Ladykiller in a Bind

sesbian lex. that is all.

Utterly confused. The game dev didn't bother giving character names but instead let us decide a nickname. And the game starts with a full box of swear words making it even more confusing.

Ladykiller in a Bind is an interesting visual novel, and a good introduction to BDSM erotica. Its plot is on-the-nose, it has few characters I could relate to, yet I was hooked by the kinky comedic writing and the originality of its mechanics. Here are some of the highlights.

Dialogue options appear progressively throughout a scene, as if the protagonist was coming up with witty comebacks mid-conversation. You get to choose when to butt in, which makes dialogue between three or more characters feel much more natural. The game is also kind enough to tell you when staying silent will unlock further options or attract suspicion.

Options are also prefixed with their tone (Diplomatic, Ruthless, Flirty, etc.), preventing the far too common problem in games like Mass Effect, The Witcher, or Baldur's Gate 3, where you select a tame line only for the character to say something overtly flirtatious or extremely racist. Ladykiller in a Bind goes out of its way to convey exactly what each choice will do mechanically and narratively.

In this game, you play as a girl pretending to be her twin brother. Acting too out of character for him will attract suspicion, and if your suspicion maxes out, the game's over. On the flip side, being especially nice to certain characters can earn your some favours, or votes for the popularity contest you're all taking a part in. The game clearly identifies which options will earn you votes and suspicion, or unlock/abandon a character's route, so it's up to you to decide if you just want to work your way into someone's bed, do anything to win the competition, or just stay out of trouble.

These mechanics tie into the game's exploration of BDSM during some erotic scenes. At night, you can let a certain someone do whatever she wants with you to lower your suspicion, and you can take advantage of a certain someone else to earn more votes. This gives a certain transactional aspect to all the sexual encounters in this game, and exploring how that makes you feel is the whole point of the game.

That said, this game's visuals don't get much steamier than what you see in the trailer. The art is only there to assist the immersion. If you're used to explicit smut made to provide cheap thrills and appeal to the male gaze, you might want to adjust your expectations. Here, it's all about the foreplay, the roleplay, and the aftercare.

PS: I haven't played this game recently, but I figured I ought to write a review for it since it has been sitting in my favourites for a while.