VN - Ren'Py - Mastering the Pink Box [v0.09] [Studio 68 Games!]

I agree with the review right below mine.

The game is pretty good both in the writing and from a tech poin of view.

The problem is that is basically mandatory sharing so if you are not into that you might want to avoid this project.

Another small issue is the fact that the MC never catch up with what is happening, you have this constant feeling of being left in the dark and never taking part in the story.

I don't think I will keep following this one but if you are into sharing this is a very good game.

Review for Mastering the Pink Box v0.05d:

I think this game is pretty good for what it's trying to be, but it's not really advertised correctly. The overview says, "Choose between caring is sharing, or keep it all for yourself." but the game doesn't really give the player that choice at least not completely. The game is leading players into sharing, swinging, cucking other guys, and it's giving off strong NTR vibes. The overview needs a complete rewrite.

The English is really good. The writing is really good. The humor is really good. I only noticed a very few typos. The story is good with a few cliches. It was genuinely enjoyable to read, which is rare for adult games on this site.

The renders and animations are very good, but not really 5-star in 2023.

All that said, it's pretty clear that the game is focusing on kinks that I tend to avoid, which means that if I keep playing, it'll either be very short due to me intentionally avoiding content or it simply won't be enjoyable for me. So, I'll be skipping this one going forward, but if you like the kinks mentioned above and you enjoy good writing, I'm sure you'll love this game.

I thought I’d like the game but the dev's definition of sharing vs what I think is more generally followed are vastly different. Instead of sharing a LI or two with a friend or even stranger, sharing here is just a slut fest. Everyone fucks everyone, including all the profs. The only one featured LI that hasn’t been slutting around has been taking forever to get with and then this last episode, the typical idiot MC continues to be stupid and misses his chance with her so she walks off with someone else. To be a little fair, she walks off by just seeing the MC kiss a girl she introduced him to and doesn’t wait at all to see what happens or what the context is. Mainly a cheap way to make people wait even longer for the one wholesome LI. I guess for the dev it would be hard to let the MC have a decent romantic relationship, since if you went that route, content updates would be few and far between for those fans.

I do have to give credit for finding a great way to get around the ntr tag though. If everyone fucks everyone and no one cares, then it isn’t ntr.

There’s not much real story but there are hints of a mystery around the MC between all the fucking, but again, the MC is clueless even though about half the other characters seem to know something about what’s going on. The only positive thing plot wise around the MC so far has been at least he’s showing an interest in creating a business and is slowly moving toward something with that.

I do also like that most of the guys are not total dicks to each other or the MC, even friends of the main visible antagonist. (I’m guessing the main antagonist is the one working behind the more mystery stuff). This at least makes possible sharing more appealing.

Overall the game’s not terrible but it’s not great either. Decent renders and girls. So so plot. The slutfest is just not what I thought I was signing on for. With the stringing along of not getting a relationship with Devon this far in, means I’m out, appears no hope for having much of a meaningful relationship with anyone, at least any that would continue to have a decent amount of content.

Unique and wonderful story and setting.
Colorful and diverse supporting characters.
Each version is getting better and better.
There are many campus games, and this one is the most open from design ideas.
Gives the future infinite creative possibilities.
The existence of this game is more in line with the most wonderful dream in every player's heart.

Oddly enough I rather enjoyed the story. Actually laughed a few times, not overly engrish. Not the best animations imo, but I was entertained. Would even consider supporting the dev on this one, just to see it all play out, if they're serious enough about finish a project.

I am editing my review because the dev turned 180 degrees from the initial versions of the game and now has forced scenes and forced swinging. I don't mind swining or sharing but the entire game is about just this type of content now and there is absolutely no relationships or romance at all. Everyone in the devs game is a swinger and there is not a single monogamous couple. The game really took a dive.

After playing the latest update, 5 stars. This game stands nearly alone as one of the few with an open-ended world that doesn't devolve into either a predictable haremfest or predictable ntrfest, you truly don't know what will happen next.

