Recommending Story-first games

[moskyx]

By the way, it's not just creators who dance on the line who are nervous. As far as I know, there was never any indication that you couldn't depict rape or CNC play on Patreon. Now they're banned. Previously, people who depicted those things were not dancing on the line, because the line was drawn around incest.

That's simply not true. Rape and non-consensual sex have always been banned (at least since 2017). Rules weren't as explicit as now, and enforcement has always been kind of relaxed, but the prohibition was always there (exceptions: survivors stories and some other non-fetishing cases).

 

[Grimnir098]

That's simply not true. Rape and non-consensual sex have always been banned (at least since 2017). Rules weren't as explicit as now, and enforcement has always been kind of relaxed, but the prohibition was always there (exceptions: survivors stories and some other non-fetishing cases).

Just looked at their community guidelines page from a month ago with the Wayback Machine, and while it's true that rape was banned, there's no reason to think CNC play was banned just going by what they said.
"Fictional content that glorifies domestic violence and other intimate partner violence."
That's obviously not CNC play.

 

[FlimsyLegs]

For me, it would be a question of whether the narrative actually pays off anywhere near enough to make up for the utter misery of the experience. It probably wouldn't be worth it for me given my stomach for sexual brutality and anything noncon. I thought mizuno_j wrote a critique that sounded both pretty definitive and quite damning. Do you disagree with that take?

The relationship sounds utterly coercive from beginning to end from what I can tell from browsing the game thread. The MC is an android who is treated as property and used as a sex toy. If she tries to resist that fate she is brutalized in extreme ways. If she submits, she's treated "better" but still used as a sex toy. She nonetheless seems to develop some sort of kinship or acceptance for her abuser on all routes (perhaps faked if secretly defiant?) that is apparently ascribed to Stockholm syndrome or not really explained at all. If that's anywhere near an accurate summation, it sounds less like a story about a real abusive relationship and more of an excuse for brutal scenes.

Sort of. Not as much with the characterisation of the man but rather with the evaluation of the quality of the story. While the violence is graphic it never struck me as gratuitous nor did the game try to endorse or make up any moral excuses for the behaviour. I completely understand how one might find subject matter of the game revolting and repulsive but at the same time saying that the character in the game is not some romanticized softcore BDSM enthusiast and is a "sadist" is like saying that Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal. It's not surprising.

The plot point mentioned (inaccurately, I might add) happens I think about 1/3 if not 1/4th into the story so making a judgment about the entire game is premature, especially if it's based solely on personal preference.

I completely agree that it is most definitely not the game for everyone (or most people, really) though.

Hi, developer of Animus Non Grata here. I agree with everything that the two of you discussed about the pain points in the game. However, the scene with the forced piss drinking for example hasn't existed in the past few versions of the game. And in the soon-to-be-out version 0.11.0 the non-con / defiant path has been reworked heavily in terms of motivation and feel behind the non-con actions (without heavily modifying the scenes and things done). The new direction for the non-con path hopefully works better as a story, and better alongside the rest of the narrative. Version 0.11.0 is hopefully out in about a week.

 

[moskyx]

Just looked at their community guidelines page from a month ago with the Wayback Machine, and while it's true that rape was banned, there's no reason to think CNC play was banned just going by what they said.
"Fictional content that glorifies domestic violence and other intimate partner violence."
That's obviously not CNC play.

Yep, that's the main (and concerning) addition

 

[Arisushi]

The latest act of Twin Eclipse is now out, and I would love to hear some feedback on it. (from both those who have AND have not tried the 0.1 version)

It's a simple but (hopefully) effective act that leads to the first big event of the story - that may or may not have been influenced by some real life circumstances which forced me to get a little recklessly creative.

---

PS: Taking up the advice from some of the kind members here, I requested a thread for it and it seems to have been approved I'm really glad it worked out in that regards.

Even if most people are going to skip the game after seeing the "No sexual content" tag, it will still garner a lot more eyes on the game than if I hadn't requested a thread. So, thank you very much for suggesting that.

 

[Garou24]

The latest act of Twin Eclipse is now out, and I would love to hear some feedback on it. (from both those who have AND have not tried the 0.1 version)

It's a simple but (hopefully) effective act that leads to the first big event of the story - that may or may not have been influenced by some real life circumstances which forced me to get a little recklessly creative.

---

PS: Taking up the advice from some of the kind members here, I requested a thread for it and it seems to have been approved I'm really glad it worked out in that regards.

