Love Spell: Written in the Stars
- July 24, 2020
- Great Gretuski Studios
"Love Spell: Written in the Stars" is a free demo otome game available on Steam, where players control Luna, a young girl who can cast love spells on people named in her magical spell book. After a series of unfortunate events, Luna gets drunk and accidentally uses the spell book, leading to romantic and comedic shenanigans. The game includes four romanceable bachelors and new game-based interactions for players to enjoy.
Reviews
- The game features unique and well-written stories that keep players engaged and entertained.
- The art style is beautiful, with charming character designs and immersive backgrounds.
- The main character is relatable and has a distinct personality, making her interactions with love interests feel genuine.
- Choices in the game often feel inconsequential, with only the final decision impacting the ending.
- There is no manual save function, which can be frustrating for players who want to revisit specific moments.
- Some players may find the humor and writing style to be hit or miss, with occasional clichés present in the dialogue.
- story122 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its uniqueness and engaging character arcs, with each route offering a distinct narrative that keeps players invested. However, many reviews note that while the choices feel arbitrary and do not significantly alter the outcomes, the well-crafted dialogues and emotional depth of the characters make the experience enjoyable. Despite some predictable twists and clichés, the overall storytelling is described as immersive and entertaining, appealing to fans of romantic visual novels.
“Every one of the storylines has always kept me on my toes and curious to learn more about each of the characters.”
“I just thought it was going to be another silly visual novel that I could get through quickly, but I found myself drawn into this rich world full of diverse characters and interesting plot lines.”
“The emotional roller coaster that goes on in a story is so enjoyable.”
“While there are 'choices' in the game, they don't lead the story any differently, so feel free to select any options you want without repercussion.”
“For those looking for a game where your choices throughout the story influence the ending you get, this is not the game for you.”
“In addition, the story is full of clichés, making it rather boring.”
- humor53 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and well-written dialogue, which elicits genuine laughter and emotional responses from players. Many reviewers highlight the charming characters, particularly the sidekicks, and the clever use of pop culture references that enhance the comedic experience. Overall, the game strikes a delightful balance between humor and heartfelt moments, making it a standout choice for those seeking a light-hearted and entertaining visual novel.
“The well-scripted dialogues, whether there's romance, drama, humor, or party banter between the characters, leave a magnificent taste in the player’s mouth.”
“I found myself genuinely laughing at some lines, and the comedic timing in general was so good!”
“The game provided the quirky humor promised, a variety of engaging stories, and by the end, regardless of which ending, had the writing come full circle either in bliss or tragedy.”
- music30 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; many players praise its fantastic quality and ability to enhance the storytelling, with specific highlights on memorable themes and well-timed background scores. However, some critics find certain tracks to be unremarkable or reminiscent of stock music, occasionally detracting from more serious moments. Overall, while the music is generally appreciated for its contribution to the game's atmosphere, there are calls for improvements, such as a music box feature for better accessibility.
“The music is quite fantastic, even the melodies accompanying the comical moments. I truly fell in love with what it felt like as Aslan’s theme.”
“The game is great, even before the update. It had an interesting and hilarious storyline, beautiful sprites and CGs, and a nice range of background music. What can be better than an adorable, cheese-loving, pink penguin in a story?”
“The artwork was wonderful and the music amazing, and as others have said, it was nicely timed throughout the game to match the scenes playing out.”
“Judging from the art style and music alone, you can guess what the storytelling will be like; fluffy, lighthearted, and not really pushing any boundaries.”
“As for the music: the music is not very noteworthy, to be honest.”
“The music felt often like stock music (which it may very well be, which is absolutely acceptable) but sometimes the music used in certain scenes felt corny.”
- graphics28 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their gorgeous and detailed artwork, which is described as unique and charming, complementing the quirky humor and engaging stories. While some users noted a mismatch in character art styles, the overall aesthetic is considered polished and appealing, enhancing the game's narrative experience. However, a few critiques mention occasional clunkiness during intense visual moments, but this does not detract significantly from the overall positive reception of the visuals.
“Before saying anything else, I just want to praise the aesthetics of the game.”
“The artwork is absolutely gorgeous!”
“The art style is amazing and the stories have a lot of depth and thought put into them.”
“First of all, the characters are drawn with different art styles, which look really mismatched when put together.”
