Secrets of the Heartbeat
- June 7, 2024
- RainbowGame
Get on Steam"Secrets of the Heartbeat" is a real-life interactive game where you navigate your career and love life, choosing among four distinct female characters. The game boasts a first-person perspective, 4K image quality, and a user-friendly approach that lets you follow your heart. Unexpected easter egg characters add to the richness of the experience. Off-topic: In a vast world, it's easy to feel small or overwhelmed, but sometimes, like a timid adult, fear can keep us from exploring the beauty the world has to offer.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features beautiful and charming actresses with good acting, making the romantic interactions enjoyable.
- The ambient music is well-crafted and enhances the mood of the scenes, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- The game is straightforward and easy to navigate, allowing players to enjoy the story without the stress of complex mechanics.
- The game is very short, with most players finishing it in under four hours, which may not justify the price.
- Choices in the game do not significantly affect the story or relationships, making the gameplay feel less impactful.
- The English translation is often inaccurate, which can lead to confusion and detracts from the overall experience.
- story25 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as simplistic and clichéd, with many reviewers noting its lack of depth and creativity, often describing it as silly or absurd. While there are multiple story branches and choices, these do not significantly impact the overall narrative or relationships, leading to a sense of futility in exploring them. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the humor and the engaging character interactions, suggesting that the game can still be enjoyable, particularly for those seeking a light-hearted experience.
“So far, fun story, and definitely worth playing.”
“However, the strong points are the beautiful cast, good acting, and the story can also branch from one girl to another, which is a very interesting point.”
“Good clean camera, best interactive story I've played, with different choices and different endings.”
“But the story is cliché and lacks creativity, which is a significant flaw.”
“Other than that, there are many story branches, but aside from unlocking random achievements, there's almost no point in exploring them all: no choices affect your relationship, and in the last chapter, you can directly choose (or not choose) the girl you want to pursue.”
“The story isn't that deep, and the extreme absurdity of the plot—going from a delivery driver to a CEO in one day just because of my uncle—threw me off regarding the three 'main girls'.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally enjoyable, with many choices available, though players feel that these choices lack significant impact on the story and that affection level mechanics are absent. The removal of grinding mechanics typical in FMV dating games is appreciated, and there is hope for future DLC or longer titles from the developer.
“But I really enjoyed this game and hope to see a DLC or another longer gameplay title from the developer.”
“Fun gameplay.”
“They removed the grinding mechanic that is typical in FMV dating games.”
“The story and plot have many choices, but beyond achievements, the actual choices don't seem to matter much.”
“The affection level mechanics are not implemented.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are exceptional for an FMV title, featuring bright and classy aesthetics with a variety of settings. The 4K video quality is impressive, though players may need to enable Vsync and limit their monitor's refresh rate to 60Hz to avoid stuttering or flashing issues.
“The graphics quality is exceptional (which is saying a lot for a FMV game) - better than most.”
“Despite the short experience, I can appreciate the variety of settings and scenery as the aesthetic of the game was bright and classy.”
“The 4K video quality is great.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its parody-like plot and absurd scenarios, such as unexpected character roles and exaggerated interactions, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the comedic elements, including playful character dynamics and the freedom to explore various outcomes, making it a fun and enjoyable dating FMV.
“The plot is funny, almost as if it were a parody, but a little extreme too (like the first scene where a girl slaps him for no reason or a random delivery man suddenly becoming CEO). The way the characters emphasize calling the main character 'boss' is meant to be seductive, I suppose.”
“All in all, it's a great game, even though it's a short one. It's a lighthearted, funny dating FMV where you know that whatever you choose, it's not over until you choose the girl (or you find the one way to die, lol).”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The ambient music in the game is highly praised for its quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience.
“The ambient music is really good, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's themes, making every moment feel more impactful.”
“I love how the music evolves with the gameplay, adding layers of emotion and excitement to each scene.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game eliminates the traditional grinding mechanics commonly found in FMV dating games, which may appeal to players seeking a more streamlined and engaging experience.
“They removed the grinding mechanic that is typical in FMV dating games.”
“The grinding feels tedious and repetitive, making the game less enjoyable.”
“I found the grinding to be a major chore, detracting from the overall experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally regarded as good, with quality performance noted in the FMV sequences, although the simplicity of the story may not appeal to everyone. Further insights on optimization may emerge as players complete additional achievements.
