Let`s not stay friends

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 120 reviews

story23 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The art is beautiful and the character designs are appealing, with a lot of CGs for a short game.
The dialogue is humorous and the interactions between characters are entertaining, making the story enjoyable.
The game offers multiple endings for each character, providing replay value and a sense of challenge in achieving the best outcomes.

The story is very short and feels rushed, lacking depth and character development.
Choices often feel counterintuitive, leading to frustration when trying to achieve desired endings without a guide.
The main character can be seen as a typical clumsy heroine, which may not appeal to all players.

story
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
69%
6%
The story has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it short, cliché, and lacking depth, while others appreciated its charm and romantic elements. Although the art and design are praised, the narrative often feels rushed and underdeveloped, leaving some characters and plotlines feeling incomplete. Overall, while the story may not be groundbreaking, it offers a decent experience for those who enjoy interactive visual novels.
- “The story diverges when you decide who to go with - aka, one of the three love interests.”
- “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 story is boring and bland.”
- “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.”
music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
45%
9%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its beauty and how it complements the visuals, while others feel it lacks consistency and presence during key moments. Some users noted that the soundtrack enhances the experience, but there are complaints about it being too quiet at times or not looping correctly. Overall, while the music is generally considered pleasant and fitting, it could benefit from more frequent play to better support the game's atmosphere.
- “Music can make the whole experience better and more memorable!”
- “The game has beautiful music and graphics.”
- “I did actually like the music in this quite a lot, the piano pieces are pretty and peaceful and went well with the setting.”
- “The only negative is that the music isn't always playing, so sometimes you are reading in silence.”
- “A few things that I also didn't like in this game were 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.”
- “But the other routes, the music and how that world works/feels is just... boring, rushed, just bad really.”
graphics
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
32%
11%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and artistic style, featuring gorgeous character designs and charming chibi artwork. While the visuals are generally considered stunning, some reviewers noted that the action-oriented CGs lack impact. Overall, the combination of lovely artwork and fitting music enhances the immersive experience, making it a highlight of the game.
- “The graphics are beautiful and everything is just flawless.”
- “The artwork and music is beyond gorgeous.”
- “The art is lovely with soft colors and pretty visuals.”
- “On the flip side, the art style is decent and the chibi frames are adorable, but there are few of them.”
- “And I swear those artworks in the corridor of the school were things I have seen before.”
- “The sexual content is implied sex and two shirtless male graphics - that's all.”
humor
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is widely praised, with players highlighting the witty dialogue, entertaining character interactions, and clever banter that often leads to genuine laughter. The characters are described as charming and funny, with their unique personalities contributing to a mix of sarcasm and relatable humor. Overall, the game's writing effectively combines humor with engaging storytelling, making it a delightful experience for players.
- “The characters interact in nice ways, the dialogues are always funny and often deep; the writers of this novel did a really good job.”
- “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.”
- “While the three guys are definitely common otome tropes, the dialogue and interactions between each is hilarious and entertaining, with banter that had me in giggle fits.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
50%
33%
The gameplay lasts around 2-3 hours, with some users noting that the experience can feel longer due to its pacing. While the content is considered reasonable for the price, there are also some enjoyable gameplay elements that enhance the experience.
- “There are a few nice gameplay touches too.”
- “It's about 2-3 hours of gameplay; the 16 hours is because I fell asleep playing.”
- “For the price, the amount of content and gameplay is reasonable.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Character development in the game is perceived as rushed, with limited backstory for two of the three main characters and a short time frame that hinders meaningful growth. While the character designs may be plain, the visuals, including sprites and event CGs, are praised for their beauty.
- “Although the character designs are a bit plain, the sprites and event CGs are absolutely gorgeous (and there are plenty of them).”
- “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.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
Reviews highlight a mixed emotional experience in the game, with some players finding the story sweet and heartwarming, while others feel it lacks impact and engagement. The music is noted as particularly touching, enhancing the emotional atmosphere, while the character's emotional reactions and experiences contribute to the overall depth of the narrative. However, some players express frustration with the need to navigate the story in a way that feels disconnected from genuine romantic engagement.
- “The story is sweet and heartwarming, and while the routes are okay, you often have to provoke the guys and act without romantic thoughts most of the time for the best paths.”
- “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!”
- “Not only are we privy to what’s physically happening to her, but also to her emotional reactions, and how everything she’s experiencing, including her feelings about each guy, adds to her overall experience.”
- “No auto button... had to click through a boring story that had no impact on my experience.”
- “The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me at all.”
- “I expected a deep emotional connection, but the characters felt flat and unrelatable.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
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 leaves players with unanswered questions, limiting the depth and enjoyment of the experience.
- “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 game's atmosphere; the visuals and sound design work together to create a hauntingly beautiful experience that lingers long after you put the controller down.”
- “The environment is rich and vibrant, making exploration a joy. Each area feels distinct and alive, contributing to an overall sense of wonder and adventure.”
- “One of the main issues I had with the game was the lack of music. It felt way too quiet at times, and I started to wonder if there was something wrong with my computer. This absence of sound really hurt the atmosphere, making it feel flat and unengaging.”
- “The game fails to provide any meaningful world history or explanation. There are magic and monsters that are crossbreeds of real animals, but I found myself asking how that happened. How mundane is using magic? Is it normal to attend a magical school? What kind of history does the school have? The unanswered questions left me feeling disconnected from the world.”
- “The atmosphere felt lacking due to the minimal sound design and the absence of a rich backstory. Without music or a deeper understanding of the world, the game struggled to immerse me, leaving me with a sense of emptiness.”