StealthCrow

New Member
Feb 28, 2021
2
9
I might be completely wrong but... Do you know how sometimes a father wants a son instead of a daughter, but they get a daughter and they start treating her and growing her like she is a guy? I think that might have happened with Zara which is why she is so competitive in everything, specially in sports or man related stuff, and also why she has to prove she is better at everything, to kinda say " i'm a girl, but i'm better than you at manly stuff". This is just my take on it. Might be wrong tho.
Really? Nick seemed pretty chill to me.

I'd say Zara's got an inferiority complex because people probably praised her "smart, beautiful, and overall amazing" older sister, and she could have been (feeling) overshadowed by her growing up. Her over-competitiveness might have been a cry for attention.
 
Nov 24, 2018
94
250
I started playing Chapter 1, and I'll just leave some of my initial thoughts here:

I'm impressed by the renders and some of the camerawork during the introduction, I've never really seen such a dynamic approach to these kind of games. The UI could do with some polish, the classic RenPy format looks a bit dodgy, but it isn't that big of a deal in all honesty.

The music during the intro sequence was passable, but it didn't really leave an impression. I hope that in later chapters music becomes more consistent and generally just kept in the background as the story progresses. Having dead silence while reading the campy dialogue is depressing.

The dialogue is pretty camp. So far, there hasn't been a single line that felt like it came from an actual human being. But I'm hopeful that's only temporary.

I don't mind the classic incel protagonist trope all that much, I can only acknowledge the Sasuke hair and the vague, typecast statements about society, and hope that it grows on me somehow. Man, the characters they've introduced so far are so comically trope-y. I don't like a single one, I've read reviews and it seems like that should change with time.

The creator is a one piece fan though, I don't know why Nami is the abomination she is right now currently but again, I hope for quite the turnaround. Hopefully the writing isn't of the same quality of the recent one piece arc, I actually want to have a good time.
 

Cabin Fever

Engaged Member
Nov 23, 2018
3,130
5,169
I started playing Chapter 1, and I'll just leave some of my initial thoughts here:

I'm impressed by the renders and some of the camerawork during the introduction, I've never really seen such a dynamic approach to these kind of games. The UI could do with some polish, the classic RenPy format looks a bit dodgy, but it isn't that big of a deal in all honesty.

The music during the intro sequence was passable, but it didn't really leave an impression. I hope that in later chapters music becomes more consistent and generally just kept in the background as the story progresses. Having dead silence while reading the campy dialogue is depressing.

The dialogue is pretty camp. So far, there hasn't been a single line that felt like it came from an actual human being. But I'm hopeful that's only temporary.

I don't mind the classic incel protagonist trope all that much, I can only acknowledge the Sasuke hair and the vague, typecast statements about society, and hope that it grows on me somehow. Man, the characters they've introduced so far are so comically trope-y. I don't like a single one, I've read reviews and it seems like that should change with time.

The creator is a one piece fan though, I don't know why Nami is the abomination she is right now currently but again, I hope for quite the turnaround. Hopefully the writing isn't of the same quality of the recent one piece arc, I actually want to have a good time.
If you have just started playing Chapter 1, you might want to stop now. The final Chapter 4 release will include a revamped Chapter 1.
 

Old Man Al

Active Member
Jan 18, 2022
942
6,189
I started playing Chapter 1, and I'll just leave some of my initial thoughts here:

I'm impressed by the renders and some of the camerawork during the introduction, I've never really seen such a dynamic approach to these kind of games. The UI could do with some polish, the classic RenPy format looks a bit dodgy, but it isn't that big of a deal in all honesty.

The music during the intro sequence was passable, but it didn't really leave an impression. I hope that in later chapters music becomes more consistent and generally just kept in the background as the story progresses. Having dead silence while reading the campy dialogue is depressing.

The dialogue is pretty camp. So far, there hasn't been a single line that felt like it came from an actual human being. But I'm hopeful that's only temporary.

I don't mind the classic incel protagonist trope all that much, I can only acknowledge the Sasuke hair and the vague, typecast statements about society, and hope that it grows on me somehow. Man, the characters they've introduced so far are so comically trope-y. I don't like a single one, I've read reviews and it seems like that should change with time.

