Recommending Story-first games

[Raife]

Thanks, Nyra -- some great suggestions here. I've added a few comments:

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(< 400 Patrons): Great story in Sorcerer and TRS and can't wait for another look at the TRS universe.

Fascinating world building... but the sex is really mechanical and not erotic. I like the inclusion of LIs from non-traditional backgrounds/ages, though. I probably won't sponsor, but I admire his games.

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(< 200 Patrons): For Price of Power, Love myself a slow burn romance and a great story to boot.

In addition to his lovely game, Panda is highly responsive to constructive feedback and is a terrific sport. jufot and I were among his earliest supporters, and I count him as one of our 'successes.' (When jufot is whinging/hand-wringing about each episode, you're doing something right!)

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(< 200 Patrons): Because Callisto's mechanics where interesting and I am partial to a good sci-fi story

I'll consider it... the freeroam elements are sometimes a bit confusing, but I agree that the game is solid.

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(< 300 Patrons): After playing One Day at a time I had to show some support, we need more stories like this

Agreed. In addition, Zoey does walkthroughs for other games.

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(< 800 Patrons): Recent subscription for me but after seeing the quality of the releases in Artemis I'm looking forward to more and with that cadence and quality the dev has to be pushing for full time so needs some support.

I just can't get into this game... I love one of the main LIs and the production values are outstanding, but it has goofy/porny bits that are an annoying distraction from the primary narrative strand.

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: Becau se not only Light of my Life has very well written characters but it also has an interesting style and more diverse models and I want to support that.

I sponsor Naughty because the artwork is special, as you say, and the writing is very good... but some of the subject matter and the relationship betweeen the MC and the two main LIs makes me very uncomfortable.

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: Because there is no better Romance story that I have read/played this year than Sunstone. Honestly if you have not read Sunstone yet what are you doing, go read it now ^^

I haven't tried it yet! Thanks.

Thanks for the push at reviewing my pledges and the creators I have or not supported, just realised that

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has less than 500 pledges yet I was not supporting them yet. Swiftly corrected that how in the word do Tlaero and MortzeArt not have more support is beyond me.

Absolutely. They among the very best, and their sponsorship is disgracefully low. If I remember correctly, when they merged their Patreon pages some time ago they actually lost supporters, on net, which is completely insane.

 

[jufot]

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(< 400 Patrons): Great story in Sorcerer and TRS and can't wait for another look at the TRS universe.

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(< 200 Patrons): For Price of Power, Love myself a slow burn romance and a great story to boot.

I have these as well. Definitely worth supporting

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(< 300 Patrons): After playing One Day at a time I had to show some support, we need more stories like this

I love One Day at a Time, and you're right, we do need more stories like this. I'll add Zoey for February.

Also side mention of

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(< 200 Patrons) a patreon of a small youtube creator that is dedicated to reviewing adult games and for a new creator (around 1 year I believe) she is doing a pretty good job so far. As a step to break the stigma and get Adult Games more maintstream recognitions this type of content will be needed so it got my support.

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll check out her videos.

I sponsor Naughty because the artwork is special, as you say, and the writing is very good... but some of the subject matter and the relationship betweeen the MC and the two main LIs makes me very uncomfortable.

Agreed. I love the artwork, but the nature of those two relationships makes me deeply uncomfortable, so no support from me.

 

[Nyravrod]

[Talothral] Fascinating world building... but the sex is really mechanical and not erotic. I like the inclusion of LIs from non-traditional backgrounds/ages, though. I probably won't sponsor, but I admire his games.

I think here I have the same approach than jufot where I am happy to skip past those and focus on the narrative. I wonder if the quality of the scenes is not suffering from his approach of 'animation' by creating a slideshow that autoplays. I think with some proper dialog thrown in even fewer images might create more intimacy in those scenes.

[xavster_gaming] I'll consider it... the freeroam elements are sometimes a bit confusing, but I agree that the game is solid.

The freefoam does make it a bit confusing at times, but it's nice to see some game mechanics such as the trading etc in a game that has more story than the usual game centric titles. I do appreciate the TV in the room with the occasional newscast reminding you of the overall narrative at play, helped me feel more immersed.

[Zoey Raven] Agreed. In addition, Zoey does walkthroughs for other games.

For many many games too, that is some dedication to the community for sure

[Digi.B] I just can't get into this game... I love one of the main LIs and the production values are outstanding, but it has goofy/porny bits that are an annoying distraction from the primary narrative strand.

