VN - Ren'Py - City of Broken Dreamers [v1.14.0 Ch. 14] [PhillyGames]

A cyberpunk themed, very generic and linear Visual Novel with boring click-to-see-next-slide gameplay (a.k.a powerpoint presentation) and no dialogue options.
This VN is really no fun. It takes itself far too serious (not a single joke) and is not as interesting as the dev thinks it is. Writing is bad, pacing is off with constant change of viewpoints and the time it takes to actually start off. As most effort was put into graphics, somehow none of the characters are really attractive (same plastic and "too cute to be true" faces), memorable (no personality) or attention grabbing.
Sex scenes are badly written, stiff and robotic (lacking in buildup, teasing, seduction, exposition and payoff). Implementation of the routes is really bad as it's designed to make you miss things (excluding choices where chosing one girl locks you out of another and you must load old saves and complete entire VN again to see content for more than just one girl).
Story-wise this MC is supposed to be a bad-ass super-agent but barely does anyting at all and the contrast between what people are saying about him and how utterly unprepared he acts (when he finally decides to do something) completely kills any immersion. If there even was one, come on, you play as a super-badass agent James Bond - how is that original, unique, in-depth or immersive story?
The whole game is linear and predictable, there are no dialogue options and very few choices (no branching story lines or multiple endings) that serve no purpose other than locking you out of sex scenes - if you chose badly (without a walkthrough) you will simply miss the sex scene (won't score enough love/lust points) which is really riddiculous (you will not only be locked out of other girls but also won't get a sex scene with a girl you have chosen.) Sex scenes could also be implemented much better (are all about clicking back and forth, selecting mechanically from "missionary", "cowgirl", "doggy" and "cum".)
Some people think that -good graphics=good adult game, while the best graphics are in real adult movies. Adult games should be all about creating anticipation, sexual tension and presenting a fantastic payoff.
And this VN is really far from it.

This game is just on another level.

Everything is such a high quality.

Great renders and animations with amazing looking women, also very different models which i really like.

Intriguing interesting story and it is placed in a very well thought out world.

Wish there was a show/movie in this world, i think it would be awesome if well done.

This is the pinnacle of VN gaming. The writing is immense, the characters are real and believable, but the world in which you inhabit is a cyberpunk vision of an Orwellian future.
The game is more story than sex [as it should be] ...it will suck you into it's depths, and make you genuinely care for those around you.
Beautiful...

Great graphics and renders. The women are quite the hotties! Really enjoying the storyline of this game. Well thought out and easy to follow. Really like the amount of choices that the gamer is given as well. Can't wait until this game is complete and I get to finally finish the storyline.

v1.14.0 Ch. 14

28. Juli 2023

renders - sehr gut 4.9-5
movies - sehr gut 4.9-5
girls - sehr sexy 4.9-5
scenes -
size -

28. July 2023

renders - v good 4.9-5
movies - v good 4.9-5
girls - v sexy 4.9-5
scenes - v hot
size -

v good job devs

Masterpiece points:
sex scenes
Atmosphere

Great points:
rendering
Personalities matching the atmosphere of the game
MC's personality
Original story
Simple story
Animation

Average points:
Sometimes the writing in MC's speaking is weak - that is, MC says sentences that do not match his character
The faces of two of the models are copies

Banger certified, soon to be classic!

Pros:

1. Writing is clean and has depth.
2. Characters are gorgeous with their unique struggles and personality.
3. Plot is FUCKING awesome. It starts a bit slow but picks up post ch5.
4. Renders are some of the best in AVN business. This baby is beauty (Victoria is My fav <3)
5. Animations, cutscenes, music are absolute top-tier.
6. 10+ hour content and multiple branching in later chapters.
7. Mc is badass but pretty good to LIs.

Cons:
My only issue is with pacing in early chapter but it gets better later so all good.

Verdict: Abso-fucking-lutely pick it up! It a must for scifi-thriller-action infused story lovers. This is a piece of art and is definitely good work like the dev's last game.

Great game, almost everything you would want. I would rate five stars, but the story has slipped a little in recent updates.

