(Version reviewed: 0.5)
What I like about the game:
- Art: Found the art to be quite unique among the games that I've played so far on the website. The character renders make them look attractive and unique at the same time.
- Animations: There hasn't been a lot of animations, but the ones we have seen so far have been fairly smooth.
- Story: "The Best Days of Our Lives" doesn't try to be something more than it should be. It's a grounded tale of friendships / relationships between 11 characters (including the MC) and the setting has tried to stay faithful to what an average person would go through at college. It's a breath of fresh air among all the college AVNs that try to include other plot devices which ends up diluting the focus of the story.
- The fact that the LIs are likely to be in relationships with other characters, if the MC isn't on their paths which goes in line with what normal life would look like. (And a promise of no NTR for all those who are worried about that)
- Humor: The game comes up with scenes that put a smile on the face without trying too hard to do so which is a win imo.
What has improved:
- Illusion of choice: Something that I've noticed (up until v0.5) is that whatever is the choice made so far, the main outcome is similar (choice to go on a date with Sophia despite the choices made aren't ideal, Vanessa developing feelings for MC despite his actions, etc.), we do get some additional scenes if we choose the ideal choices, but the overall outcome was the same. But with the branching path in v0.5 of choosing between Rebecca and Jennifer and the choice in the Vanessa route, this hopefully continues to improve based on what we have seen in v0.5.
- Dialogues: I feel like there has been an improvement on this front when compared to the earlier versions, but it can be improved even further. The general conversations have been decent, but when the characters are having a deep, emotional conversation I found the dialogues have failed to captivate.
What could be improved:
- Characters (LIs): Among the LIs shown so far, Vanessa can be considered as a rebellious character and is potrayed as such. Jennifer and Rebecca aren't very different from one other, but I feel like Jennifer is more caring about her friend group (a sort of mother hen). While the other LIs are considered to be different from others, but they have shown very little differences in their personalities so far. For eg: Nina is considered to be the friendly one, but we don't see her interact with characters other than MC and Vanessa (up until v0.5). Sophia has told MC that she enjoys K Pop, but is never shown listening to any music. And we have very limited interactions with Emma (up until v0.5).
- Audio and Soundtrack: It's the same looping track. Hope they bring in some variety in this department. Maybe some different tunes for intimate moments with the different LIs, maybe some nature sounds at their favorite spot, some classroom noises while at class, basketball noises while the characters are playing, etc.
- Drama: Although, I enjoy a slice of life story, I feel there could be some drama involved like what happens irl. The conflicts between the characters have been rare and when they have been in conflicts it has either been resolved quickly or there hasn't been a lot of depth in them. It doesn't have to be something that deviates from the story, but I wouldn't mind seeing something that the MC would have to sweat over for a while. Example we could have had some scenes to show that MC had observed what Dave had been upto for the week after Jennifer told him that Dave might be involved in some bad company before confronting him on that issue.
I think the game deserves a 4.25/5 at v0.5, but I felt that it was a 4/5 at v0.4. The improvements made over the past 2 updates has given me confidence that the game would even further. So, I shall rate this at 5/5 and a personal recommendation for all those who wish to play a grounded slice-of-life AVN in a college-setting.
