To Be A King - Volume 1

Competent writing and believable characters save an otherwise lackluster attempt at erotic fiction. The story is interesting but linear, with choice being an illusion. Pros: +The story is interesting and fairly unique in its setting, taking place several centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire. It's not historically accurate, but it does make for an interesting and seldom used time and place to tell a fictitious story. +It has good story pacing, neither bogging you down with miles of extraneous dialog nor flinging events at you at a breakneck pace. +The characters feel believable (I didn't say "likable"). No one can be completely trusted, and the main character is out of his element, being more familiar with battlefield tactics than palace politics. From spoiled princesses to scheming attendants, they all seem "real". +There are vary few spelling or grammar mistakes. A rarity in the VN world. Cons: -Abrupt ending. I know this is "volume 1", but that's really just an excuse that far too many creators in the VN genre use to justify a long and possibly endless development cycle. Just know that you're not getting a complete story. -The erotic scenes aren't very erotic. As competent as the writer is, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. And erotic fiction isn't this writer's strength. -No animation. Animated sex scenes are a staple of the AVN genre these days, and the absence of them here definitely stands out. -A few characters/scenes feel completely out of place. Namely, the goddess and her companion. It's like casting Jim Carrey in an episode of Game of Thrones. -Choices don't matter. You receive influence points with various factions based on your choices, but it doesn't amount to anything. It's as if the creator wanted to add a branching narrative and more complexity but ran out of time or talent to do so. Overall, it's alright for a few hours of light reading. Just don't expect it to complete with the best of the AVN genre.