Jolly Roger

A short game (my play time was 26 minutes), but still enjoyable. I liked the artwork and the ending made me curious about what the future might hold for the main characters. Also, I got a bad ending comically quickly and that made me laugh - the pirate setting is dangerous, everyone.

This game should be free given the time it takes to fully clear the story (20-30 minutes max). There's also some minor bugs like changing language randomly, or unable to go back to the first page of extras bc the button sends you back to menu instead. All in all, not on par with the usual quality and polishing of Ertal Games, so don't bother unless in sales or sold in a bundle with others more worthy.

What must one do... To obtain such a kiss... In real life? Anyway lol... >.> The game is short. The story is sweet. The perfect end is the one you seek. But is it perfect...? When there is so much more story to tell... So much more to learn and yearn for... Will one ever find solace from learning that something great can come from a rather small event, filling you to the brim with unexpected joy and excitement? Pardon the strangeness, there isn't much to say apart from what's above and... If you like pirates + need your BL fix: Decide on your own. You know how to... Heh heh. It was entertaining and I enjoyed the interactions between the two characters. It wasn't crazy bloodthirsty either, making you want to throw up into the sea itself. That said... Why the hell not? Everyone deserves a good adventure in their life. :D =)

Yes, it may be cute, but too short. Even if you're a slow reader, it'll take you max. 35 minutes... No hidden achievements or extra CGs. I love the artstyle but it lacks a more in depth story.

Mixed review for sure! if this game is sub 2 dollars go for it! As other folks say 20ish mins MAX is the gameplay time. And you only get 1 singular CG. Which is already spoiled in the games screenshot previews above^ If you want a cute short pirate romp its definately okay. Nothing to write home about. Save that sexy kiss CG and move on! haha!

Review by Kiba Snowpaw: An Icy Perspective on "Jolly Roger: A Furry Tale on the High Seas" Ahoy there, fellow gamers and adventurers of the virtual realm! I am Kiba Snowpaw, a Furry male Ice Wolf hailing from an icy dimension where magic surges through our veins. My world is one of glaciers, enchanted auroras, and chilling mysteries, but my one true passion that transcends realms? Gaming. With more than three and a half decades of gaming pulsing through me, I dived into the waters of "Jolly Roger," hoping to discover a treasure. At first glance, "Jolly Roger" from Ertal Games offers an enticing proposition. A BL visual novel that spins a tale of pirates, romance, and swashbuckling drama – it's every furry's dream! Yet, as is the case with every tempest, there are both highs and lows. Setting the Stage The premise, set on the turbulent waters of the high seas, promises danger and intrigue at every corner. You follow the journey of Doctor Ian Smith, an unsuspecting lieutenant who's about to have his world turned upside down by the enigmatic Captain "Bloody Henry" Plank. The allure of pirates has always been there for many, and the game captures this allure, albeit in a brief narrative. Visual Aesthetics Immediately, the artwork stands out. Aielia Poot's character designs are a refreshing gale amidst the ocean, capturing the raw essence of each individual. The expressions, the details, and the atmospheric backgrounds by Minikle, give depth to the world. In the universe of VNGs, where the aesthetic appeal is paramount, "Jolly Roger" sails smoothly. Narrative Depths However, the waves become a bit choppy when we dive deeper into the narrative. For a seasoned gamer like myself, the story's brevity left me yearning for more. My journey through the game took about half an hour, but as we say in my icy realm: "It's not the length of the tale, but the warmth of its essence." And here, "Jolly Roger" has room to grow. The potential backstory of Captain Plank, his struggles with identity, and his rebellious streak against societal norms, all could have been further fleshed out. A deeper exploration into his psyche would've elevated this VNG to legendary status. User Interface & Mechanics Sailing into the mechanics, the UI does feel like a ship that's seen better days. An intuitive menu is crucial for any VNG, and "Jolly Roger" could benefit from some upgrades. Keybinding info boards, an auto-text option, and more dynamic settings would enhance the overall experience. Given the story's nature, some atmospheric background effects would amplify the immersion. Conclusion In conclusion, while the icy winds of my homeland have sharpened my critique, I'd say "Jolly Roger" is worth the journey for those willing to embark. With its affordable price point, akin to a refreshing potion in my realm, it's a quick dive into a world of romance and pirates. For Ertal Games, a piece of advice from an old Ice Wolf: your potential is vast, as wide as the ocean. With a bit more depth, polish, and passion, your ship can conquer even the fiercest storms. Rating: 🐾🐾🐾/5 Paws Remember, fellow gamers, every adventure, every story, is a new horizon waiting to be explored. Whether on the icy plains of my homeland or the digital landscapes of a VNG, always venture forth with an open heart and keen eyes. Until the next adventure, Kiba Snowpaw, the Ice Wolf Gamer.

