Ren'Py Abandoned The DeLuca Family [Season 1] [HopesGaming]

[Psykoman1978]

Thats not Joey, thats Canoley. Because Joey..., wait, who is Joey? I cant remember him, so I guess he is probably dead.

Want a cigarrette? "Cough" "Cough" I don´t smoke

 

[shaq9]

Don't usually write reviews but I felt compelled to do so after playing. I'm gonna get my issue with the game out first, so I can focus on what I loved. My only issue with the game (besides some of the contracts being annoying) is this small part where the writer mocks critiques who expect just porn and (I assume) rated his work poorly. Instead of it being a witty scene, it just felt like the writer responded with "screw you ugly bastard, go die". It was just a small scene, so it's like a small blotch on an otherwise incredible experience, which I will talk about now.

Two things that I think are incredible about this game are the characters, Gracie and Luna. I'll get Gracie out the way first since Luna's gonna take a bit. What I like about Gracie is that besides being a huge troll, the writer does a fantastic job of slowly and tentatively exploring this darkness in her (alongside her learning how to be social). The scene where she tells the protagonist that if he does something again, she'll hurt him, was chilling. Not just because of the amazing facial expression, and the fact that she proved to not be your typical dumb pretty face (spoiler, she's hyper-intelligent), but because the lighting choice gave the illusion that her eyes were an evil shade of red.

Now to my favorite (and I imagine probably most controversial) part of the game, which is Luna's backstory. I won't spoil anything, but I'm not kidding when I say that her backstory is some of the most compelling and melancholic story-telling I've read in all my life. If you've already read it, the scene where Luna is tilting her head from side to side, going, "clip clop clip clop clip clop", over and over, until she just smiles with absolutely nothing behind her eyes, legitimately disturbed me in a way horror games can only dream of doing. Luna's character is incredible and she makes the game worth experiencing by itself. But her backstory... wow 10/10.

I don't know if this game will ever get finished, but it was an overall great experience. It wasn't as "hot" as other games, but the writing was stellar.

 

[whichone]

Don't usually write reviews but I felt compelled to do so after playing. I'm gonna get my issue with the game out first, so I can focus on what I loved. My only issue with the game (besides some of the contracts being annoying) is this small part where the writer mocks critiques who expect just porn and (I assume) rated his work poorly. Instead of it being a witty scene, it just felt like the writer responded with "screw you ugly bastard, go die". It was just a small scene, so it's like a small blotch on an otherwise incredible experience, which I will talk about now.

Two things that I think are incredible about this game are the characters, Gracie and Luna. I'll get Gracie out the way first since Luna's gonna take a bit. What I like about Gracie is that besides being a huge troll, the writer does a fantastic job of slowly and tentatively exploring this darkness in her (alongside her learning how to be social). The scene where she tells the protagonist that if he does something again, she'll hurt him, was chilling. Not just because of the amazing facial expression, and the fact that she proved to not be your typical dumb pretty face (spoiler, she's hyper-intelligent), but because the lighting choice gave the illusion that her eyes were an evil shade of red.

Now to my favorite (and I imagine probably most controversial) part of the game, which is Luna's backstory. I won't spoil anything, but I'm not kidding when I say that her backstory is some of the most compelling and melancholic story-telling I've read in all my life. If you've already read it, the scene where Luna is tilting her head from side to side, going, "clip clop clip clop clip clop", over and over, until she just smiles with absolutely nothing behind her eyes, legitimately disturbed me in a way horror games can only dream of doing. Luna's character is incredible and she makes the game worth experiencing by itself. But her backstory... wow 10/10.

I don't know if this game will ever get finished, but it was an overall great experience. It wasn't as "hot" as other games, but the writing was stellar.

Well said
Put it in a formal review, by clicking the star icon (top right) for the rating you think it deserves.

 

[Rovenant]

I dont think it was a joke about the people only wanting porn games, but a joke about what we see in every game: criticism about a game that it isn't like they want, as if games should be exactly how they wanted.

And that's the whole point. It's a funny Easter egg about taking the effort to create a game so people can enjoy it (and of course the creator too) but finding some players believing that creators should make what they think it's good, and if they don't then the game is trash, so they spam trash comments in every place so others don't play the game.

It's a phenomenon that makes it hard for starters and small indie companies, and this makes some players avoid games because of reviews.