There are definitely porn tropes and it takes some suspension of disbelief to get past those for sure. Still for me the quality of the releases and my personal bias to sci-fi storylines managed to get me past those ^^ Also as much as the hated ex is an overplayed trope, there are factors that made it different in my eyes. Mainly the way the MC is reacting to his past and the concept of trust and inability to give trust again is something I relate a lot to. The lack of confidence and trust resonated with a personal experience so I was more invested in that storyline as a result.

[NaughtyRoad] I sponsor Naughty because the artwork is special, as you say, and the writing is very good... but some of the subject matter and the relationship betweeen the MC and the two main LIs makes me very uncomfortable.

I agree the relationship between the MC and the 2 youg girls is definitely uncomfortable for me too, however it is testament to the quality of the characters and the writting that you can skip the relationship with them (which I did) and the game still plays and evolves fairly well. I don't know many games where the characters remain that relevant without pursuing them (Intertwined comes to mind but that's it from the top of my head)

[Stjepan Sejic] I haven't tried it yet! Thanks.

Looking forward to hearing what you tought of it. I found it almost by accident and was honestly blown away.

 

[Nyravrod]

Oh, definitely. Without the regulars from this thread, the forum would be untolerable for me. I try to limit my interactions outside this thread to a minimum, or at least to low-traffic threads. As for staff, the only one I've actually interacted with is Sam, who is nice, but that was only for technical stuff. Beyond that, I try to avoid attracting moderator attention

Same here, I don't really interact on this site other than in this thread. I don't usually comment much online in general, I find online discourse to often be difficult and rarely engaging enough that I want to spend my time doing so. Yet this has become my favourite place to share thoughts about games and to find new games to try. So thank you to you all for making it comfortable and worth it to reach out.

 

[moskyx]

Basically, my pledges are for devs with few supporters and a clear roadmap for their games, and also who communicate regularly with their patrons. Of course, story matters, and incest is a big no-no.

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  (<300 patrons) Game: Deliverance. It's porn and sometimes porn logic applies (especially in the moments chosen for sex scenes), but at least it tries to tell a story, somewhat interesting although a bit clunky. I like the marriage dynamics if player wants to stay faithful to his wife, and also how the sharing option is presented (it's the execution that I find a bit annoying, but I guess we just can't have it all). Just one chapter to go, with only some endings pending.

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  (<300 patrons) Game: Heavy Five. A very hard-to-sell game in this forum. Sci-fi, mistery, investigation, aliens, VR games, sandbox-freeroaming elements, side quests and linear story, and lots of bad puns, all together. The amount of effort put in this game due to the myriad of paths available is just insane and I really fear it will be too much down the line, but the whole story is already planned out, and it shows. Most casual players whine about the lack of sexual content (it's there, although it's almost non-existing in 'real world' storylines yet) but sex wouldn't be really justified at this point of the story. Also, albeit she swears her game is to be played as the player would like to do it, as there is no canon path (and tons of choices are provided), is one of those games where a walkthrough is mandatory to keep yourself in the desired path; otherwise, chances are you'll end up trapped in a 'fixing power plant' simulator. So yeah, a hard sell at this point of development (chapter 4 out of the 10 planned, if I remember correctly), but Notty deserves some support.

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  (<200 patrons) Game: Superheroes Suck. A strange sandbox. I really like the premise and the writing. In a way, it's like if all those broken heroines from the Elsaverse were living together in an Academy to master their powers, and then the caring and sensitive man they all need to 'fix' their emotional problems enters it because he doesn't even know what his own powers are - and all in a doofus, sweet comedy style. The whole sandbox thing is not really implemented yet, and you can't actually play it as a sandbox since many interactions are dependant of other events with other girls, so you have to progress all the stories in a balanced way to trigger main story events (thus seriously affecting the narrative pace), but it's still enjoyable. Again, porn logic applies as it's an harem focused game, and some mental gymnastics are needed to accept why some characters would be willing to share the MC, but the fact that their sexual encounters are kind of a mechanical, fuckbuddy-thing between some horny teenagers (which in a way they are) trying to not get caught helps a bit. It's weird, but pleasantly weird, at least for me. Maybe a bit too slow, due to that sandbox elements and a dangerous lack of curiosity from the MC, but the overall product is worth it, so far. Just reached a first third of the planned main storyarc.

 

[jufot]

Thanks for your recommendations moskyx!

