VN Ren'Py Where the Heart Is [S1 v2024-07-10 BETA] [CheekyGimp]

[Crimson Fire]

I think the only thing that adding harem to a game that wasnt originally harem does to the user is make them feel like the choices are not as important or doesnt make you think as hard.

when its not a harem game and you have the options to cheat or you're figuring out who you like the decisions feel a lot more real and important, you think a lot more about it, "if i do this will this person find out in a chapter or 2 or will that ruin this with her" those kind of things. this is one reason i like games that are not harems. others dont need to agree this is all personal opinion on what i can see affecting people who do like that.

i play harem games too and i dont mind them, some i prefer to be like that but for me it definitely feels like the decisions with the women are a lot less important which does take away a certain realistic feel and feeling.

Assuming you were adding this comment to further the conversation I was having in the post right above yours...

This again assumes that everyone who has the choice to do a harem ending chooses that path. I don't think that is a valid conclusion given that many people don't like harems in games. Also it assumes that a harem ending must include all characters. It is possible to have a "limited" harem where some characters are willing and some are not.

I am in NO way advocating for or against any outcome/ending for this game. That wasn't the purpose for my comment. i was addressing the claim that harem is equal to eliminating all choice. You can still make bad choices in a harem game and not get an ending with all characters sharing your bed. You can still pick and choose whom you want to share your bed. There are no "hard choices" in a porn game as you just pick a different choice to see what happens. The idea of having more than one game running at the same time isn't novel, many people do it. Again I am not advocating what should or shouldn't be done here. I just challenge the position that harem = kinetic novel. It certainly wouldn't in this game where your choices decide the outcome of the will. Which means there are stakes greater than who you share your bed with.

The developer made a game and part of making subjective media is people are going to like, dislike, wishlist features or narrative paths until the end of time. None of it is right or wrong. If someone hates something you love, they aren't wrong. If someone loves what you hate they aren't wrong. Yet claiming adding a different set of choices to lead to a different path, in this case a harem path isn't by definition removing choice, you can not remove choice by giving people more choice. And an argument can be mad that if a set of choices is so greatly in demand that EVERYONE would take said path and thus create the illusion of no choice then that is on the developer for not making the other choices compelling enough to explore. Which is a problem of bad writing not a problem with adding the choice in the first place.

Anyway I've said my peace and I have no strong opinion of whether the developer should or shouldn't have added a harem choice at this point in time. I'm going to wait until the game is done to see if i enjoyed the game. If the developer sticks the landing so to speak for the ending I won't care but if the dev fumbles the ending I am likely going to be a harsher critic of what should or shouldn't have been done with the game.

 

[D9074]

Assuming you were adding this comment to further the conversation I was having in the post right above yours...

This again assumes that everyone who has the choice to do a harem ending chooses that path. I don't think that is a valid conclusion given that many people don't like harems in games. Also it assumes that a harem ending must include all characters. It is possible to have a "limited" harem where some characters are willing and some are not.

I am in NO way advocating for or against any outcome/ending for this game. That wasn't the purpose for my comment. i was addressing the claim that harem is equal to eliminating all choice. You can still make bad choices in a harem game and not get an ending with all characters sharing your bed. You can still pick and choose whom you want to share your bed. There are no "hard choices" in a porn game as you just pick a different choice to see what happens. The idea of having more than one game running at the same time isn't novel, many people do it. Again I am not advocating what should or shouldn't be done here. I just challenge the position that harem = kinetic novel. It certainly wouldn't in this game where your choices decide the outcome of the will. Which means there are stakes greater than who you share your bed with.

The developer made a game and part of making subjective media is people are going to like, dislike, wishlist features or narrative paths until the end of time. None of it is right or wrong. If someone hates something you love, they aren't wrong. If someone loves what you hate they aren't wrong. Yet claiming adding a different set of choices to lead to a different path, in this case a harem path isn't by definition removing choice, you can not remove choice by giving people more choice. And an argument can be mad that if a set of choices is so greatly in demand that EVERYONE would take said path and thus create the illusion of no choice then that is on the developer for not making the other choices compelling enough to explore. Which is a problem of bad writing not a problem with adding the choice in the first place.

