Unleashed

REVIEW
[Note: my reviews are for accessibility awareness and growth. I will go over Content Notes and Trigger Warnings, the gameplay/story, accessibility features, and recommendations for players and the dev.]

Content Note: Kink (petplay, praising), NSFW, 

TW: mild swearing. This is not suitable for those under 18 however there are no graphic depictions, and all depictions are consensual and soft with no humiliation.

This Visual Novel is a great introduction to petplay and exploration of new dynamics without being too patronising. It navigates exploring boundaries, consent, physical affection in early relationships, and aftercare organically, while displaying healthy approaches and realistic concerns.

It's refreshing to find content like this and I hope to see more chapters coming soon.

You can play as either a 'kitten, puppy, bunny' or just 'pet', and choose a selection of common terms for the dominant. There are at least 3 points you can escalate or slow down sensual activity which highlights the need for regular check ins for consent of both parties. The game also acknowledges things like Dom Drops which are often ignored in popular kink content that tends to be written more for fantasy than for reflecting real experiences.

I found the cover art of the game was quite distinct from the game art, so I found the fellow less attractive in game than I thought he'd be, but that was just a matter of getting used to the less 'bishy' (handsome anime man) aesthetic if I'm honest. The art work is genuinely beautiful and the expressions are well done.

The writing is clean, organic, self aware with how flirting can be a bit cheesy, playful and quite genuine seeming. It's obviously made by those with lived experience and deep respect for kink which improves the writing and deepens the characters.

Accessibility:

~Accessibility features: Text speed, skip feature for text that has been read, and sound controls.
+Additionally, Ren'Py has accessibility features such as Self Voicing (press V) which provides a built in screen reader.

-Navigating the menu:

+ there is clear text font that is legible,

- text is a mid-grey which is less legible on the background

- the background is a gradient (light purple and dark blue) colour

+Audio was clear and you can separately control the general sound, music and voices to ensure a balance that works for you.

*There is good quality voice acting for the main character's dialogue. 

+Visuals (character and setting design) are clear and easy to process, with no flashing lights, moving screens or jump scares.

+The font is clear and simple

~Text contrast is a little mixed:

-Most text (narration and both characters speech) is mid-grey, on a gradient background, which is a poor contrast. 

- Dialogue choices are within black boxes with mid-grey text; this weak contrast may be inaccessible for those with low vision.

+However, hovering over the dialogue choice boxes changes the text to white, providing a clear contrast. 

There are no additional triggers I could identify in this game, although players should take not that this is an adult game with the above mentioned content notes.

Suggestions for the creator:

*Avoid gradient backgrounds where there will be text, or introduce an opaque text box over it to increase contrast for the text. 

*Free contrast checker tools can help you identify which colours (hex codes) are accessible contrasts.

*As this game is run on Ren'py, it should have some built in accessibility options like a screen reader. Adding directions for people to access the accessibility options would massively increase accessibility and offset some of the contrast issues.

*I would also recommend advertising the accessibility options in storepages so prospective players are aware before running. This is a good place to direct them on how to open Ren'py built in accessibility options while also highlighting the attention to accessibility in your work :)

Recommendations for Players:

I recommend this game to those curious about BDSM or petplay, or those wanting to see softer, affectionate explorations of BDSM. Those wanting to see dynamics that centre around consent without reading like an instruction manual for ethics, and those wanting a little bit of fluff with their smut.

This review noted some text contrast issues: the grey text may be inaccessible for those with low vision, especially against a gradient background. Until the contrast issues are improved, I would recommend test running the menu to see how legible it is for those with low vision.

This was so good. I got a taste of it while watching blerdy otome's gameplay of it. Normally I don't get the urge to try the game myself after seeing someone else play it, but the premise and voice acting really had me thinking about it for weeks after. So glad I finally played it and got to try out all the options myself. Sebastian is truly such a sweetheart and I loved having such an honest conversation about kink, boundaries, and the potential for something more.  Can't wait to play your other stuff!!

