Recommending Story-first games

[MalkavianVamp]

Talking about choice and immersion, and since we have a bunch of devs/authors here:
How do you feel about letting the player choose the names of the characters?

I mean, the name is an important part of a character. A Jaqueline is probably different from a Jolene.
But at the same time, it is a harmless way to give the player some agency, without giving you a lot of work with branches.

I love games that let you choose your name traits ,perks like pale carnations for example but some games are tailored to have the name of mc fit into story like Cj from out of touch for example so depends on story author is telling

 

[Tlaero]

Talking about choice and immersion, and since we have a bunch of devs/authors here:
How do you feel about letting the player choose the names of the characters?

I mean, the name is an important part of a character. A Jaqueline is probably different from a Jolene.
But at the same time, it is a harmless way to give the player some agency, without giving you a lot of work with branches.

It works if the game is going to be the only one in the series. But if you're going to have other games that refer to characters you named in the earlier games, the story is going to be really confusing.

Tlaero

 

[kotte]

It works if the game is going to be the only one in the series. But if you're going to have other games that refer to characters you named in the earlier games, the story is going to be really confusing.

Tlaero

But you don't think it could be a problem that your "Tommy" might become an "Arthur" or similar?

 

[housekinokuni1974]

The Deluca Family for sure! <3

we're agreed , no sex scenes in this deluca game ?

 

[Tlaero]

But you don't think it could be a problem that your "Tommy" might become an "Arthur" or similar?

It would certainly be a problem if the next game refers to him as "Tommy" and the player doesn't know who that is. It's especially problematic if the player always names his characters "Arthur" and now there are multiple Arthurs in the world to tell apart. And it's especially, especially, problematic if the game universe includes stories in other media than Renpy so there's no good way to get the player's choices for the names of previous MCs.

Now, if the game is a one-off it's not as big a deal. Sure, the player could use a terrible name, like "Shithead" but that just hurts them, not everyone else.

That said, I've only seen games that let you name your MC, never the LI or LIs. It kind of begs the question, if it's more immersive for the player to use his own name, why isn't it even more immersive to have him going after his RL high school crush? And that begs the further question, why not let the player decide the circumstances of the LI and MCs relationship to further match his situation in high school? And that ultimately leads to, why isn't the player just writing his own story?

Tlaero

 

[FatGiant]

It would certainly be a problem if the next game refers to him as "Tommy" and the player doesn't know who that is. It's especially problematic if the player always names his characters "Arthur" and now there are multiple Arthurs in the world to tell apart. And it's especially, especially, problematic if the game universe includes stories in other media than Renpy so there's no good way to get the player's choices for the names of previous MCs.

Now, if the game is a one-off it's not as big a deal. Sure, the player could use a terrible name, like "Shithead" but that just hurts them, not everyone else.

That said, I've only seen games that let you name your MC, never the LI or LIs. It kind of begs the question, if it's more immersive for the player to use his own name, why isn't it even more immersive to have him going after his RL high school crush? And that begs the further question, why not let the player decide the circumstances of the LI and MCs relationship to further match his situation in high school? And that ultimately leads to, why isn't the player just writing his own story?

Tlaero

Right now, there's a rather interesting game suffering from that obsession with name change.

The game is The List by Uncle Loco . This game, as was explained by the Dev, is just the initial part of a multi-games story that "mostly" follow the same MC. So, it brings to the forefront the issue that you are talking about.

The MC we have right now, is going to go ahead and be the MC in further games, it comes to reason, that he should have the same name in the whole series. Since we can't foresee where the tech will evolve to in the future, if at the end of this rather large project, we will still be using Ren'Py or something else entirely, the most sensible thing would be to stick with the name the Author decided upon, so, no confusion arises.

But, alas, no. People want to name the MC after themselves. They continuously DEMAND in no uncertain terms, that they be given that right. No matter how many times you explain to them, that doing that is not ideal. They want it. They criticize the Author inability to allow them to change the MC's name. They asked a modder to create a mod to allow them that. It is so idiotic and so small minded that it boggles me that these persons are even able to breathe, much less read.

About the naming of LI's there are games that allow that. Then they try and go into the threads for those games and don't understand of whom others speak. Because ... nope, I got nothing...

