Ren'Py Visual Novel: Homeward - Updated

Well, first off Ren'Py is an Visual Novel Development Engine that is Cross-Platform and Compatible with PC (Windows), Mac OSX, and Linux. (Linux Tested on Ubuntu). It is a Freeware "Starter Development Kit (SDK)" Programmed using the Python Programming Language by someone called Pytom. Further more the Downloadable SDK [Current Version: 6.18], is only used to build and compile the Visual Novel Games. And the Visual Games will run on a PC, Mac, or Linux Computer; just, as long as it has Python installed on it. And you can Load the Windows EXE on other Operating Systems, via the "Wine Windows Program Loader". (Mac and Linux; to Launch the EXE) Also, most Ren'Py engines are built on atleast Python 2.6; so you should be Fine with Python 2.7 and/or 3.3 installed on your Computer. This is Not really needed, as all Ren'Py games are shipped with an "Stripped Down" version of Python (Usually Python 2.6); But, I install Python anyways just to be on the safe side. Plus, Installing Python is great if you plan on writing your own Ren'Py Games. Homeward uses Python 2.7 (python27.dll; included in the Game's folder (python27.so, on Linux))

About the Visual Novel Game:
Homeward is the Story of a Japanese High School-Aged Boy called: "Riku", whom is around 18 years old; and his Parents got divorced right after his younger sister was born. But, his Father got custody of him, and he spent the last nine years Traveling the world; because his Father's job as a Diplomat. Then his mother suddenly fell Ill; and so, they Returned to Japan to take care of your younger sister, "Sora". While also finishing your Last Year of High School, while staying  In Japan. This makes up most of the Game's Storyline; which your Choices can change the Ending of the Game; as there are 2-3 different endings. No matter what what choices you choose; eventually your Mother recovers and You and your Dad move back to America, and your younger Sister goes back to living in the custody of your Mother.

I highly enjoyed this Visual Novel Game for is wonderful Storyline, Excellent Imagery and Art, as well as the Choices you can make that influences the Story. There's two versions of the Story; just the first part, known as the "Nonami Arc" which is Suitable for All Ages. (16+; Recommended) Or All Three Parts, which is the Full Complete Story and contains some Adult Content. (18+) Even So; it's still a wonderful Visual Novel Game. I have played this Game atleast ten or more times; and it never gets old. It is in the Category of "Boy Pursues Girl", and as such is considered to be a Love Story (Like an Dating Sim, almost) . But, It really is Definitely worth playing atleast once.

Visual Novel's Usual Game Play Length: 4 - 5 Hours (Ages 18+; Full Game); Approx. 1-2 Hours (All Ages Version; "Nonami Arc")
[The Story Duration varies Depending on How Long you stare at the "Same Scene" for.]


External Links:
Download: Python Runtime (Installing Python 2.7; is Recommended, but not really Needed to Play most Ren'Py Games)
Download: Wine [Windows Binary Layer] (Installing Wine 1.7.34; is Useful to Launch Windows Programs under Mac OSX or Linux Ubuntu; But, mostly Linux)
Download: Ren'Py Visual Novel Engine 6.18 (SDK; Really only Needed if you Want to Write your own Ren'Py Novels)

Game Download Links:
Download: Homeward - A Original Adult Visual Novel  (Official Site; Novel Built using the Ren'Py 6.13.11 Engine)

Reference Links:
Ren'Py Games: Homeward
Wikipedia: Ren'Py Visual Novel Engine
Visual Novel DB: Homeward


Find more Visual Novels:
Ren'Py Visual Novel Games List (Official)
Ren'Py Visual Novel Games List (RPG Maker Network; RMN)

System Requirements:
Microsoft Windows XP or Newer: Just Launch the Windows EXE file, "Homeward.exe".
Mac OS X 10.4 or Newer: Just Launch the Mac OS APP file. (Homeward.app/Contents/MacOS)
Linux Ubuntu 13.10 or Newer: Launch the Executable Shell Script file, "Homeward.sh" by double-clicking it and selecting "Run".
Wine 1.7.34 (Linux/Mac OSX): Launch the "Homeward.exe" file in the "Wine Windows Program Loader".

Media Files:
Linux Ubuntu MATE 14.10 Screenshots:

The Homeward File Directory; showing all the Game's Files

Run "Homeward.sh"?, Click the "Run" Button.

The Homewward Main Menu.