I just wanted to clarify that. I'm 98% sure this was the meaning of that scene, because that happens here, in steam or any place that allows reviews. It's sad but it happens a lot and it shouldn't. As we always say, if you don't like a game or the concept, then avoid playing it, but don't spill trash comments just because it isn't how you wanted to be.

I'll clarify im not talking about a game that promise something and then fails to delivery it (like false trailers and then gameplay isn't anything like that) or p2w/p2p that usually sacrifice the experience of playing to earn money.

 

[shaq9]

Well said
Put it in a formal review, by clicking the star icon (top right) for the rating you think it deserves.

oh I see, thanks for telling me how to do that.

 

[whichone]

oh I see, thanks for telling me how to do that.

np mate.
Just wanted to see your review have an active contribution, rather than get lost in the sands of the thread after a couple of pages.

 

[shaq9]

I dont think it was a joke about the people only wanting porn games, but a joke about what we see in every game: criticism about a game that it isn't like they want, as if games should be exactly how they wanted.

And that's the whole point. It's a funny Easter egg about taking the effort to create a game so people can enjoy it (and of course the creator too) but finding some players believing that creators should make what they think it's good, and if they don't the game is thrash, so they spam thrash comments in every place so others don't play the game.

It's a phenomenon that make it hard for starters and small indie companies, and this makes some players avoid games because of reviews.


I just wanted to clarify that. I'm 98% sure this was the meaning of that scene, because that happens here, in steam or any place that allows reviews. It's sad but it happens a lot and it shouldn't. As we always say, if you don't like a game or the concept, then avoid playing it, but don't spill trash comments just because it isn't how you wanted to be.

I'll clarify im not talking about a game that promise something and then fails to delivery it (like false trailers and then gameplay isn't anything like that) or p2w/p2p that usually sacrifice the experience of playing to earn money.

I can understand how review bombing a work can be detrimental to the creator, so on that note, I empathize with the scene and also appreciate you clarifying it (I don't want to make it seem like I can't comprehend what you wrote). My gripe is less about the issue itself (again I can empathize with what you and what the author wrote) but how it was portrayed in the game. The reviewer was boiled down to a fat ugly loser who the protagonists say should die and or be castrated.

Maybe this was the author having some catharsis, but it just felt too "on the nose" and not particularly funny to me. Almost every other scene was witty (and in Luna's case, downright beautiful), and then this scene happens and it felt like whiplash. I don't know, I just wasn't a fan. Thanks again for clarifying though, it gave the scene more context for me.

 

[whichone]

My gripe is less about the issue itself (again I can empathize with what you and what the author wrote) but how it was portrayed in the game. The reviewer was boiled down to a fat ugly loser who the protagonists say should die and or be castrated.

Maybe this was the author having some catharsis, but it just felt too "on the nose" and not particularly funny to me.

lol I think you're correct, with it being a form of catharsis.
At the time he did that update, there had been a large amount of entitled troll types, complaining loudly that the game didn't do what they wanted it to, so it was shit.
Even the character's name is a piss-take. Fillius Canis = Son of a bitch, in Latin.

It's probably funnier, less "on the nose", if you've witnessed that behaviour en masse.
You used to see it here, all the time.
Now I see it in other popular games frequently & use Fillius as an example.
It's just a numbers game.
The more popular the game, the more people it attracts.
The more people it attracts, the greater the number of entitled whingers.

 

[Cartageno]

I dont think it was a joke about the people only wanting porn games, but a joke about what we see in every game: criticism about a game that it isn't like they want, as if games should be exactly how they wanted.

Well, yes - and no. You are certainly correct with the basic assumption and we have seen that everywhere, AAA games, but also movies, albums of reknowned musicians, and so forth. But here it also often manifests itself in the way shaq9 mentioned. Case in point: this very game. Counting the number of "XX years in development and still no proper sex scene" comments would be taxing - and even after the first scene entered the game they were not completely gone.

But yes, it is probably also a general feeling, though only Hopes would know. There's loads of reviews, not only on this game, which are crybaby reviews. Don't get me wrong, there are just as many unjustified 5 star reviews as 1 star reviews on the zone, they probably just don't bother devs as much for some reason. But actually reading reviews will not only give insights into the game and its qualities - which is what we're all hoping for - but sometimes also destroy your faith in humanity. My "favorite" was "dev is Russian so this game doesn't deserve more than one star" (by the way a long time before the war started, but even now it would be most nonsensical) but there are so many baseless complaints you'd be sure nobody in their right mind could make them up. But they exist. Which leaves the point of "in their right mind".

