Did you know this is the fifth anniversary of the day I published the very first version of this game? I'm going to be posting a retrospective on Patreon soon, but first I wanted to get the newest update out publicly.
Download*: https://mega.nz/#!SlNlkIrC!6YjBK7KWH7KvpPwkf55qBUsO_nubloB0CzckSZqLy40
Mirror*: https://www.mediafire.com/file/edl6maqxao36hsx/TLS_0.47.2.exe/file
RTP: https://mega.nz/#!z8MjgYDA!Y7Ha5TsVm0wBo586_EPvzfX41KaAsy3AYYGq2d_prv0
*Requires RPG Maker VX Ace RTP to be installed. If you don't know what that means, use the RTP link.
I don't have much to add this time. This update has some of everything, the longest sex scene in the game, and a lot of fun payoff in Stineford. Hope you enjoy!
Haven't gotten the chance to play yet, but the anniversary did remind me of something I've been meaning to ask. As someone who has been playing since you couldn't leave Stineford yet, I've noticed that much of the lore and tone has evolved and matured over the years. This does lead to some of the stuff in the earlier sections feeling a bit at odds with the later sections. The part that specifically comes to mind for me is the fact that most of Arclent seems to believe their Incubus King to be the only one. I know HE wants people to think that, but the fact that knowledge of and travel to the other continents exists means that the existence of others should probably be fairly common knowledge, seeing as how most of the territory and countries in the rest of the world are ruled by them. I apologize if this has been changed at some point, it's been a while since I last played the early parts of the game, but it seems strange in retrospect that Simon doesn't have more knowledge of the leaders of these countries from his travels. I seem to remember him having visited the Renthnor Wilds, which would have put him right around the domains of two Incubus Kings.
ReplyDeleteTo get around to an actual question, and to avoid having made a completely pointless comment if you have a very obvious answer to the above that I'm forgetting, would you want one of the (possibly last) updates to be a retroactive revision to any of the parts of the game you feel could be tweaked to better fit with the lore and story as you later describe it? Or do you feel you have everything basically how you want it to be by the time the games finished?
I think the idea was that Arclent didn't actually travel to those other continents. After the Incubus King came, they were pretty much devastated, and while WE travel to the other lands, that is only really because tehy want us to help stop/interfere with their own Incubus Kings, so we have an invitation.
DeleteArclent... wouldn't really have an invitation, so them setting up teleportation to the other land isn't something done as easily as it was for us, and they certainly were more focused on rebuilding their own lands before exploring others in manual ways.
Seems like Arclent was a bit behind the other lands technologically, since they didn't know of the situation on the other continent, making it seem like traveling from Arclent to there was out of the question, while the IK managed to travel from Thenours to Arclent even while defeated and running scared.
While some dissonance is bound to happen with long projects, I can swallow the one about Arclent's limited IK knowledge.
DeleteIn the TLS world seafaring trips are almost impossible because the ocean monsters are extremely dangerous, safe intercontinental trips pretty much require airships or teleportation, for the first Arclent was technologically behind, for the later it requires diplomatic permission and a lot of magical work. Personally I don't believe no one in Arclent knew about other Incubus Kings, some crazy explorers probably did and there were probably rumors, just not enough to be common knowledge or officially acknowledged by the governments of Arclent, specially considering how unpopular of a notion that would be since even just 1 had recently been an existential threat for Arclent.
Also keep in mind the Fucklord is a recent development (I wonder if he was the one that scared off the Incubus Emperor to Arclent), and the Lustlord keeps closed borders. The only landed IK's remaining are the Anak, who could easily go unnoticed as an Incubus King to foreigners considering his realm seems "normal" and he is reserved, and Esthera, who could also be mistaken as not being an Incubus King for gender reasons.
What I don't remember and would have to replay the game carefully to learn is if Simon knew about other IKs, and if Yarra knew, seeing as she knew about shards then I figure she must have known, but you would think that's the kinda knowledge the Incubus Emperor would try to hide in his domains since he didn't want people to know about the other IKs.
There's a difference between knowing that the Lustlord or the Empress exists and knowing that they're part of the same class of being as the Incubus King that just started a war on the continent. Many on Arclent know that other powerful beings exist, but knowledge of shards is rare.
DeleteI'd have to review the early game again to see if there's anything I feel needs changing, but there's no list of things I want to change. When I've felt part of the early game has needed to change, I've changed it. Some of Riala and Qum's dialogue, for example.
Ooh, I don't remember those dialogue changes. Was it stuff like making Riala less evil and Qum less slutty? Or did it involve the added long-term consequences of whoring out Qum?
