VN - Ren'Py - STWA: Unbroken [Pt. 7] [STWAdev]

I like a story that allows you to properly get to know the characters, and this does such a good job of that through either flashbacks or just conversation between two people. You can see a real dark side to some of their history as well, and the long-lasting effects things can have on a person’s life and mental health. Unbroken manages to convey all that without the game itself getting bogged down, and I think it’s a great bit of tightrope walking here to pull that off.

My one personal downer is that there’s something about most of the girls that doesn’t work for me. Whether it’s the hair (Amrit, Vi), the balloon tits (Elspeth, Vi), the weird eyes (Jennifer), or something else, I generally found myself loving the girls for who they are, but not liking their looks quite as much. The build-up of relationships is mostly good, and the mechanics are there in the background to show that choices will have consequences, be they good or bad.

Overall, it's a great game to play, and even on a single save (rather than a save for each LI), there’s a lot of content to get through. The graphics look great (with the exception of some of the animations, which I think are sometimes downright terrible), the girls are great (with the caveats in the above paragraph), and it’s definitely one that I’ll look forward to continuing.

- The story is actually pretty good, however, I feel this was not as engaging as the developer's previous job "The author", at least so far (Part 7).

- Overall the writing feels great.

- MC and LIs are great. very well written, well defined personalities.

- The fightings are not that great, you just pick the right choice and win. Feels like a missed opportunity.

- Renders are fantastic, girls look pretty hot (especially Elspeth, only bad thing about her is that she seems to like taking control but that's just my personal preference)

-Animations are not that great, but, they're not terrible either, I'd say the're average.

- 95% of the game has no sound/music, the other 5% being the main menu and when MC goes to nightclubs. And that's a shame because I think the right choice of music could enhance the experience a lot.

So, overall, I think this game is an 8/10, slightly better than "the author" for now. This AVN has a lot of potential to be better, I mean, the hard part (story and writing) is almost already done, there are just some details to improve, specially the music.

I have never felt the desire to review any game, outside of a complimentary post or two, until now.

I have to be frank, I had this game a while before getting into it because I have no interest in fighting, MMA or other... like friends used to have to blackmail /guilt trip me into watching WWF with them.

I have to admit, I'm now at least a little interested in the MMA scene. Entirely due to the story and how well the fights are depicted. Not that I know if it's at all realistic, but it feels like it is and that's more than I can say about most AVNs.

Also, I just want to compliment the Dev on his dialogue/scripting. I'm a grammar/spelling geek. And I'm absolutely tired of stupid protags/MCs. This guy might be a little dense but he isn't making me yell at the PC stupid.

The girls are great, the personalities are good and getting better with what we learn about them. I can't wait to find out what Els' deal is...

Thanks for the hard work and the good story.

I spent a long time playing this game trying to think how to review it as every time I think I have a handle on it, I start second guessing myself.

I say this in no means as a bad thing but the best way of summing it up is that it's a game which is very well written at the base level but feels like there's nothing going on upstairs.

That's not a criticism. I found the dialogue and characters interactions to be stellar. It's very well written and engaging but despite all that, despite having multiple interactions with all the main characters I think I'd struggle to tell you what the plot of the game is.

So you're ex-military, now a cage fighter who helps run a centre for ex squaddies who need some help. There's history between you and a lad which is kind of eeked out as time goes on but it feels like it's intentinoally left in the back seat. Like the author isn't in a hurry to get it out there. That's kind of interesting as it draws you in but part of me wonders if it's perhaps too slow.

The characters you interact with are all varied and lovely to look at. They all have a rich back story which plays into the interactions and they all seem to want to jump your bones. An interesting mechanic seems to be the game isn't designed for a love / hate dynamic but more a case of giving you the ability to pursue these girls, or have them as friends. At least initially there's little in the way of any negative reactions to doing things with certain girls.

It seems, after a few hours of playing there's hints of a plot creeping in but given the pace it could be months before anything comes of it. It is interesting though and certainly worth your time.

On the down side the sex scenes are...... basic, very little clunky animations are the name of the game but to be honest you're better playing this for the story anyway as opposed to the plot

I like the characters and all but my god this has some of the worst sex scenes and there's a complete lack of passion in the romances. Especially for a supposed "ladies" man and the other girls talk about their high sex drive but we see none of that.

This is probably one of my top 5 favorite ongoing AVNs right now, there is a good balance between story/character building, sex scenes, sex scene variety, and relationship building. The MC has a generic look, and although I never personally like playing as a bald guy, his backstory is compelling enough for me to be interested in him. Elspeth is definitely my favorite, and is also probably one of my favorite overall LIs, but all the other main LI's are fun too, and I will definitely be doing multiple focused playthroughs to see them. One downside is Serena seems to be getting left behind, I don't know if she is supposed to be a side LI, but I feel like I'm missing the emotional connection with her compared to the other LI's. Even with that, it's still a 5/5 in my opinion.

Top Tier Gaming

I played the dev's previous game, which i enjoyed, but this one is a step up. I like the clear difference in personalities for the LIs. Animations are good, story is engaging.

Updates can be a little slow, however when they arrive they are a decent size.

