Layover Lovers

About

Layover Lovers is a single player action game. It was developed by Moonlit Works and was released on October 17, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

SynopsisDan and Lucia are almost the complete opposite of one another from opposite sides of the world. When they've both decided to turn their worlds upside down, they encounter at the halfway point. A brief time together that makes a huge, lasting impact in their lives.BackgroundThis is a free short visual (kinetic) novel. The story is told from the point of view of each character, chosen by the…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 52 reviews

story12 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Layover Lovers offers a short, heartwarming story that effectively captures the bittersweet nature of a chance romantic encounter.
The ability to play from both Dan's and Lucia's perspectives adds depth to the narrative, allowing players to connect with both characters.
As a free visual novel, it provides a pleasant reading experience with good artwork and music, making it a worthwhile way to spend a brief amount of time.

The game lacks meaningful choices, making it feel more like a linear story than an interactive experience, which may disappoint fans of traditional visual novels.
Some players found the writing to be subpar and criticized the overall execution, suggesting it felt more like an e-book than a game.
The short length and predictable plot may leave some players wanting more character development and a more satisfying conclusion.

story
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
66%
7%
The story of *Layover Lovers* revolves around two strangers, Dan and Lucia, who meet during a layover at an airport, offering a bittersweet narrative that can be experienced from both characters' perspectives. While the plot is simple and linear, lacking significant player choices, it effectively evokes emotional connections and leaves players wanting more, making it a heartwarming yet brief experience. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging storytelling, despite its short length and limited interactivity.
- “It is best read from Dan's perspective, then once again through Lucia's to obtain the full impact of the story.”
- “I've read both points of view, and this is a very short but sweet story about two people that couldn't be together because of some unfortunate circumstances.”
- “By the end of this story, you'll be left wanting to know more, but also wholly satisfied with another bite-sized lovely tale by Moonlit Works.”
- “There is only one choice in the story, which is picking the gender at the beginning.”
- “As for the gameplay, the story is linear, so there aren't any choices whatsoever.”
- “Idk what to say, I'd rather this have been posted on a website for a short story than listed as a video game on Steam.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a cheesy yet wholesome narrative that resonates deeply with players, evoking feelings of sadness and joy. Many users found the short, heartwarming story to be well-written and enjoyable, with some even shedding tears during their experience. Overall, it delivers a feel-good emotional journey that exceeds expectations.
- “This story made me feel so sad deep inside because I relate to it so much when I first read this.”
- “Short and heartwarming romantic story.”
- “At one point, I thought I had splashed my drink on my face only to realize I had shed a tear.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The music in the game is described as limited yet well-suited to the narrative, featuring quiet and soothing tracks that evoke a romantic atmosphere. Overall, it complements the artwork and story effectively, enhancing the overall experience.
- “The music is necessarily limited as well, but its use is good and appropriate for the story being told here.”
- “The music is necessarily limited, but its use is good and appropriate for the story being told here.”
- “Regarding the music, the few tracks that are present felt quiet and soothing.”
- “They're definitely not the kind of music you'd listen to at an airport, but the tracks give off that slightly budding romantic feel.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The gameplay is criticized for being minimal and linear, lacking meaningful choices, and primarily consisting of poorly written dialogue that detracts from the overall experience. Players are left questioning how such a product made it to Steam given its shortcomings.
- “As a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay; it's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which poses the question, 'How did something this badly written end up on Steam?'”
- “As for the gameplay, the story is linear, so there aren't any choices whatsoever.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the grinding aspect of visual novels and e-books tedious, likening the experience to a frustratingly slow reading process where each sentence requires a click to advance, detracting from the enjoyment of the narrative.
- “Visual novels and e-books can be tedious at best. Imagine the best novel you've ever read, whether it's 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', '2001: A Space Odyssey', or even 'Twilight' (if you have terrible taste in literature). Now, translate that into a format where the words dribble out, and you have to click your mouse every time you want to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged. It often feels like I'm just going through the motions without any real sense of progress.”
- “I find the grinding aspect to be incredibly frustrating. It takes away from the enjoyment of the game and turns what could be an exciting experience into a monotonous chore.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers express a desire for deeper exploration of the characters, indicating that the potential for more substantial character development exists but is not fully realized, particularly in the middle of the game.
- “I do wish it was a little longer in the middle to more fully explore the two characters, as there was definitely some potential for more character development.”
- “The character arcs felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more depth and backstory.”
- “I found the characters to be one-dimensional, lacking the complexity that would make their journeys more engaging.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics are praised for their high quality, featuring detailed backgrounds and a well-designed user interface, although the limited amount of artwork reflects the game's short nature. Overall, the visual presentation is considered strong and appealing.
- “The artwork, music, and UI are very good.”
- “Despite being a short game, the limited amount of artwork is impressive, featuring detailed backgrounds that enhance the overall experience.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by sharp wit and clever observations, as exemplified by a remark about the minimal demand for a book, suggesting a satirical take on its value. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to deliver humor that is both insightful and amusing.
- “The funny thing is, if you wanted to print this book, you'd only need to print 3 copies to satisfy the entire world's demand for it.”