The most interesting specimen probably are the "aboned" crew. Coming to a pirating forum complaining about devs milking poor Patreons (sorry, whichone, that is what Patreon calls their patrons ) and then complaining about white knights when somebody argues against their points when it was just them riding into a thread fighting for people who weren't even there.

But I can see how shaq sees this as lacking subtlety. Because it is. I don't mind here, because I found it amusing (it always will depend on your personal stance on the issue of course) and, as TVTropes puts it, some anvils need to be dropped, but if you're less engaged with the issue and more about the delivery, I can see how it falls short.

Edit: when I started writing this, quite a couple of the latest posts didn't exist. Sorry for any redundancy

 

[whichone]

There's loads of reviews, not only on this game, which are crybaby reviews. Don't get me wrong, there are just as many unjustified 5 star reviews as 1 star reviews on the zone, they probably just don't bother devs as much for some reason. But actually reading reviews will not only give insights into the game and its qualities - which is what we're all hoping for - but sometimes also destroy your faith in humanity. My "favorite" was "dev is Russian so this game doesn't deserve more than one star" (by the way a long time before the war started, but even now it would be most nonsensical) but there are so many baseless complaints you'd be sure nobody in their right mind could make them up. But they exist. Which leaves the point of "in their right mind".

Yeah, for me that comes down to a basic distinction between a whinge\an opinion, criticism & constructive criticism.

"Waah, game is shit" is an unsubstantiated opinion\whinge.
"I think the game is shit because...X" is criticism.
If X is untrue & can be disproven, then it's invalid criticism.
If X is true, or a matter of personal taste, then it's valid criticism.
"I think the game is shit because X (=true), here's what I think would make it better..." is constructive criticism.

Unfortunately, the loudest noise comes from those with the least to say.

 

[shaq9]

But I can see how shaq sees this as lacking subtlety. Because it is. I don't mind here, because I found it amusing (it always will depend on your personal stance on the issue of course) and, as TVTropes puts it, some anvils need to be dropped, but if you're less engaged with the issue and more about the delivery, I can see how it falls short.

Edit: when I started writing this, quite a couple of the latest posts didn't exist. Sorry for any redundancy

Yeah, that's a great way to put it. I found it lacking in subtlety, but as you said, sometimes an anvil is okay to be dropped. I think a good example of a show that I feel handled this sort of character right is Spongebob's with both Bubble Bass and Kevin the sea cucumber. Both are entitled, dorks but they aren't automatically written off as pathetic losers (their actions and character arcs allow the audience to come to that conclusion).
I know the author probably wasn't thinking about that and just wanted to write a one-off gag, and I guess I'm happy at least some people found it funny, like yourself.

 

[Rovenant]

I can understand how review bombing a work can be detrimental to the creator, so on that note, I empathize with the scene and also appreciate you clarifying it (I don't want to make it seem like I can't comprehend what you wrote). My gripe is less about the issue itself (again I can empathize with what you and what the author wrote) but how it was portrayed in the game. The reviewer was boiled down to a fat ugly loser who the protagonists say should die and or be castrated.

Maybe this was the author having some catharsis, but it just felt too "on the nose" and not particularly funny to me. Almost every other scene was witty (and in Luna's case, downright beautiful), and then this scene happens and it felt like whiplash. I don't know, I just wasn't a fan. Thanks again for clarifying though, it gave the scene more context for me.

Well, that's just about preferences and I respect that. I wanted to clarify that what happens in games usually happens a lot in this forum too.

I liked the joke because the reaction of the girls was in character and not forced, and the even when I don't like stereotypes I don't have patience for people that can't allow others to think or like different things.

But I liked that you posted your ideas with respect.

 

[whichone]

The most interesting specimen probably are the "aboned" crew. Coming to a pirating forum complaining about devs milking poor Patreons (sorry, whichone, that is what Patreon calls their patrons ) and then complaining about white knights when somebody argues against their points when it was just them riding into a thread fighting for people who weren't even there.

lol Must save the poor people from falling victim to this ruthlessly unscrupulous dev & his ruses!!

Spoiler: white knight hypocrisy

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Wait, where are the people who need saving?
On Patreon?
Well, fuck it, I'm taking a stand here!

 

[JJJ84]

I know the author probably wasn't thinking about that and just wanted to write a one-off gag, and I guess I'm happy at least some people found it funny, like yourself.

