Jolly Roger Reviews
A short BL Visual Novel about romance and pirates.
App ID | 2383620 |
App Type | GAME |
Developers | Ertal Games |
Publishers | Ertal Games |
Categories | Single-player, Steam Achievements, Partial Controller Support |
Genres | Indie |
Release Date | 7 Aug, 2023 |
Platforms | Windows |
Supported Languages | English, Spanish - Spain |

14 Total Reviews
9 Positive Reviews
5 Negative Reviews
Mixed Score
Jolly Roger has garnered a total of 14 reviews, with 9 positive reviews and 5 negative reviews, resulting in a ‘Mixed’ overall score.
Reviews Chart
Chart above illustrates the trend of feedback for Jolly Roger over time, showcasing the dynamic changes in player opinions as new updates and features have been introduced. This visual representation helps to understand the game's reception and how it has evolved.
Recent Steam Reviews
This section displays the 10 most recent Steam reviews for the game, showcasing a mix of player experiences and sentiments. Each review summary includes the total playtime along with the number of thumbs-up and thumbs-down reactions, clearly indicating the community's feedback
Playtime:
43 minutes
Short, sweet, and sentimental. I always end up enjoying the heart in all things Ertal releases, and don't mind spending a few dollars to support the artist as they try to get more exposure on the Steam platform. I hope they get more fans and continue to release content.
Check out the rest of their stuff. :)
👍 : 1 |
😃 : 1
Positive
Playtime:
32 minutes
[h3] It is stupid, but i loved it [/h3]
The text is written authentically with the time period, but the story is all over the place.
Plus there's QTE out of nowhere? For some reason???
but I did had fun with it so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
👍 : 1 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
23 minutes
It's a cute short game that seems to have had a lot of thought put into it. <3
👍 : 2 |
😃 : 1
Positive
Playtime:
30 minutes
Yes, it may be cute, but too short.
Even if you're a slow reader, it'll take you max. 35 minutes...
No hidden achievements or extra CGs.
I love the artstyle but it lacks a more in depth story.
👍 : 4 |
😃 : 0
Negative
Playtime:
128 minutes
Review by Kiba Snowpaw: An Icy Perspective on "Jolly Roger: A Furry Tale on the High Seas"
Ahoy there, fellow gamers and adventurers of the virtual realm! I am Kiba Snowpaw, a Furry male Ice Wolf hailing from an icy dimension where magic surges through our veins. My world is one of glaciers, enchanted auroras, and chilling mysteries, but my one true passion that transcends realms? Gaming. With more than three and a half decades of gaming pulsing through me, I dived into the waters of "Jolly Roger," hoping to discover a treasure.
At first glance, "Jolly Roger" from Ertal Games offers an enticing proposition. A BL visual novel that spins a tale of pirates, romance, and swashbuckling drama – it's every furry's dream! Yet, as is the case with every tempest, there are both highs and lows.
Setting the Stage
The premise, set on the turbulent waters of the high seas, promises danger and intrigue at every corner. You follow the journey of Doctor Ian Smith, an unsuspecting lieutenant who's about to have his world turned upside down by the enigmatic Captain "Bloody Henry" Plank. The allure of pirates has always been there for many, and the game captures this allure, albeit in a brief narrative.
Visual Aesthetics
Immediately, the artwork stands out. Aielia Poot's character designs are a refreshing gale amidst the ocean, capturing the raw essence of each individual. The expressions, the details, and the atmospheric backgrounds by Minikle, give depth to the world. In the universe of VNGs, where the aesthetic appeal is paramount, "Jolly Roger" sails smoothly.
Narrative Depths
However, the waves become a bit choppy when we dive deeper into the narrative. For a seasoned gamer like myself, the story's brevity left me yearning for more. My journey through the game took about half an hour, but as we say in my icy realm: "It's not the length of the tale, but the warmth of its essence." And here, "Jolly Roger" has room to grow. The potential backstory of Captain Plank, his struggles with identity, and his rebellious streak against societal norms, all could have been further fleshed out. A deeper exploration into his psyche would've elevated this VNG to legendary status.
User Interface & Mechanics
Sailing into the mechanics, the UI does feel like a ship that's seen better days. An intuitive menu is crucial for any VNG, and "Jolly Roger" could benefit from some upgrades. Keybinding info boards, an auto-text option, and more dynamic settings would enhance the overall experience. Given the story's nature, some atmospheric background effects would amplify the immersion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the icy winds of my homeland have sharpened my critique, I'd say "Jolly Roger" is worth the journey for those willing to embark. With its affordable price point, akin to a refreshing potion in my realm, it's a quick dive into a world of romance and pirates.
For Ertal Games, a piece of advice from an old Ice Wolf: your potential is vast, as wide as the ocean. With a bit more depth, polish, and passion, your ship can conquer even the fiercest storms.
Rating: 🐾🐾🐾/5 Paws
Remember, fellow gamers, every adventure, every story, is a new horizon waiting to be explored. Whether on the icy plains of my homeland or the digital landscapes of a VNG, always venture forth with an open heart and keen eyes.
Until the next adventure,
Kiba Snowpaw, the Ice Wolf Gamer.
👍 : 4 |
😃 : 2
Positive
Playtime:
34 minutes
When they say short they mean it...
The art is cute enough but the story is mid at best - why does the Captain not know he's attracted to men before meeting the doctor? If his backstory is he's from a wealthy family and became a pirate anyway, it follows that part of the reasoning would be him knowing he was gay and that he wasn't gonna be happy conforming to society. Literally him just already knowing wouldn't have had to change anything about the plot line just a little of the dialogue and it would've been immediately 100x better. As it was it just felt juvenile almost, like bad fanfiction.
Also I finished the entire thing, all achievements, in less than an hour and at no point in this did I care about these characters... at all...
And i know it's "time-period accurate" but the use of the word "indians" in reference to Native Americans still bothers me... like again, the writing is just *rough*...
All in all, it was cheep so it is what it is but I guess ya get what ya pay for...
👍 : 10 |
😃 : 2
Negative
Playtime:
38 minutes
What must one do... To obtain such a kiss... In real life?
Anyway lol... >.>
The game is short. The story is sweet. The perfect end is the one you seek.
But is it perfect...? When there is so much more story to tell...
So much more to learn and yearn for...
Will one ever find solace from learning that something great can come from a rather small event, filling you to the brim with unexpected joy and excitement?
Pardon the strangeness, there isn't much to say apart from what's above and... If you like pirates + need your BL fix: Decide on your own. You know how to... Heh heh.
It was entertaining and I enjoyed the interactions between the two characters.
It wasn't crazy bloodthirsty either, making you want to throw up into the sea itself.
That said... Why the hell not? Everyone deserves a good adventure in their life.
:D =)
👍 : 6 |
😃 : 0
Positive
Playtime:
36 minutes
This game should be free given the time it takes to fully clear the story (20-30 minutes max). There's also some minor bugs like changing language randomly, or unable to go back to the first page of extras bc the button sends you back to menu instead. All in all, not on par with the usual quality and polishing of Ertal Games, so don't bother unless in sales or sold in a bundle with others more worthy.
👍 : 5 |
😃 : 1
Negative