Recommending Story-first games

[EndlessNights]

I have played Anumus Non Grata, and I feel like the game warrants a mention in this thread. It does technically fulfil the story-first criteria, but then it is immediately disqualified by it's subject matter. I would definitely not recommend playing it to anyone that has a weak stomach for extreme and potentially non-consensual BDSM (the player has a choice as to how it plays out), but the writing quality more than makes up for it imo if you can get over it (or if it's your thing).

For me, it would be a question of whether the narrative actually pays off anywhere near enough to make up for the utter misery of the experience. It probably wouldn't be worth it for me given my stomach for sexual brutality and anything noncon. I thought mizuno_j wrote a critique that sounded both pretty definitive and quite damning. Do you disagree with that take?

The relationship sounds utterly coercive from beginning to end from what I can tell from browsing the game thread. The MC is an android who is treated as property and used as a sex toy. If she tries to resist that fate she is brutalized in extreme ways. If she submits, she's treated "better" but still used as a sex toy. She nonetheless seems to develop some sort of kinship or acceptance for her abuser on all routes (perhaps faked if secretly defiant?) that is apparently ascribed to Stockholm syndrome or not really explained at all. If that's anywhere near an accurate summation, it sounds less like a story about a real abusive relationship and more of an excuse for brutal scenes.

 

[Vasin]

Do you disagree with that take?

Sort of. Not as much with the characterisation of the man but rather with the evaluation of the quality of the story. While the violence is graphic it never struck me as gratuitous nor did the game try to endorse or make up any moral excuses for the behaviour. I completely understand how one might find subject matter of the game revolting and repulsive but at the same time saying that the character in the game is not some romanticized softcore BDSM enthusiast and is a "sadist" is like saying that Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal. It's not surprising.

The plot point mentioned (inaccurately, I might add) happens I think about 1/3 if not 1/4th into the story so making a judgment about the entire game is premature, especially if it's based solely on personal preference.

I completely agree that it is most definitely not the game for everyone (or most people, really) though.

 

[EndlessNights]

Sort of. Not as much with the characterisation of the man but rather with the evaluation of the quality of the story. While the violence is graphic it never struck me as gratuitous nor did the game try to endorse or make up any moral excuses for the behaviour. I completely understand how one might find subject matter of the game revolting and repulsive but at the same time saying that the character in the game is not some romanticized softcore BDSM enthusiast and is a "sadist" is like saying that Hannibal Lecter is a cannibal. It's not surprising.

I guess I'm just struggling to see the hook that turns it into a good story though I understand you're probably trying to avoid spoilers. If it's just about some psycho abusing his android slave who nonetheless bonds with him no matter how he treats her because of Stockholm syndrome, I could see it working as wish fulfillment for people who find that scenario hot but that's not a plot line that really jumps out at me as being particularly fascinating in and of itself. I find that Stockholm syndrome (which is rare in real life, even in extreme situations) is often used in stories as a convenience that lets the author avoid exploring characters' motivations and inner thoughts and explain away their irrational behavior.

The story that mizuno seemingly would have preferred to see sounds on the surface like it would have been more interesting though still disturbing. It would've involved manipulation like gaslighting and generally more subtle forms of psychological abuse, especially at the beginning of the relationship in order to reel the MC in. I would expect that approach to make both the relationship and the characters' behavior more plausible.

 

[jufot]

Bride of a Dead God's fourth chapter is out on

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!

 

[camube]

why does patreon new feeds the way that it is

it's stupid

 

[Vasin]

I guess I'm just struggling to see the hook that turns it into a good story though I understand you're probably trying to avoid spoilers.

That's a fair assessment. The story can go different ways though, it's not as single minded as it can appear. Thinking about more movie inspirations for this I'm reminded of "

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", which is a great movie (not of sexual nature). The game is much lesser than that, obviously, but I didn't play it because of bdsm (actually in spite of mild dislike of it. I couldn't, for example, get through "ladykiller in a bind" although there it was more about megacringe drama than kink) but rather because I find sci-fi themes interesting.

I wouldn't even recommend ANG to people, really, I mostly mentioned it because it's a curious case of a game where, in my opinion, the author managed to make porn and integral part of the plot without making the game necessarily porny. Sort of a callback to a past discussion.

And the technical side of the writing is also quite good. Not to mention completed in just a couple months. This is strong work ethics, regardless of the fact that it's made in twine, it's still a substantial amount of text. Maybe future games from them will have more palatable themes.

But that's enough from me about that game. In other news, I finally found time to play through a new episode of Summer Heat. I can't say I didn't see this coming. The biggest problem the plot of that game has is that the authors apparently forgot that hints must point at something rather than just be vague bland nothings that don't make any sense. It was excusable in first couple of episodes but now, unless this is still the very end of the story (which it clearly isn't) there should have been some plot development, but we're still stuck moving boxes and wasting time on inconsequential things like getting drunk with hookers randomly (wtf was that?)

