Let`s not stay friends
- November 28, 2017
- Violet Feature
- 2h median play time
"Let's not stay friends" is a visual novel game with elements of fantasy and romance. Inske, a student of magical arts, is surrounded by admirers seeking more than just friendship. Players can choose from three potential love interests, each with their own unique story and multiple endings. The game features beautiful artwork, memorable locations, and touching romantic scenes, with royalty-free music from Bensound adding to the atmosphere. Help Inske navigate her feelings and the outdoor exam, while trying to win her heart.
Reviews
- The art style is beautiful, with many gorgeous CGs that enhance the experience.
- The game offers a variety of endings and requires thoughtful choices, making it engaging and rewarding.
- The characters are charming and the romantic moments feel natural and sweet.
- The story is quite short, leading to rushed character development and plot progression.
- Many choices are counter-intuitive, making it difficult to achieve desired endings without a guide.
- The main character is often portrayed as clumsy and naive, which can be frustrating for players.
- story83 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story is generally described as short and somewhat cliché, with many reviewers expressing a desire for more depth and character development. While some found the romantic elements charming and the art appealing, others criticized the plot for being shallow and lacking innovation. Overall, the narrative offers a decent experience but leaves room for improvement in terms of length and complexity.
“I love the story concept (fantasy for the win) and the idea of combining battle with wits.”
“Each character has his own charm, backstory, and every route is amazing.”
“The story, although basic and straightforward, was still decent; there was humor, fluff, and thrills without too much filler.”
“The whole story is pretty mediocre and plain, revolving around the main character and the partner she chooses for an outdoors exam.”
“A lot more could have been done with its story and its characters' development.”
“The story didn't captivate me enough.”
- music34 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its beauty and ability to enhance the overall experience, while others note issues such as incorrect looping and a lack of presence during key moments. Some players found the soundtrack fitting and relaxing, contributing positively to the atmosphere, while others felt it was either underutilized or occasionally out of place. Overall, while the music is generally appreciated, its inconsistency and occasional absence detract from the immersive experience.
“Music can make the whole experience better and more memorable!”
“The game has beautiful music and graphics.”
“The artwork and music is beyond gorgeous.”
“The soundtracks do not loop correctly.”
“A few things that I also didn't like in this game was the lack of music; seriously, it felt way too quiet at times and I started to wonder if there was something wrong with my computer. It would have helped to build the atmosphere more because now it just felt flat at times.”
“Only negative is that the music isn't always playing, so sometimes you are reading in silence.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful art style, particularly the charming chibi character designs and soft color palettes. While many reviewers appreciate the overall visuals and the quality of the artwork, some note that the action-oriented CGs lack impact, making them appear somewhat awkward. Overall, the game's graphics contribute significantly to its romantic and engaging atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
“The game has beautiful music and graphics.”
“The graphics are beautiful and everything is just flawless.”
“The artwork and music is beyond gorgeous.”
“The sexual content is implied sex and two shirtless male graphics - that's all.”
“And I swear those artworks in the corridor of the school were things I have seen before.”
“Artstyle is again, simple and sweet and has a nice balance of CGs mixed into the story, looking back at it there's actually quite a few CGs and some of those kiss scenes are good!!”
- humor23 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, entertaining character interactions, and a mix of sarcastic and dark jokes that resonate well with players. Many reviewers highlight the charm and wit of the characters, particularly the main character's clumsiness and the engaging banter that often leads to genuine laughter. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, enhancing the experience with its comedic elements.
“The author has fantastic work, this is just a pure masterpiece; the characters are so interesting and funny.”
“The banter and interactions between the characters were very entertaining, and it actually made me laugh a few times at certain sarcastic remarks that were made.”
“The writing is quite witty and hilarious.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay offers a reasonable amount of content for its price, featuring several enjoyable gameplay elements that enhance the experience. Players have noted the game's engaging mechanics and overall value in terms of hours of gameplay.
“There are a few nice gameplay touches too.”
“For the price, the amount of content and gameplay is reasonable.”
“Hours of gameplay are limited and feel repetitive.”
“The gameplay lacks depth and variety, making it feel stale quickly.”
“The mechanics are clunky and hinder the overall experience.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Character development is perceived as rushed, with two of the three characters lacking a significant backstory with the protagonist and only spending a single day together, leading to insufficient buildup and sudden shifts in their relationships.
“Character development feels quite rushed, with 2 of the 3 characters not having a history with the protagonist and only spending 1 day with her.”
“Character development feels quite rushed, with 2 of the 3 characters not having any history with the protagonist and only spending 1 day with her.”
“There's little build-up to character development.”
“The time frame is really short, so there wasn't much character development, or it felt way too sudden.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a sweet and heartwarming story, though some players find the narrative lacking impact and tedious due to the lack of an auto-play feature. While the routes can be engaging, they often require players to provoke characters rather than pursue romance directly. The music is notably touching, enhancing the overall emotional experience even when not actively playing.
“The story is sweet and heartwarming, with engaging routes that require you to provoke the characters and act without romantic thoughts for the best outcomes.”
“The music is really touching; it's the first time I've let the music of a visual novel play even when I'm not actively playing it!”
“No auto button... had to click through a boring story that had no impact on my emotional experience.”
“The emotional depth was lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I felt no attachment to the story; it failed to evoke any real emotions.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is criticized for its lack of music, which leaves moments feeling too quiet and flat, detracting from immersion. Additionally, the absence of world-building and historical context regarding the magical elements and setting results in unanswered questions that could have enriched the experience and added depth to the narrative.
“The atmosphere in this game is incredibly immersive, drawing you into a world filled with magic and mystery. Every corner feels alive, and the attention to detail is remarkable.”
“I was captivated by the hauntingly beautiful visuals and the subtle sound design that perfectly complemented the environment. It truly felt like I was exploring a living, breathing world.”
“The game's atmosphere is rich and engaging, with a perfect blend of eerie and enchanting elements that kept me on the edge of my seat. It made every moment feel significant and memorable.”
“One of the main issues I had with the game was the lack of music; it felt way too quiet at times, making me wonder if there was something wrong with my computer. This absence really hurt the atmosphere, leaving it feeling flat. Additionally, the game lacked a rich world history or explanation. There are magic and monsters that are crossbreeds of real animals, which is cool, but how did that happen? How mundane is using magic? Is it normal to attend a magical school? What kind of history does the school have? There are so many unanswered questions that could have added depth to the story and made it more enjoyable.”
“The atmosphere felt incredibly lacking due to the sparse sound design. It was so quiet that it detracted from the immersion, and I found myself longing for some background music or ambient sounds to enhance the experience. Without these elements, the world felt empty and uninviting.”
“I was disappointed by the atmosphere in the game. The silence was deafening, and it made the environment feel lifeless. There was no sense of wonder or excitement, and the lack of lore or background information left me feeling disconnected from the world.”