Aloe and Cal

Let me start by saying I tried very hard to enjoy this story. I failed. I'm sure there's a target audience for the game, it's just not for me. Don't let this review discourage you too much! [h1]Pros:[/h1] + An LGBTQ+ couple spends quality time with you. + All the food. All of it. I dare you to not get hungry while playing. + Streets of Rage references. + Character art grows on you + Soundtrack is enjoyable [h1]Cons:[/h1] - No text speed options. - No vegetarian/vegan/ingredient intolerance options. - You are essentially a third wheel. It's never not awkward. - Nameless main character feels unnecessary, the story's focus is on Aloe and Cal. - Side characters are way more interesting than the main "trio". Kain in particular is fun and awkward, I wish him and Aloe switched personalities. - Aloe is a Mary Sue. Like the most Mary Sue I've ever seen someone be in fiction. He is popular, smart, rich and perfect. His character fault is that he is TOO popular, smart, rich and perfect. He even has [u]groupies[/u]! The others have groupies as well, but at least those are explained and somewhat within context. Aloe is on another level. - Slice of life to the extreme: nothing notable happe…

I love this visual novel to bits. Admittedly I was quite narrow minded coming into this as I have had quite the bad and boring experience with previous VN's but alas, along comes Aloe & Cal to completely rewrite what I think visual novels should be! This VN is fun, light, bubbly and hits all the right flavours in its approach. The characters are lovely and well written and the story, although rather slow and even tedious at times, is a wonderful, warm and well thought out piece of writing. The games makes you feel warm and content, like eating soft serve with your best friend or eating theme park food after going on a big roller coaster. The writing makes you want to continue playing, wanting to know what comes round the corner for any of the boys. As for the characters themselves, Aloe Monocot, Cal Pris, Olive Vermouth, Kain Saccharum, Noisette Caturra, Vera and Cabot and yourself as the player, each have their qualities and (some more obvious than others) flaws. Each character you interact with will make you feel warm and you get to know everyone rather well, the author of this put in a lot of effort to make each character they created as rounded as possible without anyone, may…

So I'm going to be completely honest here. I bought this game in full expectation of it being "so bad its good" type thing where I could sink a few beers and have a few giggles. And it is good for that, but what I wasn't prepared for was getting genuinely invested in the story and characters. Sure, the characters are kinda Mary Sue-ish as another review points out but they do grow on you. This game is obviously a labor of love and I am genuinely sad more furries haven't played it or even left so much as a screenshot. The art really grows on you and my boyfriend and I had a genuinely good time playing through this. Warning, you will get hungry! My only real complaint would be the price. $20 USD seems a bit steep for a visual novel especially when all the more well known ones are half or a quarter that price. I think a sale price would encourage more people to try this wholesome game.

So, this isnt the first time I have ever changed a review from a negative, to a positive; but, it is the first time I have ever included an apology while doing so. TBH this game is really a gem in its own way. The problems I had with it would be a problem of expectations: ie I expected the game to revolve around me (the MC) and missed the point completely that it purposely did not. It is a story about Aloe and Cal, and funny enough that IS the name of the game. From my initial (if faulty) perspective my original review made sense, but enough time has passed, and indeed I have played through the game again, and then once more again, before I realized my error, and that I had completely missed the point and value of the game. This is a wonderful, incredibly long slice of life novel, that puts you in the middle of a complicated relationship AND and enormous amount of incredibly good sounding FOOD!. Seriously there is no way you can play this game and not end up starving for something to eat while you do so. As far as the complicated relationship goes, it doesnt involve you, other than as a friend and helper. Thats the part that fell apart for me, as honestly about halfway thr…

Hands down one of the best furry visual novels i've ever played. The story is well written and doesn't jump all over the place. The art is amazingly drawn and looks fantastic. The characters are well developed and fleshed out. I highly recommend this game to my friends and anyone who loves visual novels.

Great vn but only downside is not being able to lower the sound a bit.