Any For Love For An LGBT Spin-Off Of Leisure Suit Larry And Such?

Disclaimer:

This is another article that reflects on a video game franchise that contains strong sexual content aimed at mature audiences, along with one concern regarding suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

Seven months ago, I expressed my thoughts on how an instalment of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise that is heavily based on LGBT dating can excel in the near future of gaming whilst appealing to a secondary mature target audience [54] [55]. Currently, I am very flattered to have received a comment from the official Assemble Entertainment YouTube channel thanking me for posting nice comments on the promotional videos for Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Dry Twice and the theme song of the previous instalment, Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don’t Dry [7] [8] [9]. The sequel’s title may technically contradict the last game’s title, but I am pretty sure that its prime intentions are to ensure that the unlucky bachelor will keep on searching for love in the early 2020s [8] [9] [43] [52] [53]. And Bégoniax thought Rayman was a pervert in Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc and its HD re-release [11] [39] [40] [41] [56]. I sometimes suspect that Larry Laffer could be diagnosed with Hypersexual Disorder due to so many sexual references throughout every quest to do woohoo that usually fails [12] [13] [38]. Despite that, I, Lacy Dress Laura, will proceed to expand on my thoughts on how the new era of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise can excel with more positive LGBT representation and such.

Looks like only one adventure was not enough, eh Larry [15] [16] [27]? [43]

Larry will not give Faith up [27]!
He ain't gonna let her down!
Guess he'll have to walk around and
Search for her [35]! [8]

It looks like the soft-reboot of the franchise already established some positive portrayal of homosexuality [2] [20] [50]. It sure is sweet how gay marriage was finally introduced to the series in Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don’t Dry. Lance Straightman and Richard Ryder sure look cute together and I adore how Larry helped them get married in such an honourable way as part of his character development outside of his desire to finally lose his virginity to an attractive woman [2]. As for the lesbian couple, I love how one of the ladies is a rock star [20] [50]. Surely a new spin-off of the soft-reboot timeline that introduces a new playable niece of Mr. Laffer can at least feature a lesbian scene that does not involve a straight guy’s perverted nature [50]. I still believe that a bisexual or pansexual niece of the main man will interestingly lead to any handsome male equivalents of the beautiful bachelorettes, leading to a role reversal [54] [55]. I am more than happy that the new timeline set in the late 2010s has already introduced a not so problematic portrayal of homosexuality [2], but what would gloriously expand on it would be introducing a new playable bisexual or pansexual character in another instalment [54] [55].

Here is one whole tuna fish sandwich. [20] [50]

And here is a little sausage fest. It sure feels good to teach some homophobes a lesson. [20] [50]

In addition to how Wet Dreams Don’t Dry has introduced a gay wedding without anyone interfering with it [2], I believe that there still can be a more humanised portrayal of a transwoman, a transman or a male crossdresser [29] [30]. As previously stated, making a niece for Mr. Laffer pansexual will lead to her feeling some sexual attraction to a transsexual person or crossdresser, thus making a spin-off starring her appeal to pansexual and transsexual gamers [48] [54] [55]. Koko from Leisure Suit Larry: Manga Cum Laude, a college student who often spoke in a fake French accent turned out to be a male crossdresser after giving Lovage…something special [3] [21] [30]. Surely it was solely a punchline and left Lovage felt quite uneasy, but I am sure that if he had a sister who is pansexual, she would react differently in a way that would make a crossdresser seem more humanised. I can already imagine how Laffer would not understand the terms “bicurious” and “pansexual” could annoy a possible sister of his nephew in another instalment that consists of the same rather positive outcomes of portraying homosexuality with a little humour in Wet Dreams Don’t Dry [29] [54] [55].  Oh, and please make the narrator who has a sexy voice return [17] [28]!

Here is Koko’s appearance in Magna Cum Laude. Sorry, but an uncensored screenshot will not be allowed here either. [21]

Even though it would be best to set an LGBT-friendly spin-off in the 21st century [2] [50], even for appealing to pansexual and transgender gamers, I would not mind any cool nostalgic references in the next Leisure Suit Larry game set in the new timeline for good old time’s sake [31]. Heck, how about a parody of rickrolling in Larry’s perspective [19] [35], quite like how I demonstrated it? [9]

