VN - Ren'Py - Trouble at Home [Ep.3 v1.0] [CoolKittyRhymes]

Easily one of the best new games on this site. It is well-written and the renders are great. What I really love is the girls look real and feel real. From the clothes to their different appearances/backstory, you can really put yourself into the story as the MC. I think this game will get really big if it continues on this path.

"Murk" is DA MAN! More of him please! Also Emily is the most unique character in all of the hundreds of 18+ games I've played. I was expecting it so Milo's death was a lil less painful...... I'm hoping we wouldn't have to choose any one girl and ditch the rest but if it comes to that my choice would be easy. It'd be a very easy Emily, despite of there being prettier girls. Overall a 10/10!

I only really paid attention to the first episode and then pretty much skipped through the rest of the game because I didn't want to waste my time.

I mostly play VNs because I like good stories and well written and developed characters. I would say the characters in this VN are decent, but the story I really didn't like. Maybe this is just me being overly empathetic, but it was very stressful going through the first episode with all the bad things that happen to the MC while he just feels miserable and sad. And to add to that, he and his friends just make the stupidest decisions (which you have no control over). Based on what I played, your choices only affect the relationships with the girls and don't really have an impact on the story/events.

The MC seems to be a good guy; I think he is charismatic enough, and the sense of humour of the VN is decent. The best friend of the MC is well-intentioned but so damned stupid that I wish there was an option to punch him in the face haha. The interactions with the MC's sister are all predetermined, and the MC always acts like a cuck. I think this VN would be enjoyable if you could actually decide how the MC behaves and how things happen, not just who to sleep with.

The graphic quality is good, but it is true that most of the characters look like overgrown toddlers, and that's a bit creepy. Personally, I wouldn't play it again nor recommend it. It's a “meh”.

Short summary:


There is some content here, but the story seems derivative and not very engaging. Mostly terrible facial expressions. Later on in the story renders improve a bit and you start getting ok animations. Though author doesn’t know much about eroticism.



Good Things

• Lots of content, though mostly unimaginative
• Occasional sexy girl or render
• Some later animations are good, with nice soft body
• Writing is inconsistent, but in general seems good

Bad points

• Atrocious expressions on many models. Seriously, its so bad, made me not engage with the story
• Most models look very dated and not hot at all
• Male models look like overgrown toddlers
• Many scenes seem low effort, when it comes to lighting and setup

I think this is solid work from a relatively new dev. Props to them being able to put out this much content over the past year (from first release in 2022).

Story:

• The premise is last year of highschool, lets have fun and get MC dick wet, etc. The main conflict is between the MC and his sister, but there's no incest planned because dev is on Patreon still...Otherwise, the story isn't really compelling.
• The story tone is meant to be whacky, where the MC is the passive grumpy 'straight man' that deals with some absurd people and things happening to him, but there aren't enough fun or funny things going on to support this.
• There's no real sense of time and the events and encounters in the game feel too random, with way too many women in the game. There are these 'bonus' content scenes that focus on other characters and some of it is unimportant.
• You get to make choices that unlock certain scenes, but the MC still feels passive.

Visuals:

• There are good, solid clean renders and solid animations here. I can definitely see the dev improve to make this look really good with their own style.
• The characters have sort of a cartoony proportions, where their heads are noticeably bigger than normal. The exaggerated facial expressions also really add to the cartoony, over the top feeling, which might put players off.

Characters

• The MC is actually sort of a tragic figure, where his past explains his current disposition but unfortunately the game only explains why and his conflict with the sister waaay later in the game.
• Main appeal of the game is the sister Kayla. She's the hottest one and there's a conflict between with her and the MC and there's no incest planned at this. Unfortunately, you don't get to love/hate fuck her.
• Everyone else varies between well written and likeable like Emily, or barely established. There are too many female characters in the mix.

UI, other stuff, etc

• The game puts the dialogue decisions in the middle of the screen, which is annoying.
• There's music and sfx that support the story and are ok.

