VN - Ren'Py - Where the Heart Is [S1 v2024-09-06 BETA] [CheekyGimp]

This game is wonderful. The women all have distinct personalities, and they are very attractive. There is a lot of humour in the game, and it is very well written overall. There is no grind or anything like that, so the game moves along at a good pace. You are given a large amount of control over the main character, so you won't get forced into a relationship with anyone you don't like.

The game is about a young man who recently lost his father and has been kicked out of the house by the gold digging girlfriend of his deceased father. The main character then has to move in with an old friend of his mother, Monica, and her two daughters Katie and Jenna. There is an intriguing bit of mystery to the main plot as you try to investigate the will, but the main focus is squarely on building relationships with the people you meet.

There is a relationship mechanic where you gain or lose points based on the choices you make. There are two types of points; relationship and lust. These will determine what possible choices will be available in future conversations. You are able to see the current total and maximum possible values at the end of each chapter of the game, which is nice because it helps reduce the need for a walkthrough.

All in all, it's a great game.

[Episode 23]
I had this game rated at five stars for a little over three years now, but that doesn't hold up anymore. The game jumped the shark with Katie's dinner date, and it keeps making the same mistakes over and over again. Primary characters have become one dimensional, the humour is stale and overdone, the choices are lacking impact, and shitty side characters are getting stuffed in where they shouldn't be.

This is an unique game and definetly in the Top 5 adult-games. It has a very interesting story and a nice setting. There are many girls you can get intimate with. Katie is absolutely outstanding and one of the best- written characters in adult games, in my opinion. The relationship you can have with her is entierly different to everything I expierenced in these kind of games. Your new-mom is also worth mentioning, as she is a real milf, and dosen't look strangely young and smooth.

In the beginning of thgis game I was disappointed that there's no possibility of incest content but after playing it, I discovered a good story with some hot scenes and the animations aree good in the first episodes and they become sexier and better from ep8. Keep going, this game is gorgeous.

(Played until Episode 10)
This is definitely one of the good ones. The characters are tropey but definitely well written (with Katie being the most interesting one).
The visuals are good, there are plenty of busty babes but standing out here is the fact that the characters look their age and not like someone took a young girl model, slapped a 40 year old skin, saggy breasts and called her a MILF.
The biggest flaw in my view is the game being a bit unforgiving. As is common practice, each heroine has relationship and lust points and along the way there are point requirements to take a certain path but on this game, more often than not I found myself being gated off from scenes with my gathered/maximum possible point difference snowballing throughout the chapters gating me off more more and more content.

Review of: ver Ep.9
First, I want to say that for me, the most important thing in these kind of games is the immersion and the story.
So at the beginning I was really weirded out by Jenna's unnatural skin color and it really hit hard my immersion of the game and I felt like many scenes in the game were unnatural because of the lighting (for example in some scenes at the beginning of the game they talked about how late it is but the scene was white bright, and overall the lighting in the environments of the game felt to me like a filming studio. Sound weird thing to complain about but shook me off).

Anyway, it was interesting to keep playing to unfold the story and see where it goes. I will had that it was cool how the skin color of Jenna can be changed and how Katie becomes more beautiful as the game progress, so big plus on that side.

Another thing that bothered me a bit is the writing. There were too many cheeky scenes to my taste, especially around Monica and Jenna and how insecure they are and need SO much validation.
It felt to me unnatural, mostly because I don't know them, I don't know their history, what led them to be like that so I couldn't sympathize with them (I could understand if it was mild, but on that scale it was something else).
For me, Katie saved it all. I think she was well written, she had deeper layers in her personality and you could see it clearly so it was easier to relate to her and love her.

One more immersion killer (and a big one) for me was the lack of sound in the game. It could really step up to 4-5 stars for me if it had some free to use soundtracks.
The soundtracks help a lot in leading the player to certain emotions you want the scene to convey, if its romantic, sad, funny, dangerous or casual.

