>>58497863
dunno, this "I want to play a game where I date an obvious underage character (in canon) but I don't want the baggage of the minus 18 label" is an angle that I don't care for, people focusing on this sounds hypocritical and insecure. Maybe because I play japanese VNs/eroges which don't bother with this kind of concession at all, they got a solid plot AND porn of underage characters without sacrificing one or the other, they know their audience (but then again, maybe japanese hebefags/lolicons are simply less insecure about their tastes).

>None of that works if the narrative specifically refers to Iris as a twelve year old girl.
Let's say you need to put a disclaimer that she's 18+, why not just put a "wink wink" animation on the side and then write everything like she's 12 anyways? (in terms of body, personality, etc)

>but more than a few reviews basically boiled down to, "I came here expecting a bit of mindless smut to jerk off to and instead I got a novel in this visual novel."
I think this is a great thing! Add substance to your game, in fact I liked the writing in your Marnie VN, it's clear that you put thought into making it believable.
But also you don't need to sacrifice smut if that's something you enjoy, those insecure lolicons need the disclaimer? Just give it to them, it doesn't sound hard (even if it's an extra layer of suspension of disbelief in terms of narrative, everybody will instinctively know that it's a "meta" reason and you don't really need to justify it too much inside the story itself, fuck it and just make a 18 years old with a petite body).

>"Nah dude, just make lewds" has been gradually sapping my energy anyway
Whatever is your decision I'm going to read it anyway, this isn't an ultimatum just my 2 cents.
Remember to enjoy the process when you're making the things you enjoy, writing is fun, making something that other people can engage and immerse themselves is fun. Relax.

Marnie.