Anyway I've said my peace and I have no strong opinion of whether the developer should or shouldn't have added a harem choice at this point in time. I'm going to wait until the game is done to see if i enjoyed the game. If the developer sticks the landing so to speak for the ending I won't care but if the dev fumbles the ending I am likely going to be a harsher critic of what should or shouldn't have been done with the game.

In no way was i saying a harem is a Kinetic novel. For me, if harem is in the game it makes most choices a lot easier, this is all personal opinion and no one is right, but for me there are hard choices in these games. yeah sure you can go back and change a choice if you want or you can have multiple playthroughs but i still find some choices hard. A lot of games i only do 1 playthrough, some i have a couple saves but its rare for me. for me it adds more to it.


when it comes to picking the girls you like if harem is in the game for me personally it takes away all the hard decisions regarding that, even if i decide to just have 1 i know harem is in it so it changes it.

I dont want to start up this convo again though i was just replying because you took some of the things i said different to what i meant. end of the day its all up to personal preference, some games i like harems, some i dont. This game for me is perfect how it is, the writing is great, the decisions are hard, never did i think or feel like it was a harem we was just allowed to take longer to chose the girl we want.. and also if you pick right you can most likely end up with more than 1 girl anyway.

 

[Arigon]

One of the hardest things for me in this story is that some choices seem like you need to make them to help folks you care for, but they later will bite you in the butt. Hardest does not mean bad in this case,,,, it literally is hard because let's look at the Wonder Trio- Monica, Katie and Jenna.
If I do not have some lust for Monica, and push that part of the narrative along, then her business might suffer... if I do have lust, then it could cause issues with Jenna or Katie. If I do not do some lusty bits for Jenna, she stays a recluse and never spreads her wings, but if I do, it messes with Katie... who will cut my balls off.....

I want to trust people I think are probably bad to trust..

I do love this novel.... it makes me think, question, and rethink, and question my decisions. I am thinking that sounds masochistic???? Which really I am not!

Peace

 

[andrew david irving]

I see that the Black Knight analogy has made it to multiple threads ....

 

[Arigon]

I see that the Black Knight analogy has made it to multiple threads ....

hehehehehehehehehehe

 

[Joshua Tree]

One of the hardest things for me in this story is that some choices seem like you need to make them to help folks you care for, but they later will bite you in the butt. Hardest does not mean bad in this case,,,, it literally is hard because let's look at the Wonder Trio- Monica, Katie and Jenna.
If I do not have some lust for Monica, and push that part of the narrative along, then her business might suffer... if I do have lust, then it could cause issues with Jenna or Katie. If I do not do some lusty bits for Jenna, she stays a recluse and never spreads her wings, but if I do, it messes with Katie... who will cut my balls off.....

I want to trust people I think are probably bad to trust..

I do love this novel.... it makes me think, question, and rethink, and question my decisions. I am thinking that sounds masochistic???? Which really I am not!

Peace

Katie seemed fine with share your meat popsicle with Jenna, and Jenna had a blast diddling herself while you rearended Katie. Meanwhile Monica where okayish with you had been fooling around with some girls..... how it all come together later is another tale, but it all come down to what choices you take in the game. Of course, if all you think about is to watch as much lewd shit as possible right away, that would be like paint yourself into a corner..

 

[ehct2332]

This game for me is perfect how it is, the writing is great, the decisions are hard, never did i think or feel like it was a harem we was just allowed to take longer to chose the girl we want.. and also if you pick right you can most likely end up with more than 1 girl anyway.

You're right, and I think that the noun for that choice between one path and harem is polyamory. My understanding is that there are about a dozen love interests in the game, so far. Ideally, I'd want the MC to develop a polyamorous relationship with three love interests: Jenna, Jolina and Debbie.

Although, at the same time, I don't know how Debbie could get written into that. And if Jolina turns out to be involved with Bella in a way that places the MC in jeopardy, then that rules out Jolina, too.