The renders and animations are amazing, as has already been said. The game maker is a pro in ever since of the word. The story has and original plot and idea, and the characters are very individual. Meaning they are not all the same thing with just slight differences.

The amount of work that goes into this much be astounding. I would suggest for anyone to play this game if you have not already. I'm hoping I can raise my review to a 5, I think it's heading that way.

Holy hell why did I wait so long to check this one out.

If there is a AAA level of AVN games, well this is pretty much it.

The story is actually unbelievably good. Way above the level of 99% of all AVNs out there. It is wonderfully fun and has a great feel of something like Blade Runner / Terminator. Very deep game with deep characters and of course being an AVN wonderful LIs.

Graphics are wonderful and the use of animation and scenes is top notch. What brings it all together is some of the best music of any game and I am not just talking about AVN games. It is not just the music it is how it is used to set the mood.

Can't wait for Chapter 15!!

Listen! Anyone who criticizes this masterpiece is simply a jackass who shouldn't be taken seriously. Are there small flaws here and there...yes but it's a lewd game who really gives a fuck! This shit is outstanding!

Now the review:

You play Ghost a man whose job it is to save a girl in a future world around 20 years from today.

Visuals:
You're not going to find better visuals for a lewd game. The setting, the artwork, the city, the scenes are all just gorgeous and animated. It's literally cinema.

The girls:
You have a different variety of girls. From petite to thick. From younger to older. Plus they have their own personalities and motives. I wish there were more diversity with the ladies...especially for a modern world in 2040 something but you'll find a character you'll want to fap too.

The story:
No one in the lewd arena writes a better story than Philly...period. It's a nailbiter with cliffhangers at the end of each chapters that will have you on the edge of your seat. There are scenes that will make you laugh out loud, a particular scene that could make you cry. My point if you're not an overcritical douche you'll love this story.

Audio:
Most of these games dont have much audio and Philly has tracks for each setting and environment. If the scene gets intense the audio intensifies. It's literally a cinematic experience. Bonus you can also choose from over 20 tracks whenever you choose.

H-Scenes:
If I could slightly reduce my rating it would be due to the H-Scenes. They are not bad but when you're competing for the best in the lewd games genre, some other developers are better in this area. It's probably the only area where other developers are better than Philly.

The animations can be jerky, sometime the women seem robotic during the fuck scenes, the cumshots are poor and so on. The scenes could also be a little longer. Props to Philly for not giving the main character a 14 inch cock though.

Conclusion:
After completing Depraved Awakenings years ago, I patiently waited years to play Philly's newest offering. I still think Depraved Awakenings is the greatest lewd game i've ever played but COBD is definitely top 5. Awesome graphics, a soundtrack, beautiful women, an amazing story, decent lewd scenes, and for 90% of us its FREE. If you rate this thing any thing other 5 stars you're simply a damn hater.

It's one of the top 5 games on this site. Download it now!

[Version Reviewed: v1.14.0 Ch. 14]

What I liked about the game:

+ Premise. City of Broken Dreamers (CoBD) does the sci-fi / cyberpunk really well. The world feels immersive and the varieties of ways that the humans evolved is interesting to look at.

+ Story. The story is rather straight forward with a few similarities to the dev's previous game (uncovering a conspiracy and helping out a girl), but the execution is excellent. It's easy to get invested in the CoBD characters.

+ Characters. Good amount of focus on most characters. The non-LIs like the Red Moon and Henry also have compelling storylines.

+ Art and Animations. The art and animations are a strong point in this game. It felt rather advanced when I first played it in 2021 and has managed to stay at level with the competition even in 2023.

+ Music. The music fits the world of our characters. It helps for the immersion while playing the game.

What should be improved:

= Romance. The romance between our MC and the LIs feels a little rushed / without much substance.

