discussion In support of emotional games

[exerp]

More and more I find myself preferring games with emotional impact.
(Not to be at all dismissive of the value and enjoyment of lewd-fest games which I continue to enjoy too.)

It doesn't even have to be romantic emotions.

Most recently I have been playing through the alternate paths in "Summer Scent" to try to complete achievements (although I am still reluctant to go for the "evil" path after investing so much in good relationships with the characters). There's a moment near the end of the "psychotic knight" path that hits hard in a good way (it's just a small moment where one character expresses a thing to the MC and it "got me right in the feels" .. when Cassie says thank-you to the MC in the diner .. with the subtext that its thank-you for what he sacrificed to save her and Eve). I find my thoughts still dwelling on that moment days later. Now one of my favorite AVN experiences!

In conclusion .. I wish there were more game developers investing in rich storytelling that hit deep character emotions. They don't need to be great dramas, or original plots. They don't have to be happy endings. Emotional hits occur in moments between characters after getting to know them. Give characters some story, depth, and conflict .. that build to these moments. Yum! So good!

A few of my faves that have at least a little emotional stuff (mostly obvious to AVN aficionados):
Leap of Faith, Summer Scent, Single Again, Summers Gone, Now and Then.

Honorable mention to Midlife Crisis where the Jennifer story came tantalizingly close for me.

 

[Val]

I would suggest "Acting Lesson". The creator of Being a DIK made it and it's was one of the initial reason for their solid following before BaDIK. I don't want to spoil anything but I was definitely caught off guard by the story. Give it a try

 

[exerp]

I would suggest "Acting Lesson".

thank-you for the recommendation. I'm going to look it up now.

 

[fernandotorres]

After a certain period of time, when you have consumed sex and other products, they become commonplace and what matters to you is the story and the quality of the rander. At least that's how it is for me. This shows that you actually look at games from a different perspective as time goes on. For me, I'm still chasing games with the absurd option of corrupting the Loli characters and forcing them to desperately obey.

 

[Jean55]

Maybe "teaching feeling" would be more up your alley. It's not exactly too story driven but it definitely has emotion as one of the key aspects. An older game yes but still not a bad one.

 

[FeyMask]

While I have some problems with some of the choices, Confusion is probably the trans game that takes itself the most serious.

 

[exerp]

Maybe "teaching feeling" would be more up your alley. It's not exactly too story driven but it definitely has emotion as one of the key aspects. An older game yes but still not a bad one.

I am not really into the slave girl fantasy stuff .. though this one seems to be about helping a (former?) slave rather than enslaving her. But the description I found does suggest a focus on emotional character development in the story which I like to see. Thanks for the suggestion.

While I have some problems with some of the choices, Confusion is probably the trans game that takes itself the most serious.

I had looked at that one a while ago but gave up when I ran into a bug early on. I guess it is worth another look. Thanks!

Trans is not one of my fantasies .. I dont like dicks and just tolerate my own .. but I ended up checking the part of a story with a Trans LI (amongst a bunch of non Trans LIs) in some game a few years ago because her face and chest was very cute. I was surprised to find the character story enjoyable, even if some of her lewd scenes were not my cup of tea. But trying a lot of different AVNs means inevitably running into fantasies and kinks were not into while still enjoying most of the rest of the game.

One of the great things about AVNs as a media is being able to get into the perspective of different people (such as lesbian female protagonist games). Trans characters may not be fap inspiring for me but it has been interesting to see that perspective this way. And those character stories can still have emotional effects. Not all of our game play of AVNs has to be about wanking .. probably

 

[irpotato556]

I am with you here I have been finding joy and suffering with waiting in recent games that go beyond fap material.. Not sure if you may have already played these ones but, Companions and Darkness, My Bully is My Lover, and Eternum. They are work in progress but are easily my favorite games. The three each have great connection with the characters and interactions that really pull you in, I have not yet played latest version of Eternum but for the other two there are big emotional moments that will hit you right in the feels. The games you have listed are on my list, thinking I will push them up now!

 

[exerp]

I would suggest "Acting Lesson".

Finally got to this one recently. Thanks again for the recommendation!

Nice to see some focus on story telling and having at least one substantial male friend character. Not that I dont want lots of babes in games .. but a world where MC is the only dude feels a bit to unreal.

I was shocked by the unexpected story development! Definitely dont see that in many games

Definitely not perfect execution .. the central story is pretty fixed .. but an engaging story that I am glad to have experienced.

Summer Scent stands out like that to. It has a couple paths with shocking events too.

 

[Antoni103]

The thing is that it is not easy to write a story like that, it can turn out very well or very badly.

 

[Val]

Finally got to this one recently. Thanks again for the recommendation!

Nice to see some focus on story telling and having at least one substantial male friend character. Not that I dont want lots of babes in games .. but a world where MC is the only dude feels a bit to unreal.

I was shocked by the unexpected story development! Definitely dont see that in many games

Definitely not perfect execution .. the central story is pretty fixed .. but an engaging story that I am glad to have experienced.

Summer Scent stands out like that to. It has a couple paths with shocking events too.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Like you said, it does has it flaws, but it is a pretty memorable game.

When I get a chance, I'll give Summer Scent a try. I'll stay updated with the thread in case you come across any other games similar.

 

[user2386]

good recommendations here to check out - thanks as well!

 

[vandura]

Yeah, I've come back to Teaching Feeling a few times. It's got a way of making me really want to take care of her.

 

[DeusX]

Leap of faith is one of my favorites for this very reason

 

[Rifter]

I have to toss my vote in for Leap of Faith as well. By the end of that I was far more invested in the characters and their stories than I was in the actual lewd content. It's a masterpiece.

 

[exerp]

Leap of faith is one of my favorites for this very reason

Yes! It stands at the top of the AVN genre for storytelling.

 

[Viir Hahnu]

I do look for these games myself it always feels like such a cosy and heart warming experience that I always find myself coming back too.

My recommendation if you haven't played it - Do you have akira points

 

[eljopo]

I love emotional games, i think the emotional grip a game can have on you stays way longer with you in comparison with whether the main LI's sex scene was good or not

 

[JoshXD]

I really like this discussion, I love emotional games and of course with obscenities, something similar happened to me with "My summer with Mia" those who played it will understand by the end I will only say, I started and played because of the obscenity and in the end I felt bad and with feelings

 

[Seo In-guk]

I'll just say welcome.
Recommendation, look for the finished ones and the harem. There are some good ones like Motherless