Recommending Story-first games

[copoarmy]

Of the five criteria in the OP, I'd say Eternum violates 2, 3, and 5. I might revisit it in the future though.

rn i agree with 5 maybe a lil bit 3 but not 2 tho
i can tolerate 3 cus the game itself rn has a very little sex content even some of LIs still dont have a single scene yet

 

[moskyx]

Medieval, conflict, wholesome banter
https://f95zone.to/threads/milf-warrior-v0-1-5-cheesecake-3d.74935/
https://f95zone.to/threads/inner-demons-v0-30-1-9-graytshirt.65177/

Humour, superpower, we do a little trolling
https://f95zone.to/threads/taffy-tales-v0-85-1a-uberpie.9861/
https://f95zone.to/threads/what-a-legend-v0-5-01-magicnuts.51349/

RPG
https://f95zone.to/threads/tail-of-desire-v0-77-blue-bone.55497/
https://f95zone.to/threads/warlock-and-boobs-v0-353-0-2-boobsgames.18692/

maybe maybe
https://f95zone.to/threads/summer-story-v0-2-0-logo.73885/
https://f95zone.to/threads/the-secret-reloaded-v0-4-9b-aorrta.49470/

Hyper, hbimbo
https://f95zone.to/threads/terminal-desires-v0-10-alpha-jimjim.18947/
https://f95zone.to/threads/demon-deals-v0-03-2-breadman-games.97458/
https://f95zone.to/threads/twisted-world-v0-5-public-snatsgames.70143/

How do I link just title, not whole url?

Add the links by clicking on the 'insert link' button in the upper menu: a box will show up and you can insert the URL and an alternate text

 

[bacienvu88]

Played FreshWomen again and was positively surprised. Last time I played was after chapter 2 and felt like a standard game where every girl lusts after MC and goes to college to accumulate his harem etc. The usual tropes. Well, the twist is that MC's father went missing when he was 6 and he is trying to figure out what happened until he got into an accident and lost his memory. Now he is trying investigate again.

The game is still one where every girl lusts after him, but I find the plot actually pretty intriguing so far. Also I noticed that it isn't actual harem, so my playthrough where MC have sex with everyone may turn out to be a disaster (at least I hope so!). If they turn down the porny stuff a bit this could become something good. But currently I don't think it is worthy of this list.

 

[Raife]

And then, that wasn't enough, because Steam decided to ban our publisher for having a non-sexual teenage character in one of the games they published (different dev completely unrelated to us). All games published by them were banned as well. No appeals allowed. No request to remove the "offending" content. They just banned us all.

Valve/Steam has every right to make whatever rules they want to make. But this definitely has an impact on the stories and games that are created.

Tlaero

Thanks, Tlaero -- I am quite convinced this has affected _Hillside_ and several other games that I could mention, as well.

When it happens, I tend to suspend disbelief and give the dev some leeway.

 

[Tlaero]

Does the Mother just points at the picture or does she takes it in her hand and we get to see a big screenshot of it?

You do get a closeup of the picture. The way we resolved it was in the Steam build, we had the character hold the picture and moved the camera so that you saw the back of the picture frame.

Tlaero

 

[noping123]

What I don't like is steams seemingly double standard - I can think of one game just off the top of my head, that is on steam, that most DEFINITELY contains children. (It's done in completely non-sexual, flashback scenes, but its still absolutely kids in the game. We're talking like 10 yrs old or maybe younger.)

So that's a case of kids existing in an AVN, on steam, that was totally allowed.

I wouldn't have a problem with all the steam rules, if they were at least consistently applied.

 

[Tlaero]

I wouldn't have a problem with all the steam rules, if they were at least consistently applied.

I wish they had an appeals process that let you correct the "problem" and get your game back into the system.

Tlaero

 

[schinoize]

First off, thanks for this thread. I've been lurking here for a while now as I'm mostly looking for story-first games on F95zone as well. Appreciate the recommendations.

Anyway, sorry to hijack your thread like this, but I felt it might be better to ask here instead of the main thread to avoid as many spoilers as possible. I've just started playing Corporate Culture, because it's a favorite here. I'm not far in yet (rn at the point where Emma claimed MC's project to be hers) and while I like it so far, the continous obsession with Alice is seriously making me cringe. Will it go on for much longer? Will it ever stop? I might come off dramatic, but I actually paused playing a few times until now, so yeah a quick info would be appreciated.

 

[bacienvu88]

First off, thanks for this thread. I've been lurking here for a while now as I'm mostly looking for story-first games on F95zone as well. Appreciate the recommendations.

Anyway, sorry to hijack your thread like this, but I felt it might be better to ask here instead of the main thread to avoid as many spoilers as possible. I've just started playing Corporate Culture, because it's a favorite here. I'm not far in yet (rn at the point where Emma claimed MC's project to be hers) and while I like it so far, the continous obsession with Alice is seriously making me cringe. Will it go on for much longer? Will it ever stop? I might come off dramatic, but I actually paused playing a few times until now, so yeah a quick info would be appreciated.

Maybe. As in not yet at the current point of the story, but there are signs that he might. I won't say more than that to not spoil too much.

And as much as I like the game, I also have problems play the game from start to finish because of all the cringe in MC:s headspace. But I solve that by trying to see MC as the person who shows off the awesomeness of Elsa.

 

[schinoize]

Maybe. As in not yet at the current point of the story, but there are signs that he might. I won't say more than that to not spoil too much.

And as much as I like the game, I also have problems play the game from start to finish because of all the cringe in MC:s headspace. But I solve that by trying to see MC as the person who shows off the awesomeness of Elsa.

