VN Ren'Py Single Again [v1.24.1] [Clever name games]

[Thrill Flares]

As someone who has both studied psychology and suffers from anxiety, I think it's fair to say I understand anxiety.

But ...

The complaint as I see it is that there is no apparent evolution in his character. He's static. Abby's become more adventurous. Lilith has started opening up. Becca, well okay no real evolution there but her character doesn't need it. She's the driving force behind most, if not all, the other changes.

So why is his character the one that's stuck repeating the same thoughts?

You say that's because it is his character to be stuck repeating the same thoughts. I say that's a boring character. His being stuck on the same thoughts is inconsistent with the story direction. If he never changes, the ending of this story will be a bizarre and disturbing harem where he keeps fucking all the girls while thinking "this is so wrong, I shouldn't be doing this."

Slow character development along this path from "we shouldn't/can't do this" to "this is what we all want and it's good" is fine (and something I argued for not being a big problem before this update.) No character development is not. Both Abby and Becca have, in different ways, made it clear to him that what is happening in their respective storylines is okay. They want it. They want him to want it. It wouldn't be realistic for him to suddenly switch, but it would for him to become less anxious and more open.

And that's literally what we are asking for. Not "jump straight to him having no concerns" - just have some development in that direction.

Truthfully i understand seeing his character repeat the same thoughts is zero character development, but look at it this way its about building a foundation. He is slowly accepting contrary to his repetitive thoughts. The proof is the dreams. Unless you think Becca controls his subconcious. LOL Deep down he know he wants it and see's that they do to, but at the same time he is still afraid. That fear is slowly being chiseled away slowly. Rome was not build in a day. At some point (could even be in the next update) he will accept it... Well at least a little more or the story would end to quickly. Once he completely accepts it and ends up with them the story will end soon after. For the story to play out right it needs to be slow like this or it would be a short game. Short games are boring cause there is not much story. The ones are the ones that have a good story and pace. Not all story can go past having sex with allt he women cause then its "jumping the shark" territory.

 

[Thrill Flares]

While I DO understand where you are coming from with your psychological profile of the MC, I have to admit that this game is becoming so boring that I am about ready to just say "fuck it" and give up on the game. I mean, this is now version 0.10.1 and nothing is really happening with the MC and his daughters. Sorry, but there are MUCH better games that - while using slow burn for actions or H-Scenes - they still have much more action than this one. As far as the story within the game, that is nearly as boring as the scenes. It is obvious to me that the developer is just using this game as a money scam since it takes this freaking long to see any real action and the MC is so weak that it looks like it will not be until (at a guess) at MINIMUM version 0.20.0 before we ever see any real action within this game, though I would guess it will probably be longer.

You do realize porn games normally start at 0.1 and technically that is where this game is at beside the extra .1 after a 0.10. Games like this are meant to be slow. There is a RPG game called a struggle with sin which is at 0.3.3.1. Which the earliest change log that shows for it is 0.1.1. Which is where we are at with this renpy game. It took a long long time for there to be ANY enjoyable content. I know cause i first plays more 3 years ago. Now there is a bunch content even a cheat mod to get the "good parts" quickly. So you should put things into perspective Of course it more than likely wont be like A Struggle With Sin, but still things take time.

 

[Fap2766]

Why are people getting so hostile and angry about a VN they probably don't even financially support. It's a game, a novel, it's not real life so why try and "analyse" what is going on from a real persons perspective? If you don't like it and find the MC a "weak minded beta" (oh the irony for some on here who clearly only have porn as their experience of women) go and play one of the other thousands of VNs out there.

 

[kagey-bee]

What?!? That is your opinion. Everything with the character flows the ways it seems that is is suppose to. Backstory and all. Its cringey to you cause that is not how you would react. You do not understand the character nor the story. You fault him for asking abigail why she kisses him he is not use to it? All that time she grew up with her ex stepsisters she did kiss him on the lips. He asks that same question to keep his head staight on the matter cause he knows that in the back of his mind that biologically she is not his daughter. Calling him a "shy dork in a girls school" shows how understanding and sensisitive you are. Learn to pay attention and understand the character and why he is they we his instead of complaining about the way the developer decided him to be that fits with the backstory instead of having a backstory that had no effect on the MC like some games do. You think how you would think but do not go and try to think why he is thinking the way he is. Understanding characters is the psychology of characters. Learn the psychology of a character before you judge.