I also think that part of the reason why decisions are hard for me in this game is because it's difficult to know who is trustworthy. I'm not sure if I was the only one, but I really didn't know what to make of Monica's response to the MC's question about his mother being pregnant with him (I can't remember the episode); she seemed vague and avoidant. In another episode a few episodes back, I think, I recall Jolina mentioning that she had something to share about herself with the MC, but it was never fully explored later on. Lily is another example; she was supposedly known as "Dizzy" Lily at school, but is this just a persona? And in this latest episode, the name or nickname "Dizzy" was referenced again.

It seems like many if not most of the characters either have ulterior motives or at the very least are harbouring secrets that may partly or largely impact the MC. There are so many factors and variables here that make the game so engaging, and really make me wonder whether I want more than one love interest in the end.

 

[walker188]

One of the hardest things for me in this story is that some choices seem like you need to make them to help folks you care for, but they later will bite you in the butt. Hardest does not mean bad in this case,,,, it literally is hard because let's look at the Wonder Trio- Monica, Katie and Jenna.
If I do not have some lust for Monica, and push that part of the narrative along, then her business might suffer... if I do have lust, then it could cause issues with Jenna or Katie. If I do not do some lusty bits for Jenna, she stays a recluse and never spreads her wings, but if I do, it messes with Katie... who will cut my balls off.....

I want to trust people I think are probably bad to trust..

I do love this novel.... it makes me think, question, and rethink, and question my decisions. I am thinking that sounds masochistic???? Which really I am not!

Peace

People make each other better, love and acceptance too. That's actually what makes monogamy so special, you can only share yourself and your goodness with one other person. Its what makes Harem games so cheap (though delicious). You can't realistically do what the MC does, most people can't progress far enough down the line with that many girls ans the MC has. Its just not possible. Being a couple is a special thing. Its two people coming together to make a third person (not referring to pregnancy here). You're trying to improve and support each other. And while we want the best for all the girls in this game, its silly to think you can be that person for everyone, all at once. Part of what makes Monica feel so treasured is that you chose her INSTEAD of someone else. Same with Katie. Jenna is more interesting, WANTING to actively compete, but even she says, she only feels that way, because you assure her, that she's the real number one.

Being a DIK has an interesting case, where you romance a lesbian (bi?) couple, turning it in to a throuple. Thats probably the only realistic way to be polyamorous, where everyone is in love with everyone else. Are Jenna and Monica a couple? Sure in some truly filthy games, moms and daughters worship MC's cock together, but for the most part Where the Heart is, is meant to be semi realistic. Good parents don't have sexual intentions towards their children for obvious reasons. So how to you make everyone happy? You don't. You can't. That's life.

This got a lot longer than i intended. Sorry for that.

Love the game. Love the update.

 

[D9074]

You're right, and I think that the noun for that choice between one path and harem is polyamory. My understanding is that there are about a dozen love interests in the game, so far. Ideally, I'd want the MC to develop a polyamorous relationship with three love interests: Jenna, Jolina and Debbie.

Although, at the same time, I don't know how Debbie could get written into that. And if Jolina turns out to be involved with Bella in a way that places the MC in jeopardy, then that rules out Jolina, too.

I also think that part of the reason why decisions are hard for me in this game is because it's difficult to know who is trustworthy. I'm not sure if I was the only one, but I really didn't know what to make of Monica's response to the MC's question about his mother being pregnant with him (I can't remember the episode); she seemed vague and avoidant. In another episode a few episodes back, I think, I recall Jolina mentioning that she had something to share about herself with the MC, but it was never fully explored later on. Lily is another example; she was supposedly known as "Dizzy" Lily at school, but is this just a persona? And in this latest episode, the name or nickname "Dizzy" was referenced again.

