Rivalhearts
- November 6, 2024
- Studio Spiritus
- 1h median play time
Get on SteamExperience university life, love, and strife! Join Noah in his first year of university as he decides to overcome his heartache, pursuing either a tomboy classmate, gorgeous doctor, or junior-year goth! Navigate the worlds of love through differing highs and lows, with a cute best friend to supervise along the way!Key Features: Every scene is individually drawn! All shown characters are fully…
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Reviews
- The game features high-quality art and impressive voice acting that adds personality to the characters.
- The characters are well-written and relatable, making the player feel immersed in the college setting.
- Rivalhearts has potential for deeper narrative exploration and character development in future episodes.
- The current episode is quite short, leaving players wanting more content and interaction.
- The main character, Noah, is perceived as unlikable and lacks depth, making it hard for players to connect with him.
- The lack of meaningful choices in the gameplay reduces player engagement and makes the experience feel passive.
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story presents a potentially intriguing narrative with hints of deeper themes, particularly in Erica's route, which could explore more dramatic or creepy elements. However, the minimal player input makes the experience feel more like a passive visual novel, limiting engagement and investment in the characters and plot. While the art style is appreciated, the lack of meaningful choices detracts from the overall experience, leaving players wanting more interaction to shape the story.
“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.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are seen as a mixed bag; while the art style is unique and full of personality, featuring sketch lines and brush strokes, many users feel that the overall artwork lacks polish and refinement, suggesting it appears unfinished. However, there is a consensus that the characters are well-written and voiced, indicating potential for improvement in visual presentation.
“Improved artwork to make the world and characters more visually appealing.”
“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 is needed to make the world and characters more visually appealing.”
“The art style is unique and full of personality, but it still needs refinement to reach its full potential.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally praised for its engaging mechanics and fluid controls, allowing for a seamless experience. Players appreciate the depth and variety of gameplay options, which contribute to a dynamic and enjoyable gaming experience. Overall, the mechanics are well-designed, enhancing both challenge and fun.
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players feel that the lack of interactivity in the game leads to a disengaged experience, as they find themselves passively reading dialogue without any emotional stakes or personal investment.
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the fair pricing and optional purchases, while others criticize the presence of aggressive microtransactions that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, the balance between free content and paid features is a point of contention among users.
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as pleasant, but it lacks a memorable quality, making it ultimately forgettable for players.