The party scene: I liked and disliked the scene.
It was awesome how crazy it was and the possibilities you had there but on the flip side I WAS shocked by the crazy shit you could end up doing. I felt it was so messed up. Doing something like that to a girl could end up making her suicide and I felt so bad doing it and I was flipped out how well and happy Katie was for that, it disgusted me but on the next day when you saw the aftermath and how it hit Katie, it made me as a player feel reassured and like Katie even more because of her depth of personality.
So overall I think that scene had good implication and had a lot to Katie's character. Big LIKE for that (I lied that i disliked it but it more interesting to read it like that).

In conclusion, I think the game is enjoyable and I'm sure it will get better by the upward progress it makes with each chapter release (I felt like some of the character model get more detailed, lighting got better maybe at the last one or two chapters and the characters' personality folds out more). I gave it 3 stars because for me, too many pieces that build immersion were missing, BUT i'll be sure to check it out again soon for re-review.

Note: Not a final review. More content ahead.

Well done! This game is another gem along with only few others featuring on f95. Monica's character is definitely a treat that attracts more and more fans to the game. Although, game features other characters and dialogues that sustain steady lust along episode. Story has a lot of twist moments, which adds spice and charisma to artists.
If other game devs read those reviews to learn receipt of popularity, well... it may sound simple, but somehow it is so hard to see in hundreds VN's/Game releases showing up continuously on updates page. Meantime, receipe is simple enough, but hard to achieve without genuine imagination. It stars with making MILF character realistic and it goes not only to render quality, before rushing to claim MILF tag, you should design real MILF character, which is mature enough to be distinguished from teens around (just adding big tits or calling her mrs/aunt/mom wont make it), it also should be supported by her outlook to things, as she has been for a while so seen a life.
Story, yes, you need plot and relationship in VN, as you are not competing with porn, if you trying to compete with porn by quality of renders, you loose right away, CG is just not same league to be competitive there. Story, that is what what attracts people, so if you can't go beyond porno cliche, once you figure out CG, then it just wont fly.
Once you figure it out, and wrap it around lewd but picante situations, you will be there.
Good luck!

Ok so this is my first review of a game , now I have played a lot of porn games over the years but this one is special imo .

I really love the renders they are absolutely beautiful but that's not the only thing that makes this game great.

This game has animation to an extent which is something I absolutely applaud creators putting in their games cuz it just makes the games feel more real and that's not a shot at creators who don't cuz I have seen a ton of games that don't have animation that are amazing.

Next thing I love is the COMEDY I don't think I have laughed and enjoyed comedy in a porn game like this and that's not a genre I expected myself to really want when I first started playing porn games , the way the writer has made Katie and the MC is simply amazing they are just hilarious when they make fun of each other and I really enjoy the MC sarcastic options they are of high quality comedy to me.

Now that leads me to my Next point the writing Which Is a big thing I stress in porn games cuz some porn games feel like shitty porn videos when I see the dialogue and it makes the story hollow and unrealistic to a fault but this game does a good job in making the game feel real like I am actually watching a show and dictating where it goes.

Another thing I love seeing is how the characters feel REAL there is nothing I hate more then characters with no personality and this game I feel gives every character their own personality , Katie for example is funny , sarcastic , a take no shit girl and someone who wears their heart on their sleeve (someone who is open to speaking what's on their mind) unless it is about her affection towards the MC but you can crack that shell little by little which in turn makes her more real cuz you are not just getting a BJ right after you see her again .

Also a worthy note is even though I personally play porn games for the porn and sometimes hate when creators wait to damn long for the sex scenes there is something good to waiting for the sex but that is only good if you can entertain the player with not just hand jobs along the way , but when you finally get there woooooh is it a turn on imo cuz all that work was not for nothing and it just make it so that I appreciate the game more (by the way there is a lot of good scenes in here regardless if you just want the sex scenes right away and it's not like the game is devoid of sex cause there is a hand full of sex scenes from the supporting cast early on and in the middle of the game).

A thing to note is that the porn scenes are done pretty well and with the dialogue make the scenes sexy and fill me with interest instead of a boring ass scene.

Alright 3 more things the story is intriguing and full of mystery imo about the MC's dad , the inheritance , and the bitchy gold digging step mom who you end up hating (cuz who doesn't hate gold digging bitches) and little by little it will unravel but as I said before the games strength is it's character's stories and personalities.

