VN - Ren'Py - Wild Cats [April Fool's Special] [LopaPhi]

A Disappointment: Where Choice Withers and Romance Falls Flat

This game promised a grand adventure, but sadly, it delivers a disappointing experience plagued by a lack of meaningful choices, a milquetoast protagonist, and romance options that fail to ignite any spark. From the outset, I was eager to delve into a world brimming with consequences and compelling characters, but what I found was a hollow shell of that promise.

The most glaring issue is the illusion of choice. While dialogue options are plentiful, their impact on the overall narrative is minimal. My decisions felt inconsequential, funnelling me down a predetermined path regardless of my efforts to deviate. This severely undermines the sense of agency, leaving the player feeling like a passive observer rather than an active participant in the story.

Adding insult to injury is the weak main character. They lack any real personality or compelling motivations. Instead of feeling like a unique individual shaping their destiny, I felt like I was controlling a blank slate, a puppet following the script. The character's emotional range is limited, making it difficult to connect with them or invest in their journey. A strong protagonist is the backbone of any engaging narrative, and its absence here leaves a gaping hole.

Finally, let's talk about the romance options. They are, frankly, unappealing. The characters feel underdeveloped and stereotypical, offering little in the way of genuine connection or compelling backstory. The interactions are stilted and forced, lacking the nuance and emotional depth necessary to create believable relationships. Instead of feeling excited to pursue these relationships, I found myself actively avoiding them.

Conclusion:

This game suffers from a trifecta of flaws: a lack of meaningful choices, a weak protagonist, and uninspired romance options. While the core concept may have held promise, the execution falls short, leaving the player feeling disconnected and ultimately, disappointed. I wouldn't recommend this game to anyone looking for a truly engaging and immersive experience. There are far better games out there that offer genuine player agency and compelling characters to connect with. This one simply misses the mark.

0.2

And wonderful game with a really nice written story and some quality scenes.
All the girls have a strong personalities (I hope they do keep).
The development of the main character is really nice to see
I was really touched by some scenes I can see myself in

Great game, hope you continue like that !

Version 0.2

After hearing good things about this game and debating if i should try it out or wait for more content...
Sadly i failed and played... and discovered my new top 3 avn if not nr 1 down the line later when more updates come.

This is the first game im reading very slowly... still as for ver 0.2 there is good chunk of content.

If you like good story with amazingly writen characters and interesting art, this is a masterpiece you should try.

Despite being ''new'' this is easily top 10 on the site (for sure in terms of new avn's), if you can, support the dev.

I played this and I love it! Maybe the story is going too fast but maybe I'm okay with that. The lighting, the posing, the models, it's all thought out and I can't wait to see where it goes next!

Oh, um, I need more here. It's a story about a guy who loses his dream and spends the first part of the game being cringingly mean to everyone until someone is nicer than he thinks he deserves and uses that to try to turn his attitude around. He is mostly out of the weeds but not entirely and I hope that keeps coming up because nobody changes that fast.

I think it's too fast because three girls by the end of the second chapter have gotten off with him. One of them makes a lot of sense. Two would make sense with college hormones. Three felt too fast. It's a small quibble!

Play and enjoy!

Its really quite strange actually. This is the first time I've ever written a review.

I would like to first list off the things I love about this game. First of all, the animation quality of this game is GODTIER. There have been multiple moments when I played that I audibly exclaimed at how good the animations were, at how crisp and smoothing everything was. It is simply on the next level. Secondly, the art is amazing. The girls all look nice, the lighting is done well. It is made with immaculate design.

Why did I give it a 1 star? Its because the story is shit, it is infuriatingly shit. So we have the MC who is a volleyball player that got injured, now he has been given a chance to coach a women's volleyball team in order to keep his scholarship. Its an interesting concept that drew me in initially.

However, the MC is an absolute asshole and lashes out at others for no reason. As you play, you discover that the women's volleyball team is the lowest ranked and the players on the roster don't even come to practice except for one. So obviously we can understand that the names on the roster are people that aren't even interested in playing for the team. The only reason their names are still there is because they haven't gotten a chance to remove their names.

Yet the MC seems to believe that they are required to play for the team and just expects them to drop whatever they were doing and come to practice. Then he gets mad at them when they're not interested. He even gets mad at the one person actually going to practice. Good fucking job scaring away the only player that was actually interested. And its a reoccurring thing, he lashes out at one girl, realizes he shouldn't do that but then he lashes out at the next girl. Huh, I wonder why they don't want to go back to your team mate.

Its infuriating to not just read it but to also play as the MC when I have no control over when they lash out. Am I reading a book or am I playing a game? Why am I not given the choice to lash out or not? Lol the only choice I'm given is 4 different times the game asks me if I want to quit. Like wtf, this is just annoying, if i want to quit the game, I would just alt F4 the game. You don't need to ask me every single time the MC lashes out. By the 3rd time I told myself if the game was going to ask me another time if I wanted to quit, I would.

Quite a shame though. The art, animation and music quality are all GODTIER.