The creator is a one piece fan though, I don't know why Nami is the abomination she is right now currently but again, I hope for quite the turnaround. Hopefully the writing isn't of the same quality of the recent one piece arc, I actually want to have a good time.
Well, it seems this VN is simply not for you. That is fine, but I doubt it will get better for you.
Especially when everything everyone likes about it, is something you don't like - at least that is how I read your post. Like, to go for the most obvious, most of us like how alive and real the characters feel and you write "So far, there hasn't been a single line that felt like it came from an actual human being.".
I am a bit sad for you honestly, like when I play one of my favorite songs to someone and he is like "meh, it is ok I guess - BARELY.".

But then there are many VNs with 5 star ratings here that just don't click with me. Good thing we all like different stuff, else the world would be pretty bland. :)
 

seniorboop

Active Member
Jun 5, 2021
660
1,815
Well, it seems this VN is simply not for you. That is fine, but I doubt it will get better for you.
Especially when everything everyone likes about it, is something you don't like - at least that is how I read your post. Like, to go for the most obvious, most of us like how alive and real the characters feel and you write "So far, there hasn't been a single line that felt like it came from an actual human being.".
I am a bit sad for you honestly, like when I play one of my favorite songs to someone and he is like "meh, it is ok I guess - BARELY.".

But then there are many VNs with 5 star ratings here that just don't click with me. Good thing we all like different stuff, else the world would be pretty bland. :)
Typical F95... :FacePalm:

Dude posts his initial impressions of the introductory chapter giving both praise and criticism in a respectful manner and clearly stating his intention to keep going, yet a toxic thinly veiled attack is what he receives in response for offering anything less than unanimous praise.

"... this VN is simply not for you," "... I doubt it will get better for you," because hes not head over heels about a chapter even the developer saw the need to completely retrofit.

The rampant yes man behavior endemic in F95 communities is like a disease, I swear. Idk why I replied to this knowing it'll only provoke additional t-cells.
 

Prone to the Sea

New Member
Oct 26, 2021
1
15
I started playing Chapter 1, and I'll just leave some of my initial thoughts here:

I'm impressed by the renders and some of the camerawork during the introduction, I've never really seen such a dynamic approach to these kind of games. The UI could do with some polish, the classic RenPy format looks a bit dodgy, but it isn't that big of a deal in all honesty.

The music during the intro sequence was passable, but it didn't really leave an impression. I hope that in later chapters music becomes more consistent and generally just kept in the background as the story progresses. Having dead silence while reading the campy dialogue is depressing.

The dialogue is pretty camp. So far, there hasn't been a single line that felt like it came from an actual human being. But I'm hopeful that's only temporary.

I don't mind the classic incel protagonist trope all that much, I can only acknowledge the Sasuke hair and the vague, typecast statements about society, and hope that it grows on me somehow. Man, the characters they've introduced so far are so comically trope-y. I don't like a single one, I've read reviews and it seems like that should change with time.

The creator is a one piece fan though, I don't know why Nami is the abomination she is right now currently but again, I hope for quite the turnaround. Hopefully the writing isn't of the same quality of the recent one piece arc, I actually want to have a good time.
First ever post on f95, I'm usually just lurking and reading. First impressions are important, but they are usually irrelevant once you get hooked. Unpolished UI, missing images, glitches are all things you can forgive when you're just interested in continuing the story.

I always find it super difficult to get started, even new books where the author has the possibility to shuffle or completely rewrite the opening before the book is even released. The author is usually experimenting with styles, and haven't found a proper workflow yet. Try to get through the first chapter, things really kick off later on.

That being said, as others have mentioned Ocean is going back and reworking Chapter 1, see #8431919, which I imagine is probably just as difficult as starting a new chapter, involving new scenes, better models, rewritten script. I think the new renders look absolutely stunning and on-par with the quality in later chapters. Considering that there isn't really any new content (story) being added, but touching up the overall quality of the whole game, very brave, it speaks to their interest in quality over quantity. Practice makes perfect, Ocean's other story that's being developed in parallel, Where It All Began, had a much more better start.

For the dialogue, I've read plenty of novels where it feels very plastic. At least for the first chapter, I get it, when you're just starting out working on a story, you're trying to figure out the environment, game mechanics, etc. The Darkness mechanic seems to have been completely scrapped after Chapter 1, for example. But as I said before, after having completed the game several times, even decompiling the script files to make sure I haven't missed any sequences, it becomes irrelevant. And when there are holes, you fill them with your imagination.