Now for the body proportions I tend to lean towards big titties and ass for all but when you make a game with the female characters having realistic figures with some having ample tits and ass to further improve realism it's just stunning.

Alright I'm done wooooh sorry for the long ass rating I just felt that small complements about the game was not enough for a game this great cuz it just deserves more and people should support this creator also if you were to ask me if there was a con to this game it would be the fact that I feel empty cuz I fully enjoyed an update and now I gotta wait for the next one but that's fine cuz I know the wait will be worth it.

One of the best games currently on F95.

The renders are gorgeous, the models are varied (though there is a distinct lack of smaller cup-size women), but all beautiful, the dialogue is at best riveting and never reached the low point of me just clicking through it. The story has some cliché elements, but also some nice twists to keep things fresh.

Absolute high-points includes the fake casting for the bitchy model, the incredibly filthy mouth on the older sister, and the revenge-plot against her former boyfriend.

Score: 5/5, and a place in my personal top 5

I definitely liked it quite a bit and there's some scenes here that are top tier for me (the party). Each character is well developed and I like each of their qualities and stories. It feels like somebody thought about them before they put them in the game to be a "hot body". The only reason it's not five stars is in my opinion, the writing could use a bit of work in some areas, but that's simply a skill to be worked on.

5/5 PERFECTO!

This game is an example of what others games should stride to be. Starting with a story. The overview sounds boring and similar to other games, but you play it, the game throws interesting curveballs of mystery into a main plot, not to mention amazing side character activities. Truly, you will never feel bored, because there is always something happening.

Characters look gorgeous, but the best part about them that they are very well developed and each one of them feels unique and original. Its not just your typical shy younger sister, or an older bully sister which became a cliche with so many games having similar household. Dialogue makes them appear alive and the way MC interacts with them only builds them up into even better version of what they were when your first met them.

Truly an amazing game going into favorites and I strongly recommend everyone checking it out!

I have to admit, when I started, I had a bad first impression with the writing. The story was cliche and I thought the first dialogue was bad.
Well it's actually the opposite, every character is nicely written and have a distinct and coherent way of speaking, and a distinct relationship with the MC.

It's an excellent, straightforward game with unique character designs, very nice renders and a wide variety of situations.

good: + The variety in character designs
+ Not afraid to add a little bit of "ugliness", which just feels more natural and realistic
+ Character writing and developpement
+ Takes its time without being frustrating
+ The point system works well
+ The big sister storyline is especially good and deserves a mention; engaging, light hearted with just a tip of drama. Felt like I was in a teen movie... except R-rated

Bad: - The little sister character however, is completely botched. The skintone is unnatural, her face too generic, and her story is not as compelling as the others.

This is one of my favorites VNs,i already stated this multiple times on posts, but the reason i say this is because the writing is so well done,in this one you can see that each girl has her own personality, the diversity of the models is also something amazing, different body types and faces to please all players, some people say that some of them are "ugly" but i call that realism, not every woman you meet in real life will have a pretty face or a perfect body,the plot is also great so far, you get curious you start to make theorys of whats gonna happen next and thats the kind of thing that happens when i read a good book or watch a good movie\ tv series,and each episode makes you crave for more.

Some of the models make me gag. Not an understatement.

Now it wouldn't be much of a problem if I could avoid them like the plague, which is something most games allow, but this one keeps on forcing interactions with them, of the sexual kind no less.

"Do you want to kiss this GILF?"
"No."
"Do you want to kiss this GILF now?"
"Still no."
"...How about now?"
"NO."
"Okay, fine, I get it! ...But do you want to stick your dick in that tho?"

It's one thing I do not find every character appealing. I don't mind that.
...But could you just fucking cease forcing it? Trying to guilt trip me? When I refused the offer at least 20 times before? 20 fucking times wasn't enough of a clue?

A porn game shouldn't get on my nerves and kill my boner but here we are.