Surely if the franchise continues to grow throughout the rest of the 2020s, perhaps there can be more than one playable bachelor or bachelorette, possibly including a new female LGBT protagonist I have mentioned plenty of times [54] [55]. I am highly interested at how Faith was playable in an epilogue the Wet Dreams Don’t Dry as it was a sort of rehash of Passionate Patti being playable in Leisure Suit Larry 3 [5] [34]. Interestingly enough, Larry Lovage could make a comeback after the reception of Wet Dreams Dry Twice as he is indeed Laffer’s nephew who seems to idolise him as he received dating advice from him [3] [25]. Well, that would be the case if there is a huge promise to not make any of the same mistakes Box Office Bust did [32]. Aside from these suggestions on who should be a playable character, what matters the most besides coherent storytelling with witty adult humour and appealing graphics is the overall gameplay and how engaging it can be, especially due to how a player can learn from a slip up during each attempt at guiding a bachelor…or bachelorette safely and logically to each goal throughout the plot [14] [33] [34] [42].

Again, since I take suicide very seriously, I still must strongly suggest making a protagonist commit suicide and referring to it as “a coward’s way out” completely off limits when it comes to providing a variety of ways to lose the game [18] [33] [44] [54] [55], especially if a new playable protagonist in the future of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise will be homosexual, bisexual or pansexual. [14]

Seriousness aside, I would also like to see a return of the bonus challenge that was simply a parody of Where’s Waldo, also known as “Where’s Wally” in the United Kingdom from Leisure Suit Larry: Love For Sail [24] [49]. [17]

Considering the soft-reboot and its sequel are set in the second half of the 2010s and the early 2020s [26] [27] [31], I am quite surprised that Larry Laffer had not even tried ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) yet [6] [51]. Nonetheless, I still believe that providing a spin-off within the Wet Dreams timeline that consists of a new playable homosexual, bisexual or pansexual character can make LGBT gamers feel more welcome in the gaming industry [54] [55], especially outside of Japan [36] [46] [47], but without any lolicon or shotacon of course [45]. We will have some great things to look forward to in 2021, such as the 25th anniversaries of the Pokémon franchise and the Tomb Raider franchise [37] [52] [53]. Whether he has Hypersexual Disorder or not [38], I hope that Larry will be happy and perhaps have children in the next main game in the soft-reboot timeline [26] [27], just like in the last verse of the theme song for Wet Dreams Don’t Dry [7]. I am up for the current era of his life eventually becoming a trilogy in about 2022. Even though he stated that most reboots end up being unsuccessful, I, Lacy Dress Laura, wish Mr. Laffer the best of luck. Feel free to follow me on Instacrap and we can perhaps have a round of Fartnite soon [8] [20].

Aside from what could be next in a third Wet Dreams game in the reboot timeline and perhaps a spin-off that features a pansexual character being playable [26] [27] [31] [54] [55], perhaps there can be a remake of any of the other four classic games from the late 1980s and early 1990s as an alternative plan to the keep the franchise going [1]. I wonder who could voice Passionate Patti in any of those [4] [34]? [1]

I refuse to have this filth displayed in my presence, Mr. Laffer! 500,000 points from Gryffindor [10]! [9]

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Would You Love An LGBT Version Of Leisure Suit Larry?

Disclaimer:

This is an article reflecting on a video game franchise that features strong sexual content aimed at mature audiences, along with some concerns regarding suicide, rape jokes and paedophilia. Reader discretion is advised.

When was the last time we heard about a middle-aged man named “Larry” trying to get laid? Ah yes, Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don’t Dry [2] [6] [17]. I have not read such a filthy game title since the titles of some of the Ratchet and Clank instalments [26] [27]. Despite how a taller Larry Laffer who ended up in the 2010s stated that most reboots “fail” in the trailer for his latest point-and-click adventure that beats itself up [2], I believe there could be a spin-off with some very notable differences that could at least be passable, especially for a new secondary audience. As I stated in the conclusion my article on how a new spin-off of Tomb Raider that features a new character using British Sign Language can appeal to tomb raiders with hearing difficulties [38] [39], I believe a spin-off of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise that is heavily themed on LGBT dating can make homosexual, bisexual and pansexual gamers feel more welcome in the new generation of gaming, which is quite similar to how I believe that there can be an anime based on the Rayman franchise with certain recommendations to radically increase a certain limbless hero’s appeal in Japan [42] [43].