Unfortunately `Single Again` isn`t a psychological essay. It is a fictional story and the way MC progresses (not) as a character is wrong storywise. His issues may be in some way realistic but if it breaks the narrative - it should either be reworked somehow or even excluded. The rules of writing.

 

[cakeny]

Better not watch any real porn then. You're gonna be mightily disappointed.

Difference is, in porn you generally don't put yourself into story as you do in a VN. Or at least I don't.

 

[Nandanox]

While i personally have no real issues with the MC's development being slow, given the situation and timeframe that's perfectly understandable.

However after this episode i have a huge distaste for becca,
as i can't stand people playing mind games with "me", or just using "me" and others as a toy to have fun with, and this is exactly the vibe i'm getting from becca now.

She went from a slight deviant to a full on psycho and it's frankly making me not want to play it anymore.

 

[Watcher X]

Look, I understand that a lot of people are pissed off that the MC hasn't transitioned from being a loving father into a mega perv fucking his daughters every which way after just one update. I sense there is frustration that this writer actually wants to flesh out a story in his porn game. Oh the horror!

I find his internal monologues repetitive yes, but that's a writing issue not a character issue. If you step back objectively for a minute and consider the timeline you have to remember that this scenario has been played out over just a few months. That's actually pretty fast progress for the MC to move from seeing his girls as loving daughters to sex objects there for him to conquest.

Said it before, I'll say it again, I'm happy with the pacing of this story and I find the MC's internal struggles both realistic and refreshing.

 

[MOAR Cowbell]

The MC can, so far ^_^.

For now but in time he won't be able to resist her.

 

[Deleted member 2755092]

For now but in time he won't be able to resist her.

It would be hilarious if the dev decided, that the dad will NEVER ever fuck any of them ^_^.

 

[DA22]

It would be hilarious if the dev decided, that the dad will NEVER ever fuck any of them ^_^.

Well with how he keeps complaining in inner monologues and does not really change, that outcome would make most sense if MC had any spine, well he has none so ........ he will likely get raped at some stage

 

[cakeny]

Well with how he keeps complaining in inner monologues and does not really change, that outcome would make most sense if MC had any spine, well he has none so ........ he will likely get raped at some stage

Why is it vast majority of incest games MC is horrified at his attraction to family members or is a complete creep. Just give us something in between or let us choose how they react.

 

[Whiskeyjackle]

Wow, I kind of always ignored this game for some reason but out of boredom tried it out yesterday and man am I hooked! Love the writing. The dialogues are sometimes a bit too long for me so it loses a bit of the sexual tension but over all I enjoyed it tremendously. Can't wait for the next update and would really appreciate some recommendations for similar games

 

[Majindevil]

While i personally have no real issues with the MC's development being slow, given the situation and timeframe that's perfectly understandable.

However after this episode i have a huge distaste for becca,
as i can't stand people playing mind games with "me", or just using "me" and others as a toy to have fun with, and this is exactly the vibe i'm getting from becca now.

She went from a slight deviant to a full on psycho and it's frankly making me not want to play it anymore.

i feel the same the good thing is you can avoid the shower scene with her but a clear option to tell her to quit with her bullshit or throw her out would be better. the lesbian thing is another point i have problems with lilith was my favorit bevore the reveal so slowly i running out of LI´s to persue (or should i say be pushed into?)

 

[Spiderfox]

I guess the likes i get are mistakes then

No, they are not mistakes, but they aren't supporting you're opinion with their thoughts either. I was just saying calm down. I wasn't telling you to stop voicing your opinion. You seemed to be getting kind of worked up with all the caps locks you were using.

I didn't voice it well and I blame the alcohol.

 

[quorkboy]

i understand seeing his character repeat the same thoughts is zero character development, but look at it this way its about building a foundation.

...

At some point (could even be in the next update) he will accept it... Well at least a little more or the story would end to quickly. Once he completely accepts it and ends up with them the story will end soon after. For the story to play out right it needs to be slow like this or it would be a short game. Short games are boring cause there is not much story. The ones are the ones that have a good story and pace. Not all story can go past having sex with all the women cause then its "jumping the shark" territory.

