VN - Ren'Py - Strangers on Paper [Ch.2 v0.2.2] [Gloomy Ghost Studio]

It's surreal and a little suspicious there isn't a single poor review before this one. Almost everything is 5 stars...what the hell isn't this a forum for adult games?

It seems like this is a softcore game for people ashamed of sex and who would rather the LIs have sex with other people.
It has blurry/noisy/grainy graphics that are obnoxiously forced into some kind of ultra-wide aspect ratio that shows black bars on the top and bottom of the screen and minimizes the size of the renders. Considering this is a visual novel low quality, low resolution (wasted screen space) graphics are exactly the opposite of what the dev should be trying to accomplish.

**CONTAINS SPOILERS**
The MC is a passive whiny baby and we're constantly forced to endure his mental diarrhea which mostly serves to highlight his low self-esteem and insecurities. It seems like he's a geek who has very little going for him. Dropped out of university, no full-time job and leaching off of his best friend. He's a know-it-all smartass with a big mouth. He's extremely weak, uncoordinated, slow and in very poor shape. Even though it's a fantasy game he even sucks at sex and pleasing women. All things taken into consideration he seems like the perfect chick magnet (LOL!).

Amy is super cute but already has a fiancé (wtf is up with that?). Becca is a butter face (ugly IMO) with a sexy body but is very promiscuous and mostly lesbian (though she doesn't seem to be very discerning). She is troubled and seems to be on drugs (might even be pushing them!) so it's difficult to understand why he has a crush on her. What the hell does he even see in her?

Poor graphics, artsy/angsty writing, weak MC, sloppy seconds/leftover LIs, only one (very poor) sex scene, short game with slow updates. I don't understand how this is one of the highest rated AVN games on F95 other than it being obvious that I must be totally outside the targeted demographic.

Visuals matter, but what really makes a great AVN is good writing. And this game has it in spades! Wonderful, witty conversations drive the story as you get to really connect with one of the main LI's. Looking forward to the next episodes.

2 chapters completed out of 4 planned so far. despite how short it is i've really come to enjoy the story and the 2 LIs. there's lots of beautiful cinematic shots, and the aspect ratio makes this vn play like a movie.

really looking forward to the next chapter.

Very old-school "go with a or b" adult themed VN. A self-find/healing journey aka "I can fix her".

Feels more like 2 separate stories as the two LIs don't seem to interact with each other as of Ch.2. Since the 2nd half of each chapters are tied exclusively to either LI, you are only getting half of the play time if you are only doing single play through. Could use a choice recap after each chapter as there seems to be multiple variation for the chapter epilogs and not all choices matter.

If you looking for masterpiece. This is for you!

This game is not just about some cliche plot you might find on most AVN. The foundation of the story is strong!.

Beside that, the Art, UI, Vibes, Coloring, is top notch. This is first time i found AVN with super good Artwork.

Again if you looking for Story, Best Art, "The Feeling". Give it a Try dude.

Review for Ch.2 v0.2.2

An enjoyable story so far that I look forward to seeing develop. The visual are next level, not just the models but the lighting and the backgrounds/set are impressive as well (plus the cute corgi). The writing is pretty solid and can be relatable depending on who you are as a person.

As the game really suggests you can only focus one story at a time. I found Becca more interesting as a character and how the MC relates to her but I did play Amy's path as well.

The pace was enjoyable and didn't feel rushed. It wasn't falling over itself to push nsfw scenes asap to keep players engaged. Very much a story game with spicy scenes playing a minor, but welcomed, role. The choices you make seem to not massively matter, but maybe I just picked all the rights options on both paths.

Lastly, I always enjoy a good bro/bromance character and Tony fits in well.

i really love it. its a porn vn but not too porn-y you know what im saying. everyone here looks so good looking. one of the best mc friend and probably a good friend to have irl. the love interest is pretty interesting. the writing is really good like vanilla good. still on chapter 2, but so far its really feel good writing. DONT EXPECT SO MUCH ON THE PORN, the story and the characters is the best on the game

First of all thank you for making and uploading this game !
+Great Writing (one of the best if not the best)
+Everyone is just feels real
+Great love intrests
+Very good story so far
+Good choise of Music
Thats my opinion and i have to say this is a great game but if you want to see the lewd scenes and skip text dont play this game.

To start off, slow burn AVNs like this are way too unappreciated. Its AVNs like this that are often my favorite. The art and characters in Strangers on Paper is amazing. The first few chapters were really good, and the fact that both paths of the love interests, Amy and Becca, are very unique when you put them up against each other is something that I really like about this game.

Its like you're playing in two different worlds, meeting different people, and going to different types of events and that's something I really liked about this game.

All I can say is that the developer can take ALL the time necessary for the next few chapters of this two in one package and that I'm looking forward to the next update. Definitely one of my favorite AVNs so far, up there with Summers Gone, Desert Stalker, and Being a ♥♥♥, well done!

There isn't an abundance of content yet, but so far has the potential to be the best VN I've ever played. The visuals are stunning and the music is perfect for what it needs to be, but the real draw is the amazing writing. Hands down the most well-written game on this site. In the span of one or two interactions the characters come to life and an actual emotional connection is formed. Intriguing, heartfelt, amazing and essentially flawless.

Do you know how rare this is?