I love Elspeth.

Both STWA games don't have much in terms of an independent plot, but are probably the best at telling their characters' stories. Their relationships and their struggles with their internal troubles are extremely entertaining to watch.

Pros:

1) The characters. They are all wonderfully written, and their interactions are always entertaining. They actually really feel like a company of friends (except Kana, who keeps her distance), which is something the dev is particularly good at. We get to know them well. They also grow and develop, overcoming their griefs and troubles.
2) A well-written mature MC with a very detailed background. We don't just control his actions, we're deep in his mind as well.
3) The MC is ex-military, that always gets an extra point from me, and here this theme is explored thoroughly. The problems of military veterans must be explored and must never be forgotten in media.
4) I love Elspeth.
5) Humour.
6) While the renders are generally mid by today's standards, there is one fascinating detail about them: the way STWAdev uses the characters' eye movement for storytelling. A tiny detail, but it clearly demonstrates that the girls aren't simply there: Vi feels, and Elspeth thinks.
7) The characters have a connection with The Author's characters.
8) The characters actually have different nationalities, which helps explore different cultures.

Cons:
1) It doesn't lead the genre in graphics in 2024. Yeah, it isn't really a flaw, but for a game this good…
2) No minigames, even the fighting is just a series of choices. Probably the only, though minor, problem I personally have with the game, as the MC's pursuing a career in MMA, which deserves more depth mechanically.
3) No music; it isn't a flaw for me, but some players hate it.
4) The story, though very well done, is completely subservient to the characters. They all follow their own dreams and deal with their personal troubles, there is not much outside intrigue or influence on them. That's, again, fine by me, but some players may prefer a different approach.

All in all, 5 stars. It isn't a perfect game, but there is no cast of characters in an AVN that I like better than this one.

Also, did I mention today that I love Elspeth?

Mixed feelings on this game. The language is decent, not engrish. The story telling is so so - that is it is well thought out and would be engaging if it's your type of plot.

The models are high quality but I find them generally unattractive they all have short masculine haircuts and piercings - the banner doesn't imply this at all. You can't get away from this nb type, you spend the entire game with them, even if you briefly see some feminine women at points, you dont spend the game with them. Renders are high quality

This VN is easily in my top 5 now. The story is good. The Love Interests are varied and well written. Dialogue is great. You actually get a feel for who these people are. There is A LOT of content and branching paths with decisions that actually matter. Animated scenes aren't the best out there but still good. This game has enough depth and enough of a soul that it deserves 5 stars regardless. Really impressed.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Back when I was done playing STWA: Author, I immediately gave that game two stars out of five. When I finally had the gut to try its next game, I was afraid that STWA: Unbroken would fall into the same depth along with its predecessor. Well, I certainly can see that STWA: Unbroken has many improvements, but sadly some of the most important aspects are still the same as its predecessor.

The romances/relationships in this game are bad, not as bad as STWA: Author but it's still damn bad if you see the big picture. Valentine keeps blocking himself to get a real woman despite he was famously as a womanizer. Playing solo routes (this is how the game is supposed to be played) is kinda painful. Let's say I have a specific playthrough for Els, now the problem is Els herself gets a little screen time which means that I need to calm my ass down more often. But once her sequence shows up, all I can do is just talk with her about things and that's that. I know that she's elusive and kinda hard to get, but once there's a moment of her opening up to Valentine, he just kinda blocked her affection because of "muh past" and it turns into an argument instead of set everything aside to bonding with her.

Other girls are also weird. Ines for example, is a new member of the house and also new in Valentine's life, but then few days later she acts slutty toward him and then pretend that she knows Vi better than him. What the fuck is her problem? I swear if there was an option to kick her out of the mansion, I would've done it. Amrit is also very persistent, I like her as my student but I don't have any romantic interest against her. But then she keeps flashing her tits out a lot even after I rejected her advances. I swear people keep judging Valentine most of the time, but when they're the ones who lay down their guard, Valentine does the same thing against them. Seriously it's like me being a dense wall talking to another dense wall, at this point our convos won't get anywhere if we keep acting this way. No character developments whatsoever.

However, the story is great and I have no objection at all about it. Don't get me started on its sex scenes, definitely one of the best out there for a DAZ-made game. If you're comparing Unbroken with Author, it feels like day and night. One thing that I forgot to mentioned, I really, really like how we have separated moment for each girls instead of going out all together every damn time, something that I hate from STWA: Author.

So, if you like being miserable around people who are also miserable or maybe just plain bored looking for a game to kill time, this game is for you. Four stars for now, but I could see a complete five stars in the end of the tunnel.

The effort that quite obviously went into this game is totally worth it.
Its not been often that totally different and actually diverging feelings can be "transmitted" in a VN as it is here.. the dialogues are pure bliss. The characters actually DO have character. And that the pace of the story with this load of content is actually thought through very well is just the cherry on the cake.
This deserves praise - and this is what this review is. Total praise! Thank you for this gem of a VN!

I love this game, it's on my top 5 favorite vn games of all time if you can believe it, already played it twice and i'm on the third run.