-Artwork
Decent, not outstanding by daz standards, but skin textures are very passable and modern. It helps that all the girls are extremely attractive, and most stay within the realm of realistic proportions.

-Animations
Mixed; the game could use more, particularly because it's clear the dev has an eye for great shot composition, just more frames are needed. Having said that, the animations present are well done without the typical laziness of genital clipping or twisted bones. I can only see this improving in future versions.

-Story
I loved it. Yes, it's set in a college setting, but little my little it's revealed more is going on here behind the scenes; rumors of secret clubs and illicit liasons everywhere. If you're like me and don't like boring predictable games that all blend together, give this a try!

As another reviewer pointed out below, the MC's personality is a breath of fresh air. Overall he's a nice guy, but not insecure or wimpy, but also loves to perv out. Very enjoyable to play as.

-Dialogue
Solid, has a few minor english mistakes but other than those it's very easy to read. Bonus points for avoiding overexpositions and lengthy MC narratives; the characters just talk like normal people, and some of the bro banter is quite humorous at times.

Overall, the sum of the parts is much greater than the individual. Why 5 stars if I just described average artwork and animations? Because the number of games that have extremely attractive girls who also speak like normal people and partipate in an engaging story is extremely low. All together, not a game to be missed.

I really enjoyed the initial release, but this update kind of ruined my expectations as the MC continues to meet more and more girls but the developer doesn't seem to give you the option to choose who to pursue and who to reject, you just automatically have to kiss all of them you meet basically turning the MC into a huge player.. If it's going to be a story told from the developers perspective and not the players then I don't think this novel will be for me.

Appears to be a very good enthralling story, with good graphics and characters. I was really getting into it. Worth a 5, Until the introduction of soccer mini-games and then "point and click". Sorry, lost interest.

I was really pleasantly surprised by this one. I'm actually glad I didn't play it until the third release came out because I probably would have deleted it if I had played only the first release. The characters start off seeming very much like standard college student stereotypes but start showing more and more depth the longer you play. There's the girl who is into you but can't help sending mixed signals all over the place. She doesn't know what to do about it because she grew up around too many guys and hasn't learned how to be good at being a girl. Another girl is apparently a whore but is actually deeply in love with her boyfriend and is willing to do anything for him: even indulge his cuck fetish.
The only thing I can think of that I didn't like was that Colleen's situation was explained in too much detail too soon, it should have been left as a mystery for much longer. It's like the dev switched into character development mode and went overdrive on it.
In any case, this is a really good game and I'm rating it 5 stars even though I've been burned on rating games this early before.

Reviewing v0,04
This game is super fun. I love the models (some seem pretty original) , and I love the writing (funny, light hearted, and clear). I also love the premise that every girl in the game is a total slut, and I love that a theme is group sex. Swinging, orgies, bukkake, bring it on, please!

I want to give it 4.5 stars but it seems only either 4 or 5 are possible answers. The only thing taking away from it for me is that there is minimal cumshots. If all these girls are "cumsluts" I want to see them love cum. If there is a blowjob that ends in mouth creampie, please show cum leaking out their lips, In my opinion, the cumshot is an important visual confirmation of the orgasm. And in my opinion, hot sluts are hotter if they love cum in their mouth and on their body.

One game wiht lot of Funny and lewd, its my taste. Beatyfull models from college, funny caracters wearing hot clothes whith camel toe, Funny story, i really like it. Congrats to developer and I hope for full VN.

A fresh premise that lends itself to the genre, well-written with good dialogue, and quality renders (although some full animations would be nice). A promising start for sure. Well worth the read.

I will definitely be keeping an eye on this one.

clear and well written narrative and dialogue, some genuine funny moments.. The lawyer lift scene and girls reactions that followed had me genuinely laughing out loud..
Visuals are on a VN average but nothing special, yet nothing poor either..
Looks like it could be a interesting story going forwards if the dev sticks with it and doesnt fall into the usual fan service pit falls or mass LI adding which would make the story to complex to keep track as a dev..
Well worth a read if your looking for a fresh VN to start