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(<300 patrons) Game: Heavy Five [...] one of those games where a walkthrough is mandatory to keep yourself in the desired path; otherwise, chances are you'll end up trapped in a 'fixing power plant' simulator.

I want to like Heavy Five, I really do. Try as I might, and I tried three times (!), I can never get past the "power plant fixing simulator" aspect of it. It's too directionless. I understand Notty's motivation to provide each player with a unique experience, and while that's admirable, it also destroys pacing and doesn't allow a coherent narrative.

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(<200 patrons) Game: Superheroes Suck [...] In a way, it's like if all those broken heroines from the Elsaverse were living together in an Academy to master their powers, and then the caring and sensitive man they all need to 'fix' their emotional problems enters it because he doesn't even know what his own powers are - and all in a doofus, sweet comedy style.

That premise sounds very interesting, but I like neither harem, nor sandbox, so if they're both present, it's a clear signal for me to stay away

 

[moskyx]

Thanks for your recommendations moskyx!


That premise sounds very interesting, but I like neither harem, nor sandbox, so if they're both present, it's a clear signal for me to stay away

The sandbox part in SuperHS is pretty straightforward thanks to the hints system and there's no grind, it's just a way to advance timeslots and storylines, but harem is unavoidable: you must lewd even your supercar's AI, so yeah, maybe not your thing.

 

[Raife]

harem is unavoidable: you must lewd even your supercar's AI, so yeah, maybe not your thing.

On most of F95, that means allowing another dude to drive your car would earn the game a NTR tag...

 

[Innovative maniac]

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 female character lusts after the MC's magical dick).

Games I've already played that - IMHO - mostly fit the above criteria, in alphabetical order: (last updated December 2021)

• A Summer's End
• Blackberry Honey
• City of Broken Dreamers
• Corporate Culture
• Defending Lydia Collier
• Deviancy
• Divergence: Beyond the Singularity
• Elsaverse games (Omnibus first, followed by Transitions, Nightmares and Chasing Beth)
• Hillside
• Intertwined
• Leap of Faith
• Life Changes for Keeley
• Mad World
• Mythos: Book One
• Nothing is Forever
• Oathbreaker
• One Day at a Time
• Our Red String
• Penny for Your Thoughts
• Price of Power
• Rebirth
• Reluctant Archon
• Sorcerer
• Summer's Gone
• Terminus Reach: Sentinel
• The DeLuca Family
• The Warrior's Heart
• Three Rules of Life

Any other suggestions in the same vein?

Well you're missing Artemis , being dik and long lived princess.

 

[moskyx]

On most of F95, that means allowing another dude to drive your car would earn the game an NTR tag...

Well, you have to drive her to her mechanic and creator, to let him manipulate her inner parts, all while you're trying to "steal" her from him, so... yeah, controversial topic, now you mention it

But honestly, that's possibly the most touching and romantic story in the game. And it has some witty writing, I really like that. And also the facial expressions, gazes, lip-bitting... It's a very polished work

 

[jufot]

Well you're missing Artemis , being dik and long lived princess.

I'm not, all three have been discussed in this thread. Those games violate at least one criteria in the OP. I'm open to adding them, but I'll need additional convincing

 

[Innovative maniac]

I'm not, all three have been discussed in this thread. Those games violate at least one criteria in the OP. But I'm open to adding them, but I'll need additional convincing

I can understand your concern with Op character in both being dik and long live princess but I didn't feel like character was op in Artemis. It has light smut and other then character being a genius hacker. I didn't felt it was op. Maybe i should play it again. It has been while since i played that game.

 

[Raife]

I'm not, all three have been discussed in this thread. Those games violate at least one criteria in the OP. I'm open to adding them, but I'll need additional convincing

It's true, Maniac. Unfortunately, as we've established, BAD violates jufot's Notorious Anti-College Game Bias (TM). Don't blame him: NACGB is congenital, like baldness or night blindness. He's getting treatment, but there is no cure.

 

[jufot]

I can understand your concern with Op character in both being dik and long live princess but I didn't feel like character was op in Artemis. It has light smut and other then character being a genius hacker. I didn't felt it was op. Maybe i should play it again. It has been while since i played that game.

Artemis has a very good story, but the sexual bits have too much porn logic. We've had a discussion about that on this thread here and here.

 

[Nyravrod]

I can understand your concern with Op character in both being dik and long live princess but I didn't feel like character was op in Artemis. It has light smut and other then character being a genius hacker. I didn't felt it was op. Maybe i should play it again. It has been while since i played that game.

