VN Ren'Py STWA: Unbroken [Book 1 Steam] [STWAdev]

[ename144]

I was quite busy when Part 6 first came out, and for whatever reason I never got around to organizing my thoughts on it. With Part 7 bearing down on us, I figure I better get on with it!

Overall, I liked Part 6. It struck a good balance between advancing the MC's story, the various girls' relationships, and keeping us entertained in the meantime. Admittedly, I'm only interested in Kana and Elspeth and I haven't seen too much of the content for the other girls, but at least from that perspective things worked pretty well. I am still a bit frustrated with how blank the MC's slate is this far into the game, but it was nowhere near as bad as after Kana's sex scene in Part 5. And the story this time had a tighter focus - there were no non-sequitur teases like the women investigating Valentine's past. So Part 6 may not have been perfect, but it was a definite step up from Part 5.

Further thoughts:

Spoiler: Part 6 - Story

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Kana

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Elspeth

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Amrit, Viridiana, and Ines

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Valentine and Zaina

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Okay, I think that covers the high points; no sense belaboring old content just before the new update drops, right? Hopefully it will continue the trend.

tl;dr Good story advancement and solid character work, both for the MC and most of the LIs. Looking forward to Part 7!

 

[cxx]

meant poor that he has to face wraths of not winners.

 

[RoryTate]

Kana's probably my favorite girl in the game, but I felt like her path was completely derailed after the absolutely terrible sex scene in Part 5.

I get this, and I felt similar narrative whiplash at the sudden "dtf?" by Kana from out of nowhere. The scene itself wasn't as bad as you indicate though, at least IMO, because the way Kana treated it like a competition – where she had to face defeat in the face of the MC's stamina – made it very interesting and memorable to me. As you say though, it was the well-written scene the next morning that allowed things to flow much better once Chapter 6 played out. We still don't know Kana's motivations any better, but we do understand the relationship they are forming more clearly.

I still wonder if the sudden sex scene came down to an overall pacing issue, in that while buildup and anticipation is essential in adding eroticism to an interaction, there's a fine line between that and feeling cock-blocked, or just plain losing interest. And many games fail at finding a good balance in that area. Perhaps with Kana being sidelined in Chapter 6 the dev realized that something significant needed to happen in Chapter 5 to hold the interest of her fans?

The usual way that would be done is with a heavy petting or handjob/light blowjob scene that could feel somewhat non-committal, while still giving the promise of more in the future. But to me, that doesn't really feel like Kana. She's going to give it her all once she decides she wants something, so I can understand why the dev might choose to make it an all-night no-holes-barred affair once she made up her mind.

As a result, it's a lot easier to sit back and enjoy the character moments – and there are plenty of those. Elspeth's fear of flying seems a bit arbitrary, but it does make for a nice bonding opportunity.

I found it arbitrary too at first, considering how she has so little hesitancy in anything else she does, and how strong she appears when facing challenges that would deter most. I realized though that her personality is very focused on being in control, and so it makes a lot of sense that she would not like experiencing the loss of control when putting your life in the hands of an unknown pilot. All her data gathering, uncovering secrets, letting people hear what they want to hear by speaking in half-truths...it's all meant to keep her in control of every possible situation. That's how she feels comfortable.

Her cattiness towards the other girls is probably her least attractive feature (in my eyes, anyway), but it very much fits her character and so far she knows how to walk the line between being protective and insufferable.

Elspeth is...human. I'm not as blind to her issues as I was upon my first read (thanks to minor things others have pointed out about her actions), but I'm pretty sure she isn't a full-blown monster like some perceive her to be. As I have argued before, if she really wanted to destroy the other girls and win the MC's heart, then there are a whole lot of cruel ways an intelligent woman like her could do that. The fact that she doesn't, and instead even encourages them to try their best (as in her heart-to-heart with Vi), tells me otherwise.

Viridiana, meanwhile, feels too much like a sister for me to be interested in her sexually (ironic around here, I realize).