I can understand a "customization" of an experience. Sure. When the game is pretty generic and does not rely too much on the characters, but mostly on what you do to them, OK, it can make sense to name your digital dolls. But, when the characters are an essential part of the plot, not as props, but as co-protagonists, I'm sorry... what are you trying to do? Re-write the story so it is about you? Is this what you mean by interactive?

Another concept that I rail against all the time is, Immersion.

This is a misnomer. People don't want Immersion, they want relatability. They don't want Reality, they want a representation of it, with which they can Relate. Experiences that evoke an echo in you, based on your past lived experiences. Because true Immersion, has was tested in several VR labs and abandoned, is absolutely unpleasant and no one could stand it.

What many people that claim Immersion want, is simply the feeling that "It could be Real". Even in scenarios where Fantasy and Science Fiction are the rule book.

I usually use the Default name, unless it is something idiotic like Chad or (very much) worse. Reading a story with me as the MC would actually bother me a LOT more.

Peace

 

[seek3r]

That said, I've only seen games that let you name your MC, never the LI or LIs. It kind of begs the question, if it's more immersive for the player to use his own name, why isn't it even more immersive to have him going after his RL high school crush? And that begs the further question, why not let the player decide the circumstances of the LI and MCs relationship to further match his situation in high school? And that ultimately leads to, why isn't the player just writing his own story?

Sinners Landing allows you to name the LIs, but it's the only one I've ever seen with that "feature".
I've never understood why, and I always choose the default names for the MC and LIs. It's the authors/developers story to tell, and the names are such an integral part of that - not just for sequels or expanding the universe, but also because characters from different cultural backgrounds or other regions of the world may have names that reflect their heritage, which can contribute to the world-building.

 

[Hildegardt]

The MC we have right now, is going to go ahead and be the MC in further games, it comes to reason, that he should have the same name in the whole series. Since we can't foresee where the tech will evolve to in the future, if at the end of this rather large project, we will still be using Ren'Py or something else entirely, the most sensible thing would be to stick with the name the Author decided upon, so, no confusion arises.

Kinda missing the point here. The confusion only arises, if the player character changes, but the previous one still appears in subsequent games. It's not confusing at all, if you only ever rename the same character and all the other names stay the same throughout all games.
Not sure what tech has to do with this. I don't think in the future programming will outgrow the use of variables or something. Or do you think declaring strings is a special feature of ren'py?

Another concept that I rail against all the time is, Immersion.

This is a misnomer. People don't want Immersion, they want relatability. They don't want Reality, they want a representation of it, with which they can Relate. Experiences that evoke an echo in you, based on your past lived experiences. Because true Immersion, has was tested in several VR labs and abandoned, is absolutely unpleasant and no one could stand it.

What many people that claim Immersion want, is simply the feeling that "It could be Real". Even in scenarios where Fantasy and Science Fiction are the rule book.

Idk, if only there was a commonly used term for this "feeling that "It could be Real"", for these truly deep stories that you can really dive into. Maybe we could call it something like submersion?
Jokes aside, a pet peeve of mine is people talking about realism, when they actually mean immersion. Fiction is inherently not real, but strives to be immersive. You know, like for example a pseudo-logical magic system can make a fantasy world more immersive. Or if there's some real stuff that makes the fake world more relatable, because relatability also helps with immersion believe it or not.

 

[FatGiant]

Kinda missing the point here. The confusion only arises, if the player character changes, but the previous one still appears in subsequent games. It's not confusing at all, if you only ever rename the same character and all the other names stay the same throughout all games.
Not sure what tech has to do with this. I don't think in the future programming will outgrow the use of variables or something. Or do you think declaring strings is a special feature of ren'py?


Idk, if only there was a commonly used term for this "feeling that "It could be Real"", for these truly deep stories that you can really dive into. Maybe we could call it something like submersion?
Jokes aside, a pet peeve of mine is people talking about realism, when they actually mean immersion. Fiction is inherently not real, but strives to be immersive. You know, like for example a pseudo-logical magic system can make a fantasy world more immersive. Or if there's some real stuff that makes the fake world more relatable, because relatability also helps with immersion believe it or not.

I'm sorry. I didn't see your tail. I stepped on it not on purpose.

Peace

 

[jufot]

Long-awaited Patreon updates for two OP-listed games: Zia and Isabella: Chasing Shadows both have new chapters out,

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and

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!

 

[yossa999]

Long-awaited Patreon updates for two OP-listed games: Zia and Isabella: Chasing Shadows both have new chapters out,

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and

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!

