The Alchemist

[code][h3] PD for Steam Deck users: [/h3] Can be played on Deck. Need to set mouse and left-click. It has the default hotkeys assigned for Ren'py games, so you can set your buttons accordingly.[/code] Tried the demo before playing the full version. I would encourage you to [url=https://azephir.itch.io/the-alchemist]play the demo on Itch[/url] if you are unsure about purchasing this game. Also, purchasing in Itch comes with a Steam key, so... why not? [hr] [/hr] At least, your first mission as an apprentice alchemist. You will leave your hometown to help your master. You will meet hot guys during the trip. You will reflect about your future... [i] Now that I'm thinking about it, it seems more of a last-year-school trip more than anything... but also working? Seems like a plan.[/i] With an enthralling bard, a funny mage, a well-suited warrior or a redhaired ranger (didn't know I had a thing for redheads, just admitting) to pursue love, just choose your best D&D class, and melt his heart... along with this silk-pants... [b]Sounds gross, but was the first thing it came to my mind... Again, gross.[/b] [h3] PROS:[/h3] [olist] [*] [b] More than just pursuing love. [/b] You don't just have to pursue your route and do it flawlessly ( I know you VN fans), but there are choices regarding the mission and your future job. Will you stay alive in the trip? Will you help everyone? Will you earn a good position? Will you be a top or a bottom? [i] Too many choices. [/i] [*] [b] Main character is versatile... and your guys as well [/b] Choose your best position for each character, and enjoy their... interactions. [i]I prefer the soldier to be a bottom and the redhaired to be bottoms, and the blonde and mage to be tops, maybe I'm that weird...[/i] [*] [b] Intriguing plot [/b]. I was not a true fan of role-playing games, but this game caught my interest. Like it reminded me that love doesn't need to be. We need to be focused, Carole! [/olist] [h3] CONS: [/h3] [olist] [*] [b] Duration of the game.[/b] Expect around 3 hours of gameplay per run. Although achievements and the amount of endings make up for replayability. Can be a con if you are a one-night stand person, if you know what I mean... [*] [b] +18 CGs [/b]. Are they +18? Yes... and no. I didn't see a single man-tool in this game, so don't expect this. But there are sex scenes, and naked guys. [i] I'm still amazed at Duran's tattoos. [/olist] [code][h3]So, what do you think? [/h3] This game was entertaining while it lasted, but it didn't give me more curiosity to replay another run. Personally, I felt the plot really fell rapidly in the end, where the last choices were the ones that really matter... but at least I got a really nice job with a really cute guy in the end of it... in the game. But the most important thing, we need to be focused, Carole! [b]# 6/10[/b] [/code]

I love medieval fantasy games such as Skyrim and The Witcher 3. I'm a huge fan of RPGs having a gay romance option so this game focusing on the gay romance aspect is right up my alley. It's great that the love interests are basically the classes you have in classic RPGs like the bard, knight, mage and hunter. I really enjoyed unraveling more of the story as I went through each route. This game does a great job making you see different viewpoints in regards to medieval warfare. The writing was just simply lovely, it had me going "awww" several times and also emotional at certain scenes. Take note as this game is marketed as an erotic visual novel and it is very much so. You won't find any harcore sex scenes or any display of full frontal here. This isn't a porn game. The lovemaking is mainly told through the text including a sensual image. The music in this game is wonderful and relaxing, it gives the vibe of being in a candlelit room inside a castle while being warmed up by the fireplace. Overall, this was a pleasant experience. I can tell this is the first game made by Azephir but nevertheless, the work they created here is still pretty solid and I'm excited to see what they do for the next game.

Boring, CGs are awful and not even full frontal, Carole's smile scares the crap out of me.

To be honest this game was a complete waste of money if I wanted a "Broke back Oregon Trail" this would of been great but I didn't you might as well slap Rainbow pride sticker on it and name it "The ♥♥♥♥ Fest".

Actually, a very pleasant game. Clearly not written by a native english speaker, so a lot of the things are explained pretty awkwardly, but still very much an enjoyable read! Just kinda strange how it's so unknown Didn't come here for porn, didn't get it, so I'm just happy to vibe by the fire and micromanage stuff for no exact reason kekw

je comprend que les graphisme son dépassé mais je trouve le jeu bien écrit et prenant. Et J'aime y rejoué pour voir les autres options Non vraiment il est très agréable

Pas de panique (ou dommage selon les points de vue), il n'y a pas de nudité dans le jeu, contrairement à ce qui est annoncé. Ce que vous décidez de faire de votre journée est important. Choisissez bien car cela a des impacts sur le voyage. Un petit jeu assez courte mais sympatiqu.

jeu intéressant mais, a moins que j'ai un grave problème visuel je n'est rien vu avec duran pourtant je suis plus que majeur. duran est le seul que j'ai pu faire quelque chose avec lui de façon invisible. au moins je suis pas déçu par un membre que j'ai pas vu lol. le code je ne l'est pas reçu ou alors je ne l'est pas vu car beaucoup d'invisibilité. dommage qu'on ne puisse aller plus loin dans ce jeu. je le recommande car il serait parfait comme histoire d'aventure car il n'y a rien de gay.

🎮 Gameplay & Genre A gay medieval fantasy visual novel where you play an apprentice alchemist traveling with a merchant caravan. There are multiple romantic routes, choices that matter, and achievements to unlock—though no Steam guide exists and a few are hard to figure out. I clocked 9 hours and still didn’t get them all. No nudity, but sex is described. VN fans who love character-driven romance with light worldbuilding will find a lot to enjoy here. 🔥 M/M Content There’s no visual nudity, but the romantic and sexual content is well-written, with an emotional undercurrent that adds depth. Each route builds toward intimacy, not just sex. Will was my favorite (druid-adjacent redhead? Yes, please), though I also really liked Nath—and Duran scratched that big masc itch in a very gay-coded way. The romances feel distinct, not copy-pasted. 🎨 Visuals & Style The art style is Sims-like—3D-rendered characters and environments with a slightly dated but still charming aesthetic. It’s not hand-drawn or traditionally animated, and there’s no nudity, but character models are expressive enough to sell the emotion and romance. The UI is clean, though performance issues were a problem for me. 🗣️ Tone & Writing The writing is sincere and immersive, with each love interest given enough development to make their arc satisfying. It doesn’t aim for high drama, but it delivers warmth, charm, and light emotional stakes that hit just right. A cozy, romantic tone throughout. 👍 Best Thing The diversity of romantic options and the emotional investment I felt in each storyline. 👎 Worst Thing No nudity or visual payoffs, and no player guides for achievements. I also experienced system freezes even with a high-end rig (64GB RAM, i9-13900KF, RTX 3090 Ti), so it definitely needs better optimization. ⭐ Final Verdict A cozy gay fantasy VN that leans on storytelling, character depth, and emotional connection rather than visual steaminess. It deserves a full recommend—but players should know what it does and doesn’t deliver. A game made with care, even if it’s overdue for an update. I also curate a Steam page reviewing M/M games if you’re looking for more titles in this space: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45790038/

I didn't play for very long unfortunately the uncanny valley is just too strong with the character models. There's no way I can be attracted to any of these guys when they just look so off. The backgrounds being blurry real pictures are also a bit strange. I guess visual novels really just have to stick to animation.