In the reply OP mean "Original Post" as in the games are breaking at least one of the rules he mentioned in the original post.
In the case of Artemis I think it is likely the " Sex scenes should serve the plot, not vice versa. " and as much as I like that game (I mentioned a few messages ago that I just started supporting the author on Patreon) I have to admit that there is some needed suspension of disbelief needed to work past the several porn tropes used in that game.

Edit: and as always I am late in my reply

 

[Raife]

I have limited budget allocated to Patreon so I tend to support smaller creators as the list above shows.

This is a great point, Nyra. It's worth trying to target financial support to a few story-first creators who are just getting started... or more 'standard' adult game devs who seem to have a reflex for for story first games that you can 'nudge' in that direction.

I mentioned Pandaman earlier as a success case: 'Price of Power' is a really thoughtful, story-driven game with almost no sex, a great deal of intimacy and character development, and (best of all) an exceptionally creative story. It's worth looking for devs who have similar potential and encouraging them. If our niche affinity for story-driven adult games to to grow, or even survive, that's the only way.

 

[i107760]

Not sure if my own text-only game qualifies, but it's definitely written to be a story as well as a sex game/erotica. Many people have left comments saying they're invested in the story now, and not just in the eroticism.

Anyway, this is a great thread, enjoying going through the games listed here. I find it hard to enjoy porn games when I'm not immersed in the story, world and characters.

 

[Jaike]

It's true, Maniac. Unfortunately, as we've established, BAD violates jufot's Notorious Anti-College Game Bias (TM). Don't blame him: NACGB is congenital, like baldness or night blindness. He's getting treatment, but there is no cure.

Fortunately, I am a headcase and refusing all and any treatment. NACGB will be going strong for the years to come.

But please jog my memory, isn't BaDik one of those games with a lesbian couple that falls for the male MC?

I didn't get very far with JOHN. If I remember correctly, she wakes up and masturbates in the shower because she "needs some release." Then, not long after, she starts flirting with another woman even though she's straight. I remember thinking, "She's not a woman. She's a man with breasts."

I'd forgot about the silly early shower masturbation. To be honest I find masturbation scenes the least memorable sexual content in adult games so I forget them easily. Now I'll never unremember it.

Yes, a Western slice-of-life game with a consistently straight female MC would be a true unicorn. The money strings dictate corruption and action with ladies, and that tends to happen too quickly. I think you're talking about the flirting with the female neighbour?

I know very well that female POV games are a hard sell for the general audience for these games, though. I'm happy for stoper's success. But I wasn't enjoying the game.

Tlaero

For me an important selling point of JOHN is that it is a lot more plot-driven than the average slice-of-life game. But my standards are quite low for female-protagonist games, especially if a lot is avoidable.

The sandbox part in SuperHS is pretty straightforward thanks to the hints system and there's no grind, it's just a way to advance timeslots and storylines, but harem is unavoidable: you must lewd even your supercar's AI, so yeah, maybe not your thing.

A harem of household appliances does solve a lot of narrative traps that harem games often fall into... Early availability of LIs? Just buy them at the electronics store. Need to deal with jealousy? Just shut them off or make sure the hardware doesn't detect each other. But a chat at the coffee machine or the watercooler will never be the same again.

 

[jufot]

Fortunately, I am a headcase and refusing all and any treatment. NACGB will be going strong for the years to come.

But please jog my memory, isn't BaDik one of those games with a lesbian couple that falls for the male MC?

Yes, but I think my comment on JOHN can apply here as well:

For my own headcanon, I choose to interpret that as Jessica exploring her latent bisexuality. Perhaps it's even an act of defiance against heteronormative societal expectations!

Josy and Maya are likewise just exploring themselves, like any good college girl would do

A harem of household appliances does solve a lot of narrative traps that harem games often fall into... Early availability of LIs? Just buy them at the electronics store. Need to deal with jealousy? Just shut them off or make sure the hardware doesn't detect each other. But a chat at the coffee machine or the watercooler will never be the same again.

Damn... you're making it very difficult for me to ignore this game. Now I really want to see what kind of pornographic content it has with an automobile AI

 

[jufot]

Not sure if my own text-only game qualifies, but it's definitely written to be a story as well as a sex game/erotica. Many people have left comments saying they're invested in the story now, and not just in the eroticism.

Welcome to our little thread, and text-based games certainly qualify! Check the OP, there are no rules about visuals