- May 15, 2021
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Recommending Story-first games
- Thread starter jufot
- Start date
Just don't bury the main story _completely_ in the upcoming chapters. It can recede... but don't let it disappear entirely. The one thing that bothered me about _Alive_ is that you totally subsumed the MC's background motivation to the point where it became invisible... until it reappeared with a bang. I would have liked a few more breadcrumbs. Just a few!
But kudos: the fact that you got jufot to play a college game and _like_ it, despite his chronic case of NACGB (it's like a case of the clap... he may say it's gone, but...) is a massive accomplishment.
I enjoyed the first chapter a great deal too... it's better than _Alive_ thus far -- which was a good game.And, yes... as jufot says... go for _real_ romantic tension, angst and hurt... although it will get you endless shit from some players on this site.
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That is a healthy instinct, by the way -- aggro from non-supporters is something you should take in small doses.
- Apr 24, 2020
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I think my biggest issue with "College themed AVNs," is that a fair number of them started out as "High school themed AVNs."My alleged bias against college themed AVNs is a dastardly scheme by Raife to slander my good name! I have nothing against college kids having a good sex life
Also, I have no interest in sports in general, so the "College jock themed AVNs" hold no interest for me.
- Nov 10, 2022
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- May 15, 2021
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Thanks for the recommendation, but are you sure? I said "without anything non-consensual whatsoever" and I can see several such tags as groping, rape, and sexual harassment.
- Nov 10, 2022
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No. I’m drunk, so don’t trust me 100 % now. The title is the closest recommendation I could think of, knowing your preferences.
1) “Unpleasantries like rape” don’t appear as scenes/events apart from a chosen origin. In the case of rape victim origin, you can expect e.g.
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Don’t choose “Survivor” origin if it bothers you (but that’s my favorite origin, by the way).
2) “Slavery” - exists in the setting; characters mention it, but no events of enslavement, nor any slaves met by MC afaik.
3) “Mind control” -I saw nothing close to it.
4) “Anything non-consensual” has a very vast range, so sure. The game punishes the player for stupid choices, and MC can be forceful if that’s your preferred playstyle. I usually succeed in avoiding stupid choices and don’t play in forceful style, so the possibility of seeing non-consensual content slipped from my mind. Sorry for that.
- May 15, 2021
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Just don't bury the main story _completely_ in the upcoming chapters. It can recede... but don't let it disappear entirely. The one thing that bothered me about _Alive_ is that you totally subsumed the MC's background motivation to the point where it became invisible... until it reappeared with a bang. I would have liked a few more breadcrumbs. Just a few!
But kudos: the fact that you got jufot to play a college game and _like_ it, despite his chronic case of NACGB (it's like a case of the clap... he may say it's gone, but...) is a massive accomplishment.
And, yes... as jufot says... go for _real_ romantic tension, angst and hurt... although it will get you endless shit from some players on this site.
I'm not going to respond much. I will say, as always though, I'm telling the story I want to tell, in the way I want to tell it, and I'm not going to let comments influence that. It didn't influence alive (The only influence people ever had on it were making minigames optional since they weren't at first, and making the opening scenes with tonya/gaby optional, as originally one or the other was forced) - and it won't influence this one.
What I will say is, this game has a bit of an element of "Build your own MC" in it - that is, (and CH1 already saw a bit of this, Ch2 more, and it'll just continue from there) the MC will be different, act different, and make different choices, depending on the choices you make along the way. For example, there's one scene in Ch2 that only happens with a very specific set of choices in Ch1 - but otherwise it doesn't. There's a lot of that to come, and idk if it'll make sense to everyone else, but it makes sense to me.
As far as the main story goes? It's funny. Pretty much no one saw the final scene coming until it happened. Meanwhile, I wrote every scene with that in mind. In that regard, there's stuff even in the game now, that much later on people will go "Oh. I get it."
What I'm trying to say is, the next couple of chapters won't have a ton of main story.... on the surface. But there's actually quite a lot.... if you pay attention and look for it.
Ok I responded much, I lied apparently.
- Nov 10, 2022
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If "something without consent" mainly refers to things related to sex, then I have a very good suggestion.
I. Without sex content and with fan debate, how much it's Choose Your Own Adventure game:
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by Torpor Games.1. Without sex content: One or two scenes when sex is implied (characters are going to the bedroom), but you may not even see it, as it depends on your choices.
2. Choose Your Own Adventure: IMO, it's Choose Your Own Adventure. Some people point out that it's politically concentrated, has strategy elements, and the most important is how the country is run. True to that, but it doesn't rule out CYOA. The MC is the president whose minimal aim is to be elected again. When the game is mostly linear, many international and country events will happen regardless of choices; situations can change significantly depending on player choices. Even some big events can occur or don't occur, depending on player choices. Players can make important decisions (what can be limited by laws, political influence, obstructed by factions, etc.) and lots of less important ones. Players can decide where to send MC and how to approach meetings to the extent of choosing exact words (from presented options, as in most visual novels). The possibilities of small changes are impressive. Even after many playthroughs, I saw a lot of possibilities that I was unaware of (when I checked the script).
No: rape, slavery, mind control.
II. As for non-consensual content - genocide, discrimination, homicides, things that can happen to MC.
1. Genocide - indirect participation of MC in genocide is optional. I'm not sure if preventing genocide is possible as it's a different country's agenda.