It seems like many if not most of the characters either have ulterior motives or at the very least are harbouring secrets that may partly or largely impact the MC. There are so many factors and variables here that make the game so engaging, and really make me wonder whether I want more than one love interest in the end.

when was it referenced in the last episode? I really dont think its Lily

 

[BarbarrossaNA]

What can I say.. boning them all and looking for a payday from the lawyer. Does that make me a bad person?

I say NO! just a horny one.

 

[ename144]

when was it referenced in the last episode? I really dont think its Lily

Dizzy is referenced with the MC's lawyer - referring to the unknown third heir, not Lily. AFAICT, the only person who has called Lily "Dizzy" is the MC, and he didn't know her growing up. So I have no idea why he picked that name, unless it's just to scare the audience.

Personally, I think it's all but impossible for Lily to be the gold digger. Unless we think Donald was fooling around with an underage girl, the affair could only have been within the last few years, and he somehow managed it without the MC or Katie/Debbie noticing. That's a stretch. Moreover, the Lily we know wants to be respected for more than her looks, has a hard time focusing on practical matters, and doesn't use birth control. None of that seems compatible with being Donald's secret lover. Unless we assume everything we've learned about Lily has been a bald faced lie, it's hard to see how she could fit the role.

I think it's much easier to assume Lily is innocent and the Dizzy 'nickname' is a red herring. But I'm admittedly biased since I adore the Lily we know.

 

[D9074]

Dizzy is referenced with the MC's lawyer - referring to the unknown third heir, not Lily. AFAICT, the only person who has called Lily "Dizzy" is the MC, and he didn't know her growing up. So I have no idea why he picked that name, unless it's just to scare the audience.

Personally, I think it's all but impossible for Lily to be the gold digger. Unless we think Donald was fooling around with an underage girl, the affair could only have been within the last few years, and he somehow managed it without the MC or Katie/Debbie noticing. That's a stretch. Moreover, the Lily we know wants to be respected for more than her looks, has a hard time focusing on practical matters, and doesn't use birth control. None of that seems compatible with being Donald's secret lover. Unless we assume everything we've learned about Lily has been a bald faced lie, it's hard to see how she could fit the role.

I think it's much easier to assume Lily is innocent and the Dizzy 'nickname' is a red herring. But I'm admittedly biased since I adore the Lily we know.

nah im not biased with lily at all and i 100% agree with you, it just doesnt add up for her to be it, as you said unless everything about her is a lie. shes not that type of girl who would do that. If i had to pick one right now who i think it is id say bella

 

[DrWho8248]

[VN] [Ren'Py] Where the Heart Is [Episode 1-22] [CheekyGimp] [OS@3.93GB, HQ, MyRepack-YAC]
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Broken Arhives, i load from one off links for PC and try unpack,
and get error "I not have Free Memory" (even my PC used 300mb/8GB OZU)
And no, my PC is totaly OK, cus right after it i load this (1.28GB), and unpack totaly safe, ok?

 

[CheekyGimp]

I agree, I am now wounding if I don't offer the Beach house for either will Bella still show up like the lunch date. that I did not agree to. Everyone once said Monica throws herself at MC but Bella does it much better. and way too many in game spoilers to (now we Know)not show the connection to Jolina if we just looked for them. I do have an add to the reason for Bella being at the Beach House. You do know that they are connected (Jo and Bella) so maybe Jo added he to the gest list before showing up with MC as he added Jo before they arrived. info to be confirmed latter.

Elaine drove meaning she had to pass through the security barrier. Bella walked (from the bus-stop) in a thunderstorm...so easier for the security team to miss. It's just a rent-a-cop company monitoring a beach, not Fort Knox so not everybody gets stopped / noticed. Also, when MC is in (i.e. house is occupied) sec company don't need to be as vigilant. That was our thinking but let me know if this doesn't sound plausible. Easy enough to add a line where sec company contacts MC asking is it OK to let the visitor (Bella) through just before she arrives at the door.

