College Bound Episode 1

Loyalty Test

College Bound engrosses us in a captivating story about choices, love, and ambition in the sacred halls of academia. The game promises a journey full of difficult choices and moral dilemmas as players take on the role of a college student whose relationships and goals are about to be drastically altered by unforeseen circumstances. This narrative-driven journey, which takes place against the colorful backdrop of Paris, explores the limits of loyalty and the pursuit of goals, with each decision becoming a thread in the dramatic plot that is gradually revealed.

About This Game

Storyline

The first episode of College Bound opens with a relatable yet dreamlike scenario where the main character, whose name you can choose or leave as the default, and his girlfriend (also nameable or known by the default name of Summer) have been tirelessly working towards a shared dream. This desire isn't just any objective—it's the opportunity to study in Paris via an exchange program for international students, a testament to their perseverance and hard work finally paying off. Choosing names is a special element that gives the game a more intimate feel and makes the story feel more personalized for each player. This kind of minor detail is uncommon in many visual novels.

Their hopes are suddenly crushed though, when the principal unexpectedly withdraws the protagonist from the course because of an enigmatic student who supposedly scores better grades. This unexpected turn of events strains the main character's relationship with Summer in addition to endangering the scholarship that was within reach. As they try to overcome this obstacle, the plot explores themes of trust, temptation, and perseverance. The player is forced to make a series of choices that could either strengthen or weaken the bonds between them and their hopes for the future.

College Bound presents players with moral conundrums and the weight of decision as the story progresses. Will you stick by Summer through the difficulties of a distant relationship, or will the draw of fresh experiences in a romantic city sway you away? The emphasis on making decisions in the game also applies to your interactions with the more than 20 individuals, each of whom has a unique backstory and set of secrets. Players who appreciate depth and customization in their gaming experience will find the storyline to be highly intriguing, as you are not only choosing your own path but also having an impact on the lives of those around you.

The only thing I disliked about the storyline segment of this game is that it kinda forces you to cheat on your partner. Why am I saying this? Well, this game’s story is mostly built around this cheating element. If you stay loyal, the story loses most of its charm along with the drama you were supposed to experience. This is not exactly the story writer's fault but it does mess up our moral compass.

Gameplay Mechanics

This game features the standard features seen in nearly every VN created with the RenPy Game Engine. Nonetheless, the game stands out because of a special element in its animated sequences. If there are several positions in that scene, players can select the "Sex Position" and, occasionally, the action's speed through interactive options. This degree of interaction gives the player's experience a fresh perspective and fosters a stronger bond with the visual storytelling of the game. It also allows players to "appreciate" these animated scenes before moving on, which is a sensible element that helps prevent unintentional clicks—a major frustration in the genre—from ruining interesting moments.

Visuals & Audio

The game features over 20 beautifully rendered and distinctively built female characters, along with excellent, fully animated scenes, on the visual front. Although the goal is evident, the execution is not always up to pace, particularly when it comes to the facial expressions, which can occasionally stray into the uncanny valley. Most of the characters also have extremely huge bust sizes. This is not really an issue as I am sure many people enjoy this “Feature”. In conclusion, the developer/designer has a good understanding of what the players need and expect in this game.

Even though the soundtracks seem to be made up of royalty-free tracks, it does a good job of breaking up the quiet that accompanies a lot of visual novels by providing an auditory layer that prevents the overall ambiance from seeming too lonely.

Pros

Unique interactive options during animated scenes, allowing control over positions and speeds.
Thoughtful inclusion of the above feature to prevent accidental skipping of animated scenes.
Engaging storyline with complex moral dilemmas and a wide array of characters.
Detailed character models and high-quality, fully animated scenes.
Soundtrack avoids the eerie silence common in visual novels.
Big Boobs!

Cons

Some facial expressions can be unsettling due to the challenges of replicating emotions on 3D models.
Lack of immediate consequences for actions, reducing the impact of choices by a bit.
The plot places a strong emphasis on cheating, which lessens the drama and attractiveness of the story if you decide to stick with staying loyal and could break the player’s moral compass.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Episode 1 of College Bound offers a well-crafted story. Despite its issues, I'm curious to see what Episode 2 brings and hope it builds on the good parts. If you're into games that make you think about your choices, this one's worth a shot. And hey, it’s free!

Rating: 9/10

The dilemma of choosing between Blanca or Summer is real!!!