I can tell a lot of thoughts and care went into making this game. At first, I was a bit baffled by the stark difference between the Sebastian in the menu page and the Sebastian we met in the gameplay. It didn't bother me that much though, but the menu-page Sebastian sure left an impression that he might be onto some really dark and probably disgusting kinks. However, I was oddly relieved to be proven wrong eventually. (Still felt this way even after reading the content notes and being aware of its possible contents, but it was a pleasant surprise regardless.) 

This is the first time I feel extremely satisfied that the love interest doesn't turn out to be an asshole. As someone who is used to complex romanceable characters, Sebastian truly feels like a fresh breath of air. He's an actual sweetheart! He laughs very prettily too, so I totally get MC's obsession with every little noise and sound he makes because man, I would be too! There's this specific sense of pride and satisfaction you'll only get when you managed to make a calm and composed person finally breaks their well-held restraint and I felt it just as much as MC did. It was truly fantastic to experience this again after a long time of not finding a proper game to fully immerse myself in.

As for the gameplay itself, it was simple and straightforward, which I really appreciate a lot. Visual-wise, everything looked good. I got used to Sebastian and he grew on me a lot quicker than I expected. (Personally, I think he looked better without his glasses.) The BGMs are okay, though I think it could be improved especially during the steamy scene. It's hard to find (let alone create) pieces that can capture and accompany sensual scenes without overpowering the story that's being told. Great effort on using original OSTs instead of slapping on recycled BGMs though! The story itself is perfect, and I would like to express my gratitude to the writer(s) involved in writing this masterpiece. You've managed to capture the awkwardness of the whole thing from the get-go, and at the end where we are rewarded with a wholesome debrief and aftercare moment between the two, while also making the players hooked on reading more to find out what will potentially happen in the future.

I was bummed when I realized the game has reached the end. I thought to myself, "Aw man, that was so much fun!" I was hoping we could at least get a glimpse of the next morning scene or a teaser for the next chapter. I'm not sure if there's more in development for this game as of late, but I would love to see more of Sebastian and MC's relationship dynamics. There's only a few games out there that can actually touch on healthy and consensual BDSM, so to find a gem like this one is definitely revitalizing.

Thank you again for creating this game!

Much love,

Hee.

i'm too much of brat for me to truly play as a pet,, was very fun regardless <3

I feel like I'm missing something important, but it was still fun. I prefer to dominate, but I realized for the first time that there's a unique charm to being dominated.

omg this was so good. im now addicted to sebastian and ready to scourge fandom sites to find more content and ppl who love him. i like the dynamic, his dry humor, how funny it was when he offered me a carrot. i wish there was more but im so happy i played this xx

HA I love this game and i just played it again on my computer, it's a lovely game but im disappointed by how short it is😭😭my husbands name is Sebastian actually so, this game buzzes my circuits and fries my wires I NEED MORE SO BADLY GROWL HISS AANNND importantly, I love how you have all these people coming to the conclusion of their interests 🐕

Reminds me of when i played 7 minutes in heaven with my friends

Whelp, thanks for the confirmation that I am into pet-play myself, damn... Would not mind to see more of the Sebastian shenanigans. 
Edit: Ok, it keeps stuck in my head, so might as well put it here: the whole 'real and wholesome' part, which is both educational and confirming, makes me hope that there will be more. Determining expectations and boundaries, ensuring both parties are comfortable, debrief and aftercare (and hints of having experience with domdrop?)... it is important. 

this was so good will there be more pleasee

I've played games in the past that had a Dom/Sub dynamic but none of them portrayed it the way you did. This was very much healthy, consensual, and enthusiastic. The writing was wonderful and the dynamic between Sebastian and us as The Player was just so natural that I didn't even think twice about it. As another poster (@fie) has mentioned, this is one the best and healthiest representations of bdsm culture and kinks. I can tell that a lot of hard work went into this and I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for us if you plan on doing more with this.