Literally all we're looking for is movement, as there has been in the girls' attitudes. Which, if you read my last post, you'll note I recognise appears to be finally starting. I have some worry that the next version will revert (because he thinks again before going to bed with Abby that he needs to stop all this) and that will be unfortunate, but choose to focus on the hope that it's a pointer to where things are going. If not, then that's the equivalent of building the foundation over and over and never starting on the house.

There's no reason at all the story can't continue once he starts having sex with them. But also no reason that needs to be rushed (however much I am frothing in anticipation of non-dream-Lilith sex.)

porn games normally start at 0.1 and technically that is where this game is at beside the extra .1 after a 0.10.

Using version numbers as a guide to how much content there should be or at what stage of development the story should be is unreliable outside of an individual game, but within a game they can give some idea. 0.1 and 0.10 are 9 versions apart. If we treat the z in the x.y.z version format as bug fixes and not content updates.

 

[quorkboy]

Look, I understand that a lot of people are pissed off that the MC hasn't transitioned from being a loving father into a mega perv fucking his daughters every which way after just one update. I sense there is frustration that this writer actually wants to flesh out a story in his porn game. Oh the horror!

Yeah, that's 100% not what this is about so no idea where you're getting that from. It's something I've praised about this game and one of the reasons I play it. I like the slow movement to him getting the girls and him not being a creep about it.

I find his internal monologues repetitive yes, but that's a writing issue not a character issue. If you step back objectively for a minute and consider the timeline you have to remember that this scenario has been played out over just a few months. That's actually pretty fast progress for the MC to move from seeing his girls as loving daughters to sex objects there for him to conquest.

Writing issues related to how characters think and behave are character issues.

Yes, the progression isn't that slow. That wasn't the problem. The problem is that his thoughts are lagging behind in a way that within the context of the game is inconsistent.

Said it before, I'll say it again, I'm happy with the pacing of this story and I find the MC's internal struggles both realistic and refreshing.

Overall agreed. There just needs to be some reflection of his changing feelings in his thoughts and not only in his actions.

I think we may now have sufficiently beaten this dead horse.

 

[Mister Boombastic]

I think we may now have sufficiently beaten this dead horse.

Haha, you think? Damn guys I almost felt like I ended up in some kind of philosophical poetry club...

Let's not forget that it's just a porn game we're talking about here, on a porn game forum with thousands of different tastes and preferences. Trying to convince others of your opinion is about as useful as debating over your favorite color.

 

[quorkboy]

debating over your favorite color

Orange. And you'll never convince me otherwise!

 

[Mister Boombastic]

Orange. And you'll never convince me otherwise!

You sure? Not leaning a little bit towards the red or yellow side?

 

[christof rauch]

You do realize porn games normally start at 0.1 and technically that is where this game is at beside the extra .1 after a 0.10. Games like this are meant to be slow. There is a RPG game called a struggle with sin which is at 0.3.3.1. Which the earliest change log that shows for it is 0.1.1. Which is where we are at with this renpy game. It took a long long time for there to be ANY enjoyable content. I know cause i first plays more 3 years ago. Now there is a bunch content even a cheat mod to get the "good parts" quickly. So you should put things into perspective Of course it more than likely wont be like A Struggle With Sin, but still things take time.

actually, this game started at v 0.1.0, went to v 0.2.0 through to v 0.10.1. So no, this is NOT at the beginning. it is so slow in its content addition that it may as well be a scam to milk money from the developers patreons. I have played a NUMBER of games that - by the time the updayes reached v 0.10.1 - there has been SIGNIFICANT content added. Examples are My New Family, Mid-Life Crisis, even the game No More Secrets. His Change Log shows - or starts at - v 0.9.0 as the first listed (He deleted the other version changes, probably to keep the change log short and less cluttered, which I can understand). But DAMN... with the amount of updates that has gone before, the MC is STILL a wimp with NO progression (and yes, I admit the girls, or some of them, has shown somewhat decent progression), and while I can accept the MC's internal monologue, it is getting to the point that the boredom is starting to significantly outweigh the enjoyment and play-ability of the game.