Even if most people are going to skip the game after seeing the "No sexual content" tag, it will still garner a lot more eyes on the game than if I hadn't requested a thread. So, thank you very much for suggesting that.

The first comment on the thread was exactly that. No sexual content. they even threw in possibly made by AI for a garnish.

 

[Arisushi]

The first comment on the thread was exactly that. No sexual content. they even threw in possibly made by AI for a garnish.

Yeah, I was a little surprised by the AI comment, but...

After working on the game for nearly 8 months with (almost) no feedback, I'm just happy to hear anything from a (potential) player

 

[Garou24]

I think it looks great and does not resemble AI generated content. Good luck with your release!

 

[Tlaero]

The latest act of Twin Eclipse is now out, and I would love to hear some feedback on it. (from both those who have AND have not tried the 0.1 version)

Nice work, Arisushi! I like the changes you made in the earlier section as well as the new additions. I find your setting and characters to be compelling.

I noticed some minor typos, and we should have a brief discussion about POV. I'll revisit our private message with them.

Tlaero

 

[Arisushi]

Nice work, Arisushi! I like the changes you made in the earlier section as well as the new additions. I find your setting and characters to be compelling.

I noticed some minor typos, and we should have a brief discussion about POV. I'll revisit our private message with them.

Tlaero

Thank you. Glad you liked the changes. (Looking forward to the discussion.)

 

[Tlaero]

Yep, that's the main (and concerning) addition

I recognize that they're trying to cut down on rape games, and I'm not opposed to that goal. But this still has a chilling effect on non-rape games.

In one of my games (I'm sure Moskys knows which one) I have a mother in her late 40s roleplay a parent teacher conference with her boyfriend. They discuss doing a roleplay scenario and decide which one they want to do before they get into it. So this isn't a "disclaimer, all sex is consensual even though it doesn't seem like it" sort of thing. But it is consensual non-consent.

Do I now have to take that game down from my Patreon page? And since Patreon is cracking down on things that happen on Discord too, do I also have to remove any reference to this game from my Discord server?

I wrote the game 6 years ago. At the time I checked with Patreon about another aspect of the game I was planning. They told me I couldn't do that so I didn't. I was explicitly working with them to stay within the rules. But now we have new rules that are, I assume, enacted retroactively.

What's going to be banned in the next six years? Vanilla sex with a bookstore owner? Sex on a piano with a rock star? Roleplaying spies at a casino? Wholesome, loving sex with a woman who was abused as a child?

Tlaero

 

[Sidartha_6]

The latest act of Twin Eclipse is now out, and I would love to hear some feedback on it. (from both those who have AND have not tried the 0.1 version)

It's a simple but (hopefully) effective act that leads to the first big event of the story - that may or may not have been influenced by some real life circumstances which forced me to get a little recklessly creative.

---

PS: Taking up the advice from some of the kind members here, I requested a thread for it and it seems to have been approved I'm really glad it worked out in that regards.

Even if most people are going to skip the game after seeing the "No sexual content" tag, it will still garner a lot more eyes on the game than if I hadn't requested a thread. So, thank you very much for suggesting that.

I hold on to the same feedbak as last time on this game and I still like it and hope for more story and content. Maby it's time to be a patreon soon, but a little more content will help that decission ..
I think you mixed up the mac and pc links but i guess you already know that... Thanks for your good work!
[

 

[Arisushi]

I hold on to the same feedbak as last time on this game and I still like it and hope for more story and content. Maby it's time to be a patreon soon, but a little more content will help that decission ..
I think you mixed up the mac and pc links but i guess you already know that... Thanks for your good work!
[

Thank you for the support on patreon (and the review on the main thread). It means a lot

I'm really happy you liked the game so far. Will do my best to keep the rest of the journey entertaining too.

(I didn't know the links were mixed up. Thanks for letting me know. Will change it right away.)

 

[moskyx]

I recognize that they're trying to cut down on rape games, and I'm not opposed to that goal. But this still has a chilling effect on non-rape games.

In one of my games (I'm sure Moskys knows which one) I have a mother in her late 40s roleplay a parent teacher conference with her boyfriend. They discuss doing a roleplay scenario and decide which one they want to do before they get into it. So this isn't a "disclaimer, all sex is consensual even though it doesn't seem like it" sort of thing. But it is consensual non-consent.

Do I now have to take that game down from my Patreon page? And since Patreon is cracking down on things that happen on Discord too, do I also have to remove any reference to this game from my Discord server?