Ironic? That's a strange way to spell "blasphemy" on F95. I agree with you though, FWIW. In some ways, I actually find Amrit to be more sisterly than Vi, and have to leave her by her lonesome as well because of that (though I'll be more than happy to see Amrit end up with Kana on my Elspeth-exclusive playthrough if that path is offered). That is, unless the dev chooses to give us an Elspeth-Kana option. Not as a permanent thing mind you, but honestly Kana is the only one I can see Elspeth considering for a fun and special 3-some with the MC, since all the other LI's are so close to her and feel like her younger sisters. Plus, the way Els ogled Kana when first meeting her has my mind doing all sorts of strange rationalizations for this unlikely pairing.

Hey, a man can dream, right?

 

[ABCFap23]

Guys anyone know how to get Serena's date trigger? I've tried all paths and can't seem to get it.

 

[ThorinKing]

Guys anyone know how to get Serena's date trigger? I've tried all paths and can't seem to get it.

Are you using the WT mod? As I recall, it was pretty good at telling you which choices would get you there. If you don't like using those, your best bet at this point is to pull up the WT .pdf on the OP - it's what someone else would likely have to do to lay it out for you since most of us probably don't have every decision tree for every VN we play memorized.

 

[MAGO-DAG]

Guys anyone know how to get Serena's date trigger? I've tried all paths and can't seem to get it.

Either download wt or try via URM. through URM you can find out if you missed any solutions and change some things, and also help you with hints

 

[cxx]

Either download wt or try via URM. through URM you can find out if you missed any solutions and change some things, and also help you with hints

well using urm is near same as using wt-mod.

 

[dianish86]

I was quite busy when Part 6 first came out, and for whatever reason I never got around to organizing my thoughts on it. With Part 7 bearing down on us, I figure I better get on with it!

Overall, I liked Part 6. It struck a good balance between advancing the MC's story, the various girls' relationships, and keeping us entertained in the meantime. Admittedly, I'm only interested in Kana and Elspeth and I haven't seen too much of the content for the other girls, but at least from that perspective things worked pretty well. I am still a bit frustrated with how blank the MC's slate is this far into the game, but it was nowhere near as bad as after Kana's sex scene in Part 5. And the story this time had a tighter focus - there were no non-sequitur teases like the women investigating Valentine's past. So Part 6 may not have been perfect, but it was a definite step up from Part 5.

Further thoughts:

Spoiler: Part 6 - Story

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Kana

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Elspeth

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Amrit, Viridiana, and Ines

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Valentine and Zaina

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Okay, I think that covers the high points; no sense belaboring old content just before the new update drops, right? Hopefully it will continue the trend.

tl;dr Good story advancement and solid character work, both for the MC and most of the LIs. Looking forward to Part 7!

quick sex with Kana? This is just more like a real development of events, they spent enough time together and oh, horror and it’s no secret, most girls love sex just like guys.

 

[ename144]

quick sex with Kana? This is just more like a real development of events, they spent enough time together and oh, horror and it’s no secret, most girls love sex just like guys.

Sorry, I stand by my critique. I have no problem with Kana liking commitment-free sex right off the bat, but that is decidedly not how she was presented prior to that scene. Her change in attitude was not well explained.

 

[Krytax123]

I was quite busy when Part 6 first came out, and for whatever reason I never got around to organizing my thoughts on it. With Part 7 bearing down on us, I figure I better get on with it!

Overall, I liked Part 6. It struck a good balance between advancing the MC's story, the various girls' relationships, and keeping us entertained in the meantime. Admittedly, I'm only interested in Kana and Elspeth and I haven't seen too much of the content for the other girls, but at least from that perspective things worked pretty well. I am still a bit frustrated with how blank the MC's slate is this far into the game, but it was nowhere near as bad as after Kana's sex scene in Part 5. And the story this time had a tighter focus - there were no non-sequitur teases like the women investigating Valentine's past. So Part 6 may not have been perfect, but it was a definite step up from Part 5.