DeleteAlso, does anyone remember if Simon showed any knowledge of the Orgasmic Empire (specifically that a Succubus kingdom exists) before he was forced to go there? I remember he brings up that there is a Halfling kingdom on Thenours, so it seems like something Yarra would ask about in response to that, but I really don't remember if the subject ever comes up before Esthera makes her appearance. I guess I'm mainly wondering if he seems surprised by the country's existence and population when he arrives or not.
Not trying to find plotholes or anything, just genuinely curious about this stuff.
Congrats on the anniversary! :)
ReplyDeleteI think I've found a bug in the previous update's content. After you watch Ivala's announcement and the view returns to the extradimensional HQ, it's tinted yellow like the announcement scene.
Ugh, tints. I will have to check into it, but thanks for the report.
Delete...I knew I'd been here since basically the beginning, but man, I didn't realize how far the beginning was.
ReplyDeleteJust begin playing, and I think I found a bug (well 2 but they're the same). You can talk to Rachila and the succubus merchant in the basement about the tower problems BEFORE talking to Hannah and the Duke.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kara. Will there ever be a chance of a nice garden in the castle ?
Okay, I'll restrict those conversations too.
DeleteOn the garden... wait a bit. ^-^
Also, when you save when you're on the map, the sprite of Simon on the save is just is head with an arrow. Intended ?
ReplyDeleteYeah. It's harmless and it can help users distinguish their different saves.
DeleteAnd in the orgy scene in the glade : "[...] he could feel all the sensation from thrusting inside Aka and Orilise." First, shouldn't it be "Aka, Orilise and Trin" ? And I think that "all the sensations" is better, because there multiples sensations.
ReplyDeleteI welcome suggestions on specific lines, but if you report something, I appreciate if you quote the beginning of the text box. It makes going and changing the line much faster for me.
DeleteAnyway, I didn't include Trin because of what's said about her a bit later in the scene. But "all the sensations" would be a reasonable change.
One of the possible bedtime sex animations, which play when you rest in the Stineford inn, looks like you forgot to take out a placeholder. (No movement, woman has no hair)
ReplyDeleteNot a placeholder, but Yarra's sprite isn't displaying properly. I hope to have it fixed by the next update.
DeleteThe real divine power is Annah's smile.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Her smile is too powerful and kept only for ultimate life-or-death situations.
DeleteAnd it's cute too.
DeleteDoes Trin ever got a nickname from Qum?
ReplyDeleteMin too.
DeleteI don't believe Qum has ever had the occasion to nickname either of them.
DeleteDo you think that Qum find Trin more scary than the Entity or Wynn? I was under the impression that she was very afradid of her, but at this point they have coexisted for years.
DeleteQum is no longer scared of Trin, but she does think she's mean.
DeleteWell, she's mean, but it's sad that she doesn't have a nickname. Plus she has pretty sparklies.
DeleteA wonderful update as always. These kinds of situations are always fun. Especially running it multiple times to see what I can do differently and how it plays out.
ReplyDeleteMan, I really want Annah in the harem. :(
She's definitely be the tsundere who constantly says she doesn't enjoy it but everyone knows she does. XD
BTW, Sierra, about how close are we to the end at this point? Roughly how many % of the game is already out?
Glad you enjoyed it! As for the percentage complete, the fifth chapter is the final one, but it will be long and there will be epilogue/postgame.
DeleteI always enjoy it the updates. Even the smaller updates always brings something fun even if it's just a small scene.
DeleteI can't wait to see how the final chapter unfolds as well as how the story concludes. I've only been following this for a little less than 3 years I think, but it's been a pleasure watching things develop and come to life bit by bit.
Still can't find a damn broom.... :\
ReplyDeleteTypo after talking to the bank manager post investigation of the Duke : "I mislike this business of the Doom King investigating crimes, especially across his borders." Mislike means aversion in Norwegian, so...
ReplyDeleteAlso I'm glad that you showed us more of Annah. I mean, when we first meet her, she seems like an obtuse bitch obsessed with purity and what not. This update reveal a priestress naïve to a fault and misguided, but also intelligent, frank, who keeps her promises, cares for the people, and willing to admit her mistakes. In comparison the Duke and Donovan seems far more detestable. I dan't like she will ever like the Doom King, but maybe we will be able to build a cooperation. At least that's what I hope.
Also damn you with the rats XD And the rewards !!!
DeleteHmm, I did mean "mislike" in that sentence, unless you meant another error I'm missing.
DeleteI had fun with the rats. ^-^
I completely missed Rachila during Chapter 4. Wouldn't it make sense to let her also be recruitable in Chapter 5 during the current Stineford arc?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure. I feel like the window she was available was reasonable.
