Heartbreak High: A Break-Up Simulator
- May 21, 2018
- Alec Robbins
Get on SteamImagine you're the most popular kid in school. So popular, in fact, that you're dating every single person in your class. The only problem? You've decided to break up with all of them, one by one. An arcade-style spin on dating simulators that asks you to break up with all of your high school sweethearts.
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Reviews
- The game offers a unique and inventive take on the dating sim genre, providing a variety of characters and mini-games that keep each encounter fresh and engaging.
- Players appreciate the witty writing, charming art style, and the emotional depth that adds a surprising layer to the gameplay experience.
- It's a fast-paced game that encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different dialogue paths and endings, making it a fun way to spend time.
- Some players have experienced technical issues, such as being unable to progress past the first dialogue box, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.
- Critics have pointed out that the humor can be juvenile and the art style unappealing, leading to disappointment for those expecting a more polished experience.
- The game can feel frustrating due to its challenging mechanics and the potential for game overs, which may not appeal to all players.
- music12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users criticizing the limited soundtrack, which consists of only one song described as grating and reminiscent of poor-quality mid-2000s indie music. Despite this, a few users have expressed appreciation for the overall writing and art style, indicating that the music is a significant drawback in an otherwise enjoyable experience.
“Love the writing, music, and art style, but what I loved most is the fresh concept.”
“Great writing, great music, great artwork!”
“The soundtrack (what little of it there is; as far as I can tell, there's only 1 song on it) is beyond grating, like really bad indie music from the mid-2000s.”
“I can't believe they're trying to sell the soundtrack as DLC.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is a mix of juvenile and absurd elements, often blending sad and funny moments that can evoke a range of emotions. While some players appreciate the emotional depth and replayability due to multiple endings, others criticize the humor as lacking sophistication and the art as subpar. Overall, it offers a unique but polarizing comedic experience.
“It has a lot of sad, funny moments and will have you playing multiple times to see all the different endings.”
“I bought it because of the good reviews and because it sounded like it was going to be funny.”
“The premise is not only stretched over the humorous and absurd, but is surprisingly affecting and heartbreaking in its modest time.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game effectively balances humor and absurdity with moments that are surprisingly affecting and heartbreaking, creating a unique emotional experience. Players may find themselves drained of emotional strength by the final encounters, adding to the game's intensity and impact.
“Maxing out the meters in any direction causes an instant game over, and by the time you get towards the final encounters, you might not have enough emotional strength left to succeed.”
“The premise is not only stretched over the humorous and absurd, but is surprisingly affecting and heartbreaking in its modest time.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their unique art style, which complements the strong writing and music. Reviewers appreciate the fresh visual concept, enhancing the overall experience.
“Great writing, great music, great artwork!”
“Love the writing, music, and art style but what I loved most is the fresh concept.”
- story2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is perceived as being undermined by the inclusion of distracting and annoying minigames, which detract from the main mission and overall narrative experience.
- gameplay2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay features challenging mechanics that require players to balance their character's traits, such as sexiness, egomania, and kindness, while avoiding extremes like being unsexy, selfless, or cruel. This dynamic adds a layer of strategy and complexity to the overall experience.