Further thoughts:

Spoiler: Part 6 - Story

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Kana

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Elspeth

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Amrit, Viridiana, and Ines

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Spoiler: Part 6 - Valentine and Zaina

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Okay, I think that covers the high points; no sense belaboring old content just before the new update drops, right? Hopefully it will continue the trend.

tl;dr Good story advancement and solid character work, both for the MC and most of the LIs. Looking forward to Part 7!

Great post, i agree with most of it and esp feel similar about the LI's.

There are two types of LI's in this avn and Vi, Ines and Amrit just feel and behave more like girls while Elspeth, Reena and Kana are women. The former three would be great LI's for the usual college freshmen MC but with the unbroken MC it just feels kinda weird to chose these immature LI's when someone like Els is on the table.

Els, Reena and Kana are closer to the MC in age and just feel more like on his level at this point in time, the more natural relationships.

 

[SerHawkes]

I just wanna give American Sausage to a French Roll. No one else matters.

 

[lorkdubo]

Great post, i agree with most of it and esp feel similar about the LI's.

There are two types of LI's in this avn and Vi, Ines and Amrit just feel and behave more like girls while Elspeth, Reena and Kana are women. The former three would be great LI's for the usual college freshmen MC but with the unbroken MC it just feels kinda weird to chose these immature LI's when someone like Els is on the table.

Els, Reena and Kana are closer to the MC in age and just feel more like on his level at this point in time, the more natural relationships.

I'm sorry, Reena and Kana act like women? They do not. Elspeth is worlds apart from any LI it's not even fair.
Remember how Reena acts every time. Kana acts just like the rest but is a bit more level-headed.

 

[Ilhares]

There are two types of LI's in this avn and Vi, Ines and Amrit just feel and behave more like girls while Elspeth, Reena and Kana are women.

Yes, to a degree, though the 'girls' are either going off to college soon or already past that point(Amrit), and physical age is hardly a solid marker of maturity.

it just feels kinda weird to chose these immature LI's when someone like Els is on the table.

We all handle the MC differently. I don't dislike Elspeth as a person, but I think she's a terrible choice as a romantic partner, based on the information we (The player) get exposed to. It looks like she's the one digging into his background, and I'm not OK with somebody being that nosy about things while still wanting to be secretive about her own affairs.

That marks her, at least partially, as untrustworthy in my book. Reeny, while also pretty, gives off psycho vibes (based on my own past experiences), so that's a solid no, and I don't generally jive well with people who hold on too strongly to spiritual beliefs, like Kana.

I do like Vi, even though she gives off the little sister vibes, but I'm an acknowledged pervert in that regard, what can I say? She's also got massive breasts, which I'm not usually a fan of, either. Amrit, by way of being MC's student, is likewise a bit in the danger zone in terms of inappropriate relations. Ines, on the other hand, is (so far) sweet, kind, beautiful, and doesn't have any of those aforementioned problems. She's simply inexperienced and somewhat socially withdrawn.

That's not too hard to deal with. And our children will be beautiful, too.

 

[DarkKiller]

That marks her, at least partially, as untrustworthy in my book.

Why though? She's usually quite straight about her intentions isn't she? When has she been untrustworthy?
It's just that she's a smart gal, so if you want the right answers you need to ask the right questions because she obviously won't give them to you on a silver platter.

 

[Ilhares]

Why though? She's usually quite straight about her intentions isn't she? When has she been untrustworthy?
It's just that she's a smart gal, so if you want the right answers you need to ask the right questions because she obviously won't give them to you on a silver platter.

I shouldn't have to assume you're running a background check on me and ask about the results. If she's trustworthy, she shouldn't be doing it in the first place, no?

Of course, maybe it isn't her. Maybe it's the not-really-dead dickhead, but that seems less likely, as he already knew all your business.