This was some very good writing, especially for something I'm completely unfamiliar with (and very curious about) so it was nice to see that its something that could be done like...normally, and not be like an awkward Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde situation I imagined it would be. Especially for someone with such a position and being gracious enough to be both forward in his intentions and voicing his doubts and getting the green light before doing anything. I'd personally see myself too independent to do something like that but hell...you treat me this lovingly, I'll be your little kitty. If you ever continue this (or make games in the similar vein), I would super be looking forward to it just to learn more about relationships like this. 

((obligatory off color comment: "...something has awakened inside of me and unfortunately it isn't Sebastian's c**k but now I have a new kink.")) 

EDIT: I didn't look at your catalogue. Pardon while I go roll around in there

oh... oh, that laugh got me real bad 😳

This game is so so sooo good. I love the story so much. And gosh, Sebastian... He is the sweetest. Amazing work!

I am so obsessed with this game. I have played it three times in the last 2 months and I am checking for updates weekly just in case there is any kind of update about expanding this. I literally can't think if anything I don't love about this game

I need more of this :cry:

HOW DO I RESPECTFULLY BEG FOR MORE OF THIS OH MY GOD?!?

This was amazing, thank you so much!

So this needs to be a full game. FOR SURE. I cant believe how quickly you can read 10k words.

This was such a treat to play! 10k words went by in a flash and that ending just hit me out of the blue since I was hoping for more. Still, I had so much fun, Sebastian is utterly precious and I hope he ends up well. <3 I would love more of this game, but even without, thank you so much for this game! <3 

the way I need more of this is not okay, because holy shit this was PERFECTION

I JUST SPENT AN HOUR ON THIS LOSING MY GODDAMN MIND OMG I never/rarely see games explore pet-play dynamics and this got me so hyped for like no reason it's so good I'm losing my mind, I'm losing it. I have such a guilty pleasure for pet-play scenarios I'm obsessed! I want more I'm obsessed, this is good omg okay I'm fine everything's cool... CHECK OUT THIS GAME IT RULES It's VERY PRETTY from the art to the VA chosen the voice is absolutely gorgeous I'M LOSING MY MIND 

Oh also I was not expecting to be able to choose pronouns and genitalia like hello? I love that omg! Very nice surprise

Played this a few days ago and can't get over how good it was, I had to come back and leave a comment. Brilliant writing and brilliant work from the VA. The writing and voice and scene... everything is just wonderful from it. The only shame is how short it is, would love to see a full length game about it. <3

Usually I'M the dominant one, but DAYUM did I fall for this guy.

so this is how i find out that im totally into pet play 😳 i thought it was curiosity at best but nah im into it, just being called Pet makes my knees weak lmaooo

I'm not the biggest fan of petplay, but fuck I would do ANYTHING for Sebastian 

And him calling me KITTEN??? Good lord save me I need to touch grass

It was absolutely amazing. I'm not usually a fan of pet-play but I loved this! I'm so sad there isn't more to it, it's great

waaaait.. 😗 this was PERFECT. i should be asleep for work but unfortunately.. had to see it through 😳 i loved the little bits of humor sprinkled throughout this, as well! bdsm can be silly funny too. also it absolutely was hot. you always knock it out of the park, though <3

The voice acting, art, and visual effects made me shy so quickly. I love the boundaries and care. The voice is so calming and soothing, I feel like I healed a bit just through listening to his voice. ❤

i have discovered something new about myself 😳 incredibly written and acted, i'm fanning myself. amazing work as always!

I'm hooked. It's such a gem I'm hoping for more. It was a great teasing for a future game and oh so little. 

I loved the dynamic between MC & Sebastian and the dynamic they seem to have with their common friend. It sounds like there could be a lot of fun little stories about them, their past... ~

It was really fun and a little prying for more (sorry if it's complete but damn it's so good and the pets names oh so so much fun !).

Bonus : MC being possibly unconfortable (the shame scene for exemple) and having the possibility to say it is great with Sebastian reacting according to this (I read the two scenes) it's a nice safe net. Great thinking on this ~

wait is there a p2 plsplspls do a continued!!!!!!!1love this!if its not to much to ask

amazing art and story writing i cant wait for more so excited for more

genuinely amazing, great job, cant wait for more

THIS IS BANGER WTHHHHHH