Characters: 5/5
Plot: 4.75/5
Setting: 5/5
Art: Incomplete TBD
At the time of writing this review, the game is in Version 0.14.1. This game is turning out to be one of the rare treasures in western gay porn games, on the level of Coming Out on Top. It builds a creative setting, and world and characters. It avoids many of the cliches of the genre - to its benefit. It has crafted a unique and interesting setting and leaves the player wanting more with every update.
The Characters
I was completely surprised how charming the characters are in this game. I went into this, as I do all games, expecting to like some guys and hate others. However, over the course of the two chapters currently available, I feel in love with basically all of the guys. They are all worth a shot and are all interesting in different ways. A big reason the characters stand out is because the game does not “lock” you into a route early on. This allows the player the freedom to visit and do every character’s story without restriction. The characters also have relationships with each other outside the player’s influence, which often leads to seeing the characters interact.
For example, I went into this game expecting to hate Blake (the blond “straight boy” LI). However, I encountered him more when interacting with Dante, as they were friends, and these interactions made me like him. It was the same with me for hoodie guy and Oliver. This game also does something interesting in giving side-characters some depth and connection to others. The barista is friendly, has a backstory and other characters talk about him, even though he isn’t a main love interest (so far). There are also teases for several other LI’s coming down the road and/or could be added later when the game is in a more complete state.
The Plot, Art and Sexiness
There are several hours of gameplay included in the current build of this game. The developer has not rushed directly into the porn and has taken the time to set up a mystery, the setting and all the characters. This means unlike most in-development games, it is easy to become invested in seeing where the game will go beyond just getting to the bits where your hand is stroking the sausage. The art in this game is unfinished, particularly towards the start of the game.
Many of the CGs aren’t finished but the deeper into the game you get the better the CG quality is. The dev gives warning for many of the CGs that it isn’t final and just a rough sketch. The CGs towards the end are amazing, even if not all of them are coloured yet. There is no outright sex in the game at the moment, but the developer has indicated it is coming in the updates. There are a lot of tease shots of the guys in skimpy clothing, bulges, or even tasteful nudes. There is plenty of horny CGs even if the characters do not outright have sex yet.
One thing I REALLY have to give credit for is that none of the guys so far are really “vanilla”. The game has several “opt out” scenes set up for certain content (including, but not limited to, watersports and rough sex). There are a variety of kinks among the guys (ranging from public sex, daddies, “straight boys”, etc). It isn’t one of those boring dating sims where all the guys basically have the same basic vanilla sex with the MC and the developer deserves props for that. To me, that is always a sure sign a game is made for a gay audience interested in porn, instead of a female audience to fetishize gay romance.