Left on Read

About

"Left on Read" is a visual novel game where players navigate the world of online dating. Make choices as the protagonist, Weston Bell, as you try to understand what went wrong in your past relationships. Experience modern dating through text messages, phone calls, and social media, and discover the impact of your actions on your relationships. Can you learn from your past mistakes, or are you doomed to be left on read again?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,657 reviews

story276 positive mentions

grinding10 negative mentions

story
753 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
55%
8%
The game's story, set during the COVID-19 pandemic, revolves around a long-distance relationship conveyed through text messages, which many players found relatable and emotionally resonant. However, opinions on the execution vary widely; while some appreciated the heartfelt and immersive narrative, others criticized it for being clichéd, lacking depth, and featuring unengaging characters. Overall, the storytelling method—combining platforming mechanics with dialogue choices—received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the unique approach while others felt it detracted from the narrative experience.
- “The narrative is grounded in realism, avoiding melodrama in favor of subtle, relatable storytelling.”
- “The story is simple, yet immersing.”
- “Left on Read is a really short but well-written fusion of 2D platformers and text adventures which tells a really great and relatable story that has some of the most authentic dialogue I've ever seen in a game.”
- “I understand if this was the intention of these characters for the plot of an unrequited crush, but the execution made it into a boring, grating cycle.”
- “The game's text conversations feel unrealistic, the story lacks depth and emotional punch.”
- “The story goes remarkably nowhere, but perhaps that depends on the situation.”
emotional
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of "left on read" is a significant focal point, with players expressing a wide range of feelings from heartwarming joy to deep sadness. Many found themselves genuinely invested in the narrative, experiencing emotional highs and lows that reflect the complexities of modern relationships, particularly during the pandemic. However, some critiques highlight a lack of depth in character development and story, leading to mixed feelings about the game's emotional impact, with some players feeling overwhelmed while others found it relatable and touching.
- “Set within a simple yet evocative text-message interface, this narrative-driven game takes players through the emotional turbulence of attempting to connect with someone they care about.”
- “The emotional roller coaster that I experienced playing this game cannot be explained.”
- “This game really broke me; I've been experiencing a similar situation right now in my life, and this game is so close to reality that it hits in a different way. I cried so much whilst playing it.”
- “Boring story that doesn't actually let you make many choices.”
- “Just a really boring story.”
gameplay
205 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
66%
12%
The gameplay of "Left on Read" is characterized by its simplistic mechanics, primarily involving jumping between text messages to select responses, which many players found unengaging and lacking depth. While some appreciated the unique approach to blending platforming with narrative, the overall consensus is that the gameplay serves more as a vehicle for storytelling rather than offering substantial interactive elements, leading to mixed feelings about its effectiveness. Ultimately, the game is seen as an emotional experience rather than a traditional gaming endeavor, appealing primarily to those interested in its narrative rather than gameplay complexity.
- “Left on read is a game that blends emotions with simple gameplay to deliver a powerful message.”
- “The gameplay is straightforward, yet it manages to strike a chord with me.”
- “It’s particularly impressive how the game uses such minimalistic gameplay to explore complex themes like love and communication.”
- “The lack of explicit outcomes for decisions adds to the sense of helplessness, forcing players to focus more on their emotional reactions rather than any gameplay reward or punishment.”
- “As for the gameplay, I'm shocked to say that it's probably worse than the story, even considering that the only mechanic to judge is jumping from message to message.”
- “The gameplay consists of a block jumping to text bubbles, occasionally choosing one to land on which may or may not change after you have landed on it.”
humor
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
7%
The humor in the game is a mix of light-hearted banter, relatable awkwardness, and cringeworthy moments that resonate with players, often evoking genuine laughter. While some found the dialogue choices and scenarios to be hilariously realistic, others criticized the humor as inconsistent or overly simplistic. Overall, the game successfully blends funny and serious elements, making it an entertaining experience for many, despite some mixed opinions on its comedic effectiveness.
- “The dialogue choices were hilarious and sometimes brutal, but they felt so real!”
- “I thought this game was hilarious, to be honest, and my friends and I had fun talking about it in voice chat.”
- “The character we play as would often bait choices and change them after I choose them, which was funny.”
- “At worst, this is an insidious strategy to increase the players' playtime and, at best, an unfunny troll.”
- “His crush reflects me: we both have bad taste in movies, we both are not funny, and we both are very hard to deal with.”
- “I'm not a fan of the twist at the back (where the girl said she's attached). Damn girl, her jokes are too far and not funny.”
music
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
76%
6%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the melancholic lo-fi soundtrack that enhances the emotional depth, while others criticize the lack of in-game music and the overwhelming intensity of the menu music. Many users suggest playing with their own background music to fill the silence, as the game's audio settings seem inconsistent and sometimes ineffective. Overall, while the soundtrack can create a fitting atmosphere, its execution and presence throughout the game leave room for improvement.
- “Meanwhile, the soundtrack, a lo-fi, melancholic score, underscores the sense of intimacy and introspection.”
- “The music is great, keeps you immersed.”
- “The ambient music adds to the gravity of the conversation and enables the narrative to continue with pace and build intensity.”
- “I would recommend playing with lo-fi music in the background because there's no in-game music.”
- “The lack of ambient music is a choice made to create an unsettling virtual void - but in my opinion, creating a tapering ambient soundtrack that ends up being listless and still would have been a more entertaining option.”
- “The audio settings are terrible, I have adjusted the music level over 100 times and yet the music seems to just want to blast.”
graphics
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
51%
5%
The game's graphics have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many players praising its minimalist aesthetic and charming art style as effective and engaging. While some found the visuals simplistic, others highlighted the smooth animations and unique design elements that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, creating a visually pleasing and immersive environment.