It has been over a year since the soft-reboot of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise was established [2] [6]. Any ideas for more instalments? I have one. [17]

We obviously know that Mr. Laffer is heterosexual [14]. Furthermore, we would need a new homosexual, bisexual or pansexual protagonist for an LGBT-themed spin-off for a new generation of grown-up players. After all, many of us should know that homosexuality, bisexuality and pansexuality are not choices by now [10] [29]. Since a nephew for Mr. Laffer has already been established as “Larry Lovage” in Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude [15], a new protagonist for a new spin-off would need to be his niece who might as well be attracted to both handsome men and provocative women [10]. Making her bisexual would be the best choice as it will balance the premise of trying to seduce beautiful ladies in the previous instalments with a new premise of trying to charm good-looking men for heterosexual female players who are curious to see a role-reversal [30]. Gender equality anyone? Introducing a bisexual or pansexual niece for Mr. Laffer who could be nicknamed “Leisure Dress Lily” as a new playable protagonist should not be a sign of a new perspective in the franchise seeming somewhat misandristic, but it could be an interesting rehash of how Passionate Patti was a playable character in Leisure Suit Larry 5 [1] [19].

Remember Passionate Patti? A new niece for Larry Laffer ought to be playable in an LGBT-themed spin-off to remind older fans of how a woman was playable at some point in the series [1]. [19]

Remember Larry Lovage, Larry Laffer’s nephew? Making a new bisexual niece for Laffer as a sibling for Lovage may be quite tacked on, but it would be a legitimate reason to officially establish her in the franchise. [15]

If there ought to be an LGBT-themed spin-off of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise, the portrayal of homosexuals, bisexual and transgendered people should ditch the outdated stereotypes from the previous instalment [10] [13]. In Leisure Suit Larry 6: Shape Up or Slip Out!, Gary Fairy is an over-the-top gay stereotype who results in a game over screen when Larry unzips his trousers at him [12] [31]. At least an LGBT-themed spin-off would let a more open-minded portrayal result in an achievement. The feminine character Shablee who turns out to be male crossdresser forced himself onto Larry in Leisure Suit Larry 6 [21] [30]. Even though the scene in the game was censored, any references to rape simply for shock humour should remain no longer present in the franchise since rape is a very serious subject that should not be taken lightly [8] [20]. Rin from Catherine: Full Body turned out to be a male crossdresser and he has a heart of gold [5] [40] [41]. The themes of homosexuality and so on should be more humanised in order for the perspective of Mr. Laffer’s niece to be appealing to grown-up gamers in the 2020s, but consist of raunchy and clever adult jokes to maintain the charm from the original games. 

Instead of a game over, this would be an achievement in an LGBT-themed spin-off of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise. [31]

If a niece for Mr. Laffer ought to be pansexual, she would not mind if a feminine character turns out to be a male crossdresser. [30]

I am not saying that an LGBT spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry that ditches the outdated LGBT stereotypes of the ‘80s and ‘90s has to be as politically correct as possible [10] [13]. I know that lust and desire towards another fully grown human being are natural, but I can see why some feminist reviewers believed that Mr. Laffer’s perspective saw attractive women solely as objects [11] [31]. Nevertheless, I also completely understand that Al Lowe believed that sacrificing a certain amount of political incorrectness would not please the fans of the franchise, along with how plenty of female players at least tolerated main instalments [11]. Additionally, I am grateful for how the Leisure Suit Larry franchise has never featured any paedophilic or incestuous premises in any of the games [44], along with how Mr. Laffer has never considered being abusive to a woman. I am looking at you, Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey [4] [45]. Making only one or two politically correct alternations occur does not automatically mean that a franchise has to be a paradise for extreme social justice warriors [28]. But aside from that, I think it would be fun to tick off some homophobic hate groups with an LGBT-themed Leisure Suit Larry instalment [7] [34].

A lolicon version of Leisure Suit Larry [44]? Hell no! Not even if it would be a spin-off series for Japanese audiences featuring a Japanese version of Mr. Laffer who has anime-like features like the Japanese version of Crash Bandicoot [3]. We just want a Larry attracted to adult women, thank you very much. [25]

It seems likely that an LGBT-theme spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry will not consist of the same amount of risky adult humour as the original series [31], but I believe that how motivating the point-and-click adventure gameplay would be more important to think about in order for the spin-off to be considered a “good game” [25]. Cartoonish deaths can still be present as a sign of the challenge to progress through the game as logically as possible being present [30] [31], as long as none of the deaths will be the protagonist committing suicide like in the original Leisure Suit Larry game [24], which thankfully was not included in its 2013 remake, Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded [25]. One example of a mishap from making a wrong decision in a previous instalments would be not having enough money to pay a taxi driver, thus being attacked by him in Reloaded. Furthermore, a new spin-off must maintain that unpredictable journey of safely guiding the protagonist with careful thinking. Of course, an LGBT-themed spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry can still have raunchy adult humour [25] [30] [31], as long as there are no jokes involving rape or any outdated gay jokes that could make a new LGBT audience feeling quite betrayed.