I have identified another porny aspect that irked me in SH too, and that was that in that game like in so many others I have to actually make effort to avoid having everything handed to me and it's just so... tiring and boring. Shame, it could have been great, but now it's badik 2 electric boogaloo.

 

[Tlaero]

why does patreon new feeds the way that it is

it's stupid

The changes in Patreon are even worse for Creators. Getting the information I need and communicating with Patrons is harder now than it used to be.

Tlaero

 

[camube]

projekt passion update 9 is out

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well worth the $5 and the story keeps getting better too. Season 2 is great

 

[Shiva11]

This reader was impressed by the first chapter of I Scream https://f95zone.to/threads/i-scream-ch-1-fundi.182147/.
I know that I have an interest in stories of people who have had traumatic past experiences and this applies here. Also the story is written with real compassion for the characters in this little group of friends who were abused as children.
The challenge is going to be for the writer to sustain the high bar they have set so far. Plenty of interesting story lines were set up and lots of mysteries to unravel. In my experience this type of story usually starts out full of promise and intrigue but then degenerates into something much less fulfilling. I'm hoping this story continues to be interesting as things develop further.
I want to add one further point regarding the music in this game. It's a fairly simple music score but fits the mood of the story well.
I believe that music is the most overlooked and underappreciated aspect of these games. When it's done right it does something to greatly enhance the experience of any game. Great background music will not save a bad game but it will make a good game much better. I know it's difficult to find music that fits your game well, particularly when you're limited to music that you don't have to pay for. So my congratulations go out to any author who takes the time to find good music for their game and uses it well.

 

[Slick Bean]

Yeah, gamer, preach .. it is all about how Tokien got reduced to 1 billion dollar cash dump female boss fodder,
R.R.Martin got himself backed into a corner of dumbing suffocating incest in his latest series ,
one full season of senseless violence and gratuitous sex.

The challenge is going to be for the writer to sustain the high bar they have set so far. Plenty of interesting story lines were set up and lots of mysteries to unravel. In my experience this type of story usually starts out full of promise and intrigue but then degenerates into something much less fulfilling. I'm hoping this story continues to be interesting as things develop further.

All any dev has to do is devote one update for each of those plot threads opened up and countless updates will follow.
As a paradox, tho, every time misteries unravel there is gonna be disillusion of grandeur, so just sit back and enjoy.

 

[Raife]

Quite right, young lass. Quite right!

For a Dutch person, Jaike has a remarkably good grasp of the English squirearchy's lugubrious, insalubrious ways. (This is no way surprises me, given her extensive intellectual hinterland.) The only thing she's missing is the master of the house (and pudgy, tweed-clad friends) blasting away at helpless woodfowl, disturbed by a claque of mostly toothless but amiable beaters. Plus a bunch of green, mud-coated wellingtons lined up inside the door.

Speaking of country customs, if Historian wants to write a companion piece to _Courtship_, I commend to him a sort of dirty version of Austen's _Persuasion_. Anne's sister's husband is a perfect model for the ur-bone headed English country squire. (Several of this type are still in the Commons today, amazingly... meeting these people is like coming across a living example of Cro-Magnon man.)

Some other thoughts on recent updates:

1. I enjoy _Courtship_, despite its infelicities and difficult, obscure LI paths. Contra some players, I rather prefer old-fashioned games that make finding every path difficult.
2. _Zero End_, on the other hand, I don't like at all: primarily because I don't buy the protagonist's character. He's far, far too level-headed and mature for his age. Give him another two decades of life, and I can believe in him... as is, I can't role-play him.
3. _Pecker PI_ is a gem. There's so much to like: the protag has Gary Stu-esque physical qualities... but he's kind of a meathead, doesn't know the first thing about what he's doing, and the LIs run circles around him. It's the LIs that really make the game... they give the MC constant shit, which is a joy. Gonna send the dev some $$! It's just the second detective AVN (besides _Leaving DNA_) that's actually worth playing.

 

[jufot]

Episode 4 of Simple Beginnings is out on

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. We've discussed it on this thread before.

I'll share some thoughts below, but this episode has solidified my impression of it as a story-first game, so the OP has been updated

Spoiler: Thoughts on episode 4

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[jufot]

if Historian wants to write a companion piece to _Courtship_, I commend to him a sort of dirty version of Austen's _Persuasion_. Anne's sister's husband is a perfect model for the ur-bone headed English country squire.

That sounds like a great VN idea! Professor Historian take note

(Several of this type are still in the Commons today, amazingly... meeting these people is like coming across a living example of Cro-Magnon man.)

