Recommending Story-first games

[jufot]

Some thoughts on two little updates.

No Expectation's second chapter is out. My earlier review is here. If you were interested in the stripper girl from chapter 1, this is the update for you. If not, very little of note happens until the very end (especially if you stay on Celine's path), and the chapter ends with a major branching point. That's a bit worrying because it looks like the two paths will have very little overlap going forward. Hopefully, Mr Georgie won't get burned out.

Price of Power has had an update as well. It's rare for an AVN to keep me this invested after so many chapters - 21! - and it doesn't even seem to be running out of steam. We got another slideshow, and what a delight it was! Legacy's theory seems stronger, and the idea that the original islanders were some sort of isolationist sect potentially responsible for the apocalypse is big news and Maria's point about "pureblood" marriages implies that the Ecclesiarchy knows this history. If true, that has major implications for the island's relationship with the mainland. I can't wait to see where that's going!

Also, a small detail, but I love that Maria doesn't want to be a stay at home mum. It would be so easy, even expected of someone of her position, but it's just not her.

As for the rest of the LIs, my ideal path - solo Emilia - remains a dream, but the throuple path is still decently realistic. I didn't like that it was up to the player to decide if Zaya and Lune should be a couple. Doubly so on the non-harem paths. Player-sexual characters are pandering cop-outs in general, but it's worse here because their mutual attraction is pre-established:

It's not like you two were circling each other for the last fifteen years, trying to figure out what to do and being afraid to make a move.

It feels inappropriate for Michael to say "nah, you should stay friends" against that background.

Still, an excellent update overall!

 

[kotte]

No Expectation's second chapter is out. My earlier review is here. If you were interested in the stripper girl from chapter 1, this is the update for you. If not, very little of note happens until the very end (especially if you stay on Celine's path), and the chapter ends with a major branching point. That's a bit worrying because it looks like the two paths will have very little overlap going forward. Hopefully, Mr Georgie won't get burned out.

This was a new one to me, and what a little gem it was! Super wholesome but still engaging, and the Celine path that I took felt quite true to life.
I actually have a real-life memory of meeting someone at a party we had travelled to from different cities, knowing from the beginning that 24 hours later we would be hundreds of miles apart. And while it started with no expectations, a week later it was one of the most important relationships in my life.
If there is something I love to find in these games, it's when there is something in a story that I can relate to like that.

 

[Gingermash]

anyone have some good elf-centered games?

have played stray incubus and elvensang.

Thanks

 

[Garou24]

anyone have some good elf-centered games?

have played stray incubus and elvensang.

Thanks

"Shards of the Past" is said to have some elves in it. I have not played the two games you mentioned so I don't know if you would enjoy it or not, but version 0.3.0 just came out over the weekend.

 

[camube]

Seeking Closure part 6 is out

I haven't play it myself but am about to

 

[tombeir]

Seeking Closure part 6 is out

I haven't play it myself but am about to

Please share it here too ..

 

[MalkavianVamp]

Anyone have an opinion on giant Guardians
I would like to hear your takes ,thanks

 

[yossa999]

Can someone please recommend some 3DCG games like Hillside or Isabella????

https://f95zone.to/threads/leaving-dna-ep-3-impious-monk.122582/
https://f95zone.to/threads/pecker-pi-v0-3-mrpocketrocket.166424/

 

[Kavin123]

https://f95zone.to/threads/leaving-dna-ep-3-impious-monk.122582/
https://f95zone.to/threads/pecker-pi-v0-3-mrpocketrocket.166424/

Thank you. Can u if possible please recommend some 3DCG games like broken promises or getting intimate where the MC meets someone like a childhood friend or LI after a longtime????

 

[yossa999]

Thank you. Can u if possible please recommend some 3DCG games like broken promises or getting intimate where the MC meets someone like a childhood friend or LI after a longtime????

This is a tough question, bro, although there are many games with this trope, most of them can hardly be called story-based which is the topic of this thread, they are all usually about a MC who returns to his "roommates" and corrupts them, and the focus is on the corruption part

Anyway, at the risk of getting a disapproving look from Jufot, I would suggest you to start with this:
https://f95zone.to/threads/leap-of-faith-ch-8-driftygames.48734/
A very nice game where a couple of the main LIs matches your request, although the plot doesn't exactly focused on the MC reuniting with his past.

https://f95zone.to/threads/chasing-sunsets-v0-9a-stone-fox-studios.62625/
Some people here may consider it too porny
But that doesn't make this game any less story-focused, very well written, quite exciting and the main storyline has the elements you've been asking for.

https://f95zone.to/threads/intertwined-v0-12-3-nyx.53676/
Another popular game, more reminiscent of a Latin American drama, but very well made.

 

[Kavin123]

This is a tough question, bro, although there are many games with this trope, most of them can hardly be called story-based which is the topic of this thread, they are all usually about a MC who returns to his "roommates" and corrupts them, and the focus is on the corruption part

Anyway, at the risk of getting a disapproving look from Jufot, I would suggest you to start with this:
https://f95zone.to/threads/leap-of-faith-ch-8-driftygames.48734/
A very nice game where a couple of the main LIs matches your request, although the plot doesn't exactly focused on the MC reuniting with his past.

https://f95zone.to/threads/chasing-sunsets-v0-9a-stone-fox-studios.62625/
Some people here may consider it too porny
But that doesn't make this game any less story-focused, very well written, quite exciting and the main storyline has the elements you've been asking for.

https://f95zone.to/threads/intertwined-v0-12-3-nyx.53676/
Another popular game, more reminiscent of a Latin American drama, but very well made.