I wrote the game 6 years ago. At the time I checked with Patreon about another aspect of the game I was planning. They told me I couldn't do that so I didn't. I was explicitly working with them to stay within the rules. But now we have new rules that are, I assume, enacted retroactively.

What's going to be banned in the next six years? Vanilla sex with a bookstore owner? Sex on a piano with a rock star? Roleplaying spies at a casino? Wholesome, loving sex with a woman who was abused as a child?

Tlaero

Honestly, I'd more worried about those facsimiles who can't consent taking part in dream orgies, or that poor guy who was almost suffocated and got her finger broken. Yeah, it's a troublesome rabbit hole they're descending into. Sadly this NSFW universe is always going to be targeted as a whole based on their worst offenders, with little to no room for nuances or encouragement and promotion of good practices, and tighter and tighter boundaries for creative freedom. One can only hope enforcers would be able to tell actual harmful content apart from mild fantasy settings and mere narrative devices.

 

[Gingermash]

Anyone have some series that are similar to Superhuman?

Struggling to find something of the same quality

 

[Sidartha_6]

Anyone have some series that are similar to Superhuman?

Struggling to find something of the same quality

I know there is a college story with dark wave /emo infuences that feels a bit like Superhuman nut i don't remember the name. I think it is in this thread some where .

 

[EndlessNights]

Anyone have some series that are similar to Superhuman?

Struggling to find something of the same quality

Superhuman is unique in a lot of ways. I suspect you wouldn't find a game quite like it even if you played every single game on this site, but there are other titles that are of similar quality at least in certain aspects.

The two games that feel most similar to SH to me are Zero End (which sounds like it could be the game Sidartha_6 was trying to think of) and Demons of the Hearth. Both of them feature excellent and deep worldbuilding, interesting plots, competing factions, characters with their own lives and sets of interests, high quality fight scenes, and dark atmospheres. Several of my pals in the Superhuman community really like Zero End so it'd probably be the one I'd most recommend to you if you haven't played it yet.

Then there are two series that also have really good fantasy worldbuilding and excellent characters but are quite different from Superhuman in tone: Mythos and the Elsaverse (you'll probably want to start with the Omnibus). Mythos is a murder mystery and a comedy and tends to be a fair bit lighter than Superhuman. The Elsaverse games and stories, though quite varied, focus more on relationships and romance than Superhuman does. In addition, neither Mythos nor the Elsaverse emphasize fight scenes. Another thing they both have in common with Superhuman is that they also have generally nontoxic and supportive fanbases which makes their game threads much more pleasant to read.

There are also a few games that remind me of Superhuman mostly because of their fight scenes. Tokyo Babel is an all-ages VN set in a world where angels and demons coexist. The worldbuilding and story are actually quite interesting, but the fight scenes are particularly well-done (among the best-written I've ever seen in a VN though still not quite on Superhuman's level) and the opponents are all quite unique. However, choices are few and far between so there is much less of a feeling that you're actually affecting the story with your own actions and you can't really roleplay the MC in your own way. In addition, the most interesting LI in my opinion can only be pursued after you play the other routes which isn't a mechanic I'm fond of at all. There are others on this thread who are far more knowledgeable about it than I am, but Mad World also has good fight scenes. I'll also throw Alpha Omega into this category because combat seems like it will be an important aspect of the gameplay. The MC is training to become a competitive fighter so the stakes are a fair bit lower than in Superhuman (though one character has already been seriously injured in a fight). The characters are well-written and the story manages to be both entertaining and have real emotional impact. Given the competitive combat setting, some of the LIs are quite muscular and don't have the typical Daz look which could very well appeal to Superhuman fans.

Finally, I'll mention Nothing Is Forever and Leaving DNA because of the high quality of the writing and the depth of the characters. They are grounded and realistic VNs so they won't scratch that itch for adventure and fantasy that Superhuman and most of the other games I've mentioned here do, but if you love Superhuman you love a great story and these are two of the very best you'll find here. Granted, I might be the only person on this site who actually counts Superhuman, Nothing Is Forever, and Leaving DNA as my three favorite AVNs, but I urge you to give them a chance. Nothing Is Forever even has RPG-like stats and skills and you have a lot of freedom to play the MC as you see fit, including by making choices that could be considered evil. (Admittedly, you can't go full murderhobo...not yet, anyway!)

 

[Jaike]

Anyone have some series that are similar to Superhuman?

Struggling to find something of the same quality

You could get better recommendations if you said what you liked about Superhuman.

