Recommending Story-first games

[jufot]

Thoughts on Zero End's new update? It's out on

You must be registered to see the links

.

I absolutely loved it, and it's now one of my favourite VNs, way up there with Corporate Culture.

Lilith: I want a moment like this to stretch out forever, and I want the tragedy of it ending, for it would have no value otherwise.

We finally find out what caused the schism between Marie and Caleb, and it's heart-rending. With all the supernatural background, I didn't expect the cause to be such a human tragedy. On that topic, the only other VN which has been remotely in the same ballpark is Alpha, Omega and here, Zero End outshined even that.

Suddenly, everything falls into place. The events of that day explain everything that came after, and why it couldn't have happened any other way.

I've always preferred a celibate playthrough for Zero End. The game actively rewards it, but with this update, I'm more sure than ever that this is the story of Caleb and Marie. Other LIs, while excellent characters, are only pursuable as a concession to the audience. They work much better narratively as platonic friends.

This lovely little exchange exemplifies the star-crossed lovers arc so well:

Caleb: And why'd you bring me here?
Caleb: You must have known I wouldn't agree with what you're doing.
Marie: Must I have?
Marie: Last time I saw you, you'd done something that's as cruel as anything I've done.
Marie: How was I supposed to know you spent the years since then in penance?
Caleb: ...
Caleb: You didn't really need me, though. So why get me here?
Marie: ...
Marie: Maybe I knew, deep inside, that you'd want to stop me. Maybe I wanted you to.
Marie: Maybe it was a cry for help.
Caleb: Was it?
Marie: I don't know. I'm not in touch with my feelings, remember?
Marie: We'll just have to find out...
Marie: But, at the end of it all, can you save me from myself?
Caleb: Yes.
Marie: ...
Marie: You don't need to stay, you know. You're not... tainted... yet...
Caleb: ...
Marie: But if you do, you'll end up tainted, like me.
Marie: It's your choice.
Marie: Or maybe you will save me from myself.
Marie: Maybe you'll purify my corrupted heart.
Marie: ...
Marie: Will you fix me or will I make you worse?

It's worth mentioning that there is a BIG HINT in the script that you'll only be able to save Marie if you haven't used the book at the end of chapter 1. Something to keep in mind.

The main plot aside, there was a lot to enjoy in the details:

• Lilith's expanded mythology was lovely. The origins of her curse paint her in a much more... human light. It's wonderfully tragic characterization, especially the game's take on Adam, Eve, and the snake.
• The subway segment is reminiscent of The Trainman and Mobile Avenue in The Matrix. Leah and her compatriots suffer and seek safety, like Rama and his family did.
• I liked both of the early endings. The one where you save Alice was especially poignant. Being alive is not the same as living, and this was a thoughtful reminder. The other one is much darker. I liked that Marie realized, at the very last second, that she had pushed Caleb too far. She tries to say "but I loved you", but it's too late.

It's rare to see a VN author go from strength to strength like this, but it's such a pleasure to read when they do. I really can't wait for the next chapter. It was that good!

So, what did you folks think of it?

 

[Lynava]

Eh tried it but the system with the choice of gods and the dialogue that depends on it repulsed me.

 

[Finuee]

Thoughts on Zero End's new update? It's out on

You must be registered to see the links

.

I absolutely loved it, and it's now one of my favourite VNs, way up there with Corporate Culture.


We finally find out what caused the schism between Marie and Caleb, and it's heart-rending. With all the supernatural background, I didn't expect the cause to be such a human tragedy. On that topic, the only other VN which has been remotely in the same ballpark is Alpha, Omega and here, Zero End outshined even that.

Suddenly, everything falls into place. The events of that day explain everything that came after, and why it couldn't have happened any other way.

I've always preferred a celibate playthrough for Zero End. The game actively rewards it, but with this update, I'm more sure than ever that this is the story of Caleb and Marie. Other LIs, while excellent characters, are only pursuable as a concession to the audience. They work much better narratively as platonic friends.

This lovely little exchange exemplifies the star-crossed lovers arc so well:


It's worth mentioning that there is a BIG HINT in the script that you'll only be able to save Marie if you haven't used the book at the end of chapter 1. Something to keep in mind.

The main plot aside, there was a lot to enjoy in the details:

• Lilith's expanded mythology was lovely. The origins of her curse paint her in a much more... human light. It's wonderfully tragic characterization, especially the game's take on Adam, Eve, and the snake.
• The subway segment is reminiscent of The Trainman and Mobile Avenue in The Matrix. Leah and her compatriots suffer and seek safety, like Rama and his family did.
• I liked both of the early endings. The one where you save Alice was especially poignant. Being alive is not the same as living, and this was a thoughtful reminder. The other one is much darker. I liked that Marie realized, at the very last second, that she had pushed Caleb too far. She tries to say "but I loved you", but it's too late.