“Judging from the art style and music alone, you can guess what the storytelling will be like; fluffy, lighthearted, and not really pushing any boundaries.”
“Of course you can't judge an entire game solely on how it looks, but it's undeniable that art style is a huge deciding factor when it comes to otome games, and Love Spell definitely caught my eye from the get-go.”
- emotional21 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, with players experiencing a range of feelings from laughter to tears. Many reviewers noted the game's ability to evoke strong emotions, with touching narratives that resonate deeply, while also providing lighthearted and entertaining content. Overall, the game is praised for its emotional depth, making it a memorable and engaging experience.
“I cried, I laughed, and I had an amazing trip through this universe.”
“There were some extremely touching moments that pulled at the heartstrings and a couple of moments that actually made me chuckle.”
“I cried the first time I read the stories, and again after playing the updated game (even though I already knew what was going to happen).”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by unique storytelling, engaging humor, and easy mechanics, making it accessible and enjoyable for players. While some users noted flaws in the mechanics and wished for features like text skipping, these issues did not significantly detract from the overall experience, which was praised for its visual appeal and well-paced narrative. Overall, the game offers a charming indie experience with a focus on storytelling, despite some mechanical quirks.
“The amount of care and gameplay in this indie game is amazing.”
“And it's certainly not a 'hot take' as the game works fine--yes, the engine and mechanics are a bit different than other otomes, but just as other reviewers have said as well, it worked fine and didn't detract from the overall experience, which was great.”
“I really don't think the different game mechanics should prohibit you from choosing to buy this game, because it really wasn't an inconvenience to deal with.”
“The storytelling was engaging and entertaining; the dialogue was believable; the situations kept me wanting to read more; but the mechanics were horrible.”
“For replaying, I do wish the mechanics included either a 'skip-read-text' feature or a 'skip-to-decision' feature because the fastest auto-speed is as fast as my usual reading speed, so it can be a bit slow to replay.”
“A lot of the reviews I read addressed the game mechanics, so I figured I should as well.”
- character development8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth, particularly in the love interests and the main character, with many reviewers noting that both experience significant growth throughout the story. While some felt certain developments were a bit forced, the overall pacing and importance of character arcs were well-received, complemented by appealing character designs.
“Loved the love interests and their fully realized stories and the fact that they actually have character development.”
“I loved how the main character's development felt just as important as the love interests'.”
“The character development in Florian's route happened at a steady pace; some parts seemed a bit forced, but I think asking for more than that would be unreasonable.”
“Loved the love interests and their fully idealized stories, and the fact that they actually have character development.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The monetization model is generally well-received, with no intrusive in-game purchases aside from future character expansions, which players find acceptable. The game offers a rich experience with unique stories and visuals, supported by solid advertising that aligns with its quirky charm.
“The game offers unique stories and quirky humor without any in-game purchases, aside from future characters as they are developed, which is understandable.”
“I appreciate that there are no intrusive monetization tactics; it allows for a more immersive experience.”
“The visuals are gorgeous, and the game mechanics are easy to grasp, making it enjoyable without the pressure of spending money.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game's optimization is lacking, with users feeling that it could benefit from improvements to enhance performance and user experience.
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly noting that the main character's lack of agency and the need to adapt to different love interests detracts from the overall experience. This repetitive adjustment to fit the narrative leads to frustration and a sense of monotony.
“After playing through all routes, I have issues with the story and it got tedious. The main character isn't her own person; she changes depending on the love interest and has to be good/interested in what they are, which is so annoying.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, as players report that making different choices does not significantly alter the outcome, with some even achieving the secret ending without fully exploring alternative routes.
“There is zero replay value. I tried choosing all bad choices (which would have been a nightmare if I had to redo the route) apart from the last choice, but I still seemed to get the secret ending.”
“The game lacks any meaningful choices that would encourage replayability. Once you've played through it once, there's really no incentive to go back.”
“After finishing the game, I found that the different paths didn't offer enough variation to make me want to replay it. It felt like the same experience every time.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is generally effective and serves its purpose, though specific tracks do not stand out or leave a lasting impression on players.
“None of it is bad and works well for the atmosphere that it's needed for, but I couldn't really point to any particular track that I was all that fond of or that stood out a whole lot to me.”