Overall Rating - 9/10. I would have rated the game atleast 0.5 higher if you would have asked my opinion during 2022. The last two updates feels a bit rushed imo which left me a little disappointed at the end of each update.

this game is one of the biggest AVNs out there, like the third I ever played and at the time I love it, creative story, beautiful renders, gritty plot lines but the entire last half of the game is complete meh, plot is all over the place, feels like no connection is ever made to romance options, and dialogue is on par with the phantom menace in terms of writing. general consensus is the production has been rushed. the value and enjoyment of playing the game has plummeted recently.

Based on version 1.13.1 on 06/09/2023


City of Broken Dreamers is a game that deserves it reputation as one of the top adult virtual novels on F95 and perhaps of all time. With a rock-solid sci-fi story, gorgeous renders, and well-animated adult content that is arrived at because of the story rather than as the sole focus of it, there’s not much that I can criticize. While you will likely miss out on some of the content without several playthroughs and the use of a walkthrough mod, these are mere nitpicks in light of the game’s strengths.


Like the authors previous work, Depraved Awakenings, equal attention is paid to the story as the adult content. You play as a Ghost, a type of mercenary for hire who ends up switching sides once you learn who the mark is. At 13 chapters, there’s a great deal of story to go through, but it’s never boring and in fact is so good that I finished a second playthrough while fast-forwarding through what are usually considered the “good parts”. While the game is strictly linear, there are a few twists and turns given the choices you make on your way to the ultimate goal that will change the playthrough slightly. Do you allow the succubus-like Victoria to lead you by the nose, or do you fight against her augmented powers? Your choice will affect how she, and other love interests, treat you as you continue through the story. There is fun to be had in playing with the different ways the story branches off even if it inevitably returns to same linear path.


The music and sound effects. First, they exist. Not a given when it comes to these kinds of games. Second, they’re excellent. The music varies throughout the game, changing from scene to scene in ways that make sense and increase the tension, or sexiness, of different scenes. The techno beats play well against the sci-fi backdrop of robots, androids, and mechs, and augmented soldiers. There’s also a music player available in the menu so you can pick and choose music as you see fit, or just to listen to which I found myself doing quite often. Several of the songs are catchy enough that I decided to download them and them to my collection.


Still, who cares about all that? This is an AVN, and what’s the main question we have? That’s right! Does the adult content work. So does it? Yes, yes, and yes again. I can break down my collection of AVNs into 3 categories

1. Story only. Those whose adult content just doesn’t work for me but that has a strong enough story that I’m willing to play through it entirely with my pants on.

2. Decent adult content. AVNs whose adult content is good enough that it works for me once or twice, but isn’t good enough to hold onto for repeat viewing.

3. Excellent adult content. AVNs whose adult content is so good that I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve revisited it.


The third category is a rather short list, and City of Broken Dreamers falls under it. All of the love interests and side characters are beautifully rendered and unique, and while some of the animation can be a bit awkward, most of it is top notch, with numerous bits of dialogue and different renders leading into and out of the animated sequences resulting in a believable flow from one position to another. While this is not a harem anime, you will still end up with multiple group couplings, more and more as the story progresses. Even the adult dream sequences, usually cringy add-ons to rope in players in early chapters before the story has had a chance to take root, take place late in the game and have a good excuse for existing given a particular character’s psychic-like abilities. It doesn’t feel like a cheat the way dream sequences often do in AVNs.


When it comes to City of Broken Dreamers, I have a difficult time coming up with any legitimate criticisms. The game is not perfect, but I’m at a loss as to how to improve it without the author putting in hundreds of extra hours. The story is believable and does not require any suspension of disbelief, the adult content is gorgeously rendered and animated with multiple stages, growing in length as the story progresses, and the music and sound effects are top notch and well-used to enhance the experience. Perhaps a built-in optional walkthrough, something that keeps you apprised of what tags your character is getting for each dialogue choice, would be nice instead of having to rely on an outside modder, but that’s all I can come up with. The game continues to enjoy a spot on my hard drive of games that I genuinely look forward to being updated. I can’t think of any higher praise than that.

tl;dr: a porn game on a porn site, it's really one of them.

