Rivalhearts

About

"Rivalhearts" is a free, community-funded game set in an American university, following Noah's first year as he recovers from heartache and pursues new romantic interests. Each love interest provides a unique experience, and all characters are voiced and set against individually drawn scenes. Join Noah in this campus romance journey with his adorable best friend, tomboy classmate, stunning doctor, or senior goth barista.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 35 reviews

emotional3 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features amazing art and high-quality voice acting, which adds personality to the characters.
The characters are well-written and feel real, creating an engaging narrative experience.
Rivalhearts has potential for deeper storytelling and character development in future episodes.

The lack of meaningful player choices makes the experience feel passive and less engaging.
The artwork and presentation feel underdeveloped, lacking polish and refinement.
The main character, Noah, is perceived as unlikable and generic, which detracts from the overall experience.

story
31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
81%
10%
The story hints at a potentially deeper narrative, particularly with elements of drama and creepiness, but currently feels more like a passive visual novel due to minimal player input. This lack of engagement makes it difficult for players to invest in the characters and plot, leading to a sense of being dragged along rather than actively shaping the story. While it may appeal to those who enjoy reading romance stories with little interaction, it ultimately falls short for players seeking a more meaningful experience.
- “Erica's scene was kind of creepy, and it makes me wonder whether her route will be something deeper than a simple romance story.”
- “I'm not sure what to expect now, but I think this story has potential, especially if the authors lean into more drama and/or creepy elements.”
- “I'd give it an 8/10 right now, but I really need to see more of where the story takes us.”
- “However, with such minimal player input, the story felt more like a passive visual novel than an interactive experience.”
- “It’s hard to get invested in the characters or plot when all you’re doing is reading with little to no involvement.”
- “For now, it’s a free curiosity that might appeal to those who don’t mind reading through a romance story with little input, but for players looking for meaningful interaction, it misses the mark.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The graphics of the game are described as being in an early development stage, with characters and backgrounds lacking polish and refinement. While some reviewers appreciate the unique art style and the potential it holds, they also call for improvements to enhance the visual appeal of the world and characters. Overall, the artwork shows promise but requires further refinement to reach its full potential.
- “I honestly see a lot of potential in this game, the characters are well written, they feel real and are well voice acted, the art style is unique and full of personality.”
- “Beyond the story and characters, I quite like the art style with its sketch lines and brush strokes.”
- “The artwork feels like it’s in an early stage of development—characters and backgrounds lack polish and refinement.”
- “Improved artwork to make the world and characters more visually appealing.”
- “The artwork feels like it’s in an early stage of development—characters and backgrounds lack polish and refinement.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is characterized by its engaging mechanics that provide a seamless and enjoyable experience. Players appreciate the intuitive controls and the depth of the systems, which encourage exploration and strategy. Overall, the gameplay is well-received for its balance of challenge and accessibility.
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players feel that the lack of interactivity in the game leads to a disengaged experience, where they passively read dialogue without forming any emotional connection or personal investment in the story.
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been a focal point in user reviews, with many players expressing concerns about its structure and fairness. Critics highlight potential pay-to-win elements and the impact of microtransactions on gameplay experience, suggesting that the monetization approach may detract from overall enjoyment.
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is generally described as pleasant, but it lacks memorability, making it ultimately forgettable for players.