No, seriously, there's so much slop and shite and not even half-baked ideas and rushed jobs and whatnot in the AVN space.

The two lads making this game, however, were like...
"Hey, let's make an AVN!"
"Hell yeah, let's!"
"But you also know what? Let's make it good."
"Oh my god, that's a fucking genius idea!"

Visually - absolutely excellent. People who look real, yet beautiful, lighting as if from someone who knows what they're doing, composition, expressions, attention to detail.

Writing. THAT'S how you fucking do it. Once again, feels like real people interacting with each other, with real lives, reacting to everything and each other in ways that make goddamn sense.

Music - very, very good. Not only do the songs fit the scenes, but they're good.

Also in case the other reviews weren't warning enough, this is not a fuckfest, and don't you dare give it a lower score because this game isn't even trying to be something it is not.

Some of the best writing i've seen in an AVN so far. Really natural and authentic. Almost like two games in one so far. Pretty LI's are what usually get people to start an AVN but the writing is what keeps them around. One of the few games where I didn't want to skip text ahead through "stupid" or "cringey" parts.

I like the story and how its kinda 2 diffrent stories in one game, theres only 2 girls each with their own story and background, one is a lesbian/BI and the other is stright and about to get married which is a bit weird.

Not sure if you can somehow go after both at the same time since it would mean missing alot of content due to only being able to do one thing on a day, so you cant both go to a concert with one and go on a ride with the other.

To me theres only really one way to play it and thats going for one girl 100% and forget the other, then do a replay and try the one you dident.

I guess you can call it somewhat of a slowburn, atleast with one girl of the girls and the other you get to have sex with somewhat fast.

The one thing the drags it down is the lack of animations, right now theres not much sexual stuff so its a bit of a let down that dev dident get animations considering theres so little of it and thats also why i cant give this 5 stars.

Music is pretty standard background stuff and there is some sound effects every now and then as well.

As for choices some dosent seem to have any impact but others do.

Overall very nice game and one the puts story before sex which is very nice for once.

Review as of Ch.2 v0.2.2

The aesthetic is very well done in a more cinematic way than anything else, and really appreciate the effort because it's not that commont to come across.

I find that characters are interesting and layered enough to feel attracted to them in one way or another. It has that low key tone to it where it feels like a gentle breeze in a Summer day. I really dig that sense and liking it. I think it's the thing that makes the game stand out tall.

The renders are so pleasing, music selection is just feels right and adds up a lot to the game's tone.

So far I really liked it and think has good potential. Looking forward for more. Keep up the great work dev!

This game has really good visuals. All the characters look like they could be real people and no crazy proportions or anything like that. The story is the main focus which is something I'm a fan of in this genre where a lot of games seem like they have a single idea for a story and basically just use it to transition you between sex scenes. The characters feel real and they have emotions and pasts and conflict and I feel like I get way more into the game when it feels like the characters are more than just a body for MC to have sex with. I don't generally love stories where a romantic interest is already in a different relationship, but I feel like it's being handled well so far and MC isn't just a douche who steamrolls and ignores the nuance and complicated nature of that situation.

If they add a CG scene with free roam and a mini-game, I’d say this game would be absolutely incredible! It might take time, but if it's worth the wait, you should definitely do it. Go ahead and create a legend! [Gloomy Ghost Studio]

Some very unbalanced reviews on this one. There are good points but also lots of bad points.

The good is that the renders are very well done and the characters are actually written to act like humans, something not managed in a lot of vn's

The bad is that the renders are all a small size and you'll have big black borders. There is also zero player freedom and there are constant menus but they are NOT choices, instead they are annoying af quizzes to see how much you've remembered. That is not fun and makes me doubt whether the 5 star reviewers actually played it.

[Ch.2 v0.2.2]

This is amazing. I honestly don't see a single flaw with this AVN, which is quite rare in this industry. Both of the love interests are very interesting and only get more so as the story goes on. I recommend everybody to play this, you won't regret it.

What I really love about this game is how it prioritizes depth over breadth. Instead of overwhelming players with a huge cast of characters, it focuses on a select few, allowing for meaningful interactions and development. Each character feels well-rounded, with distinct personalities that evolve throughout the story.

The art is absolutely gorgeous, with detailed designs that breathe life into each character and scene. It’s clear that a lot of thought went into the visual aspects, enhancing the emotional resonance of key moments. The environments are beautifully crafted, creating an immersive backdrop for the intimate stories unfolding within them.

The writing shines, too. The dialogue is sharp and insightful, diving into the complexities of relationships. I found myself genuinely invested in the characters’ journeys, as the narrative delves into their backgrounds and motivations. The choices you make really matter, impacting the characters in a way that feels authentic and meaningful.

Overall, Strangers on Paper masterfully balances stunning visuals with rich storytelling. It’s a visual novel that invites you to truly connect with its characters, making every moment feel significant. If you appreciate depth in storytelling, this game is an absolute gem!

Looking forward too move updates.

"Review of Chapter 2 v0.2.2"

Among the many VNs I've come across in the past few years, this work is already in the top 5, with fascinating characters, great visual expression and story.

The dialogue boxes, which are like movie subtitles, make the story easy to follow without interfering with the images of the wonderful characters, which is another point that makes this work highly rated.

I would highly recommend this work to anyone who wants to enjoy a story-focused VN.