VN - Ren'Py - The Roommate [v0.12.07] [togs]

Reviewing v0.4.7
This is one of perhaps half a dozen adult VNs that I would rate as elite. Some have complex game mechanics, others stunning graphics and animation, others glorious word-smithing.

While The Roommate is no slouch in any of these areas, it is the story that sets it apart from the pack. There are so many elements to it, and the plot is revealed in such a masterful way that I actually gasped "Aha!" out loud more than once.

A good story needs great characters, and the interview scene shows off this facet, both in terms of model design and character. Just as I was beginning to think a character was a bit of a stereotype, she would make it clear that there was a lot more depth to her. More generally, I continually found myself on edge about who to trust - I would not be surprised if any of the characters is involved in the conspiracy.

Ratings at a glance:
Graphics: **** (vary from passable to brilliant)
Models: ***** (something for just about any taste)
Animations: **** (decent but rare)
Mechanics: ***** (always tricky for a largely linear story, but it is possible to make meaningful changes)
Story: *********** (like Nigel's amp - this one goes up to 11)

Congratulations and thanks to the dev(s??) for this.

Great start to the game. It looks good and has a cool story with some customization of the MC's personality which I really like. I can't wait to see where it goes in the future. I strongly recommend it as it is a game that definitely deserves some more publicity.

This story is a great one...and thankfully, the babes are hot as well. The mystery surrounding the MC's inherited company are playing out nice and slowly, as is his conquest of some of the hot babes. For me, if a VN has not got an interesting story, I am not that inclined to keep following it. So for me, this is worth following.
The Dev's pace of showing us both mystery and hot babes is just about perfect. That is why I rated this five stars.

So far it's a strong 4*. The plot isn't the common one, no yoga scenes as an example, and I like it. Not much sex yet, I had one scene and skipped the other (not interested in that LI). I like the girls, they are different in both looks and behaviour. I like Kari a lot . Waiting for next update and
As some has mentioned earlier is the graphics getting better, so keep that up Dev!

Playing "The Roommate" was an entertaining experience. The story is interesting. The writing is pretty good. There is some remarkable craziness sometimes, especially in the helping the widow episode.

So the scenario is good. Not perfectly polished, and I thought sometimes that some opportunities could be developed further... But I guess that shows how engaged it made me.

The renders and models are mostly of "OK, but nothing special" class. I'd like to see more of Cassie though (and I guess she would be there in future updates).

For now, there are not many sex scenes, and they aren't very exciting (unless maybe you are a fan of cow-sized boobs and lactation).

So it's solid 4 stars. Not perfect, but interesting to play.

Quite a bit better than I thought it'd be. It has a bit of a rough start. Writing is a bit uneven at first and as mentioned the poses early on are a bit wooden (esp. Kari) but it picks up fairly fast. I really like the pacing (it's not too fast, so don't expect a lot of sex scenes early on).

I like the MC's tone. He's adequately arrogant when appropriate. Also Lois is a character I can really identify with, so that probably clouds my judgement a bit.

All in all, a very worthwhile game off to a promising start.

I really enjoyed this opener. It was cute, but not cuuuute. It was light but happy and, although one has the usual option at times to peek, it made a pleasant change not to have "perverting", conflict or heavy intrigue imposed from the get-go.

I do have to say though that I did find it very difficult to settle in with Kari's personality, because her exquisitely crafted, full-figured, almost mature, appearance gave no indication of the depths of her naive, almost childlike personality. I do not mean stupid, but just jarringly unworldly.

However, this by no means spoiled my enjoyment of the tale as a whole and I feel optimistic that now both characters have acknowledged the emotional connection that was obviously going to be, at some point, made, there will hopefully be significant character and relationship development in the stars for them both.

So I'm looking forward to the next segment or perhaps two, at which point I think I'll know whether or not I'm going to buy a ticket on the Patreon train.

This is an early review and based on v0.1 Preview

Overall I am liking the feel of the game. The interactions and story are fairly basic but not too basic and good. There is enough context to make it believable. The graphics are good and like the look and feel overall. It is obviously still just a preview, so cannot go in-depth yet on story, but I am looking forward to future releases.

The only complaint I have is the routine is a bit too routine, but that is something that could be due to it being so early in the story development.

Keep it up XDR! Solid start for a first VN.

First thoughts on this:

English was good! Overall story was ok too.

Graphics very basic, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The posing of Kari was a bit weird though - like she was a doll rather than a person. Would be better if you can make a more natural pose, especially if you are going to repeat the same one over and over.

Money mechanics was interesting but not really explained. Feels like you will always have lots of it, so why bother?

Overall, I thought it was ok. Nothing revolutionary, but as this is a preview, that's perhaps expected.

Good luck!