2. Discrimination of minorities and women resembles this from about 1950 in some countries (the country MC is in charge of is modeled on Turkey from about 1950). MC can aim to end discrimination against minorities and women and even succeed far ahead of his time.
3. Homicides - I don't want to spoil. Most optional/avoidable anyway.
4. Things that can happen to MC - I don't want to spoil. Not all mistakes are punishable, as anything happening to MC depends on lots of factors. It mostly serves as bad endings (which can actually have lots of text and some choices).
III. Various remarks:
1. The best way to play this game is to play blind, at least till the first success (reelection of the MC). After that, check only short general information about possible different "paths" without specifics. Choosing another path and trying to succeed. After succeeding in all paths, checking all data on all topics of interest, as succeeding in a blind playthrough most likely required some uncomfortable compromises (that can be rid of).
2. That's a challenging game. At least, it was not easy for me. Some people claim that they were able to win without prior knowledge of what to choose. If you're in that lucky group, simply select a different path. The other ways should be a significant challenge for you.
PS. Suzerain had a big update recently. I judged it as fitting mostly according to the previous version, but from what I saw after the update - the game is even better.
- Aug 3, 2021
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Chapter 18 of Price of Power is out on
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and
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.Played it this morning. It's OK, but... I don't think Panda nails the 'we need a Throuple' conversation. He makes a valiant effort, to be sure, but I still don't buy the way that scenario played out. It's still too easy. If he dials the jealousy up to 10, creates serious tension, and perhaps even a breakup of some sort _that_ would be interesting... as well as more realistic.
But I just don't see most humans reasoning through the situation so logically. It's more like machine logic (see what I did there).
- May 15, 2021
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Agreed. It's excessively mechanical and far too drama-free for a throuple. There has to be jealousy, insults, name-calling, breakup-but-not-really and therapy (with Legacy & Eve) before that last scene.
- Dec 23, 2018
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jufot - Did you ever look at The Intoxicating Flavor ? I came back to it after a year or so away and still really like the story, and peeling back the onion skin that is the relationships of the four people on the island. The supernatural element is just a bonus for me.
- May 15, 2021
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Never heard of it, actually. The synopsis doesn't sound particularly inspiring but I'll add it to the backlog.
- Dec 23, 2018
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I was referencing this from aggggeeeeesssss ago. Obviously didn't get around to it
Likewise, thanks for your list bacienvu88! I'm familiar with all of those games and yes, I love lesbian stuff
- Oct 25, 2020
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If you don't mind me saying so, I don't totally agree with both of you.
I thought the exchange pretty logical.
Hear me say: They just fought some raiders, they helped remnants women to be freed.
So the situation is not normal and Maria is also very grounded and self-aware of her own default.
I though the progression way more realistic that in most of the others throuple/harem games.
She is reluctant but open the door and MC is not jumping right away, he express his doubts also.
Doing so will help to advance more quiclky in the story I think and not wasting too much time in back and forth on thus situation.
Story first !
Overall I liked it a lot.
- Feb 8, 2018
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Like to recommend a story called Broken Dreams. https://f95zone.to/threads/broken-dreams-v0-3-biggering.124830/
It's about a psychologist working at a girl's school. Game has more depth and emotional content than what I expected. MC starts out as an unlikable character but after a near-death experience he begins to grow as a person and begins to really help some of the students who come to him. Does not have a whole lot of choices and there is an in-game guide that does a good job of holding your hand through the story if you want that.
I'm a fan of psychological story lines and this fits that bill. If this is your kind of thing give it a try. You will find some quite emotional moments as you play. Enjoy.
Oh ... I recommend you play with the music on. Developer has done a great job of including music that really adds to the mood of scenes.
It's about a psychologist working at a girl's school. Game has more depth and emotional content than what I expected. MC starts out as an unlikable character but after a near-death experience he begins to grow as a person and begins to really help some of the students who come to him. Does not have a whole lot of choices and there is an in-game guide that does a good job of holding your hand through the story if you want that.
I'm a fan of psychological story lines and this fits that bill. If this is your kind of thing give it a try. You will find some quite emotional moments as you play. Enjoy.
Oh ... I recommend you play with the music on. Developer has done a great job of including music that really adds to the mood of scenes.
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- Sep 27, 2021
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100% agree!
In the Toro 7 thread I found by chance postings from member JJJ84 with a picture of Snow Storm in his signature.
I gave this game a try and was overwhelmed
Not enough the really well and intense composed story in Vikings ambience with historic background the MC has to decide to join into 3 different clans, so you can enjoy 3 different playthroughs (I proceed with the second now).
Even some RPG elements are included.
I wonder why jufot doesn´t list this amazing game further, maybe cuz the story isn´t finished yet?
- Nov 10, 2022
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I agree with both of you.100% agree!
In the Toro 7 thread I found by chance postings from member JJJ84 with a picture of Snow Storm in his signature.
I gave this game a try and was overwhelmed
Not enough the really well and intense composed story in Vikings ambience with historic background the MC has to decide to join into 3 different clans, so you can enjoy 3 different playthroughs (I proceed with the second now).
Even some RPG elements are included.
I wonder why jufot doesn´t list this amazing game further, maybe cuz the story isn´t finished yet?
It would be great, if there would be something like an additional section in the first post called “People's recommendations” or something similar with recommendation from other people that didn’t make it to the main jufot’s list for any reason.
That way he keeps his reputation of having high standards, and people have more (usually) good games listed to try.