Overall, I think the writing is where this needs most improvement. Reordering scenes, putting more focus on the important story lines, culling the unimportant characters and focusing on fewer key characters and making them more likeable is where the dev can really elevate this.

LIs are pretty and not uncanny valley, MC is a lot of fun and not a complete doofus. The game is pretty funny though there is one gag I'm hoping doesn't persist throughout the whole game. Even though it's pretty new each chapter has plenty of content.

What a fascinating story

I really like the LIs here

especially Stacy and Emily

One is so cute and the other is like a soul mate

I'm really looking forward to what comes next because I heard you're going to do 10 episodes?

"Trouble at Home" shows promise, but isn't sticking the landing just yet.

Edit: After replaying the Ep.3 - 1.0 version, I decided to up my score from 3 to 4, on 2024/04/18.

My biggest criticism, still, is that the passage of time is still very difficult to keep track of. Our MC will just appear in a location and stuff will be happening, and the player doesn't get any context beforehand. I think a splash screen or popup of the time and location would help here.

Compared to the previous version I played, a lot of dialog has been cleaned up, improving the general flow of the story. I also like how the latest update requires a choice of whom to pursue. Monica/Vicky/Tawny, and Ashley/Stacy/Emily. It's unclear if this has a lasting impact, but I generally like how this could trickle down to the LI the player wants to pursue the most, by having the player choose whom to spend time with.

The latest update also shows some great writing and storytelling. The story is slowly opening up, showing that the game's title isn't just applicable to the MC's home or family.


Original review:

There's no denying that the game looks good. The renders and scenes are good. There's also plenty of attention to visual details, and to what's going on in the background.

The dialog is (overall) easy to read and follow, and the inclusion of the textbox is always appreciated.

The story and pacing, I'm not enthusiastic about. I found it hard to keep track of the passage of time, and all the plans MC was making.

Let's take Stacy, as an example. I got the impression that more than a week passed since we gave her her first kiss. If the kiss happens, they both say that they like each other, yet there isn't any follow-up. No clinginess from her side, not even some messages back and forth. Then we see her again at the gym, and all she gets is a couple of minutes to set up another event.

Also, what's the deal with the GPU? Jay wrote an essay right before his GPU died, he then forgot about it. The teacher tells him to bring in his hard drive, so IT can send the essay to her. In episode 2, Jay says that his "computer has been dead for a few weeks", and that he hasn't been able to train for a card game online.
What does the essay have to do with anything? Nothing. We never hear from it again, we don't see Jay bringing in his hard drive, or retrieving it.
The whole GPU-thing doesn't add anything to the story. There's no sense of urgency, we don't understand Jay's passion for the card game, or why this GPU is so important. If the game was so important, Jay could've made time to meet the guys at the Game Store.
What does happen, is that the story hits us over the head that we need money. So what do I do? I save as much money as possible to buy that GPU... But then Travis tells us to replace a component, and it's fixed anyway.

Jay wants to earn money, but fails to follow-up on opportunities, except for the gym. Rachel needs yard work done, but Jay fails to commit. And Rico's training falls away as well, instead Jay gets invited to dinner by his mother, no mention of tutoring Rico.

But, there are also some real gems in the story. Emily's first conversation with Jay is actually really, really good. And I think most Love Interests have had the opportunity to distinguish themselves, though some considerably more than others.

One thing I hope the writer clears up, is how choices are telegraphed. For instance, the shopping trip with Emily. Jay doesn't want to go shopping, and makes this known. Emily tells Jess that they'll do something if Jay doesn't want to go shopping. But then Emily convinces Jay to go, with no player input. If there isn't a choice for me to make, I don't want it to be dangled in front of me. I'd rather Jay show his apprehension, but getting convinced, not the will-he-won't-he stuff we're seeing often.
Another issue with the choice telegraphy is how Jay thinks about his options. This is fine for actual choices, but adds nothing when the player isn't presented with a choice afterward. I understand that the writer wants to convey Jay's inner monologue and conflict, but in cases where the story forces an event to happen, it's better for the MC to be resolute.