 

[DarkKiller]

I shouldn't have to assume you're running a background check on me and ask about the results. If she's trustworthy, she shouldn't be doing it in the first place, no?

Of course, maybe it isn't her. Maybe it's the not-really-dead dickhead, but that seems less likely, as he already knew all your business.

She admits she's interested in MC multiple times hence why she's doing it, mostly because he acts like a moody, secretive bitch throughout most of the game.
Even if you refuse therapy, the game's story really points towards her being on the right and seemingly just trying to help MC while he's the one who's wrong.
I bet if MC told her to fuck off and never do it again she'd stop, but it's just not the vibe the story is trying to go for imo.

 

[SerHawkes]

I shouldn't have to assume you're running a background check on me and ask about the results. If she's trustworthy, she shouldn't be doing it in the first place, no?

Of course, maybe it isn't her. Maybe it's the not-really-dead dickhead, but that seems less likely, as he already knew all your business.

I kinda get the feeling someone else is trying to look into our background, given the fact that the two chicks were talking about us and what they knew about said us. I think in all likelyhood it's gonna go back to the mission and events around that.

With Els, there is certainly some reservation with her. While sure, she may be up front with thing, and naturally close guarded with others, there is a definate suspicious vibe I get from her. Like there is something more to her than she is letting on. Maybe it's due to her own war trauma and we have some hints about it here and there, and we don't fully know who she is truly is, or it could be something else entirely.

For me, while the redhead in me is saying 'YES! SNU SNU RED QUEEN!', there is a part of me that just can't trust her for some reason, be it romantically or in terms of friendship just yet.

 

[RoryTate]

I shouldn't have to assume you're running a background check on me and ask about the results. If she's trustworthy, she shouldn't be doing it in the first place, no?

Of course, maybe it isn't her. Maybe it's the not-really-dead dickhead, but that seems less likely, as he already knew all your business.

I'm expecting it'll be Els that's trying to gather intel, but you leave out the most likely explanation for her behaviour: that she's trying to find information she believes is important to keep everyone safe. Remember, she's former military intelligence, and there could be a connection between her and Zaina/Davis, even if it's just that McNab was there on the day of Zaina's death/Davis' betrayal. And speaking of McNab, he had been speaking to Els for years about the MC, so I wouldn't be surprised if there turned out to be some unknown connection between the two even before they met (also remember that the MC became important to Els very quickly after they met, despite them not doing much together, and this fact confused the MC enough for him to question her about it...which is a strange revelation to put in the story if it doesn't become important later).

All of this adds up to some future conversation where Els admits to investigating the MC's history, apologizes because it's not something you do to a friend you trust, but offers her justification that she suspected something dangerous was afoot because of some past intel knowledge she had, combined with the mysterious circumstances around Davis' sudden and supposed death. It will probably be up to the player to decide if this is a valid excuse or not to be invading the MC's privacy. Of course, I could be wrong and all these hints could turn out to be a misdirect, but that's the most likely explanation for her behaviour at the moment that I can see. We'll just have to be patient and learn more as things unfold.

 

[ElectronicRoberts]

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Hey folks, just wanted to post this before I crash for the evening.
ATM I have about 39 renders and 4 animations still getting fixed/ rerendered to be up to the quality I'm comfortable releasing. So I'll need a few more daysish.
So as I promised after I post this up I'll be putting the pause on payments for June. I said I would if there were further delays and I think it's important to follow through on that.
For those who aren't aware how billing pause works, any current patrons won't be charged for June. however new patrons and I believe anybody who goes to a higher tier still will. At least that's what I've been told by the powers that be.
Anyway I do apologise for the additional time, I wouldn't do this unless I believed it would result in a much better release for you folks. As I stated last time all testing is complete, so once these are done and in the build the release will be coming out.
Thank you for your patience and I hope you have a lovely rest of your week.

(Editors note, The special Render sets for May are also delayed until release, just wanted to note that)
Sláinte.

 

[Ragnar]

4 animations

So another week?