Damn you for reminding me of this haunted Victorian pencil!

Spoiler

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_Pecker PI_ on the other hand, is a gem. There's so much to like: the protag has Gary Stu-esque physical qualities... but he's kind of a meathead, doesn't know the first thing about what he's doing, and the LIs run circles around him. It's the LIs that really make the game... they give the MC constant shit, which is a joy. Gonna send the dev some $$! It's just the second detective AVN (besides _Leaving DNA_) that's actually worth playing.

I'm so glad you liked it enough to sub! I do too, and there is a new LI on Patreon you should check out. She is different from the rest, and could be very interesting.

 

[Slick Bean]

Yup - smoking emo small framed guy just outta his parents hair, going from job to job,
gets back into this elitist university where odd balls like himself let loose on the grounds
and in the corridors, while he keeps using his eyeliner and nail die like he did all throughout
his adolescence - really mature, what can I say!

_Zero End_, on the other hand, I don't like at all: primarily because I don't buy the protagonist's character. He's far, far too level-headed and mature for his age. Give him another two decades of life, and I can believe in him... as is, I can't role-play him.

MC is a wise cracking odd ball, we get to understand throughout the game that Marie was the powerful
witch who was attracted to MC for his babble about game theory and havign a cynical mastermind look
upon the people in your grasp - to which she actually adhers.

I think the big secret is that they never knew how powerfult they were together,
they did the ceremony of ash because Mc read about it and Marie wanted to see how powerful
they can be - the impact being that it worked, they did have massive power together to
make a pact akin to that between dumbledore and his gay adolescent crush.

We all know how that love affair ended in the books and in the movies.
with all that said, just sit back and enjoy whatever way ths game chooses
to give closure to Marie and MC.

 

[Professor Historian]

That sounds like a great VN idea! Professor Historian take note

I won't be hard to persuade, I love Jane Austen

 

[Shiva11]

This gamer is going to recommend that you try Chess Game https://f95zone.to/threads/chess-game-v0-04-janus-paradox.155015/. Didn't see it mentioned in this thread previously and it's worth trying it to see if this is your thing or not. There are a lot of characters and the plot gets pretty convoluted at times but I have great admiration for what the game developer is trying to do here. Some of the scenes are exceptional and some are just confusing. However there are things that I haven't seen in any other game and it appears like the developer is trying to push the boundaries.
I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now and trust that he has all the plot lines under control and that at some point it will all come together in a coherent way. My advise is do not take the man-machine philosophy too seriously but just go with the story and see where it takes you. I'm about halfway though part 4 and about to stop and play the game over from the beginning to try and see where all the characters fit into the story. Have fun.

 

[jufot]

Episode 4 of Simple Beginnings is out on

You must be registered to see the links

. We've discussed it on this thread before.

This is out on F95 now as well. Go play, it's a great chapter!

 

[turbojoe]

This gamer is going to recommend that you try Chess Game https://f95zone.to/threads/chess-game-v0-04-janus-paradox.155015/. Didn't see it mentioned in this thread previously and it's worth trying it to see if this is your thing or not. There are a lot of characters and the plot gets pretty convoluted at times but I have great admiration for what the game developer is trying to do here. Some of the scenes are exceptional and some are just confusing. However there are things that I haven't seen in any other game and it appears like the developer is trying to push the boundaries.
I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt for now and trust that he has all the plot lines under control and that at some point it will all come together in a coherent way. My advise is do not take the man-machine philosophy too seriously but just go with the story and see where it takes you. I'm about halfway though part 4 and about to stop and play the game over from the beginning to try and see where all the characters fit into the story. Have fun.

Sounds interesting - will give it a shot

 

[Slick Bean]

The story of the game is pretty much that of whatever was going on during the latest Ethan hunt movie,
where some AI mastermind acts like Umbrella Corporation murderous AI and some of the programs
running amock around the world keep running their own schemes on people and to their lives.

Some of the scenes are exceptional and some are just confusing. However there are things that I haven't seen in any other game and it appears like the developer is trying to push the boundaries.

There are a lot of characters and the plot gets pretty convoluted at times

You can even look at this through the lens of the last season of Westworld, where plots got so much
convoluted about Synths replacing people, people being controlled by the Ai all round them,
while rogue synths would have their own controlling little moments where they would pull the strings.
Like in that and as a cautionary tale from the last season being the least watched season of Westworld ever,
this game has sharp - seemingly random - turns of events most of the current game time,
resulting in misery for either synths that were not looking to hurt people,
or for the people that end up being used like actual slaves - bodies of meat being twisted and turned in all the
wrong ways just for the smallest of amusement by their AI or synths handlers.

 

[Losersriot]

"Silver lining" game by Blue Dahlia (namusvill).
Absolutely the best game here.