Video Game Emulation - Updated #3

I love to Emulate old Retro Video Game Consoles on my PC.
A great Guide to Awesome Emulators; tho, Google the Emulator's Official site as their Download maybe of an Outdated Version: http://www.freeemulator.com/



Known Current Emulator Versions (for Windows; That I Personally Use):
Legend: Console/ Emulator/ Current Version

PSP/ PPSSPP (x86)/ 0.9.9.1
Download: PPSSPP
PS2/ PCSX2/ 1.2.1 r5875
Download: PCSX2
PSX/ ePSXe / 1.9.0
Download: ePSXe Emulator
N64/ Project64/ 2.1.0.1
Download: Project64
SNES/Snes9x (x64)/ 1.53
Download: Snes9x
NES/ RockNES/ 5.142 (My Personal Favorite; not listed on the site)
Download: RockNES 5.142
GBA/ VBA-M/ 1.8.0 r1229
Download: VBA-M
NDS/ DeSmuME (x64)/ 0.9.10
Download: DeSmuME
Wii & GCN/ Dolphin (x64)/ 4.0.2
Download: Dolphin
Atari 2600/ Stella/ 4.5
Download: Stella
MS-DOS/ DOSBox/ 0.74 (Doesn't quite work on 64-Bit hosts)
Download: DOSBox

Known Current Emulator Versions (for Linux; That I Personally Use):
Legend: Console/ Emulator/ Current Version
SNES/Snes9x GTK (amd64)/ 1.53
GBA/ VBA-M GTK (amd64)/ 1.8.0 svn 1229
Wii & GCN/ Dolphin (amd64)/ 4.0 svn 5010
NDS/ DeSmuME GTK/ 0.9.10


As you see; I have Tried a Emulator for Almost Every Console! (Even a Semi-Working one for a Nintendo 3DS; But, I Talked about that in a previous Post)

Systems Currently without Emulators (Non-Working, Fake, Viruses, or Scams):
Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PS3, Sony PS4, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U.

Currently "Homebrew Only" Projects:
Nintendo 3DS/ Citra/ http://citra-emu.org/
Sony PS3/ rpcs3/ http://rpcs3.net/
Microsoft Xbox 360/ Xenia/ http://xenia.jp/

Graphics rendering with Emulators; for Windows mostly use DirectX (Usually Direct3D or Direct Draw); Tho, you can also get decent Graphics with OpenGL. And, certain Emulators are powered by OpenGL only. And you'll find that XAudio2 will work better than Direct Sound. Decent or Better Audio can be Achieved using OpenAL, as well.

It's also common to Use a Gamepad with Many Emulators as Well.
My Gamepad is an PDP Afterglow AX.1 Xbox 360 USB Controller.

Linux Downloads:

Snes9x 1.53 GTK Deb Install Packages (.deb):
32-Bit: snes9x-gtk_1.53.903.81~saucy1_i386.deb
64-Bit: snes9x-gtk_1.53.903.81~saucy1_amd64.deb

VBA-M 1.8.0 SVN1229  GTK Deb Install Packages (.deb)
32-Bit: vbam-gtk_1.8.0.1231-0ubuntu3~ubuntu14.10.1_i386.deb
64-Bit: vbam-gtk_1.8.0.1231-0ubuntu3~ubuntu14.10.1_amd64.deb

These PPA Packages for Linux Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" (VBA-M downloads are for Ubuntu 14.10 "Utopic Unicorn"!); Tho, the Deb Packages will work with any "Modern" Distribution that can use the "GDebi" Package Installer. I installed the 32-Bit Version under Linux Mint 16. (Downloads Listed here Because they are hard to Find; and the Ubuntu/Mint version in the Software Center is Outdated.)

Windows Version of Emulators, Installed on Linux via WINE:
Legend: System/ Emulator/ Version/ App Rating/ Installs/ Runs/ Wine Version/ on WineHQ AppDB?

N64/ Project64/ 1.6/ Platinum/ Yes/ Yes/ 1.7.33/ Yes
PSX/ ePSXe/ 1.9.0/ Platinum/ Not Req./ Yes/ 1.7.33/ Yes
NES/ RockNES/ 5.142/ Platinum/ Not. Req./ Yes/ 1.7.33/ No; Personally Tested.


Note: these Emulators running in Wine, actually run better then their own Linux Native Version or Equivalent Emulator; for Example: Project64 1.6 runs better under Windows then Mupen64 Plus 2.0 does under Linux, and it also doesn't require you install a separate GUI.

Project64 Note: USB Xbox 360 Gamepads work the Best with "N-Rage's Direct-Input V8 1.80a" Input Plugin. (Using this Plugin Brought Project64 1.6 - 2.1 from Gold to Platinum Rank on WineHQ's AppDB; I Recommend Project64 1.6, it's older and more Stable on Wine 1.7.33)


Media Files:

 

Snes9x 1.53 GTK; Running Under  Linux Mint 16.

Snes9x 1.53 GTK; Running under Linux Mint 16, 

Emulating the American version of "Secret of Mana".