I've forced myself to make it through the beginning just to check why this game has such a high rate. And.. I didn't find out. Beginning is just dull and later on get's no better. I don't like the story - it's not involving (pretty silly IMO) and I really dislike most of the NPC. I can name just a few that I found interesting (like Debbie, Wanda or Natasha). Most of the models are just unappealing (like the matures for instance: nasty faces, huge hangers and clumpy booty eek, gross...). Some of the younger one are just as heavy as the matures. Interactions and texts are often wierd or embarassing. I think it could have been done better.

Pros:
- Good character options with added depths
- nice storyline
- graphics are pretty solid
- love the fetishes and sex scenes
- smooth transitions and gameplay music generally fits

Cons:
- Could add darker/hardcore options
- hopefully characters will come to like the protagonist more over time (now it feels more like a physical r/s than emotional) but this is just a personal desire

There's been loads of comments on the graphics (solid, if maybe not cutting edge) and animation (single frame animations that do the trick, but fall short of Milfy City or Betrayed). I wanted to touch on the game's real strength: It has truly superb pacing *for a fapping game*.

Does it make a lick of sense to be sexing up relatives within a few days? No, but as a game, it's great. It moves relatively quickly from play kissing to deep kissing to heavy petting to more, with heavier scenes with peripheral characters spliced in. Other games could take note about not rushing to the sex or grinding overly long from WTHI.

Ch. 9 update:
Props to CheekyGimp as with the Ch. 9 update, the art and animations have been bumped up a notch. The newer renders look better, the models seem to have been tweaked, and the animations are multi-frame and smoother. All moving in the right direction.

The writing is really good. It's not generic like in a lot of porn VNs, it's not really based on stereotypes and if there is something stereotypical, it's handled well. The story is nice. It's not forced and handles the "MC's family, but not really" problem very well. I really like the character's personalities. I think those are the best asset.

Now some criticism, because there is not much of it in the reviews I have seen, and even though the author won't mos likely read this, criticism is always useful if it's on point.

There are some problems with grammar, but it's ok. It's not as immersion breaking as I thought it would be initially.

The game could use better renders, though. The character models look really old, even in the newer episodes, the lighting is meh, and it's all still kinda grainy. Author probably doesn't have that great machine to make high quality renders.

The poses are not that good and I don't like the facial expressions. They don't look natural.

The models themselves could use newer hairstyles and textures. They are not really that pretty (for DAZ3D models), but the way they are written makes them appealing regardless.

Overall a very fun experience, which is a bit dragged down due to the artwork's lack of polish.

Amazing

5/5

Pros
-Sexy Models
-Immersive Eye Blnking
-No Rush with Multiple outcomes
-Creative Plot with lots of twists and turns
-Hot sex scenes with adequate single frame animations

Cons
Its taken too long to fuck Monica.

Wow... what a fucking amazing game this is. I have been entertained from start to finish without a single dull/boring moment. Good fucking job, you guys are unbelievably good at this. Every time you put out a new episode you top the previous one. This is easily in the top 5 best games in the genre, if not the top 5 best adult games in existence... period.

Keep it up. This is such a great game. Draw it out as long as you want, seriously. Hell... feel free to go for 500 episodes like you're writing fucking F-R-I-E-N-D-S, you won't hear me complaining.

Where The Heart Is is one of the very small handful of games that I give a full 5.0 out of 5.0 rating to. This game IS perfection.

Characters:
This is a game where the strongest part is the writing. All the characters feel like real people and how they respond to situations is always consistent with their personality. These characters draw you in and leave you wondering how they will respond to what is going on.

Art style:
The art in the game is clearly created by a single artist as all the charters and background images are in the same style with consistent quality. The detail in the images is high without having a photo realistic feel.

Coding Quality:
One play-through up to and including chapter 8 was performed, and there were no bugs or error messages encountered.

Audio:
The game does not appear to have background music or sound effects. (please note that I primarily play with the audio on my computer muted but for this review I replayed through chapter 1 to confirm the lack of audio)

Recommended?
Most assuredly yes!
This is a product of undeniable quality. The decision to release in episodically makes it more enjoyable as everything in the section of the story that you are playing is completed giving the product an undeniable impression of being polished.