 

[RoadWulf]

Elaine drove meaning she had to pass through the security barrier. Bella walked (from the bus-stop) in a thunderstorm...so easier for the security team to miss. It's just a rent-a-cop company monitoring a beach, not Fort Knox so not everybody gets stopped / noticed. That was our thinking but let me know if this doesn't sound plausible. Easy enough to add a line where sec company contacts MC asking is it OK to let the visitor (Bella) through just before she arrives at the door. Also, when MC is in (i.e. house is occupied) sec company don't need to be as vigilant.

If there's a gate, there's normally a fence or hedge wall around the area to keep people from circumventing a gate.

Her just popping in seemed implausible. Her visiting before also doesn't make sense. Because Elaine has been there before.
But your introduction of a Security Force altogether makes no sense, because no mention of it was made when Katie's group showed up for the sleepover. Bella's also gotten through before on that same event.

It feels like an interjected plot point to fix a loophole. Unless you retroactively go back and make mention of the security every time someone has been to the Beach House, it makes no sense. You could have also easily added a bit with Bella calling first to be let through security.

Edit: Also the MC is clearly a brain dead idiot, because he somehow forgot that days before Bella had Elaine's phone but we have no choice to mention that in the conversation. What clearly could have been an "aha!" moment turned into him just believing everything she was spouting.

 

[snakeplisskin]

I agree, I am now wounding if I don't offer the Beach house for either will Bella still show up like the lunch date. that I did not agree to. Everyone once said Monica throws herself at MC but Bella does it much better. and way too many in game spoilers to (now we Know)not show the connection to Jolina if we just looked for them. I do have an add to the reason for Bella being at the Beach House. You do know that they are connected (Jo and Bella) so maybe Jo added he to the gest list before showing up with MC as he added Jo before they arrived. info to be confirmed latter.

It is possible that Jo added her to the guest list if you let Jo stay there. However even when i let Jo move across the country, and rejected Bella at every turn she still showed up at the end of the update. On my main save i turned her away but it appears she shows up regardless of your choices .

 

[ehct2332]

nah im not biased with lily at all and i 100% agree with you, it just doesnt add up for her to be it, as you said unless everything about her is a lie. shes not that type of girl who would do that. If i had to pick one right now who i think it is id say bella

The "Dizzy" reference that I pointed out wasn't meant to be taken so literally, though. Even if the "Dizzy" nickname is a red herring, it doesn't change the fact that there is more to a lot of the love interests than what one initially perceives. Earlier on in the game, for instance, I thought that Jo and Bella were more or less victims of circumstance, but after recent updates, I can see that there's a side to them that the MC hasn't seen; he hasn't exactly been characterised as the most intelligent person, either. In short, I meant to say that few love interests are as they seem to be on the surface.

 

[Abhai]

The "Dizzy" reference that I pointed out wasn't meant to be taken so literally, though. Even if the "Dizzy" nickname is a red herring, it doesn't change the fact that there is more to a lot of the love interests than what one initially perceives. Earlier on in the game, for instance, I thought that Jo and Bella were more or less victims of circumstance, but after recent updates, I can see that there's a side to them that the MC hasn't seen; he hasn't exactly been characterised as the most intelligent person, either. In short, I meant to say that few love interests are as they seem to be on the surface.

yup, thats why my mc has performed, whenever possible, some quite deep exploration of those fine ladies

btw, to the dev team - if we dont get to properly bang elaine one more time...

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[LionHeart 95]

Edit: Also the MC is clearly a brain dead idiot, because he somehow forgot that days before Bella had Elaine's phone but we have no choice to mention that in the conversation. What clearly could have been an "aha!" moment turned into him just believing everything she was spouting.

The Mc doesn't get any Aha Moments yet. he is a silver tongue devil great with the words and we can help with the girls we don't want or how we want to respond but he needs to get smart really soon. and start seeing what we see or at least think about it some

 

[Joshua Tree]

The Mc doesn't get any Aha Moments yet. he is a silver tongue devil great with the words and we can help with the girls we don't want or how we want to respond but he needs to get smart really soon. and start seeing what we see or at least think about it some

The game doesn't necessary need for the game to serve up aha momments in a text box. It does a good job at leave that to the player (if you followed the story that is).