Recent reviews by Hugh Mann

I'm not sure what the hell happened. You should play it, too, so we can both be confused together.

I...honestly didn't expect such a well-made game. I can't really go into much without spoilers, but if you want a game about a yandere, then this is the game for you.

TL;DR The game isn't good IN SPITE of the aesthetic, but the aesthetic is part of why the game is good.

The character customization is great. Even ignoring the curvy sliders, the ability to take basically any armor and (for a fairly cheap cost), make it a permanent part of your look? It's AMAZING! Same for being able to tweak your appearance with very little limit aside from not swapping races (you still need the same item you do for cosmetic equipment changes, but they're cheap).

The combat is great, with my only complaint that enemy groups can start to fling you at higher levels, making the casting of healing spells difficult. I hope that the dev adds more class options in the future. Maybe not more classes in general, but at least more ways to customize how your class plays.

Personal wishlist is just more cosmetic options for armor. Maybe boss outfits drop? (I'm looking at you, tall green boss with a particular mob-spawning attack)

Overall, for the low price, it's a ton of value. Pick it up! Now!

This review is useless to anyone who hasn't played the game, because it has spoilers.

If you've played Sucker For Love: First Date, or even the version of sucker for love that first popped up in a dread XP collection, then you'll love this. It expands on the game elements as well as everything that made the first game(s) so good. The character chemistry is good, balancing comedy with horror.

However, I do have some complaints. Namely the body horror this time around was toned down quite a bit outside of one character, who doesn't really shop up until very late in the game. It's still THERE, but because our MC is basically being mind-♥♥♥♥♥♥ most of the game, they aren't made to realize it. Body horror, especially the kind that's unknowingly self-inflicted, is so fun to play with but I feel like the writers gently but unsubtly swept the bulk of it under a rug because the MC is a girl. Because we see how much HE gets ♥♥♥♥♥♥ up, and I wanna see our MC get her fair share too.

A survivalist game that, for me at least, thrives on the juxtaposition between cute and cuddly creatures and the things you can do with them and the weapons you can make. You can strive to automate your camps, and the monster collecting side has a purpose of actually enhancing your ability to create a proper camp and expand what you're able to make. It's fun, and my only regret is that there isn't more. More armor, more guns, maybe some goofy or skimpy outfits for the real man of refined tastes. But, as-is, the game is a perfectly serviceable game for the price and you can wring so much enjoyment from it if you take it for what it is.

Also please let me cuddle pals while I sleep, I don't care how ridiculous it looks hugging a floating rosebush cactus or a giant dinosaur.

It's absurd that this game requires NGS to run, rather than be its own things.
That said PSO2 is a solid game and I'd very much like to see it fully separated from NGS so that I can just jump into it.

Most of my time isn't on my own account, it's way back on the 360 version and a friend's laptop as we'd play during LAN parties. I'm saying this so that you understand that while my play time is low, it's only the steam numbers.
That being said, I can't recommend this game currently. The devs seem to be slowly walking back on aesthetic choices and working to "appeal to a wider audience". While this sounds good on paper, it means the slow and methodical removal of the "soul" of the game and rounding of any sharp edges. There are other fighting games you can play, rather than this ten-year mess.
I'm editing this to mention that the original developers, LabZero, aren't at fault for the current changes. They are, I believe, responsible for firing the original artist that gave the game its iconic look Alex Ahad.
Hidden Variable the developer that functionally stole this game away from the original creators, is ENTIRELY to blame for the game's current censorship. I hope that you keep that name in mind for the future, and make sure to avoid their products so that you don't have to watch as something you enjoy gets sanitized for people who weren't even interested in the first place.

Edit: Even though I still like the game, I can't recommend it in good faith anymore. If anyone wants suggestions on games I enjoy, or would like to suggest other fighting games, please feel free to comment below.

Edit 2: It's come to my attention that this game's current developers are only so because they took advantage of an autistic man and committed several acts of character assassination and manipulation. These people are actual monsters, and I can't hope worse on them than what they already deserve. Do not buy this game.

To hidden variable, and the "Old Guard" who are cleaning up their "Dirty Socks", I hope you violently ♥♥♥♥ yourselves in public. I hope it ruins your favorite outfits and that he footage is posted to social media, where all your loved ones see it.

I'm afraid of heights and I ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ love this game.

No real choices or decision making, nor alternate endings. Maybe if it were a regular comic it'd be fine, but kind of disappointing for a visual novel.
Edit: The description has since changed to more accurately reflect the lack of choice and the unavoidable cuckold scenes. Here's a link showing what it was changed from.

https://steamdb.info/app/1862660/history/?changeid=U:30255394

My opinion, however, does not change and I wonder how many more were misled by this initial description.

Having played the Dread X version, I thought the Ln'eta part would be retreading old content. I was kind of right, but it's clear they put more effort into the story and visuals for t his standalone version. A little sad the parts that reached outside of the game are gone, but meh.
The second date, with out spoiling things, was fun and the voice acting was nice. It struck the balance between silly cartoon voices and something a bit more grounded. Though, the lack of an option to get a Bad End by being a perv was something I wouldn't realize I missed. If this game gets an update, I fully suggest more "MC is a dumbass, but it was worth it!" moments.
That third date? Actually fun. Like ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ I can see why she's the favorite now. Also...she tall. Also that there's no art of her "Dancing" is surprising. Like actually surprising. What the hell, internet!? Get on that!

Oh wait..right...reviewing.

My main complain was, and I ♥♥♥♥ you not, that I was too pretty. Like I seemed more like some hipster than someone who would be simping for eldritch horrors (Eldritch ♥♥♥♥♥♥?). But, luckily, my pretty face was going to hell. Maybe also that it's a bit short, but for the price and trying to figure out different endings, I feel like it's a good length. That there's a plethora of other lovecraftian things to dabble with at least lets me hope for addons one day.

All in all, if you want a fun VN about mutilating yourself in the name of love, then I strongly recommend it. Like a certain protag peeping on some eldritch tiddy, it's totally worth it.