I think it's alright so far, but I'm very early into it, so I don't know what to expect yet, other than what the tags says. But I do have a question, though. Is this a harem game, or is the MC just a male slut? Because there's many love interests it seems, but right now it seems I'm getting into a more serious (monogamous?) relationship. And I don't see the 'Harem' tag, so if you could please shed some light on this, because right now, that part confuses me a bit. I mean the game is called 'Whoremonger', and by that name on its own, it's logical to assume he will have many different sexual escapades. Or do I have that wrong? Or is it strictly defined by your choices? In which case, I need to replay the game, as I missed one that I really wanted to pursue, but she doesn't show in the character roster. (Joe from the cafe.)
Edit:
Oh, and you really need to learn the difference between 'To' and 'Too', plus 'Then' and 'Than', especially the first one. I mean, a lot of times you get it right, but a lot of times it's mixed up with the wrong one in the sentence, so you definitely need a proofreader. And for some odd reason, Mei called her daughter by her (Mei's) own nickname, despite being correct in the character roster. I guess it's the same problem others mentioned with the MC being called Harris sometimes, but I assumed that's his surname, and in prison or the military, you're usually adressed only by your surname, so I don't know about that one.
It's hard to define the exact path I have set right now, for a couple of reasons. First, the original plan I had for this VN was more sandbox and was supposed to involve the MC and his buddy doing more shit together, like hitting Vegas and what not. But after I almost canceled the project and then came back to do the remake, I changed that idea and switched to a more traditional VN style. Because my original story outline was basically shredded, I am kind of winging it as i go. That sucks for you people who like a clear path laid out, but this is my first attempt at this, so it's a big learning process for me and I have learned a ton about how better to do the paths and storylines. That unfortunately will mostly be of benefit in my next project, whenever I start that.
What I can say about this story, is that my intent was always that April and the MC were the "core" relationship. That's why you can't turn her path off. I guess the rest of the cast is - to use a phrase someone else mentioned above - "catch & release Harem". So basically, you can pursue all the other women you want, with the understanding that the MC and April are always the main thing. As for the two paths Love and Lust - they influence the way those relationships go. I'll be doing all this completely different next time! Mainly because having multiple forks is a huge effort, when you have to render scenes multiple times to cover the different paths.
Looking down the road, I am planning on finishing this with Act 5. I hope to finish Act 3 by early next month (estimate!). So after that release, there will only be two more (not including any minor hot fixes or stuff I might have to do). Story-wise, Act 3 will be focusing on
the MC getting to know his daughter again and learning about what she knows concerning the frame that his EX hung on him and possibly how he can get revenge. Act 3 also continues some other paths and I am looking forward to advancing the lesbian story between Laura and Agnes. Act 4 will most likely be focused on the MC doing something to get back at his EX and Chuck and Act 5 will have alternate endings for some choices already made and still to come. Right now, I think I have 3 alternate endings roughed out, but I will probably add one or two more to that. Timeline wise, I am really hoping to finish Whoremonger by this winter or early spring, because I want to start a new project after that.
I've decided that Whoremonger will get 80% or so of my attention for the next several months, so I can finish it in a reasonable time. A Dark Horse Riding will continue to be worked on, but at a slightly lesser rate, until I am done with this one first.
As for my next project, I can't say much right now. I have several stories and/game formats outlined and I will be working on them this winter to decide what to choose. I can say that my next project will have more "game" features, like QTE's and puzzles and alternate paths. It probably won't be linked to either of my two existing VN's. That said though, I plan on continuing these VN's and keeping them in this "universe" as well as using the features in Ren'py to share character names across titles. So look for a 3rd VN after I start my next main project. (probably Spring '25)
Good news about Joe -
She will likely be an LI option in Act 4. Nothing major, but at least a fling. After all, she's a mature independent woman and she gets her action when she wants it. No strings tying her down!
Thanks for the feedback on my grammar. It's a process. I test-play and proof most scenes at least 5 or 6 times before release. I also extract the dialogue from the code and run it through some spell checkers, but they don't get all the grammar problems. Most of the existing mistakes are from Act 1 and I will address them before I release Act 3. Another thing I do now as well; is when I make some complex dialogue, I'll run it through an AI grammar checker to make sure I am on target. It's actually helping my own writing a lot! I am very literate - it's just that I make simple spelling and grammar errors like most people. My trade for 30 years has been in a very technical field, so creative writing is new to me. I read like a maniac though. 300+ novels alone during the various COVID lock-downs, lol.
PS: Just looking at your screenshot above, are you sure you are playing the latest version? Because I changed those side images in Act 2.
You have heard of saves, right? You can make as many saves as you want and if you played ANY of the other ren'py games on here, maybe you should have realized fucking her in the first place might have set a path? Oh wait... it shows the path on her character screen ... /facepalm