Quick note on the music, it's really hard to get licensed music for this type of game, there's been a lot of discussion about it on this forum. From my understanding, Ocean just got some sweet deals, expect great things, I think it's already much improved in the last chapters. I've found that a chill ambient mix on YouTube complements game silence quite nicely.

If you don't enjoy it, that's fine, you'll likely encounter a few people that will try to strongly defend it here, like with anything really. I was really on the fence at first, with the scene quality and a story and set-up that I found ridiculous. I'm not a hardcore anime fan, when I saw that mop of hair and the mood, I was really put off. I was trying to find something to live up to Being A DIK (Derek!) and was really put off by the first chapter, now I think it's one of the best novels I've ever encountered, given that I found it on F95 (and not a national literature competition). Unfortunately, the only way you'll know whether you enjoy it is to keep going.

Do I wish for a iron-tight script, flawless renders and frequent releases? Of course, but this is already super impressive given that it's a one-man show. I was completely taken back by the image quality in the last chapter, you could easily mistake it for a small budget film or a triple-A game cinematic. I did find it to be a waste of precious update, considering its length and independence from the main story, but given the amount of planned content in the future, it will be an interesting "intermission". Huge thanks to Ocean for making this, it motivated me and pushed me through my final Bachelor exams, despite the "post-book blues" that I got. I came for the porn, stayed for the story.
 

yossa999

Well-Known Member
Dec 5, 2020
1,848
12,074
Does someone know, if the event with Vic & Mila at Vic's house will be included in the final 4 episode?
 

karlsberg

Newbie
Aug 16, 2019
70
167
Dude posts his initial impressions of the introductory chapter giving both praise and criticism in a respectful manner and clearly stating his intention to keep going, yet a toxic thinly veiled attack is what he receives in response for offering anything less than unanimous praise.
When someone dishes out hyperboles like "So far, there hasn't been a single line that felt like it came from an actual human being", it's not exactly respectful, regardless whether they meant it like that or not.
Ocean's dialogue definitely needs improvement even now, but I've seen much worse on this site.
 

jaw1986baby

Chasing Redhead sm0ls
Donor
Jun 2, 2017
2,333
7,130
When someone dishes out hyperboles like "So far, there hasn't been a single line that felt like it came from an actual human being", it's not exactly respectful, regardless whether they meant it like that or not.
Ocean's dialogue definitely needs improvement even now, but I've seen much worse on this site.
Particularly if they are judging a translation

If you are fluent in Ocean's native tongue and read his native tongue dialogue and feel like that is accurate then it might be valid. But translations are only as good as the translator so dialogue critique is useless and pointless.





PEACE
 
Nov 24, 2018
94
250
Just finished Chapter 3.

I initially didn't really know how to gauge the quality of story. It seems to receive high praise in this thread and it specifically hones in on the fact that story takes precedence over sexual content. But after adjusting my expectations, I did manage to get through two chapters without any serious misgivings. That being said, most of what I criticised from the first chapter still remains. I appreciate things a lot more now though, some things can be so bad that they become good. I've actually collected a few lines that were particularly shit.

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The MC is still insufferable, but in an entertaining way at least. In a lot of ways, this game feels like an incel's wet dream, but you could extend this to literally any anime, h-game or pornhwa, it just struck me a lot while I was playing. Some of his edgelord outbursts are great though. Bro literally said Bella's car looked like it had cancer and extended that to Bella by calling her a tumor (he wasn't wrong either, that wrap was ugly). Despite the cancer car, the animation sequence with it and Bella was good, I always look forward to them while playing. Except the one fight scene, that was just hilarious.

In terms of the characters, I can at least fire off a few that I like now. Jeffrey is a real one, I liked the Ronnie Coleman bit when the MC went to the gym with him. Victoria still has that thousand yard stare that I can't get over. Maja and the Scarface girl are hot. Sonya is cute. Nami is still an autist. Ayua is a based Judo-enjoyer (and hot). Bella seems to be where I'm heading love-interest wise though, not because of a particular preference but it just ended up that way.

I still don't see what the hype was about with the story and the characters; Bella's backstory in particular and other character's heart-to-heart's with the MC seem way too on the nose and sudden to me. At this point, I'm three chapters in so I'll just be riding the rest of it out.

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4.30 star(s) 502 Votes