Last Chance in Xollywood

Since all of the games of A. Hagen and Shea Kennedy left a unique impression on me, I wishlisted "Last Chance in Xollywood" as soon as it was announced and went on buying the "Special Edition" simply to support them, although the initital game is free.
This quite lengthy (4-5 h for first playthrough) visual novel with lite RPG-mechanics and decision-based management-haggles puts you in the skin of a downtrodden extraterrestrial schlock-movie director in a weird-cyperpunk city-complex near earth, where you struggle between ambition and budget, make friends and foes and stretch yourself between heartfelt and morally dubious choices.
The worldbuilding is great and creative, swinging from wacky and seroius in just the right amount; the writing is solid; the characters and visuals are charming, creative and don't feel flat - it is an interesting and enjoyable package throughout, which has also replayability-value because of the different branches and endings. The only minor complaint is that you can savescum the skill-rolls (but way bigger titles like "Disco Elysium" have the same issue for example).
Definetly check this out if you are a fan of the genre!

According to Science Fiction criticism, the "novum" is considered one of the fundamental pivots of the genre: literally the "new thing..." That introduction of the strange... Something that kicks off a dynamic that hovers between fascination and shock... Something that will expand our worldview into the "what if..."
Last Chance in Xollywood is one of the most novel frameworks for interactive fiction and visual novels I have ever seen. Not only is the premise completely out of left field, it's no quick gimmick. "Alien movie director" could have easily just been an excuse to dump a bunch of superficial of "Sci-Fi" tropes on a decision-tree and call it a day. Instead, this game takes the idea quite far, working through the actual political, social, aesthetic and logistical aspects of producing films for the "alien market." That means thinking through what different cultures would want, how things like violence and humor and romance translate in different worlds (yes, kissing a severed head IS romantic on that planet...) The actual material conditions, relationship building and on-the-ground challenges of film making are really there! Now combine that totally unique premise, commitment to exploring its implications with a marvellous cast of oddball alien characters. Riddled with black humor, tense and weird and ridiculous-sympathetic situations, relationship-building, crises, chaos, joi de vivre, in-depth consequences, as well as sharp political analogies that hit harder than most actual "commentaries," and super rich weirdness throughout... The game moreover is quite intuitive to play, with clear choices, fun mechanics, smooth flow (very addictive.) It's like binge watching an amazing show. The artwork is captivating, 90s slimeball Nickelodeon cartoony but translating the body-horror pathos of shared emotions across different lifeforms... Super catchy music too.
This is an epic, thoughtful, bizarre and hilarious experience, crafted with care and joy. As ever, A. Hagen's unique alien-infused storytelling, totally individual voice that is completely irresistible. There is a certain quality to his writing (not just in Last Chance) that really makes you feel nostalgic, bittersweet about all the decisions you experienced in during the game-time. Yes, a meta-cinematic experience that is, well, a kind of blockbuster in its own right... To quote the band Hawkwind, this game is a masterpiece of "quark, strangeness and charm!"

I didn't expect the game to be free, so big props for that!
According to the store page, the game is an RPG, simulation, VN, and a bunch of other things, but it's really just a linear visual novel with a bit of RNG.
I was concerned at first that the intro was a bit overlong, only to realize that this apparently IS the entire game! Why is this important? Well, in the dev's previous games, the gameplay itself went a long way towards making the alien setting seem genuine and alive. Here, because the game is all dialogue and exposition, everything feels as fake as the movie sets you're filming on. Better visual novels find ways to keep the player immersed, but here everything feels sort of thin and superficial.
Lest you think I just don't like visual novels, even ones that are as on-rails as this one, the writing itself is definitely part of the problem. You play as an alien, but there don't seem to be any real differences between the different alien species, or between aliens and humans for that matter. This story may as well take place on Earth in the near future and it still wouldn't change much. Once in a while you can make a choice, but the "good" choices don't really feel that good, and the bad outcomes just feel a bit cheap. Dialogue feels wooden, or forced in an after-school special (or B movie!) kind of way, which while very meta, doesn't exactly make the game any better. I also noticed some spelling / grammar mistakes, but I assume they will be ironed out eventually.
So why am I recommending this game? Well aside from the fact that it is free, there does seem to be a bit of replay value with the multiple characters and other branching paths. If you like the dev's other games, I figure this is at least worth one playthrough.

Extremely charming game. Well-paced, delightful characters, and just plain satisfying to play. I can't recommend it enough, especially since it's free.

Its free game about making a low budget exploitation moving starring aliens. Its really impressive this is free considering its actually fairly lengthy visual novel with quite lot of characters. Its not super roleplay heavy one, but its really fun and characters have depth to them

Loved the characters, the art, and the music. Keep up the good work!

Great characters in a really well-realised world. Light-hearted presentation but addressing some adult themes. All around great cyberpunk VN. Really enjoyed my time in Ingress!