Having a Hard Time

Midplayz
Feb 3, 2024
3 min read

Updated: May 29

The “Time” Wasn’t The Only “Hard” Thing

Having a HARD Time is another NSFW visual novel that presents a compelling and unique storyline. Set in the academic backdrop of Wentford University, this game takes players on a journey through the life of a young girl whose world is turned upside down after a science experiment goes amiss.

About This Game

Storyline

The narrative is both engaging and thought-provoking, masterfully blending elements of drama and surprise. As a sophomore at Wentford University, majoring in Chemistry, your life is a tapestry of typical college experiences, shared with a life-long best friend. This sense of normalcy and carefree living, however, takes a dramatic turn due to an unforeseen accident during a routine science experiment. This incident drastically alters your identity and reshapes your life circumstances in ways you never imagined.

This twist in the tale introduces players to a complex labyrinth of challenges and decisions, marking a significant departure from your previously straightforward life. As the protagonist, you are thrust into a world of newfound difficulties, navigating through a landscape that has drastically changed. The game not only makes you face these challenges but also re-examine the dynamics of your relationships, which are now colored by these unusual circumstances.

Amidst these changes, the game invites us to delve deeper into the lives of a diverse and captivating cast of characters. Each character you encounter at Wentford University has a story, a personality, and secrets hidden behind their “smiles”. The game encourages exploration of these characters, fostering connections that are intricate and multi-dimensional.

Moreover, being surrounded by an array of beautiful characters and gifted with a unique ability, you are presented with choices and temptations that test your moral compass. How you interact with these characters and the decisions you make in the face of these temptations are central to the game's experience. The story challenges you to strike a balance between desire and morality, adding a layer of complexity to your journey.

Gameplay Mechanics

Using the Ren'Py Engine, the game offers a smooth visual novel experience where decision-making is key. Your choices significantly impact the storyline and influence your relationships with a diverse cast of characters. This interactive element adds depth to the gameplay, making each decision crucial and engaging. In conclusion, it features the exact same mechanics you find in the usual Ren’Py visual novels. However, this doesn't really matter as the story is the core component of such games.

Visuals & Audio

The game shines in its visual presentation. The renders are pretty amazing with high-quality graphics and character designs that enhance the overall experience. However, the animated scenes fall short as they are brief and looped. Longer and more varied animations could have added more depth to the visual storytelling. There is also an issue where some facial expressions look rather creepy which can be an absolute turn off.

The sound design is surprisingly decent as most of the VNs I played barely have any background music or sound effects. They managed to include some soundtracks based on the scene and added some sound effects too.

Pros

Engaging and unique storyline.
High-quality renders and detailed character designs.
Choice-driven gameplay that affects the narrative and relationships.
Wide and interesting range of characters.
Fitting sound tracks and sound effects that add to the immersion.

Cons

Some character expressions are unsettling or creepy.
Animated scenes are disappointingly short and repetitive.
Steer clear of this game if you are not a fan of incest, as this game has instances of it.

Conclusion

Having a HARD Time stands out as an erotic visual novel that offers more than just adult content. It's a story about facing unexpected challenges, making tough decisions, and exploring complex relationships. The quality of its visuals is a major draw, though the game could benefit from improved and longer animations. The inclusion of an age check reflects the developer's responsible approach. Overall, for fans of the genre looking for a story with depth and meaningful choices, this game is a noteworthy option…obviously depending on the price.

Rating: 8/10

I wonder what was in the developer’s mind when they came up with the title…