As someone who takes suicide very seriously, I must firmly suggest that any characters committing suicide should not be present in another instalment of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise, even as shock humour. [24]

There can still be cartoon slapstick because letting a bisexual or pansexual protagonist get it will not make the gameplay homophobic. It will just be a sign of the protagonist getting the same kind of adventure as the heterosexual Larry Laffer. Equality, yes? [31]

It would be highly likely that a new LGBT-themed spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry would be set after the events of Wet Dreams Don’t Dry as if it is a chronological sequel to try and enhance the franchise’s legacy in the 2020s [2] [6] [17]. Larry Laffer, the main man ought to make an appearance to greet and attempt to motivate his niece at some point, even though the fact that he does not understand the term “bisexual” could annoy her [14]. I suppose it would be nice to let Larry Lovage return to the franchise in the vibrant art style of Wet Dreams Don’t Dry after the disastrous reception of Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust from 2009 [16]. Since Larry Laffer only has one sibling [14] [18], it would make sense if his niece is established as Larry Lovage’s sister. Seeing Mr. Laffer and possibly Mr. Lovage interact with a new bisexual or pansexual female relative would not only make an LGBT-themed spin-off more faithful to the franchise but could expand on their perspectives and developments in a new decade of gaming for mature audiences.

Since Wet Dreams Don’t Dry is set in the 2010s instead of the 1980s [17], a new LGBT-themed spin-off would definitely need to be set in the 2010s as well. [6]

Overall, I would love to see a witty and promiscuous, but LGBT-friendly spin-off of the Leisure Suit Larry franchise at some point in the 2020s. Surely the new decade has only just begun and some new instalments of other franchises have been or are yet to be released in 2020 [9] [23] [36] [37], but there will be hope for even more ambition for the next nine years. Suggesting such a concept that will allow new Leisure Suit Larry players to see the franchise’s prime premise in a new perspective to keep it going in a new decade does not automatically make me an extreme social justice warrior [28], but just someone who would be interested in a franchise eventually trying something a little different. Having hopes and discussing suggestions for how to keep a less frequent gaming franchise fresh are signs of proactive, creative and reasonable thinking among our local and online gaming communities. It is no wonder there are mods and fanmade games created by fans of franchises [22] [32] [33] [35]. If you agree or disagree with the idea of an LGBT-themed spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry being established at some point in this new decade, feel free to let yours truly know.

I would not mind if the idea of an LGBT-themed spin-off of Leisure Suit Larry is put into a fanmade game instead of an official instalment. After all, the purpose of a fanmade game is usually to express inspiration from the company and show admiration for the property under fair use, not to simply plagiarize it and support copyright infringement. [35]

Each and every single day, Larry wants it right away! Larry…has a crush on me [6]. [2]

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Could Qatherine Have A…Regional Difference?

Disclaimer:

This article will feature a spoiler that will reveal the truth about a certain character’s identity as another theory has motivated the writer into discussing it, along with a slight concern. Feel free to avoiding reading it if you are a Western Catherine crusader trying to avoid as many spoilers as possible.

It has been almost a month since Catherine: Full Body was released in Japan to seduce and frighten many Japanese Catherine crusaders [3]. Ever since the speculation of what is truly under a new neighbour’s dress, plenty of us in Europe and the United States have been hoping some more welcoming and positive portrayal of transsexuality and transgenderism in the gaming industry today, compared to how signs of transgenderism of a few characters have been removed in Western releases of their games in the past [3] [5] [6] [8]. Some of us have also expressed concern for the new neighbour’s mystery as Erica Anderson’s portrayal as a transgender character may have been praised for seeming empathetic and humanized, but it was also considered problematic as her being transgender all along as used as a punchline in one of the endings in the original Catherine [5] [19] [22]. But ever since after the release of Catherine: Full Body in Japan, a few Catherine crusaders have a new theory about what the mystery of Rin, other known as “Qatherine” is building up to for the Western release [17]. I can agree with the theory and I shall dig into it with hopefully no ram horns on my head.