And Isa is also available on Steam.

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[realjitter]

I might have a new candidate for "the list" here . Game's called Rivers of Astrum

What stands out here is that it's fully voiced. When you go through the tutorial the developer mentions that both actors did some work for, for example, netflix. And it shows, while the girl is pretty good, the guy is just "crazy". As a child I was very much into audio books. Don't know if audio book is the right term in english, maybe more like radio play cassettes?. Anyhow, both of them act like 4 different characters and the dude is just ridiculous... He has no problem doing it all, accents, intensity... Like, the renders have a hard time keeping up with this guy.

Now, if you have voice actors like this, the writing has to be pretty solid too, otherwise it becomes embarrassing rather quickly. And, well, it is pretty good indeed with the hightlight, to me, being Sandra the pirate here and her little "game of thrones" like backstory. Not only that, she's also written like a pirate, aye. But it's not just her, this AVN is full of details in and outside the dialogue.

The main story is a classic going on a adventure/treasure hunt setup with some porn happening along the way.. While I was a bit skeptical at the very beginning, I ended up being a little bummed when it ended . I thought it was, overall, pretty well done.

Another thing worth mentioning here is the unusual customizability of the game. You can, ingame, deactivate/activate 35 kinks/sexual preferences. So you could, theoretically, deactivate everything if you feel like it and just follow the story . I left it like it is because, why not....

Good stuff...

 

[jufot]

In other news, Fallen and Halfway House also have updates out today!

 

[jufot]

I might have a new candidate for "the list" here . Game's called Rivers of Astrum

A most excellent recommendation after all!

Anyhow, both of them act like 4 different characters and the dude is just ridiculous... He has no problem doing it all, accents, intensity... Like, the renders have a hard time keeping up with this guy.

Indeed. I'm usually quite wary of voice acting, especially since you have to wait for the voice line after you're already done reading, but the cast is remarkably skilled.

The main story is a classic going on a adventure/treasure hunt setup with some porn happening along the way.. While I was a bit skeptical at the very beginning, I ended up being a little bummed when it ended . I thought it was, overall, pretty well done.

Agreed, it's pretty well done. So far, I'm a fan of both the girl power trio and Vex with her pirate not-boyfriend (rip). I assume they'll meet up as Vex is trying to beat them to the cave, presumably to protect them. Does that mean an all-women main cast? I wouldn't say no to that

Sandra the pirate here and her little "game of thrones" like backstory. Not only that, she's also written like a pirate, aye.

She is delightfully upbeat, which is all the more impressive with her disturbing backstory. Definitely my favourite character so far.

it's not just her, this AVN is full of details in and outside the dialogue.

There is so much detail and it's so intricately woven together. Kim and Cara have had excellent chemistry since the beginning. It's not often we see AVN characters that feel genuinely in love with each other, but these two are. And if that's not enough, somehow, Sandra felt like a very natural third to them - in a familial, if not romantic sense - and the camp fire scene solidified that.

So you could, theoretically, deactivate everything if you feel like it and just follow the story . I left it like it is because, why not....

I did the same, though I reckon I will regret it. I especially don't want anything remotely non-con with any of the cast. The dev claims that the filters have smooth transitions, so we won't notice the missing scenes, and they won't affect the narrative, but I'm sceptical. Let's say there is a rape scene that can be filtered out. Either it has narrative impact and hence the filter is harmful, or it has no plot relevance, which means he is the kind of developer who thinks rape is a good fit for titillation. How's that not a lose-lose situation?

Still, there is none of that so far, it's most definitely a story first game, and it's been two chapters already, so off to the list it goes!

 

[Dessolos]

I might have a new candidate for "the list" here . Game's called Rivers of Astrum

What stands out here is that it's fully voiced. When you go through the tutorial the developer mentions that both actors did some work for, for example, netflix. And it shows, while the girl is pretty good, the guy is just "crazy". As a child I was very much into audio books. Don't know if audio book is the right term in english, maybe more like radio play cassettes?. Anyhow, both of them act like 4 different characters and the dude is just ridiculous... He has no problem doing it all, accents, intensity... Like, the renders have a hard time keeping up with this guy.

