Love's Crescendo

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On a cold winter day, Valerie and Cadence are brought together through their shared love of music. Determined to hear more of the talented pianist’s tunes, Valerie seeks Cadence out in hopes of making something beautiful. Little did they know that their composition would blossom into something more…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 14 reviews

story9 positive mentions

The art style is adorable and the characters are endearing, making for a visually appealing experience.
The rhythm mini-games add a fun challenge to the gameplay, and failing them does not affect the overall story, allowing for a relaxed playthrough.
The story is sweet and cozy, focusing on character relationships and personal growth, which resonates well with players looking for a lighthearted narrative.

The writing and story lack depth, with some characters not experiencing significant growth, which may leave players wanting more substance.
There are technical issues, such as typos and glitches in the game, which can detract from the overall experience.
The gameplay is short and linear, with limited opportunities for meaningful choices, which may disappoint players seeking a more interactive visual novel.

story
32 mentions
28 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The story is generally described as a sweet and heartwarming narrative centered around self-discovery and friendship, particularly between the characters Valerie and Cadence. While some reviewers noted that the writing lacks depth and the plot is linear with minimal player choices, the overall experience is enjoyable, with a cozy atmosphere and engaging character interactions. The music plays a significant role in enhancing the story, making it a pleasant, albeit short, visual novel experience.
- “If you’re looking for a short, sweet story about self-discovery and finding your people, I highly recommend this visual novel.”
- “A nice, heart-warming story that leaves you feeling good - I only wish it was a bit longer.”
- “Of course, the story really starts to move along after Valerie and Cadence meet, and it was great to see how their friendship develops, with Valerie helping Cadence to come out of her shell and to get the chance to experience Canada (as Cadence is originally from Australia).”
- “What it kind of comes down to for me here is that there was nothing in this game that blew me away - the writing and story are nothing special - and there were a lot of small nitpicky things underlying the 'meh' that made it worse for me.”
- “I’d start by saying that this is a kinetic novel that doesn’t offer any meaningful choices – do keep this in mind if you’re looking for a story with more than one ending.”
- “The story is rather short and there aren't really decisions you have to make that have an impact on the story (it seems how well you play the mini games does have an impact on certain relationships but not on the ending).”
music
32 mentions
16 % positive mentions
75 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is a central element that enhances the storytelling, featuring a varied soundtrack that ranges from emotional to upbeat tracks, which players generally appreciate. However, some users expressed disappointment with the limited opportunities to engage in rhythm gameplay, feeling that the game could have offered more interactive music experiences. Additionally, minor details, such as the main menu's piano sounds being out of key with the background music, were noted as odd oversights in a game focused on music.
- “If you're a big fan of music, yuri, and/or extremely lighthearted stories, this might be a nice time for you.”
- “Music is a very essential part of this story, and the tracks are perfect, so major kudos to the composer.”
- “I love the art style of the game and the music tracks are quite nice.”
- “I was also expecting more opportunities to play the rhythm game portion, but there were only 2 in the prologue and 3 in the main game (although the characters have scenes where they play music far more times than I as the player get to).”
- “The main menu makes piano sounds (when you move the mouse) that are not in key with the song that plays in the background... for a game about music, this seems a weird detail to overlook.”
- “Additionally, there’s no restart button there, too – if you make a mistake, you have to either live with it or load an older save, which, hopefully, won’t be too far back from the music-playing segment.”
gameplay
6 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The gameplay primarily consists of two elements: a visual novel format that involves extensive reading and rhythm mini-games where players engage with the music. However, the rhythm segments are sparse, and the lack of meaningful choices may deter rhythm game enthusiasts. Overall, while the gameplay initially attracts players, it may not fully satisfy those seeking a robust rhythm gaming experience.
- “Maybe it worked out for the better since I ended up not being able to pass the rhythm games anyway, but the gameplay was something that had drawn me to the visual novel in the first place.”
- “The gameplay consists of two parts: a visual novel, which involves a lot of reading, and rhythm segments where you, well, play the actual music yourself.”
- “As for the gameplay, the rhythm mini-games are the main component.”
- “I actually wouldn't recommend it to a rhythm gamer considering how sparse that gameplay is.”
- “As for the gameplay, there aren't any of the usual choices.”
- “The gameplay consists of two parts: visual novel, which involves a lot of reading, and rhythm segments where you, well, play the actual music yourself.”
emotional
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to tears, despite some shortcomings in its storytelling approach. Users appreciate the heartwarming narrative and the variety of music that enhances the emotional experience, making it a delightful, albeit brief, read that resonates with personal experiences of emotional upset. Overall, it leaves players with a positive and uplifting feeling.
- “Its bite-sized length makes it perfect for a light read after work, and its emotional moments will make you both laugh and shed tears while enjoying every second of it.”
- “A nice, heart-warming story that leaves you feeling good - I only wish it was a bit longer.”
- “With the music, I like how there's such a variety of tracks, ranging from a slower, emotional tone to a faster, everyday one.”
graphics
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Love's Crescendo" are praised for their adorable artwork and whimsical art style, which effectively complement the game's overall aesthetics and music. Players find the visuals to be a key attraction, enhancing the overall experience.
- “Oh, and before I forget: the artwork in Love's Crescendo is adorable - it was what drew me to the game initially.”
- “It complements the overall aesthetics of the game and brings those whimsical music tunes to the text.”
- “I love the art style of the game and the music tracks are quite nice.”
humor
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its funny and friendly characters, who often resonate with players through their relatable traits.
- “The characters are funny, friendly, and often relatable.”
- “The humor is clever and keeps you laughing throughout the game.”
- “I love the witty dialogue and the hilarious situations the characters find themselves in.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game's optimization is generally well-received, with users noting smooth performance and efficient resource management, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience. However, some players have reported minor issues that could benefit from further refinement. Overall, the optimization is considered a strong point of the game.