Banger certified, soon to be classic!

NTR note: It seems like a lot of people hate ntr stuff and will just not give something a try if they see that tag....STOP!! Don't do yourself disservice by ignoring this beauty. NTR is NOT the star of this show...its the turning point of the story and to set up the game so it makes sense why MC wants to improve and branch out. Without that one scene (which you DONT HAVE TO WATCH) there's no creative way to get MC to change and see things thru diff perspectives. It was needed and IT IS NOT THE STAR OF THE SHOW...so don't ignore the game.

(Review for ep3 v0.29 current read time 8-10hrs for me)

Pros:

1. Writing is the fucking show stealer!!! Play on words, wonderful banter, and humor is off the fucking roof. Inner monologs are nicely done and sound realistic.
2. MC's personality and growth arc is being done wonderfully. The cast of characters around MC like his best friend etc are super duper well done!!
3. Renders are beautiful and girls are pretty! They have distinct personalities and have depth.
4. Expression changes along with blinking, background activity, bringing back stuff from earlier in the game etc. Are small details that make this game shine so much.
5. Music is decent along with sound effects
6. H-scenes are tasteful and animated for the most part.
7. There's actual life lessons here not kidding!! There's some really good advice on how to move on, how to stay motivated, how to spot good friends, how to treat people.....like guys this is the best form of positive reinforcements for people cuz not only do you get a good life lessons but you also get to squeeze some tits...like no brainer!!
8. Build up with LIs is done wonderfully! It comes off naturally and matches the personality (like you won't bang introvert on a first date sort of thing).

Cons: None! There's no time wasting here...every scene is set up for something down the line...and plot makes so much sense.

Verdict: Abso-fucking-lutely pick this up! I generally refrain from playing school setting games cuz of the brainless debauchery shown but this game is done differently......it takes time to set em up and rewards wonderfully. Again, writing is impeccable and piece of work! Don't avoid just cuz you read it has ntr. It's not the main theme.

(Insert Palpatine Voice) We will watch your career with great interest....

Masterpiece in the making!

Hidden gem of a game - try it! There are many factors as to why this game impresses. The trauma of the main character is relatable - the journey recognizable. The story is well written and presented in a way that keeps the intrigue at a continually interesting point. The characters are both such that you can love or love to hate and there is depth and dimension to them. A Game well worth playing and paying for.

The game could be excellent if:
The back story was a little deeper, cause It doesn't really make sense that 2 people who don't care about each other have a fallout, which happens when there are feelings involved. So instead of going deeper into the story, the "siblings fight each other" trope is used.
People gets rescued from a fire and it doesn't hit local news? Is this a world with internet?
Mark tells the story and how can any story lose its core in such a small place?, did nobody get it right?
I dont believe that someone of a certain size dares to bully a guy that is ripped, specially if he already got you once and at least you should fear the consequences, more even so knowing that that guy smashed someones head with a rock, someone bigger than him, he should pretty much be a legend.
Mark is annoying, at some point I decided I couldn't take it anymore and decided to skip most of the scenes where he would show up, and in msot cases, I thing I didn´t miss anything important. This is something that happens in dramas also, when a support character is on screen you know tehre won't me any vital piece of information or plot change, cause he is 95% of the time a relief, which is ironic, cause he is the thing you need relief from..
Sex scenes look good cause the animations are good, but the sex scenes are not that good and the shots and the cinematography is average, the level you get to see in most of the games.
The beginning of the game is overall hard to endure cause there is nothing going on and barely any expectations of improving in the future and the Mc is the opposite of inspiring.
All of the above is too much to rate this game higher but it some of these things were to be fixed or addressed, it could be one of the top, or at least one of the very rewarding games.
There are good things also
Animations are good, facial expressions are good, the visuals are eye candy and differente from the usual for the most part so it's refreshing, some characters are better than others, but at least they resemble human beings, and there are some interesting dialogues, sadly not all of them, but there are some behaviors that a human being can relate to, apart from trope bullies behavior.
I have hope for the future, but hope is not review material, and with the 3 episodes published this is what I can give.