Now, if you have voice actors like this, the writing has to be pretty solid too, otherwise it becomes embarrassing rather quickly. And, well, it is pretty good indeed with the hightlight, to me, being Sandra the pirate here and her little "game of thrones" like backstory. Not only that, she's also written like a pirate, aye. But it's not just her, this AVN is full of details in and outside the dialogue.

The main story is a classic going on a adventure/treasure hunt setup with some porn happening along the way.. While I was a bit skeptical at the very beginning, I ended up being a little bummed when it ended . I thought it was, overall, pretty well done.

Another thing worth mentioning here is the unusual customizability of the game. You can, ingame, deactivate/activate 35 kinks/sexual preferences. So you could, theoretically, deactivate everything if you feel like it and just follow the story . I left it like it is because, why not....

Good stuff...

I looked at this and all I can say thanks for the recommendation. I want to play a fantasy game after I play Snowstorm and never got around to looking for one and this seems like it be perfect to play after so thanks again.

 

[TheNPC]

I'm tired playing games for horny sakes, schocker I know. Since this thread is about game with story first and formost I'd like to ask if anyone can reccomend me a game to play with.

I don't want the game to be kinetic, even if it has no gameplay, it should at least have some choices to pick on.
I prefer the anime graphic, but if the story is great then I won't mind if it's more western like. No fury or gay content.
Here are some games that I have played, that imo have good story/lore

• Superhuman (came in for the edge, stayed for the story)
• Harem Hotel (lost the saves, rip)
• Mist
• Desert stalker (don't really like this one, don't like the mc)
• Eternum
• Once in a Lifetime
• A House in the Rift (cozy and nice)
• Pale Carnation (played till the third chapter, but the setting is putting me off to continue)
• Corrupted kingdom (this one is weird, my first 3dcg game here, lore is good, but it seems like it will never finish)
• Some "not as good storywise" like Monster Girl dreams, Ambrosia

 

[jufot]

I finally played Zero End's latest chapter, and I can't believe how much I loved it. No other VN so expertly balances gravity with levity. One minute, you have perfectly in-character humour like:

Caleb: How many guys can you take?
Brendan: Uhh, two, I guess? Four if I use my hands, maybe, but that's too much effort. Not sure what that has to do with anything, though.
Caleb: ...
Caleb: In a fight, Brandon.
B: Oooh, right, that makes a lot more sense.

... and soon have it followed by Brianna's most excellent rooftop sequence. It's so wonderfully well done, especially if you've failed to save her, as I have.

With this chapter, I felt even more strongly that this game is meant to be played without pursuing any LIs, save perhaps Marie. The game actively rewards celibacy with smarter dialogue, insight and intrigue. I love it!

From the beginning, my favourite characters have been the ostensible villains - Marie, Silver, and Swansong. I now feel a bit vindicated for my faith in Marie. Her backstabbing was telegraphed well in advance, but the possibility of her real motivations being agreeable to Caleb is looking stronger than ever. Similarly, Silver and Swansong both have more heart to them than their roles might otherwise imply. Especially for Silver, her connection to Marie and her inability to defy Marie must be related to the Daughter of Eve bit, but it's hard to see the whole picture just yet.

Likewise, Lilith has been a brilliant introduction to the cast. Her motivations are shrouded, but I didn't expect the game to steep her background so heavily in Jewish mythology. It has much creative potential, but I wonder if the dev might write himself into a corner? Lilith's fate in the mythology might not fit fell with the Son of Adam / Daughter of Eve thing that's going on. Still, it should be exciting!


Anyway, it's high time Zero End made it to the list. Better late than never

 

[boobsrcool]

Finally played through the newest update of A Long Journey. Really liking the increased stakes and rising tension

 

[365 others]

Finally played through the newest update of A Long Journey. Really liking the increased stakes and rising tension

I like it a lot as a VN/game, but I have to admit that I'm starting to hate the (currently only) LI. The MC is also too candid for my liking, but overall I like how he's been fleshed out.

 

[Tulrek]

I like it a lot as a VN/game, but I have to admit that I'm starting to hate the (currently only) LI. The MC is also too candid for my liking, but overall I like how he's been fleshed out.

I understand the hate for the LI but she is in survival mode and it seems that of the two, the younger sister has the brain so...
The MC is dealing as best he can and start to manup as the story goes on.
Sure I'm pretty eager to wake up the others potential LI from their cryo-coffin.

Let's get rid of the bad guys and have some naughty fun!