I was rather hesitant about giving out a specific spoiler at first, but I felt as if I needed to elaborate on the theory that was brought up by other Catherine crusaders in order to address an issue that should definitely be avoided, especially for the Western release. [6]

It turns out that Rin is actually an otokonoko [6] [25]. It was revealed at some point during the horrific week of nightmares for unfaithful men in the Japanese version of the full-bodied port of Catherine. For those who do not know what the term “otokonoko” means, it means a male cross-dresser in modern Japanese culture [11] [20] [25]. That would explain the apparent lack of breasts on the pink-haired pianist’s chest [6] [15]. I suppose this year is a good time to bring another otokonoko into the gaming industry since the term became more popular in otaku culture after the mid-2000s [11] [20] [25]. I am okay with being proven wrong as I denied the possibility of Rin being a male cross-dresser back in late 2018 due to his highly feminine voice in the Japanese version [26] [27]. Even though I see how that girly voice is part of hiding his identity of an otokonoko, I still hope that Rin is at least physically old enough to be in a relationship with someone at Vincent Brooks’ age. Aside from that, I guess Rin gives otokonokos a great name with his kindness and innocent nature [6]. Finally! I can use the right pronouns for the pink-haired pianist. Or can I?

5, 4, 3, 2, 1… [15] [26] [27]

Epic jaw drop!! [15] [26] [27]

Even though Rin eventually reveals himself to be a male later on in the Japanese version, there is some speculation that he will be fully a female since not many folks in the West may understand the term “otokonoko” [6] [11] [20] [25]. In addition to this, Rin’s official English voice in the Fine Wine trailer for the Western Catherine crusaders sounds sweet, soft-spoken and so feminine [17]. Furthermore, Brianna Knickerbocker’s vocals would increase the likeliness of Rin being completely female in the Western release [3] [17]. If Rin ought to be fully female in the Western release, perhaps the animators ought to carefully make a few edits in some of the new cutscenes that are quite noticeable for giving Rin breasts, kind of like a reversed progress of how 4Kids used to censor cleavage for their English dubs of anime, such as One Piece [16]. Doing so would not only further prevent Rin from looking underaged, but prevent Vincent from becoming a pedophile and completely ruining his small amount of likeability [23] [24]. At least giving Rin breasts would be a better choice than giving Ratchet from Ratchet and Clank huge black eyebrows that look like the moustache of a certain plumber from Nintendo [9].

I can briefly imagine one of the artists at Atlus USA giving Rin breasts to prevent controversy for the Western release. [6]

Ratchet in the Japanese version of Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time. Those crazy eyebrows… [9]

If Rin is secretly a male in Japan and could be completely a female in the West, then it will not be the only time a video game character has received that kind of treatment. Gracie, the fashionable giraffe from the Animal Crossing franchises identifies as a male in Japanese and Korean versions of the games under the name “Grace” [1]. Saharah, the camel who trades carpets and wallpaper is another Animal Crossing character who is a male in Japan under the name “Ronald” [2]. Both characters became females for localized versions outside of Japan and Korea, possibly due to how feminine their eyes look [1] [2]. As someone who grew up in a generation of increasing tolerance towards transsexuality and transgenderism, I like to see those two animals as transgender, combining both of their regional genders together in my mind.  As much as I hope for more positive portrayals of LGBT characters in the near future of gaming [22], I am actually okay with Rin not being transsexual or transgender at all. However, Rin’s true gender in Japan and the possibility of him being fully female in the Western release can always make me and many others view him as either of those [6].

The glammed up giraffe as she (or he if you live in Japan) appears in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. [1]

Saharah/Roland’s appearance in Animal Crossing: New Leaf. [2]

I would not let a supporting character’s gender change affect my overall experience in playing a unique game and witnessing some positive traits of that character. I have nothing against changing a few things for localized versions of video games. Many regional differences can be reasonable while some others can be simply interesting [9] [10] [16] [18]. I honestly do not find making Rin a female in the Western release to be transphobic because I just want Rin’s physical age to be between the early twenties and early thirties so that Vincent will not be seen as a pedophile [23] [24]. Whether the pianist with a very feminine voice is an otokonoko or not, I still think the character development is more important, along with how old he is when it comes to being in love with an average thirty-two-year-old [6]. I might as well use male pronouns for Rin until further notice. At least there are plenty of positive LGBT portrayals and interpretations in video games and cartoons to go around in this day and age [12] [13] [14] [16] [21] [22]. To those who are brave enough to seek spoilers before the Western release, feel free to state your thoughts on the theory in the comments. Stay golden.

Ultimately, at least the chance of Rin being underaged seems very low as he is allowed to work in a North American bar. Lolicon in Catherine? No thanks! [17]

Who knows? Rin could have his own novel some time later in Japan since there is a genre related to the term “otokonoko” in anime and manga. [6]

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