Developer: The Impious Monk
Genre: Visual Novel
Reviewed version: 07/03/24 release
Censored: No
Patch Needed: No
OS: Windows, Linux, macOS
Language: English
Nothing is more refreshing than finding a game that tries something new instead of sticking to the usual formula. Leaving DNA puts players in the shoes of a district attorney with abandonment issues named John Rockford as he works with his ex-girlfriend and homicide detective Aghavni Melkonyan in a cold murder case that ties to his father's past in the military, learning about his family and his father who he never met in the process.
Even though it takes a bit to get going, the plot is so engaging that you can't help but keep playing to see what's about to happen, whether it's to see what's about to happen about the case, learn more about the protagonist and his love interests, or just seeing them interact with each other. Moreover, you'll have to make many choices throughout the game that affect your relationship with the protagonist's love interests, with some being important enough to close off a romance path if you give a negative reply and others forcing you to choose between following one romance path or the other.
The game also delivers on the visual aspect since the characters are eye-catching, they have a unique design that makes them easy to tell apart from each other, and their faces are so expressive you can tell what's on their minds without them saying a word. The sex scenes are equally stunning since the animations are incredibly smooth. However, they are few and far between since the story is the game's main focus, featuring only four scenes in the first three chapters and two non-canon extra ones in the gallery.
Verdict: Fantastic
Even though only three chapters out of the eight planned ones are out, Leaving DNA is one of the best AVNs I've played this year. Its engaging plot and likable cast make it easy to play it from the beginning to the end in one go, and its visuals are a feast for the eyes. Give it a shot if you're looking for an AVN that prioritizes its story over the sex scenes, though buying it now or waiting until it's finished depends on how well you handle cliffhangers.