Thanks. I admit, not the answer I was hoping for. It's always hit or miss with those forced infatuations right at the start of a game, that you as a player don't have an influence on, no? For me personally, it's miss way more often.
Anyway, I'll continue playing for now. Also agreed on Elsa, defnitely an intriguing character.


Edit:
Okay, one last bit, then I'm done. I stared way too long at this, before I could move on.

Spoiler: ok?

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How can she keep a straight face there?

 

[jufot]

It's always hit or miss with those forced infatuations right at the start of a game, that you as a player don't have an influence on, no? For me personally, it's miss way more often.

I'm the opposite. I like protagonists whose character, thoughts, and feelings are not left to my whims. In my experience, player agency always comes at a cost to story, so it's nice to see the occasional developer resisting the temptation. I love that in Corporate Culture, the choices so far only effect Edward's delusions and neuroses and all you can really influence is to resist or embrace them. The latter causes Edward to enter a relationship with Lucy based on lies and deception. Beyond that, neither Elsa, nor Alice, nor anyone at EO treat Edward any differently based on your choices.

 

[schinoize]

I like protagonists whose character, thoughts, and feelings are not left to my whims. In my experience, player agency always comes at a cost to story, so it's nice to see the occasional developer resisting the temptation.

That's fair. Compared to others, I haven't played that many AVN yet, so I think I haven't come across such protagonists yet. Doesn't mean I wouldn't be interested in playing such games, though.
I guess it's not so much about having influence or not. Rather Edward's delusions and neuroses feel a bit much right now.

 

[Foind]

Been looking for a list like this, thanks for making it OP

Any other suggestions in the same vein?

Artemis and Where It All Began fit the criteria too I think, WiaB is made by and in same universe as Summer's Gone so despite just being chapter 1 its safe to say the storytelling will take precedence over porn

 

[jufot]

I can just imagine what jufots reaction would be if next update of Corporate Culture starts with Elsa saying "Oh, MC, I love you and your big dick, I don't care how many other girls you have as long as I can be with you".

I forgot to mention this earlier, but IT HAS HAPPENED! It's an official post by sqwl himself, so it definitely counts

 

[bacienvu88]

I forgot to mention this earlier, but IT HAS HAPPENED! It's an official post by sqwl himself, so it definitely counts

Yeah, I saw that post. Forgot about it as well.

 

[schinoize]

Alright, a quick update after I finished playing the content that's been released so far.
I admit I was caught off guard at first (mostly by MC's character). I tend to do very little research before playing a VN for the first time and like to go in as blind as possible.
While I'm probably not as enthusiastic about the story and characters in general as some of you guys, the excellent 'coffee shop'-scene alone made it worth playing. That one was fantastic and evoked all kinds of emotions.
The game definitely brought in a fresh breath of air, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

[bacienvu88]

Alright, a quick update after I finished playing the content that's been released so far.
I admit I was caught off guard at first (mostly by MC's character). I tend to do very little research before playing a VN for the first time and like to go in as blind as possible.
While I'm probably not as enthusiastic about the story and characters in general as some of you guys, the excellent 'coffee shop'-scene alone made it worth playing. That one was fantastic and evoked all kinds of emotions.
The game definitely brought in a fresh breath of air, so thanks for bringing it to my attention.

I'm not sure about everyone else, but for me the only character I really care about is Elsa. Without her the story would be pretty much dead. Specifically it is the battle Elsa wages to get Edward out of his own head that is fascinating. Alice is there as motivation for him to work with Elsa and Lucy is there to see how far he is prepared to go with lies and deception. There is also the question what is Elsa'a motivation in all this which also fuels our curiosity toward the story.

With regards to the coffee shop scene, I am not convinced he actually deliberately walked into the door. My head canon says that he was so engrossed in his own thoughts about whether he should do it or not that he forgot about the door and walked into it.

 

[schinoize]

I'm not sure about everyone else, but for me the only character I really care about is Elsa. Without her the story would be pretty much dead. Specifically it is the battle Elsa wages to get Edward out of his own head that is fascinating. Alice is there as motivation for him to work with Elsa and Lucy is there to see how far he is prepared to go with lies and deception. There is also the question what is Elsa'a motivation in all this which also fuels our curiosity toward the story.

With regards to the coffee shop scene, I am not convinced he actually deliberately walked into the door. My head canon says that he was so engrossed in his own thoughts about whether he should do it or not that he forgot about the door and walked into it.

With coffee shop scene, I meant the one where Edward is having Burgers and I think Elsa is picking up coffee? After the interview. Thought this was in a coffee shop, might be wrong though.

Yeah, Elsa is certainly the standout so far. While extensive cynism and misantrophy usually isn't my thing, so far I'm definitely intrigued.

 

[bacienvu88]

With coffee shop scene, I meant the one where Edward is having Burgers and I think Elsa is picking up coffee? After the interview. Thought this was in a coffee shop, might be wrong though.

Yeah, Elsa is certainly the standout so far. While extensive cynism and misantrophy usually isn't my thing, so far I'm definitely intrigued.

Ah, right. there are several coffee shop scenes of course. And yes, that scene is like the quintessence of the Edward and Elsa relationship.

 

[jufot]

I'm not sure about everyone else, but for me the only character I really care about is Elsa. Without her the story would be pretty much dead. Specifically it is the battle Elsa wages to get Edward out of his own head that is fascinating. Alice is there as motivation for him to work with Elsa and Lucy is there to see how far he is prepared to go with lies and deception. There is also the question what is Elsa'a motivation in all this which also fuels our curiosity toward the story.

I couldn't agree more. The others, even Alice, are only there to provide background and propel Edward & Elsa's dynamic forward. Which is just fine, since they are the only interesting characters so far.