From the start you know that this game is gonna be different, all the girls are into you but you are told from the very beginning that you are a casanova, a manwhore, so you quickly accept that, it helps that the mc is actually hot. The whole fighter premise is very welcome too, not too many games with that premise and this one is by far the best one, it does everything right. The main girls are absolute gorgeous and they have their own distinctive personalitiy which the dev does a really good job of portraying it.

At first this game may seem a bit shallow, you meet hot girl, you porsue hot girl, hot girl porsue you, but as you play you realise there is more to the MC and the girls as the eyes see, and it gets very deep, which is something i really like, there is no overcomplicated drama like "oh somebody wants to kill me, oh somebody is trying to kill one of the LI, oh something happened and if i don't do this the girl i love will die" (and thank god because i hate these dramas) but as you go on every main girl has a very deep story, with very deep and real feelings, they are not there just to have sex scenes you know? and the MC suffers from a lot too, it's very intriguing watching things develope.

The renders are pretty good too, specially after chapter 3, the writing is pretty fenomenal if i'm being honest, and as i said all the girls are hot but destinctive from any game i ever played.

If i am to complain about something it would be the amount of girls with short hair, i don't really like it but it doesn't really bother me either, just would be nice to see more girls with long hair.

One of the Best AVNs out there. The storytelling is just so good. All the characters are round and interesting. The Graphics is also top notch and LIs are hot and varied so I think anyone can find a LI to their liking (but Els is the best). If you want an immersive AVN with great story and graphics you should really try this one.

I'm usually about lengthy reviews but I feel like I dont want to tell anything in this review at all. I just want you to experience it for yourself.

I'll just keep it short & sweet and say it like this.
The Main Girls:
All enjoyable, none of them really "suck" they all have quirks and defined personalities. Elspeth is probably the most unrealistic of the cast but it still fits her so well. Practically a mad genius, super babe, with the athleticism of a amateur male boxing prodigy. Everyone else is a LOT more grounded but still find myself drawn to best girl status with Els.

The Animations/Renders:
Renders are gorgeous, some of the characters are more unique, some of the others are more standard but cant really complain at all. They have exquisite detail. Animations aren't anything to write home about, they gradually get better but you can tell this kind of AVN isn't really meant to be so much about the lecherous scenes and more about the hefty story.

In which The Story:
Character that hates himself and self-loathes at every turn that claims to only be good with guns and fists. Served in the Military, now is a career MMA fighter, heavily tied to Veterans charity. He's a really likeable MC. His personality isn't too far one way or the other and tends to have a more modern approach to everything where he would fit the bill of attractive, tall, muscular, but also quick-witted, funny and passionate. The story takes its run on his life after the war and the people he met while serving & after serving and how he handles day to day life coaching while also being a professional fighter himself. However..

This game definitely loads on the heavy themes, centers heavily around Trauma and expresses individually with what each person is currently fighting. Theres a lot of closet demons, no one is safe from them, not even the MC who seems to be having his own massive internal battles. Slowly but surely overtime everything starts to unravel and clue you in a little more each time at what each person is struggling with.

Welp said it wouldnt be lengthy but rambled a bit anyway, wanted to make it a fair review but seriously just a great experience. The kind of AVN that makes you want to try your own hand at making them because you feel how much passion is in it.

One of the best VN's I've ever played. The writings what sets it apart though, by far some of the best writing and characters I've ever read from any other VN. The renders are amazing too, as are the animations, the only thing lacking I'd say is audio, though I understand with licensing and all that it can be difficult to attain. Other than that, this is what VN's should strive to be like.

The best story I read in a visual novel. Every character have their own demons. It feels real. It's just perfect. Els is the best girl though. Better give her the best ending. Amrit, Kana, Vi and even Ines everybody is written flowlessly.

This game is not just some random fuck around game.
This is about emotions, character arcs, connections and lead to a few Sex scenes.
The women of this game are pretty unique to me and no I very much like, that when you say no to one they are persistant, because they really want to. It is cool to see, that there are language differences, due to origin, age and social background
What I don't like is that the MC does not really has to do something to get the attention, of those georgous girls. Most of the girls, are already in MC's life.
Keep up the good work!

As a diehard MMA fan, I can understand most of the references they make and the moves they have you do during the fights. But where it really misses for me is the tension and emotion inherent in the sport. It's literally impossible to lose, and your opponents don't really have any character. They're all faceless mooks you beat up while you slam all the hot pussy you can. Your training is a non factor as well. I tried to do as little training/MMA as possible to see if I could lose and nothing was significantly different. Your fighting decisions mean essentially nothing for the plot and the game fails to make you really care.

There's also a lack of real male training partner presence, probably so the game can focus more on the girls. BADik mixes in dudes well, but this game really doesn't. There's one male training partner who is also a fighter but that's about it.

As a porn game sure it's fine, but if you expected a little bit of MMA realism, or looked forward to an MMA career simulation it's extremely lacking. There's a lot of missed opportunities they could have built on imo, but maybe I'm just a stickler.

Personally I rate it a 2 for plot/immersion. Renders and girls are great though, so no worries there.

Overall, I'll give it a 3 only because the renders are super hot.