DeleteDidn't even know she was... ah well~! I have a pretty full harem already~! I have Nalili and.........um.... NALILI~!
DeleteWhen we fight the Magekillers in the future, I don't know what will be the most satisfying ; Make them work for us and do good deeds, or kill them for being so damn annoying. Either way, it'll be fun.
ReplyDeleteAbout fight by the way, how is Exp treated in the lore ? I mean, up to a certain point I can undersand that fighting can improve your fighting techniques, stamina and tactical decisions (like in our world), but what about Mana and Lifeforce augmentation? Because if we follow the logic Fight more > Get stronger, Simon as a veteran from the war should be way moree powerful that some Chosen at the start of the game. And frankly, when you beat freaking DEMONS and Incubus Kings, I think that you surpassed the threeshold of normal humans standards.
Don't tell me they cultivate like in wuxia XD
DeleteAlso, will the retrospect will be posted here too ?
DeleteWe also need to find the succubus mercenaries
DeleteI know it's way back but after saving Aka from Tal, when Simon wake up and go to have some alone time, he walks on the fire. Since it burn all night, shouldn't he avoid it not burn his feet ? Just saying.
DeleteExp is more than simple experience: it also increases the bodily magic of the individual (I don't have the link on hand, but I've commented before about how the physical attacks that use mana are the characters instinctively using magic).
DeleteAs for the reason Simon isn't stronger, this will come up eventually.
The retrospective will be posted this weekend, I think.
Simon walking over the fire... it's been ages since I checked that part. I'll try to keep that in mind next time I do.
After Simon takes the gaz in Merchant Lot, the guard who guard the exit isn't there. Sorry to give you more work.
DeleteShouldn't Hilstara... reac a bit more when we visit the succubus Tower, Orcent or when we fight together ? It's like she's not surprised to find out that Yarra and Qum are succubi.
DeleteThe gaz?
DeleteYou're not the only person to bring up reactions for Hilstara, but I haven't had time to return to that section and reconsider.
When we met Megail for the first time we go to a meeting made by slaves. Upon discovering their identity, they hit us with aphrodisiac gaz. Don't tell me you forgot? XD
DeleteAfter the gas attack, all the events related to the slavers intentionally update.
DeleteWill Aka's new knife quest stay available after this section? I don't have the weapon shop investment or money to make it now, so I'm wondering if I'm going to miss this quest forever.
ReplyDeletePretty sure that you will be able to invest in the store in the next free-roaming update. Provided that you have spoken with Aka to start the quest and you have cleaned the mine, you should be fine.
DeleteFun fact: you can do this quest even if you didn't the previous one back in chapter 1.
This quest actually can't be completed by anyone in this section, so you're fine.
DeleteGuys, can we nominate this game for "The Outstanding Story-Rich Game Award" in Steam?
ReplyDeleteIt's eligible. Only the biggest games have any chance in the Steam Awards, but you're not the only person to suggest it and nominating certainly doesn't hurt anything.
DeleteHow is TLS doing on Steam, btw?
DeleteMy nominations.
DeleteIt's doing fine. Quite a steady stream of new players, though of course with a free game only some become fans and only some of those contribute via DLC/Patreon.
DeleteIt's currently my second most reviewed game. Please review if you haven't!
I finally got up to date after a few missed updates.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I loved the war against the Fucklord. So many possibilities as always, with lots of choices and different outcomes. Amazing job Sierra. I ran the whole thing three times to get a result up to my liking.
This Stineford visit was much more simple in comparison, but nevertheless with interesting variables depending on pass choices.
However, I am dissapointed with the optional dungeon :(
With an investment of 5,000.000 pron, I was expecing much more than this. The dungeon is very short, only prolongued thanks to the teleport shenanigans, and the rewards are few and underwhelming.
I had to save for two Pron renewals to access it, and it is not worth it. Especially if you do it before the war (The Pin just gives you a very little plus in one of the phases of the war) On the other hand, expending so much resources means you will miss important investments that play greater roles during the calculations of the conflict.
Even as a late game dungeon, after the war and other crisis, it is still too costly for what it offers. Not good as a gameplay experience, not good enough for the lore, definetly not good for its rewards.
Except for this, I really love the latest developments in the plot and characters. I can see the climax aproaching and I am loving every step towards it.
Keep up the good work Sierra ;)
Thanks for giving feedback! Glad you enjoyed some of the new content. ^-^
DeleteThe optional dungeon is meant to be an additional challenge, and in this case the challenge is economic. One of the rewards is completely unique and will be necessary for a "true" run of the game. That was my intent, in any case, since I've already done challenges that are pure combat or social.