A harem visual novel with op mc, any choice is an ok choice, but some has some requirements, so be considerate; easy to play without fear of missing out (actually has a lot of content), story is captivating at the beginning, but... not so after some time, so I just started skipping text mercilessly at some point.

Why "excellent"? 1. MC is a top. 2. H-Scenes, a lot of work has been done on a lot of characters. Good 3D animated scenes with different poses and choices. A whole lot of them. And this is not some sandbox as well where you need to grind for hours or something. A breath of air. Played it twice, second time with the cheat mod thought.

Any cons? Well... Spoilers!
3. I guess cheat (walkthrough) mod could be a legit option in the base game.

So in the end, nothing to really complain about. I guess characters could have had more depth to them but then again, I just started skipping half of the text at some point, so what's the matter xd

I'm here first and foremost for the lewds, the more and the kinkier the better. And that's not what City of Broken Dreamers is. In fact, it is a story-driven VN chock-full of more or less common tropes, some of which you can see coming from a mile away. Buuuuuuut... but. But! Did it take me on a good old style Epic Grand Adventure? Yes it certainly did. Did it manage to squeeze in plenty of lewdz in the process, should I choose to pursue them? Undeniably so. Did it do all that while immersing me in a (most cozy) Blade Runner-style cyber-neon-retro-future? Absolutely! And most importantly - did it do all that while offering me actual choice...? Having walked Gloria out of a deeply dangerous place without having shot a single bullet or landed a single punch - I need to admit, absolutely yes. Aaaand worst of all... it made me care about all these people, and the choices I made dealing with them... So play at your own peril - you've been warned...

Among the best VNs ever made. Been following this for quite a while and so far each update had been very well made. I cannot wait for the final chapters to come out so I can can replay it again. Unlike many stale games this one has actually an intriguing plot, compelling characters and great looking renders.

This is an outstanding neo noir experience. Storytelling characters and render are all top class. Investigation is exciting. The suspected near future environment is something new and unique. I experienced different routes by choices and you can influence relationships with the girls differently.

This game has good renders and I guess also a decent story for a porn game (even though I don't understand why most here act as if this was shakespeare). The animations are kind of okayish but often feel clumsy and stale, especially during the spanking/slapping scenes. The variety of girls is relatively large but except for Shanlon, Teri and Venus, all of the sex scenes play out fairly the same. I guess if you are into Futa, which I have absolutly no idea why dev thought it would be a good idea to have, there is one more exception. Semi-forcing the player to look at the Futa masturbation scene was kinda lame though. The SciFi world with all the underground scene (the Pit,Milchers, etc) would have been perfect for a "futuristic desert stalker" vibe, but overall the game is fairly vanilla and dark only in exceptions, except for very few rougher sex scenes.

Having a bazillion choices force the player to play on many, MANY save paths and using the walkthrough. This is far from comfortable. Game would be a 3.5 stars but it gets 4 because you can see dev put so much effort into this.

Honestly my main attraction to this game in the past was the scifi elements.

The women for the most part I am no atracted to.

Victoria's face looks like a man's to me, both Gloria and the Asian girl have faces that look like 5 year olds inserted onto adult bodies and Shanlon may look attractive but her attitude makes her less so.

this game is honestly sherr fucking class when it comes to writing ... the dev builds the world well and quickly and keeps it building as he moves the story along .. char dev is very well done not one character is like any other there all unique and you get a sense of there personality ... the main story is moved along as it needs to do so not giving away too much until it needs to but its consistant and keeps you interested ... there is some cheese here but its not overdone ... you feel for the main characters and thats a real endorment to the writing here .... the gfx are all well done and fit perfect in the qusi blade runner cyberpunk world ... the sex scenes while not the best iv seen are good and do a very good job ... the game is updated in a way similar to been a dik ... its constistent but not tiny updates there a good chunk each time and you can tell the dev has the entire story already writen and is following it .. no stupid patreon vote poll crap here .... tbh im a massive fan of this dev ... i like fap material as much as anyone but i love games like this .... well thought out well paced and with good gfx were nothing is over the top .... yeah i can happily recomend this to anyone and not think i hope they like it ........