I wouldn't be too sure of Filius being a one-off gag, if I were you.
I've seen Hopes say since that event, saying "Oh this X real life event might be a good content for a Filius event in the future."
(perhaps he was joking or perhaps not )


And just because it's based on what's actually happened, it isn't necessarily a bad thing.

For instance, did you know in this thread, we once had a day where everyone was genuinely being nice and polite, introducing themselves (and where they are from), for no reason?
We don't have an actual event for that yet, but if Filius is the negative end of that spectrum, event for above would definitely be the positive end of the spectrum.

 

[TheCrimsonRevenger]

So i know this is gonna seem like the usual whiny "When is the next update!" post but...well, I guess it is. No getting around that.

But I ask for a reason. Last computer died and took my saves with it. My ultra-completionist mega-100% saves.

New one doesn't have as much memory as the old so i'm in that transitional stage of prioritizing hardrive space until I can upgrade a bit. So ideally i'm thinking like, I want to aim for maybe 2 weeks or so before the next one hits to re-download and try to fast-skip my way to being caught up again. But the various minigames needed to get that easter egg content can't really be skipped over sadly so I figure at least a couple weeks ahead is the furthest I can push it.

 

[whichone]

So i know this is gonna seem like the usual whiny "When is the next update!" post but...well, I guess it is. No getting around that.

But I ask for a reason. Last computer died and took my saves with it. My ultra-completionist mega-100% saves.

New one doesn't have as much memory as the old so i'm in that transitional stage of prioritizing hardrive space until I can upgrade a bit. So ideally i'm thinking like, I want to aim for maybe 2 weeks or so before the next one hits to re-download and try to fast-skip my way to being caught up again. But the various minigames needed to get that easter egg content can't really be skipped over sadly so I figure at least a couple weeks ahead is the furthest I can push it.

IIRC v.0.08.0.3 was only released in June, so will be a while yet for next update.

The game is only 3.5 gig, so you should be able to play the current version without space issues (hopefully) & regain your save position.
When you've finished, keep the saves folder, found at TheDeLucaFamily\game\saves\ & you can delete everything else, to free up the space again.
The save files are only a couple of meg.
Alternatively, they also automatically save in C:\\Users\*username\AppData (hidden folder)\Roaming\RenPy\TheDelucaFamily\

The images from Contracts are reasonably straight forward to get, just follow the walkthrough from OP.

 

[c3p0]

The game is only 3.5 gig, so you should be able to play the current version without space issues (hopefully) & regain your save position.

It also exist an unoffical compressed version, you can grab it over the OP, which should be even smaller. Of course heavier compression has it drawn back (image quality), but how much depends on a lot of different factors and sometime a game could be much smaller without a major drop in the image quality.

 

[Dr. FuckFace]

First game ever where i just cant read&watch the whole story, Lunas childhoods story with Sofia made me load last save and just quickly stroll the short version.

I strongly suggest you should save before watching the scene.


And i hope anyone doesent take me wrong, this game is absolutely marvelous, one of the best games i have ever played. Story writing is absolutely on the level that the makers should really think of writing a book, instant goldmine and bestseller for sure.

Love it and big thanks to the makers behind this, 5-/5, only minus comes with the few(2 i think) animated scenes where MC:s hand just doesent look natural, rest of the art is pure diamond and Wilfred might be my favorite side character ever.

 

[WhiteyG]

The images from Contracts are reasonably straight forward to get, just follow the walkthrough from OP.

Shameless self promotion.

 

[WhiteyG]

First game ever where i just cant read&watch the whole story, Lunas childhoods story with Sofia made me load last save and just quickly stroll the short version.

I strongly suggest you should save before watching the scene.


And i hope anyone doesent take me wrong, this game is absolutely marvelous, one of the best games i have ever played. Story writing is absolutely on the level that the makers should really think of writing a book, instant goldmine and bestseller for sure.

Love it and big thanks to the makers behind this, 5-/5, only minus comes with the few(2 i think) animated scenes where MC:s hand just doesent look natural, rest of the art is pure diamond and Wilfred might be my favorite side character ever.

It's a hard scene that's for sure but the way it ends is triumphant. I think it's worth watching despite how hard it is to see it through, but I certainly understand those that can't.

By the way you can leave a review for the game by clicking on the stars near the top of the page on the right side. I'm sure Hopesgaming would appreciate it.