It's rare to see a VN author go from strength to strength like this, but it's such a pleasure to read when they do. I really can't wait for the next chapter. It was that good!

So, what did you folks think of it?

I am now tempted to try it. This thread is doing wonders to increase my "games pending to try" list

 

[Bombmaster]

jufot
thx for the preview of the update, waiting with bated breath to play.
hope that some things are different, but im going to try monk run and give a chance do Marie.

ZeroEnd is a gem, but i guess the sandbox rpg vibe with skills put some people off.

 

[Pgsurprise]

I am now tempted to try it. This thread is doing wonders to increase my "games pending to try" list

Me too. Sometimes when I notice a developer posting here I figure they write games with good stories and look them up. Or I'll just go to the first post and pick something off the list.

 

[yossa999]

I am now tempted to try it. This thread is doing wonders to increase my "games pending to try" list

Zero End is one of the few that is worth giving the green light to in your pending queue
Probably the best horror/mystery/paranormal adult novel.

 

[Finuee]

Zero End is one of the few that is worth giving the green light to in your pending queue
Probably the best horror/mystery/paranormal adult novel.

Ok, that is quite the endorsement!

 

[yossa999]

Ok, that is quite the endorsement!

Yeah, moreover, when I first started the game, I was surprised and a slightly disappointed, it all seemed to me like some kind of strange parody of college games, only some moments of the characters' behavior were weird and seemed off for a typical college AVN. But this is only the very beginning, then the game really hooks you.

 

[kotte]

Thoughts on Zero End's new update? It's out on Patreon.

This is one of my absolut favourite stories too, it's one of the few that I support on a level that puts my name in the credits. And boy am I proud of that!

We finally find out what caused the schism between Marie and Caleb, and it's heart-rending. With all the supernatural background, I didn't expect the cause to be such a human tragedy.

I agree! As I was playing through, I was starting to feel a bit saturated with the supernatural sequences, and the very poetic internal monologue, but then we hit that scene and BAM, suddenly I understood that Marie hadn't just magically turned into an evil supervillain just for the sake of the story, there was a much more grounded, and relatable, backstory to their breakup.
Up to that moment, I didn't see Marie as a very interesting character in the story, she was too much of a cliché ultra-antagonist. I found Raine much more interesting for example. But that scene turned things around a bit and gave Marie a reason for being who she is. That reveal was, I think, the epicenter of the story.

Also, this game has always had some pretty amazing renders, but this episode took it to the next level.
Like in the subway, how the lights in the tunnel was sweeping over the interior of the car as it moves, and then over their faces.
Beautiful!

Lilith's expanded mythology was lovely. The origins of her curse paint her in a much more... human light. It's wonderfully tragic characterization, especially the game's take on Adam, Eve, and the snake.

Either I missed this when I played, or it was only told in a path I am not on.
Can you elaborate on that? The curse paint?

 

[jufot]

This is one of my absolute favourite stories too, it's one of the few that I support on a level that puts my name in the credits. And boy am I proud of that!

You should be! I'm glad you like it so much

I found Raine much more interesting for example.

Rayne is actually one of the reasons I think the game rewards celibacy. When Lilith explains to Caleb what a Lilim is, she says that succubi suffer from the Curse of Thorns, that they love incredibly much, but cannot ever be loved in return. It's a coherent explanation of Rayne's suffering. Caleb tries objecting - how is that fair? - and Lilith explains that fairness is a manmade construct that humans cling to for comfort, but the universe doesn't care.

If you are on Rayne's route, though, you get some throwaway line about how every rule has an exception. It's a poor explanation, incoherent with the mythology, clearly only there to support a potential romance.

Either I missed this when I played, or it was only told in a path I am not on.
Can you elaborate on that? The curse paint?

Towards the end of the train journey, at the house where Caleb discovers the man without legs, there is a flashback where Caleb and Lilith are at a coffee shop, and he's trying coffee for the first time. She explains why and how she left Adam, how that led to her sister, Eve, becoming Adam's lover. Lilith got consumed with rage, and she used the snake as a tempting bait for Eve. It worked, and Eve died, but in his grief Adam committed suicide and Lilith was left alone. Distraught, Lilith put the curse on herself as penance, and she's been suffering ever since. It's a lovely scene! If you want to replay it, type jump ch2d5memory_12_lily to the developer console and hit enter

 

[kotte]

If you are on Rayne's route, though, you get some throwaway line about how every rule has an exception. It's a poor explanation, incoherent with the mythology, clearly only there to support a potential romance.

Mm. As I said, my opinions of the different routes were turned around a bit this episode. After the last episode, I found her more interesting than the others. The struggle of having your body do things outside of your control was intriguing and relatable as a metaphor. But in this episode a lot happened with the characters.

