Holy shit, did I enjoy this game. Although a rather short entry, the completed tag is a welcome addition. The writing and art style of this game was top notch. I found the world building to be quite interesting alongside the very erotic and tempting situations built out over the course of the game. I hope to see more from this author in the future!
Ren'Py - Completed - Sanguine Rose [v4.1] [DuskyHallows]
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Faceless0ne
Normally, the art style is absolutely not my taste (although, in my opinion, story is way more important than graphics - why I gave the game a try in the first place), but in this fantasy (or maybe because of it) setting it works extremely well.
What surprised me the most is the writing skills displayed by the developers! The story is indeed relatively short in terms of a single playthrough, but very engaging and animates to another playthrough and after that yet another one.
The characters are, the right mix between "over the top" and "normal". I don't want to write any more, because otherwise I would have to start spoiling the plot and nobody wants that!? Right? (It is really hard not to spoil anything...)
I'am also impressed by the endings, in the way that no matter which of the "good ending" you choose to be canon, most that is said/done in all other endings, isn't contradictory to "your" ending. Exeptions are there but all in all, everything fits nicely together...like a real novel.
The background (world) lore is suprisingly fleshed out for the lenght of the game, so another job well done by the developers.
I wouldn't mind seeing more/other storys in this universe.
As much as I try, I can't really think of anything negative... Well maybe, that there is one character which didn't adds much to the overall story and could be scrapped but in the way the story is told (you do play someone but there is no MC... It feels much more like a D&D session) he has a right to exist.
A personal note for the writing team: You dudes/dudines should consider to start writing true novels. Just saying... -
Carefree247
Dive in blind on the first and second run. It's better that way ,or it would ruin the story , and you would feel cheated from the amazing twists.
These people know how to write a good story, not great but good, that means room to grow, it's been a while since I played a game and felt so satisfied with the story, not to taxing or cumbersome. -
johnytherocket
great story and lore. Interesting characters and dynamics between them. Visuals were cool for majority of the game (some were definitively better than others). Choices actually had impact on the story and characters for the most part. Top quality stuff. -
tonny
Just tried this for the first time and wonder why there is animated tag, only one shoot was animated and when the girl gets drugged. Then why even bother? so dont expect much animations here, cause there is non.
and the story keeps being told even tho you are else where on the screen and some sex scenes you only get one frame, I think its terrible...
In a sex scene the image dont change, but all kinds of different things during the sex are done, by the story telling. but you dont see much. and if we dont see what is being told, well thats just crappy work in my mind.
The art looks good tho, but thats it and thats what my 2 stars are for. the story was good too, but still not worth more than 2 stars. -
Air Space Frame
Design VN style game where your choices matter, and will result in different routes (not a kinetic novel). The way the story is presented is reminiscent of Asian-style horror cinematography in which not limited information is presented to the player at once. Several playthroughs are required to understand each characters motivations and background. The player is also allowed to play as various different characters from time to time. Writing is mostly compelling. 2 Programming Some users have mentioned bugs in earlier versions of the game locking certain scenes in the gallery, but according to the developer these have been patched. The game ran smoothly with no bugs and smooth transitions, and the gallery unlocked appropriately. 1 Level creation Initial few playthroughs were fun and unlocked more of the story for the player. However grinding for 100% gallery will require multiple playthroughs with judicious use of savepoints. The developer has provided a helpful summary of route paths that will greatly aid in such an endeavour.
Certain actions in the game hard lock the player onto certain routes, which may result in the player character behaving in an unexpected manner with little control from the player from then on.1 Art production Art is provided by Duski and is pleasant with a brush-on-canvas style art giving a nice touch to the medieval setting. However, there could be better consistency between scenes as the body proportions of characters varies from scene, or perhaps from one drawing session to another. 2 Audio production Background music is a nice touch and varies according to scene. 2 Final statement The overall package comes together nicely as a marriage of talents between Duski and Hallows, creating one very decent game instead of two mediocre ones. The influence on game design from both developers can be felt through choice of script and art in the various routes. 8
Game edition reviewed: Sanguine Rose [v3.6.0] [DuskyHallows] -
apsentibus
In my opinion, above those erotic games just for relax and fap, the art of erotism has two major direction to go, one being love, the other being power.
This game is exactly a masterpiece in the latter, which is pretty rare in the erotic genre. It's a story about desire(not only sexual) and power, about loyalty and betrayal, about scrambles and uncertainty. Extremely well depicted characters, extremely well written dialogues(even if some wordings can still be improved), and most outstandingly, the choices&consequences are incredibly well designed to present the theme of this story. Be warned: the consequences of your decisions might yield unexpected results that can be very realistic and tragical in certain cases.
It's a good choice-based visual novel even without the erotic elements, but it's even a brilliant one with them. "Everything in the world is about sex except sex. Sex is about power." Quoted from Oscar Wilde, well demonstrated by this game.
The artwork is also very charming, but if only some of the sex scenes could be further elaborated. There are certain artworks that seem painted in a hurry with some pretty unpolished curves.
P.S. For those who complain about the bad endings, please note that only games that majorly provide you with sense of accomplishment give good endings when you do "well and correctly" and bad endings when you "make mistakes". However most VNs are stories that the author want you to read and experience, not games that rate how well you do for accomplishing your goal. There's no "wrong choice" or "game over" in this game. -
ariKira
My opinion about Sanguine Rose
Pros:
- Art is different but good
- Multiple endings
- It's actually worth playing again to unlock more endings
Cons:
- Story is okay but I think it could be better
- Not really a "con" but I would have loved more CG/complete sex scenes
Rating: 4 out of 5. Give this a try. -
Ankhesenamun
→ Fantastic art, reminds me of late 80s/early 90s comic book art;
→ Carmen is absolutely gorgeous and vicious;
→ Short but very dynamic storyline;
→ Choices matter and have a direct impact in the ending of the game contrarily to some triple A productions (yes, I'm still judging you ME3)
5/5, hope to see the beautiful General again. -
SkyPoem
1. good quality cg but ugly faces in total (IDM though actually helps too)
2. story is not bad not great and touchy but do the job ( it really could be better by some events but game is short that is why i'm not forcing it
3.you don't have choices like other games i got 2 ending just for the final choice and i feel the choices you have wont matter it just fill your gallery
i need to admit though there are some good quality pics.
4.the games have some animations but 1 or 2 ( i found only one)
and some mouse moment effect but still only 1 or 2
i rather not having it than having it for very time
i can feel he tried though and i thank him for this -
Alfred the Fallen
Sanguine Rose is a beautiful game with an awful story.
The main plot is about four mercenaries holding a captive for ransom. The mercenaries are led by a witless rube named Roman who is easily manipulated by the imprisoned Mary Sue. The game is completely unintuitive. The more careful you are with the prisoner, the more likely she is to kill everyone and escape. I've played the game multiple times so far and have yet to find a single decent ending. Maybe there's still one hiding somewhere, but it's looking less likely all the time. -
Landladies & Tenants
My god, the art.
Can't talk (or see) anything about this game without calling attention to the art, but it is terrific all around, for both the H- and non-H scenes. Carmen Valentine is someone whom I'd like to spend a lot of time with, even if it means a 75%+ chance of getting my throat cut. The other characters are really well done as well, and the H-scenes are spectacularly hot.
But the script is worthy of the art as well, particularly since it creates a narrative platform for Carmen to talk about her past sexual conquests and the crazy hot sex she's about to do to the MC and his companions.
This game is a must-play for anyone who enjoys fapping. I do wish there were a walkthrough or guide to all the various paths and endings, some of which are hard to find. The scenes are so hot that none should be missed.
