A Better Place is a Ren'Py visual novel by TheLostOne, presented with 3DCG artwork and English text. You play a male protagonist who can read people unusually well and has hidden both himself and that gift after seeing how others might exploit it. His withdrawn life changes when an odd invitation leads him to a refuge for outcasts, where he meets several talented girls. The game blends horror, humor, and romance as you spend time with them, learn their histories, grow close, and investigate the cost behind your ability.
The current build is Chapter 4, dated May 3, 2023, and development is ongoing. It runs on Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android, is uncensored, and the latest update adds 25 new events. Earlier chapter notes mention more events, villain appearances, training, secrets, point-and-click rooms, outfits, and 18+ scenes, but the Chapter 4 changelog only states that twenty-five new events are included.
Developer's description
You’re an individual with an exceptional gift for reading people. After experiencing first-hand how much cruelty such a talent can evoke, you took steps to hide your identity and your gift from the eyes of those who would abuse it. Eventually, hiding yourself from the entire world.
Spoiler:
More
However, your resigned contentment with being an outcast is about to be shaken by a very unexpected and slightly concerning invitation...
Welcome to A Better Place – a game, a story, a world where those who feel like outcasts can belong.
Here, you’ll meet various other characters with extraordinary talents and, as luck would have it, they’re all girls! Spend time with them, learn about their past, find out what haunts them, fall in love (or just grow close enough to get physical) and uncover the secret behind your abilities, as well as the heavy price they seem to carry.
Chapter 4
25 new events
That's all I'm saying. Play the chapter to find out the rest.
Chapter 3
26 new events (Technically 27, but one is a bit of a cheat)
The villain shows up for the first time
You learn a lot more about Shadow
Two 18+ scenes (One of which is an experimental interactive scene)
Two new secrets and an old one expanded
Two rooms received the point-and-click treatment
New outfits
Training your talent is now possible (Visit Shadow in the morning asap.)
1000+ images again (for those who care about that number)
Little fixes and code shenanigans no one pays attention to
Chapter 2
A total of 25 events (compared to the 16 from the previous update)
Massive insight into the girls’ personalities
MC finally starts to speak up
How does Serenity fit in?
Placeholders for future impactful choices
Special Christmas party event!
First test for the new point-and-click interaction system (very big for future content)
New Christmas outfit for every girl, plus a few extra
Two 18+ scenes
Two secrets
Some new music (what little my budget allowed)
Added shorter versions for all the repeating events
The “!!!!!!!” is now a must to trigger “Omniscience”, fixing an event flow issue
Added an alternate version for “One Time Special Offer”, so you can get the event even if you miss the secret
Fixed a bunch of minor issues no one reported, but I found while going through the code
Chapter 1
A lot of story! (Less events, but they're longer)
2 new trauma scenes
2 new 18+ scenes (one with 3 variants)
You'll encounter characters and events a lot more often now
The hint system has been changed into a full on walkthrough
3 new secrets
Vague hints added to secrets
Refined outfit system
Events not being completed is now fixed, but you will have to start a new game if you had this problem. Sorry
Prologue
Initial Release
Player reviews
Player rating5.0 / 5 · 8 ratings
Written reviews8 · avg 4.5★
Positive (4–5★)88%
Latest review2023-05-10
What players say
Most players rate it highly, praising characters and writing, while one reviewer found the pacing slow and content light.
5★5
4★2
3★1
2★0
1★0
Players like
Well-written characters with distinct personalities
Engaging story with darker themes
Attractive character models and designs
Witty dialogue and strong writing
Common complaints
Grinding and slow pacing can feel annoying
Best for players who prefer story and characters over frequent explicit scenes.
Summarised from 8 written player reviews.
NyehNyaNyah2023-05-10★★★★★
this game has amazingly written characters and scenes, I found myself always coming back to this game not for the porn but to see what story additions are made each update. Some of the moments with characters actually made me…
Deleted member 51447882023-01-29★★★★★
A Better Place Version : Chapter 3 Type : Sandbox - Grindfest Content : Medium Pacing : Slow-Steady Plot line : Find a Safe Haven - Tracing back the past Setting : Discovered and invited to a Manor after years…
Lolichu2022-07-12★★★★★
A nice little gem that has escaped my gaze for some time. This game surprised me with how quickly it charmed me. At first, I was thinking how forced and shallow the introduction of the characters felt, but honestly, after…
★★★★★(8)
