Ok. So I'm finally done with the current 3.3 build.
I can only say... holy fuck.
First things first. You're either a completely depraved individual, or be ready to toss your moral compass out of the window before starting this game. This is exactly as the developer promises. Incest without any "palliative" like in other AVNs, no apocalypse, no catastrophe to justify the thing.
Now, we usually do forget about our moral compass with films and tv series easily. It's the only way one can enjoy things like Breaking Bad or John Wick. Why fantasy games should be any different?. Just make sure you know where the real world limits are, and then just dive into this delight of a game.
The storytelling is really good. The plot, serviceable. Nothing out of the ordinary, but serves its purpose perfectly as the engine moving forward the story. It's somewhat slow burn at first, so be preapred to read. A lot. But the writing is good, so it's more than bearable.
The characters are... really interesting. Each one with their own quirks, personality, backstory and motivations.
In the end, I really devoured the content, as I was hooked into the game; that should be enough justification for the 5* score. And I'm eager for the dev to release the next chapter so yeah. It's that good....
I was pondering if giving this game 4 or 5 stars. Why 4 star you may ask. Two things:
- Graphics. While the Honey Select visuals are nice enough, serving the story and such, they dont stand out. This is not a GFX powerhouse like pale carnations or eternum. But in the end, this didn't lowered the overall score because a clear improvement can be seen between the first episodes, and the latest releases. The Dev IS improving. And this is always refreshing, and worth recognition.
- Some character quirks are... mildly annoying:
* Erik, the only guy in the protagonist trio, is probably the most grounded and realistic of the bunch. But come on, this is a AVN, sometimes he is SO stiff that, even if totally realistic, you will want to slap his face and tell him "Guy, get a grip and stop being so fucking dense!"
* Lyna... What can I say about Lyna. As I wrote in a post in the game thread, shes the pure definition of a succubus, minus the demonic possesion. But everything else? The thirst. The cunning. The unhinged. The egocentrism. It's all there. It's the polar opposite of Erik. At times almost too much even for a AVN. At some point in the story you might be tempted to yell at her "what a slut", and not in the good sense. But bear with her, you will probably end up liking her mischief.
* Helga. Her start is really slow. Another stiff and rigid character at first, but she holds a dark secret, a tainted sin that might be the source of all that is happening in the game. And as the character develops, in the end she IS smoking hot, and really likeable. I'd definitely want to know her better if she weren't my mother...
In the end, a 5* game, no questions asked. Among the best in the incest genre. You need to be into it to enjoy the game, of course. But if you do, welcome to a new and refresing experience