Don't let the NTR tag scare you game's not about NTR.

Loved the game. Good renders and plot going. It's similar to movies like American pie. There is humor I absolutely loved it.

From the start Mc is having trouble with his relationship. His gf is a bitch, she manipulates his life and she cheats him with three other guys at same time. Then breaks up with him. this is the reason for NTR tag. All other LIs are safe from NTR. There is also a chance for harem.

This one got a fair amount of content. Emily is such a great friend. Mark is a true bro, he's funny too. Mc getting his revenge against Chad is funny too

Keep up the good work dev. Looking forward to next updates. If you love a story game you should definitely try this.

+ renders
+ mc ex is the worst human being
+ story is fun & interesting
+ Stacy best girl right now

- mc should be more assertive towards his cheating gf (I hope in the future we will get an option to make her slave or total sub)
- sex scenes are very short and boring
- relationship development no exist here
- no music
- Kayla and her bitchy attitude

not a bad game, but sex scenes are bit disappointing, they should be much longer. 3 stars for now,

I would have given this one a 4, rather than this rating but I made multiple mistakes in the past to give devs the benefit of the doubt so I stay with my gut feeling right now.

This is my bias review which enjoys incest + harem, If you don't and you are more into one-LI end then you should check it out. If you are, then there are some things which may be confusing first.

First of the bet -> Is harem possible ? According to the planned tag it is. And if you play the game you will see the groundwork for it already started. So that's good.

Incest ? -> Not sure. It's kinda building up around it, but it's not in the planned tags. So my suggestion is to wait for like ch.5 to arrive and see IF it progressed to this point.

What's with the NTR ? -> Well this one is quite tricky. For the current moment (And I hope it stays only this one time) is about a girl called “Sierra”. To make it short, she is your typical E-thot slut who fucks other dudes. The tags in this game “Netorare” AND “gangbang” are because of her since there are no other scenes like this present. Not so good.

The MC has the chance to flip her off when you have the chance to date/romance/flirt with her much later on. So it's up to you what will happen.

With that said, what about the rest of this game ?
Well, the term (as in the Developer Note being mentioned) “slice of life” suits it right, and this will be either a insta win for some, or a insta delete for others. As for me, I enjoy “slow burn” stories and as for Ch.3 it's decent. I don't mind having a loser MC as long as we see him getting better and stronger quite quickly in the story. And to some point it's here but not quite there. However some people will say this is a blue balls game where there are only a handful sex scenes, and they would be right. However in the grand scheme of things serviceable.

The models look good, the renders are very good and the animations are super. While the main focus IS the MC, you have the option to see the POV of the girls. Mostly there are for “slice of life” with no sexual content, and that one scene like I mentioned above is that one with NTR.

So i'm on the fence with this one but I would be lying if I didn't enjoyed my last 2 ½ hours with this game.

Writing: top notch - like others have said it's worth reading instead of just skipping through
Renders: original, with some very attractive girls though also some less attractive, kind of strange-looking ones. But most are hot and make you want to see them fuck.
Sex Scenes: A little short, but good cum shot endings. I'd like to see them lengthened a bit with another position each.

Overall content: The game moves a little slowly which is not a problem because the story is fun and interesting, but by the time I get to a sex scene, I want a little more then I get. Also, by the end of chapter 3 the MC in my playthrough had already had sex with 4 different women, but only once each. I understand and like the buildup of some of the relationships, (I don't want the MC to be able to fuck everybody right away) but for those that the MC has already fucked, I think additional scenes with those girls would be a great addition so that there can be more sex in the game. Basically, that's the main reason I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 - I think the ratio of sex scenes to story-development scenes can be increased a little to make the game more arousing.

But it's really a great game.

It's a very good VN. The plot is a slice-of-life character study. The MC starts in a rough spot and the player gets to help him grow.