I'm usually very critical when I see 3D models; I don't find them very appealing. Or rather, they all feel like the same over and over again: an appealing model and a hollow personal story. In those games, the sex scenes feel rushed and meaningless; my finger is always pressing the skip button at a certain point to just be done with it.

I'd be lying if I said I was starting to play Wild Cats in a different mindset. But from the start to the end of the second chapter, I was actually reading every line. It felt well written, no farming, no time skip, just a good time reading characters getting to know each other. Each has different personalities, goals, and stories that clash with one another.

I'm not going to say that it's the best game their is, but it is a really cute and inspiring one. As the adage say : "I came for the gooning and stayed for the plot."

A good story with deep, well-developed characters and stunning female leads. The volleyball discussions are compelling, adding realism and excitement. Very engaging and it balances sports, emotion, and character depth - even funny in places. Scenes are a little too few so far, and MC was a little too sad and lost for a little too long.

This game is just awesome, I got really hooked on it and the story is great, even though the MC can be a bit EMO sometimes, it's kinda understandable in a way, by what he went through. The game has a very good theme, who doesn't like volleyball girls? Speaking of them, the girls looks are stunning, the relationship build-up is well-paced and everything seems to fit perfectly. It is exactly what I've been looking for in a game and I strongly believe that this is a 5 stars game, so by my standards, it's a most than well deserved rating.

And of course, Volleyball girls.

Against the background of a trivial story about the relationship between a teacher and female students (athletes), an interesting story about the relationship between a woman and a man is revealed. The different levels of relationships create an exciting game that you want to watch develop. A good game.

While I do think this story has potential, the dialogue is its biggest weakness... it’s just so awkward and unconvincing.

The MC himself isn’t the main issue. In fact the author makes it clear that he’s actively trying to change, and his backstory provides enough context to make his behavior feel somewhat believable.

The real problem lies with the LI's. Their behavior often comes across as entitled and irrational, yet the narrative insists that the protagonist is the one in the wrong. The author seems determined to frame our protagonist as the sole deviant, but the interactions don’t support that. Instead, it just feels frustrating because some of the girls are just as much in the wrong as the MC, making the dynamic feel forced rather than organic.

This weakens not only the character interactions but the writing as a whole. And this isn't a one time thing - it's something that I felt numerous times throughout the exchanges between the protagonist and multiple LI's. Instead of feeling like natural, realistic communication, the dialogue ends up feeling frustrating.

I genuinely hope the author improves because there’s potential here, but as it stands, the execution falls flat.

10/10

One of the best story telling Adult Visual Game in which you will surely be captivated by not just the story as a whole but also be intrigued by its individual characters. Where as the story goes on, you cant wait to find more and delve deep to each individual characters in the game.

Aside from having a very good story, it also have likable and well design characters in which rightfully fits each personality of the individuals they represent/Portray.

And so far, the scenes are likable and it does not feel forced at all which gives the game a much more smoother and better story telling progress.

All in all, if your looking for games with fascinating characters and interesting story. This is definitely a Game you MUST TRY.

It's an interesting game with a captivating premise and beautiful renders. Sadly, it's only version 0.2, so there isn't much content yet. However, you can play it without hesitation—it's quite good!!!

Good character writing? An interesting plot? Well integrated NSFW scenes that are written as more than just porn? Volleyball girls? An actually interesting MC with a personality not in the shape of a sentient penis? A good variety of love interests without going overboard to where half the cast doesn't get any development because there's just too much work?
Be still my beating heart.

Recommended.

A game that is off to an extremely good start. I love the characters and story. I do see some issues with the proof reading but all something that can be fixed.

Beautiful renders and an intriguing story, a 10/10 for me at the moment.

