.

I totally get that — and yeah, in every kind of game, whether it's Harem, NTS/NTR, or solo path, each character has their own arc, personality, and unique dynamic with the MC.

But for me, the issue with harem games isn’t the journey — it’s the destination.
When I play a harem game, I often feel like I already know how things are going to end for the girls. The surprise usually comes when you can have a solo and satisfying path ending — but most of the time, the “main” ending is the harem one, where the girls just somehow agree to set aside any potential jealousy for the sake of multi-love.

And that’s exactly the moment where I feel like a harem setup can actually hurt character development. If I already know how my relationship with her will end — if I can play multiple sides without worrying about jealousy or consequences — then yeah, it feels like the love interest is written in a way where she's bound to love me no matter what I do.

Personally, that really bothers me. Jealousy is probably one of the most universal emotions out there, and the only scenarios where I don’t find it unrealistic for someone in a romantic dynamic to have zero jealousy is in an open relationship — where she also has other partners (and even then, it’s often just sexual, not multiple full-on romantic relationships).

But reading my message again — which I wrote (way) too early this morning — I realize it might have come across as condescending toward that type of game, and that really wasn’t the goal. It was just my personal opinion, and maybe I was still a bit annoyed seeing people come here asking “Why not a harem?” when I had clearly stated from the start that there wouldn’t be one.

But yeah, Dessolos summed up my thoughts pretty well on the reasons I would play a harem game :

No worries, man — I get where you’re coming from. We just see it differently, and that’s cool. I’ll leave it at that and just enjoy the ride.

 

[MagicMan753]

So I am playing and compiling errors and other grammar issues. Something that is brought up a couple times, that is confusing and would like some clarification.

-Did MC and Mina work together along with Naomi, it is brought up a couple times, but never actually happened, so did it happen offscreen, are all the characters lying, or is it a possible error. Don't know if I should add this to my errors list, cause its confusing, so an explanation could come in handy.

-Also is there a reason some call her Min-hee? At first thought is was an error,but comes up a decent amount, so just curious on this, or will we find out later.

 

[MiltonPowers]

So I am playing and compiling errors and other grammar issues. Something that is brought up a couple times, that is confusing and would like some clarification.

-Did MC and Mina work together along with Naomi, it is brought up a couple times, but never actually happened, so did it happen offscreen, are all the characters lying, or is it a possible error. Don't know if I should add this to my errors list, cause its confusing, so an explanation could come in handy.

-Also is there a reason some call her Min-hee? At first thought is was an error,but comes up a decent amount, so just curious on this, or will we find out later.

Min-hee is her real name, so using that is personal and private.

Mina is her famous name.

 

[rafa30]

I like

 

[Nebula Dreams]

-Did MC and Mina work together along with Naomi, it is brought up a couple times, but never actually happened, so did it happen offscreen, are all the characters lying, or is it a possible error. Don't know if I should add this to my errors list, cause its confusing, so an explanation could come in handy.

If you're referring to this line: "I worked with him the other day when I was with Naomi. He was very responsive and professional." during Mina's request to Finlay to recruit the MC — it's not a mistake, Mina is simply lying to Finlay to avoid revealing that it was actually the MC who helped her escape the dinner with Robert.

As for Mina and the MC working with Naomi afterwards, yes — Naomi is part of Mina's staff (she has an assistant (MC), a stylist (Naomi), etc...). It's just not shown and happens off-screen.

And as Milton perfectly pointed out, her stage name is Mina, but her real first name is Min-hee.

Feel free to DM me the errors you find

 

[MagicMan753]

If you're referring to this line: "I worked with him the other day when I was with Naomi. He was very responsive and professional." during Mina's request to Finlay to recruit the MC — it's not a mistake, Mina is simply lying to Finlay to avoid revealing that it was actually the MC who helped her escape the dinner with Robert.

As for Mina and the MC working with Naomi afterwards, yes — Naomi is part of Mina's staff (she has an assistant (MC), a stylist (Naomi), etc...). It's just not shown and happens off-screen.

And as Milton perfectly pointed out, her stage name is Mina, but her real first name is Min-hee.

Feel free to DM me the errors you find

Yeah that helps, but there was also the line when we were talking to Lena while eating, and we say we worked on a topic together and she like my work, was that also a lie also? cause I thought she was lying the first time, but then this line came up too.

Also in the same convo with Finlay, she said we met last year(Just like she told Robert), and when telling Finaly, she said that wasn't a lie, about the year, but a year hasn't passed, only a month so figured I would ask about this one too, if it was a lie too, so I can decide whether to remove that one from the word document.

Thanks for the answers and the answers to these too.

And yeah I will shoot you a dm with errors, I am putting together a doc, Not sure if I should send all the errors in one huge go, or make it more maneagable for you and send it in a couple waves, I pretty much have ch.1 and probably parts of 2 done(there was no intro to ch.2 but am sure I crossed into it), but would you rather it all in one, or sending it in a couple waves?