- “The game’s minimalist aesthetic is a deliberate and effective choice.”
- “The charming art style and thoughtful storytelling make it a delightful and memorable experience.”
- “Concept was way cool, the game looked really pretty, kind of my aesthetic with the cool little blurry effect on the words and the hopping mechanic to pick choices was really cool.”
- “I would not call this a game; it's a visual novel, just with really bad visuals.”
- “The game is very simplistic in terms of visuals.”
- “The only graphics you’ll see are some emoticons and a cat meme.”
replayability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The game's replayability is mixed, with some players appreciating the multiple endings and choices that allow for varied experiences, while others find the lack of diverse options limits its replay value. Although it offers achievements and different routes, many feel that the gameplay does not strongly encourage repeated playthroughs. Overall, it provides a unique experience that some players enjoy revisiting, but it may not be compelling enough for everyone to return frequently.
- “Despite its simplicity, the freedom of choice offers players some replay value and fun to see how much they can steer the relationship in certain directions.”
- “It's a fun, quick little game that offers a little bit of replay value in order to get achievements or make different choices along the way.”
- “This game was thoroughly enjoyable. I had a few laughs and was surprised at how well the devs captured real-life conversations. Plus, it's free and has a fair bit of replayability.”
- “It doesn't really offer replayability outside of some achievements, but that doesn't seem to be an issue with it being free.”
- “The story is serviceable and good for what it is; I only wish they had expanded the characters and given it some more replay value.”
- “There's replay value in this, but it didn't draw me in enough to try.”
grinding
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
23%
59%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often describing it as a "long, tedious grind" that detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some acknowledge the potential for replayability through multiple endings, the repetitive nature of the gameplay leads to a lack of engagement after a short period. Many reviewers suggest that the grind feels more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “The amount of times you just want to kick the protagonist into action and say something is teeth grinding!”
- “Characters are boring as hell and the gameplay is really tedious.”
- “It's interesting for 5-10 minutes but after that it just becomes tedious.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
37%
19%
The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the eerie ambient noise and relatable tension that effectively captures the anxiety of modern communication, while others find it confusing and lacking in genuine spookiness. The minimalistic sound design and character interactions contribute to a chill yet suspenseful vibe, though some feel it detracts from the overall experience due to abrupt narrative shifts. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its uniqueness and ability to evoke emotions, despite some inconsistencies in execution.
- “I've not seen other reviews talk about this, but the atmosphere created by the ambient noise and the empty background really reflects the pit in your stomach you get when you're anxious about whether they love you back.”
- “The atmosphere of it really put me in the head of this dude and got me invested; I even started getting nervous when the girl was typing, lmao.”
- “The developer creates a perfect atmosphere to imitate how people might communicate in lockdown and how texting feels in times like these; very relatable.”
- “The dark atmosphere and emo quote interludes were setting up a spooky ambiance, but ultimately they fall flat as there's nothing really spooky about the game. Half the time, I didn't even really understand what was happening - the main character just randomly starts losing his mind halfway through the game, and the girl abruptly stops replying, or the game just cuts off and transitions to the next day without any explanation, leaving me deeply confused about what is even happening.”
- “While I do relate to being left on read and typing stupid things out just to delete it, the lack of music and atmosphere makes me feel like nothing is happening.”
- “If you want to play a game with a similar narrative and atmosphere, where your response choices actually seem to have some weight, I'd recommend: https://store.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
92%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, including lag and issues with level completion. While some minor bugs were noted, the overall consensus indicates that the game is plagued by stability problems, making it frustrating for players.
- “100% bug-free product”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or glitches.”
- “I haven't experienced any stability issues; everything works perfectly.”
- “Buggy as hell.”
- “Feels very buggy, laggy, couldn't finish the game.”
- “The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs/glitches.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Reviews indicate a mixed response to character development; while some players appreciate the character design, particularly noting the work of Takashi Okazaki, others feel that the game lacks substantial character development. Overall, the character design is praised, but the depth of character growth is seen as insufficient.
- “Amazing character design by the same person who designed the Afro Samurai characters (Takashi Okazaki).”
- “Great character development.”
- “After playing 'Emily is Away', I found the game interesting, but there is no real character development.”
- “The characters feel flat and lack any meaningful growth throughout the game.”
- “I was disappointed by the lack of depth in the character arcs; they didn't evolve in any significant way.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The game lacks ultrawide optimization, resulting in issues such as unintended visibility of the level select screen without user interaction. This oversight detracts from the overall experience, highlighting a need for better support for wider aspect ratios.
- “The game offers a thrilling experience, but it lacks ultrawide optimization (32:9 screen), which means I can see the level select screen without needing to click the 'select level' button. It's a minor drawback.”
- “The optimization for various screen sizes is impressive, making the gameplay smooth and enjoyable across different resolutions.”
- “I appreciate how the game runs efficiently on lower-end hardware, allowing more players to enjoy the experience without sacrificing quality.”
- “The game has no ultrawide optimization (32:9 screen), which means I can see the level select screen without clicking on the 'select level' button. It's a little frustrating.”
- “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay, which really detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs and performance issues that indicate poor optimization, making it hard to enjoy the game as intended.”