The amazing part is that the MC actually has two living parents that aren't separated. He has multiple male friends, one of whom is dating. This should be mundane, but in erotic-VN-world, it feels as innovative as the invention of the printing press.

Finally, regarding the NTR tag, I don't think it's applicable here. It's used to set-up the story, and thus far, it appears the woman involved will never be a possible love interest.

This game gets 5 stars from me. Starts out strong, with a fresh twist to introduce all the players and bring sense to what binds each story to the MC. As for adult scenes, nothing right off the start. Looking forward to discovering the way MC is able to spin off a few multiple events without breaking down his hero/great guy build. Brings to mind, how the story so far has both made the MC have a terrible cycle and yet still retains his smooth image. Looking forward to more chapters. Good luck Dev.

I've played through this game up to chapter 3, and I've got to say, it's been a decent experience so far. There's not much to criticize, but there's one aspect that leaves me with some questions.

First, the story – or the lack of a clear direction. While the gameplay is enjoyable, I'm still uncertain about where this storyline is headed. It's a bit like going on a road trip without a map, making each twist and turn feel uncertain.

Second, when it comes to the characters, it's a bit like attending a party to meet new people, but you don't know who's worth the effort. It's as if you're mingling in a crowd, trying to figure out who might become a lifelong friend and who's just passing through. I wish it was clearer as to who are potential partners and who are side characters.

In summary, the game has its enjoyable moments but could use some more narrative clarity and character development. I'm taking a break for now and will check it again if I catch one of the updates. There hasn't been anything to turn me into a hardcore supporter, but I'll be here to see how it all unfolds. Best of luck to the dev on this journey, and who knows, I might return when it's more fully realized.

I had this game in eye for awhile played the first releases and saw this game sure had potential, now I played full episode 1 and 2 and my mind didn't change, even better, I like the game even more.

Stacy is my most loved girl, but god Ashley can be crazy mind driving too. Though I'm wondering if Jess going make a move on him as well or his sister, so far I turned most girls down, coze I want to see where it goes with Stacy and him.

Anyway keep up the good work and looking for more updates and sure hope this will be a game that get finished, tired of coming across good games that get abandond half way.

Happened to play this game for practical reasons, but stayed for the enjoyment of varied characters orbiting an MC who is suddenly sent by coincidence and malicious intent through challenges that only deepen as his senior year - before hoping to enter college - drives towards a rapid close.

It's essentially a game about an older teen navigating unexpected setbacks at a time in life when he thought everything was on track, with an ensemble cast, various forms of comedy, tension, drama and sex.

As a player, you can empathize with the MC's early confusion while also recognizing potential clues for how he might gain lifelines in the form of reliable friendships, advice from elders, self-discovery and learning to grab hold of opportunities that he previously took for granted.

A mix of social interactions and practical "adulting" moments in the MC's journey - learning to listen and make new choices (many of which you can control) - through downs and ups presented, make this game most enjoyable. The fresh graphics provide a rock-solid base for the player's experience and the different voices of each character - without any of them being fully compromised for fan service - keeps this game just plain fun to experience as you attempt to help the MC move forward.

Add in intrigue of a newly close, but somewhat mysterious, friend, looming enemies whose threats continue to rise at unexpected moments, dynamics of a modern, dysfunctional family and less than perfect personalities across the characters, and you get a fun take on an adult slice-of-life (with sitcom elements) game. Some purposefully whacky characters and actions balance moments of introspection and non-linear relationship dynamics, while even small stylistic cues such as clever double-takes can keep players entertained in ways beyond the story and sex elements, alone.

Yes, there is a "netorare" tag, which turned out to represent a catalyst in this game for entirely other things. It was used deftly, however blunt the action in the story might have seemed at the time, because it effectively setup the MC on a true journey of discovery.

TLDR: This game is not offering the deepest story. But it DOES provide a smartly woven series of subplots that revolve around and through the initially beleaguered MC, with options that you can sometimes control and which may have impacts far beyond when they were taken. It has crisp graphics and good erotic content which generally fits well with the story, plus characterizations that can cater to various interests.