Review as of version 0.2:
Writing 4/5:
The writing in the game is good. It’s not going to blow you away or anything, but the bar for VN writing is low and this is one of the better written games on this site. There are a few typos and capitalization errors here and there, but nothing major or immersion-breaking.
Art 4/5:
Renders look solid, girls are cute, animations are decently smooth. Overall, some of the best I’ve seen come out of Honey Select. Some things can look a little janky and times, and the girls’ fingers are all weird and wrinkly for some reason, but overall, the game looks good.
Story 2/5:
This is the major issue I have with the game. Most of the time, the story is actually enjoyable and intriguing. But there are some parts that just really piss me off to play – and they are not the parts that the dev intended to be upsetting.
The MC can be a massive simp sometimes. It’s only in a few scenes and its totally bearable. The bigger problem I have with the game, is that it feels like the game is telling you that being a simp is the correct course of action – like its morally wrong to be mean to a girl that is being mean to you.
So, the game starts out by warning you that the MC is a no-good-very-bad-man in the beginning, but that he progresses into a better person over time. But what actually happens is he’ll make a snarky comment sometimes, usually to someone that is actively being an asshole to him, but then immediately backpedal and apologize for it. And the game acts like this is him being terrible. This can be mildly annoying sometimes, and absolutely infuriating other times (Zoe and Fiona’s storyline).
There is exactly one time in the game when the MC is actually a terrible person (start of Eve’s story), and it kind of just comes out of nowhere and feels wildly out of character considering he doesn’t act like that before or after. The idea of the MC being a shitty person who slowly gets better over time is totally fine…but that isn’t what happens. During the first in-game-day, he’s a bit snarky a few times and very shitty exactly once. By day two, he’s being nice to all the girls. At that point, why try to include this redemption arc when it just feels forced and barely-existent?
Girls 3/5:
Some of girls are actually very solid, but some of them just kind of suck.
Eve – good. Her storyline feels kind of weird just because, as mentioned earlier, the MC blew up at her and started screaming at her and almost hit her for…teasing him a bit?? And then suddenly treats her entirely differently the next day? It’s whatever though, I enjoyed playing through her scenes after the beginning.
Zoe – fine. I don’t actually dislike Zoe as a character. I think she’s totally fine. What I do dislike with a passion, is every scene Zoe has been in so far. Their first meeting involves the Zoe being a bit of an ass to the MC, while making snap-judgements about him and the other girls of the team, without really knowing what she’s talking about. The MC responds by being a bit of an ass to her, and making snap-judgments about her without really knowing what he’s talking about. The game acts like he did a terrible thing, and he spends the next several scenes groveling for her forgiveness. More than anything, this is what made me want to drop the game.
Fiona – terrible. I will make every story decision possible to fuck this girl over in any way I possibly can. Why would you have a girl physically assault the MC and expect people to want anything to do with her later on? Why would the MC, who was ready to hit Eve for teasing him like two scenes ago, just sit there and take it instead of hitting her back? Why is the MC ready to make amends with her as if nothing happened??
Lexi – bad. This is more of a personal thing, but I have no interest in the school slut trope. I guess some people out there will be into that. At least you can reject girls, so you’re not forced to romance her. I actually think she’s totally fine as a character. Just not crazy about her as a love interest.
Desiree – good. Haven’t seen much of her, but what I have seen is very sweet. Can’t wait for her to be more fleshed out as a character.
Saki – good. She’s by far the most three-dimensional feeling character at the moment. Her most recent scenes were actually pretty touching.
Overall, the game is okay. It would be good if I wasn’t fighting the urge to quit playing for 1/3 of the scenes.

Writing this while finishing chapter 2

Technical part is nice: UI, renders, music choice are good.

Main problem is the text - it's obvious that guy don't have a lot of experience in writing believable character, at least right now, I see only archetypes. Also, there are enough moments where characters start inappropriately and early on pouring out their souls when they don't even really know each other: Saki, Fiona as examples.

Well, and enough people have already written before me about the impossible protagonist at the beginning. That's not even the problem. I don't see anything wrong with such a move. It is clear that the author wants to indicate in this way the initial state of the hero and that we then in the course of the story see his changes, that's how any work with character development works. It's just that it's all spelled out in a very clumsy and obvious way: he starts to humiliate himself in front of the principal at the beginning of the game, as if he wants to hear compliments in return, then after a couple of game days he'll just whine a bit, and then he'll quickly correct himself and become a normal and aware guy.

And here I want to give credit to the author. Perhaps in comparison with other VNs from this site, where characters usually do anything only to get laid, I'm comparing this novel to something less degenerate, although there are enough clichés like standard archetypes, broken protagonist, who is not understood by the world and fights against unfair circumstances, you know.

Not without some BUTs, but I'm enjoying the story, looking forward to the updates

Glad I found this gem in the making, still in the early stages but the quality is topnotch.

Pros:
Dialogue is believable and smooth
Characters are unique and fleshed out (growth can be observed throughout the story)
Characters models are gorgeous and each have their unique striking features/characteristic
Plot is interesting and there's hook after hook, keeps me engaged to say the least

Cons:
Gotta wait for the next update

4.5*

Some spelling mistakes in the latest chapter, but is otherwise pretty polished. Well written overall, characters have unique voices. There aren't really any choices so far, as picking the "wrong" choice will end the game.


Lot of content for a game that is 6 months old. Will keep an eye on this one

Blew my expectations away. Nice writing, nice setting, nice characters and really good renders. Impressed, would play again (and will, honestly).
First game ive felt compelled to give 5 stars on here.

[Reviewed v.0.2 Public]

Strong start to a sports-themed game. The production value is high with beautiful girls, renders and animations using the Honey Select 2 engine. The story has a lot of familiar themes but introduces some fresh twists and dynamics.

Premise: MC, a famous but disgraced former college volleyball star, transfers to a new university looking for a fresh start after an unexpected scholarship offer from the dean -- on the condition of coaching the disastrous women's volleyball team.

The Good ()

• Gorgeous Honey Select 2 models
• A diversity of emerging love interests with different personalities, ages and body types
• Well-crafted cinematography and visual storytelling
• Mostly-believable relationship building between MC and LIs
• The sports content is (mostly) well-executed
• The MC is (mostly) easy to root for, though some decision-making and elements of the character's background is frustrating

The Not-So-Good ()

• Not a ton of H-scenes yet
• Game encourages MC to pursue multiple LIs but given the team dynamic, this may result in a very messy outcome for MC
• Your mileage may vary with the volleyball content

Overall, this is a well-paced, believable story in the early stages. Worth checking out and I will be following its development.