As my go-to urban fantasy rec, Sorcerer has some similarities and imo has better worldbuilding, characterisation, choice structure (game overs are more obvious) and, more controversially, overall plot, but its romantic options are strongly tuned to a more generic harem and the MC is more OP. But it could have core content you really dislike, and though there are some dark themes it has like no grimdark, emo or goth stuff.

If you liked Superhuman for the grimdarkery, something like Seeds of Chaos is an obvious thing to try, but don't get me started about that, especially the worldbuilding and characterisation.

And if you liked it for the 2d style, I can only think of very vaguely similar things.

 

[Gingermash]

Superhuman is unique in a lot of ways. I suspect you wouldn't find a game quite like it even if you played every single game on this site, but there are other titles that are of similar quality at least in certain aspects.

The two games that feel most similar to SH to me are Zero End (which sounds like it could be the game Sidartha_6 was trying to think of) and Demons of the Hearth. Both of them feature excellent and deep worldbuilding, interesting plots, competing factions, characters with their own lives and sets of interests, high quality fight scenes, and dark atmospheres. Several of my pals in the Superhuman community really like Zero End so it'd probably be the one I'd most recommend to you if you haven't played it yet.

Then there are two series that also have really good fantasy worldbuilding and excellent characters but are quite different from Superhuman in tone: Mythos and the Elsaverse (you'll probably want to start with the Omnibus). Mythos is a murder mystery and a comedy and tends to be a fair bit lighter than Superhuman. The Elsaverse games and stories, though quite varied, focus more on relationships and romance than Superhuman does. In addition, neither Mythos nor the Elsaverse emphasize fight scenes. Another thing they both have in common with Superhuman is that they also have generally nontoxic and supportive fanbases which makes their game threads much more pleasant to read.

There are also a few games that remind me of Superhuman mostly because of their fight scenes. Tokyo Babel is an all-ages VN set in a world where angels and demons coexist. The worldbuilding and story are actually quite interesting, but the fight scenes are particularly well-done (among the best-written I've ever seen in a VN though still not quite on Superhuman's level) and the opponents are all quite unique. However, choices are few and far between so there is much less of a feeling that you're actually affecting the story with your own actions and you can't really roleplay the MC in your own way. In addition, the most interesting LI in my opinion can only be pursued after you play the other routes which isn't a mechanic I'm fond of at all. There are others on this thread who are far more knowledgeable about it than I am, but Mad World also has good fight scenes. I'll also throw Alpha Omega into this category because combat seems like it will be an important aspect of the gameplay. The MC is training to become a competitive fighter so the stakes are a fair bit lower than in Superhuman (though one character has already been seriously injured in a fight). The characters are well-written and the story manages to be both entertaining and have real emotional impact. Given the competitive combat setting, some of the LIs are quite muscular and don't have the typical Daz look which could very well appeal to Superhuman fans.

Finally, I'll mention Nothing Is Forever and Leaving DNA because of the high quality of the writing and the depth of the characters. They are grounded and realistic VNs so they won't scratch that itch for adventure and fantasy that Superhuman and most of the other games I've mentioned here do, but if you love Superhuman you love a great story and these are two of the very best you'll find here. Granted, I might be the only person on this site who actually counts Superhuman, Nothing Is Forever, and Leaving DNA as my three favorite AVNs, but I urge you to give them a chance. Nothing Is Forever even has RPG-like stats and skills and you have a lot of freedom to play the MC as you see fit, including by making choices that could be considered evil. (Admittedly, you can't go full murderhobo...not yet, anyway!)

Much appreciated on taking the time above to give some descriptive recommendations, have started to download a few and looking forward to them.

 

[Gingermash]

You could get better recommendations if you said what you liked about Superhuman.

As my go-to urban fantasy rec, Sorcerer has some similarities and imo has better worldbuilding, characterisation, choice structure (game overs are more obvious) and, more controversially, overall plot, but its romantic options are strongly tuned to a more generic harem and the MC is more OP. But it could have core content you really dislike, and though there are some dark themes it has like no grimdark, emo or goth stuff.

If you liked Superhuman for the grimdarkery, something like Seeds of Chaos is an obvious thing to try, but don't get me started about that, especially the worldbuilding and characterisation.

And if you liked it for the 2d style, I can only think of very vaguely similar things.

Sorcerer had looked quite dated to me, but considering how many times I see it thrown around, I will take the plunge and give it a look, also seeds of chaos looks definitely up my alley, many thanks