Thank you bro, I have played these 3 games actually. Is there any other games if possible that u can mention?

 

[yossa999]

Thank you bro, I have played these 3 games actually. Is there any other games if possible that u can mention?

Looks like you cherry-picked the best ones I can come up with. That's the problem with recommendations You don't know how familiar a person is with AVNs. If you're just starting the mature and popular games would be a first-choice. Otherwise you should look from something relatively new.

Whatever, have you played this?

https://f95zone.to/threads/artemis-v0-5-1-digi-b.77680/
One of the main girls is you childhood friends, although the whole story isn't about it. But it's a good story. But porny

https://f95zone.to/threads/stwa-unbroken-pt-6-stwadev.85108/
Again, the MC knows one of the main girls from the childhood. Very interesting written story and the game contains one of the best redhead characters I've seen so far

https://f95zone.to/threads/after-that-night-ch-7-xinkala.128353/
I wouldn't recommend this game in this thread, but it reminds me of Getting Intimate in some ways, so you can probably give it a try.

 

[jufot]

Fallen's new update is out. It's a short one, but still lovely. The game works best when you 1) play without the incest and 2) let Lola's personality shine unhindered. That means not getting in her way when she manipulates other men with crude sexuality (so don't try to be macho) and playing along when she is seemingly crazy but actually looking for affection.

Shards of the Past also has a new chapter. I've been looking forward to this for a while. We learn that Valdrid has no memories of his time before meeting Quinara. I imagine this is narrative groundwork for a future Chosen One plot. Maybe he is some long-lost royalty? The dream sequence that night at the farm certainly suggests it.

I loved the side story with Maggie and her family. Those events are the direct consequence of the hatred perpetuated by Branson and his ilk, and this was a good way to show how much collateral damage they leave in their wake. And what an excellent introduction to Viviara

 

[Garou24]

Shards of the Past also has a new chapter. I've been looking forward to this for a while. We learn that Valdrid has no memories of his time before meeting Quinara. I imagine this is narrative groundwork for a future Chosen One plot. Maybe he is some long-lost royalty? The dream sequence that night at the farm certainly suggests it.

I loved the side story with Maggie and her family. Those events are the direct consequence of the hatred perpetuated by Branson and his ilk, and this was a good way to show how much collateral damage they leave in their wake. And what an excellent introduction to Viviara

I am glad you enjoyed it! And just you wait, I might have some surprises for you yet

 

[seek3r]

Shards of the Past also has a new chapter. I've been looking forward to this for a while. We learn that Valdrid has no memories of his time before meeting Quinara. I imagine this is narrative groundwork for a future Chosen One plot. Maybe he is some long-lost royalty? The dream sequence that night at the farm certainly suggests it.

My thoughts during the dream sequence went immediately into the direction of cryogenic storage or some hightech escape system (unknown woman: ...don't leave us...), maybe some bunker like fallout? or maybe more the horizon zero dawn/forbidden west direction? can't wait for the next update!

 

[jufot]

My thoughts during the dream sequence went immediately into the direction of cryogenic storage or some hightech escape system (unknown woman: ...don't leave us...), maybe some bunker like fallout? or maybe more the horizon zero dawn/forbidden west direction? can't wait for the next update!

Ah, I completely forgot about the high tech bits from the last chapter! Maybe Valdrid's from a pre-apocalypse group with access to tech and some sort of bunker. Definitely feasible

 

[Jaike]

How do you feel about giving negative reviews on story criteria for games that clearly have a plot, but where the dev obviously gave other stuff like kinks and edgy nonsense more priority than a good plot, good characterisation, or even good spelling and grammar? There's a VN I played a while back and I think it's terrible in a few ways and overrated. It's clear I'm not the audience and the kinks weren't for me, though that wasn't too obvious from the tags, and I don't think low scores are fair just if something has kinks I dislike. But plot and other aspects of writing are like way more fundamental for a VN. I think it's normal that "story fundamentals" have more weight if a game's in a genre where story is important, but should they ever make the difference between 1 and 5 stars?

I guess I'm really asking if I should start giving 1-star reviews. But also how important is story in your ratings, again only for games where this is relevant, and what are your reasons for it?

No I won't name or link the VN.

 

[Dessolos]

I guess I'm really asking if I should start giving 1-star reviews. But also how important is story in your ratings, again only for games where this is relevant, and what are your reasons for it?

Maybe this is just me but it takes alot for me to give a 1 star the lowest ive given is a 2 star. A dev has to show they put in like no effort in the games development for me to give it 1 star. As I know it takes alot to make a game so no matter how terrible at game is to me. So to me doesn't feel right giving 1 star unless the game is beyond terrible or put in little to no effort.

 

[Vasin]

That's an interesting question. I think there's a little bit of confusion in general on what a review is both as a result or a process. For some reason people assume that anything opinion piece is a review when that's not actually the case. The whole point of a review is that it removes as much personal bias as possible.

Sure, you could argue about how much weight different objective criteria should have in overall evaluation but I do think that works have qualities that are separate from their subjective perceptions.

TL; DR My answer to that would be to include your opinions as a sidenote to the actual review part

 

[jufot]

I believe reviews are for the reader, not the writer, so any non-5-star review has a social responsibility to be constructive. That is, if you are not just heaping praise, the onus is on you to explain what you thought was wrong and why. Bonus points if you have ideas on how to improve it.

Generally though, 1-star screeds are usually of the "lol cuck mc" variety, and they are not reviews, just narcisstic rants.