Towards the end of the train journey, at the house where Caleb discovers the man without legs, there is a flashback where Caleb and Lilith are at a coffee shop, and he's trying coffee for the first time. ... It's a lovely scene! If you want to replay it, type jump ch2d5memory_12_lily to the developer console and hit enter

Thanks for the pointer! I suppose I should go back and try other combinations of chaos, magic and talk...

 

[jufot]

try other combinations of chaos, magic and talk

That choice is at the ball. The scene I'm talking about is just before that. But yes, do try other combinations at the ball because there are a bunch of different options and it's randomized

 

[seek3r]

Absolutely fantastic update! The Lilith scenes only play, when you're not on any other romance path.

 

[jufot]

The Lilith scenes only play, when you're not on any other romance path.

Ah, I didn't notice that! As if I needed more reasons for a celibate playthrough

 

[Canto Forte]

You heartless monster!

Spoiler

You don't have permission to view the spoiler content. Log in or register now.

 

[17MOONKEYS]

What do you think?

 

[17MOONKEYS]

I'm interested in games where the story takes precedence over everything else. My personal criteria are:

• Well-designed, internally consistent, coherent story with a beginning and an end - i.e. no games where the devs make shit up as they go along.
• Characters that are actual human beings, with lives, personalities and interests outside the MC.
• Sex scenes should serve the plot, not vice versa. If there is no story-relevant reason for a scene, it shouldn't be there.
• No Engrish. Non-native speakers are fine (I am one), but the dev should at least use Grammarly or LanguageTool.
• No cheap tropes (e.g. every woman lusts after the MC's magical dick).

Also, since some people clearly can't play nice and/or are seriously disturbed, here are some additional criteria for this thread. Please don't bring up any such games.

• No sexualization of minors. No games that have - or should have - loli/shota tags.
• No non-consensual sexual violence intended for titillation.

Make a comment if you can think of others that fit the criteria. We're a friendly bunch here

Games I've already played that - IMHO - mostly fit the above criteria, in alphabetical order: (last updated March 2025)

• Acting Lessons
• A Father's Sins
• Along The Edge
• Alpha Omega
• The Artist
• A Long Journey
• Ashes of War
• A Summer's End
• The Bite: Revenant
• Best Friends
• Blackberry Honey
• Bride of a Dead God
• Callisto
• Camp Klondike
• Cardinal Cross
• Chrome Lifelines
• Corporate Culture
• Deviancy
• Divergence: Beyond the Singularity
• Dreamy Planet
• Elsaverse games (Omnibus first, followed by Nightmares, Transitions, Chasing Beth, Past, Present, and Future, and Gemini)
• Elvensang
• The End of an Actress
• The Entrepreneur
• Fragile Feelings
• Halfway House
• Hillside
• Intertwined
• Isabella - Chasing Shadows
• Leaving DNA
• Life Changes for Keeley
• Mad World
• The Missing Part
• Mythos: Book One
• No Expectation
• Nothing is Forever
• Oathbreaker
• Oathbreaker 2
• Occultus: Daughter of Darkness
• One Day at a Time
• One Night Stand
• Penny for Your Thoughts
• Price of Power
• Rebirth
• Reluctant Archon
• The Rest of Our Lives
• Reunion
• Rivers of Astrum
• Salome's Kiss
• Seers Isle
• Sigh of the Abyss
• Shards of the Past
• Short Sad Stories
• The Silver Lining
• Simple Beginnings
• Sorcerer
• Strangers on Paper
• Summer's Gone
• Terminus Reach: Sentinel
• Three Rules of Life
• The Warrior's Heart
• Toro 7
• Zero End
• Zia

Which is this games top 3 story first?

 

[Bombmaster]

What do you think?

Im certified cest enjoyer and can say is hot.
but its very open the plot/ baba yaga. it could been even better.

 

[Pixillin']

Long time F95 poster Grumpy Old Aussie has just released his first game - Only the prologue and chapter 1 so far but the Lusanti Chronicles is off to a great start. We've already got a MC who has been put in an impossible position, but is surrounded by loyal servants (and infatuated loyal women). Swords, elves, dwarves, (apparently dragons to come), assassins and court politics. Definitely off to a great start on the story, with strong, memorable characters - the art isn't quite there but he's aware and working to improve.

https://f95zone.to/threads/the-lusanti-chronicles-ch-1-v1-01-grumpy-old-aussie.257669/

 

[jufot]

Chapter 5 of Dancing Colors is out. It's a decent episode.

I liked how if MC is having sex with Ashley, he pretty much immediately tells Luna. He wasn't cheating, not really, but it effects Luna just the same, and it was refreshing to see such honesty in a VN.