Video Game Emulation - Updated #2

I love to Emulate old Retro Video Game Consoles on my PC.
A great Guide to Awesome Emulators; tho, Google the Emulator's Official site as their Download maybe of an Outdated Version: http://www.freeemulator.com/



Known Current Emulator Versions (for Windows; That I Personally Use):
Legend: Console/ Emulator/ Current Version

PSP/ PPSSPP (x86)/ 0.9.9.1
Download: PPSSPP
PS2/ PCSX2/ 1.2.1 r5875
Download: PCSX2
PSX/ ePSXe / 1.9.0
Download: ePSXe Emulator
N64/ Project64/ 2.1.0.1
Download: Project64
SNES/Snes9x (x64)/ 1.53
Download: Snes9x
NES/ RockNES/ 5.142 (My Personal Favorite; not listed on the site)
Download: RockNES 5.142
GBA/ VBA-M/ 1.8.0 r1229
Download: VBA-M
NDS/ DeSmuME (x64)/ 0.9.10
Download: DeSmuME
Wii & GCN/ Dolphin (x64)/ 4.0.2
Download: Dolphin
Atari 2600/ Stella/ 4.5
Download: Stella
MS-DOS/ DOSBox/ 0.74 (Doesn't quite work on 64-Bit hosts)
Download: DOSBox


As you see; I have Tried a Emulator for Almost Every Console! (Even a Semi-Working one for a Nintendo 3DS; But, I Talked about that in a previous Post)

Systems Currently without Emulators (Non-Working, Fake, Viruses, or Scams):
Microsoft Xbox 360, Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PS3, Sony PS4, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U.

Currently "Homebrew Only" Projects:
Nintendo 3DS/ Citra/ http://citra-emu.org/
Sony PS3/ rpcs3
Microsoft Xbox 360/ Xenia

Graphics rendering with Emulators; for Windows mostly use DirectX (Usually Direct3D or Direct Draw); Tho, you can also get decent Graphics with OpenGL. And, certain Emulators are powered by OpenGL only. And you'll find that XAudio2 will work better than Direct Sound. Decent or Better Audio can be Achieved using OpenAL, as well.

It's also common to Use a Gamepad with Many Emulators as Well.
My Gamepad is an PDP Afterglow AX.1 Xbox 360 USB Controller.

Linux Downloads:

Snes9x 1.53 GTK Deb Install Packages (.deb):
32-Bit: snes9x-gtk_1.53.903.81~saucy1_i386.deb
64-Bit: snes9x-gtk_1.53.903.81~saucy1_amd64.deb

VBA-M 1.8.0 SVN1229  GTK Deb Install Packages (.deb)
32-Bit: vbam-gtk_1.8.0.1231-0ubuntu3~ubuntu14.10.1_i386.deb
64-Bit: vbam-gtk_1.8.0.1231-0ubuntu3~ubuntu14.10.1_amd64.deb

These PPA Packages for Linux Ubuntu 13.10 "Saucy Salamander" (VBA-M downloads are for Ubuntu 14.10 "Utopic Unicorn"!); Tho, the Deb Packages will work with any "Modern" Distribution that can use the "GDebi" Package Installer. I installed the 32-Bit Version under Linux Mint 16. (Downloads Listed here Because they are hard to Find; and the Ubuntu/Mint version in the Software Center is Outdated.)

Windows Version of Emulators, Installed on Linux via WINE:
Legend: System/ Emulator/ Version/ App Rating/ Installs/ Runs/ Wine Version/ on WineHQ AppDB?

N64/ Project64/ 1.6/ Platinum/ Yes/ Yes/ 1.7.33/ Yes
PSX/ ePSXe/ 1.9.0/ Platinum/ Not Req./ Yes/ 1.7.33/ Yes
NES/ RockNES/ 5.142/ Platinum/ Not. Req./ Yes/ 1.7.33/ No; Personally Tested.


Note: these Emulators running in Wine, actually run better then their own Linux Native Version or Equivalent Emulator; for Example: Project64 1.6 runs better under Windows then Mupen64 Plus 2.0 does under Linux, and it also doesn't require you install a separate GUI.

Project64 Note: USB Xbox 360 Gamepads work the Best with "N-Rage's Direct-Input V8 1.80a" Input Plugin. (Using this Plugin Brought Project64 1.6 - 2.1 from Gold to Platinum Rank on WineHQ's AppDB; I Recommend Project64 1.6, it's older and more Stable on Wine 1.7.33)


Media Files:

 

Snes9x 1.53 GTK; Running Under  Linux Mint 16.

Snes9x 1.53 GTK; Running under Linux Mint 16, 

Emulating the American version of "Secret of Mana".