[b]💬 Supportive Caveat[/b] [i]Jolly Roger[/i] is extremely short, clocking in at around 30 minutes for all endings. While the $2.99 price is low, the experience is also very limited, with minimal narrative development and a light romantic payoff. As the Ertal title released directly before [i]Exes Assault[/i], it is interesting as a smaller, slighter point of comparison, especially since [i]Exes Assault[/i] improves considerably in length, polish, adult content, and M/M fantasy fulfillment. [b]🎮 Gameplay & Genre[/b] [i]Jolly Roger[/i] is a very short BL visual novel from Ertal Games, released before [i]Exes Assault[/i], and you can clearly see the developer’s handprint here even though this is a much smaller and simpler project. The game is about 5,000 words long, with four choices and four endings total: three bad endings and one good ending. This is not a deep route-based VN. It is a compact pirate romance vignette where each choice mainly determines which ending you reach. [b]🔥 M/M Content[/b] This is a SFW BL pirate romance between Ian, a Royal Navy doctor, and Captain Henry Plank, also known as Bloody Henry. Henry is easily the highlight, bringing a charming, boy-next-door warmth wrapped in pirate aesthetics. He is sweet, attractive, and carries most of the romantic appeal. Ian is where the M/M fantasy feels weaker. His backstory includes a female fiancée who died years before the game begins, and because the VN is so short, his attraction to Henry can feel more situational than deeply established. The story hints at genuine feelings developing, but there is not enough time for that emotional shift to fully land. For players seeking a strongly centered M/M experience, that may feel a bit thin. There are no adult scenes, and the romantic payoff is limited to a single kiss CG, which is also shown on the store page. [b]🎨 Visuals & Style[/b] The presentation is simple but pleasant. The character art is clean, Henry’s design stands out, and the pirate setting adds a nice sense of atmosphere. It is not visually elaborate, but it is polished enough for its scope. CG content is minimal. [b]🗣️ Tone & Writing[/b] The tone is light and romantic, with tension mainly appearing through the bad endings. You can see the early foundation of Ertal’s strengths here, particularly in character dynamics and an interest in M/M storytelling. That said, the story is simply too short to fully develop Ian and Henry’s relationship. Ian’s past fiancée also pulls me out of the escapism because the game leaves his attraction to Henry feeling somewhat situational rather than fully centered as part of the M/M fantasy. The writing is competent, but the romance needed more space and clarity for the emotional shift to feel convincing. [b]👍 Best Thing[/b] Henry. Charming, handsome, and more compelling than the game has time to fully explore. [b]👎 Worst Thing[/b] The compressed romance and Ian’s unresolved backstory with his late fiancée weaken the M/M fantasy. [b]⭐ Final Verdict[/b] Recommended, with caveats. [i]Jolly Roger[/i] is worth picking up if you want a quick, SFW pirate BL and especially if you want to support an M/M developer whose later work has improved considerably in both length and execution. This will not fully satisfy if you are looking for a rich or explicit M/M experience, but it is a decent early title best approached as a small curiosity purchase rather than a substantial M/M VN. [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45790038/]Check out my other curated M/M game reviews here: M4M Games[/url]

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