Under Maintenance

About

Under Maintenance is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by Hearty Soup Studio and was released on February 14, 2023. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

After a rough day at work, all you want to do is settle in with your favorite otome game, only to realize it's gone down for maintenance. How will you pass these troubling times? Risk going to a watering hole to drown your sorrows in a beverage of choice? Begrudgingly scroll through a dating app to meet your love for the night? Either way - adventure, shenanigans, and hot singles in your area awai…

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Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 98 reviews

story7 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

Under Maintenance offers a charming and relatable story with well-developed characters, making it a standout in the otome genre.
The game features a variety of customization options and accessibility settings, enhancing inclusivity and player engagement.
With its humorous writing and engaging gameplay, the game provides a fun and enjoyable experience, especially considering it is free.

Some routes are shorter and less developed than others, leading to uneven pacing throughout the game.
The writing quality varies, with some dialogue being criticized as cringeworthy or poorly executed.
Limited character customization options and partial voice acting detract from the overall experience for some players.

story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
54%
14%
The game's story is highly praised for its well-written, engaging narratives and character depth, with each route offering unique experiences despite some similarities. Players appreciate the blend of humor and emotional weight, as well as the impactful choices that shape the storyline. However, some reviewers noted a desire for more mature romantic content given the protagonists' ages, and while the music generally complements the story, a few moments could benefit from more original compositions.
- “Refreshingly short and witty without sacrificing the plot and depth of each character.”
- “Everything is well-thought-out and well-written. I really love the story, conversation, visuals, music, and the feelings left when I play this game afterwards.”
- “I really like how your choices matter and actually change the story.”
- “Considering the story setup and the age of all protagonists (around 30), I would have expected and definitely appreciated more 'mature' romantic content.”
- “For this reason, I wasn't as engaged in Tristan's story.”
- “So long as you accept that the story told here is simply that of an adult, unattached woman on a manhunt and therefore are prepared for all possible realistic outcomes, then there is no sensible reason why you should not find this game highly entertaining and very enjoyable.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The music in the game has received generally positive feedback, with players appreciating the well-chosen background tracks that enhance the overall experience. While some noted that certain moments could benefit from more original compositions, the majority found the music pleasant and well-placed throughout the game. Overall, it contributes positively to the storytelling and atmosphere, making it a noteworthy aspect of the game.
- “Everything is well-thought and well-written, I really love the story, conversation, visuals, music, and the feelings left when I play this game afterwards.”
- “To sum it up, good game, good characters, good voice acting, good music, good endings, good character customization, good dialogue and choices, good laughs, and a good time.”
- “I think the only part I thought was mediocre at some points was the music since I felt some moments would do great with music that complemented the story's strong moments: something more original, specifically during Luca's story where we hear his own composed music.”
- “Though it's understandable with music being as it is, I didn't mind it much and it felt well placed.”
- “The moment you open the title screen, you will know what I'm talking about, but the music throughout the entire game is all pretty good and nice to listen to.”
humor
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its warmth and relatability, with many players finding the main character particularly hilarious and charming. While some note that the humor can be a bit crude, it consistently elicits laughter and emotional responses, making for an engaging and enjoyable experience. Overall, the writing and character interactions contribute to a fun and lighthearted atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “The writing is funny, warm, and sometimes emotional.”
- “What an absolutely charming and funny game!”
- “She's by far the funniest and most relatable main character I've ever played (I'm not exaggerating at all). I don't remember any other visual novel I played that got me laughing so much as this game did.”
graphics
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The graphics of the game receive mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the art style and character designs, while others find it less appealing. Overall, the visuals are praised for their quality and creativity, often compared favorably to paid games, and are complemented by engaging storytelling and character development.
- “Everything is well-thought-out and well-written. I really love the story, conversation, visuals, music, and the feelings left when I play this game afterwards.”
- “The stories are so cute, and I love the art style.”
- “Characters, plots, and artwork stole my heart the second I started playing.”
- “The art style, to be honest, is not really my thing.”
- “The graphics are underwhelming and do not match the quality of the gameplay.”
- “The visuals feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the game to be a blend of humor and warmth, with emotional moments that resonate deeply. Many express that it provides a comforting escape during tough times, often leading to tears of joy and connection with the characters. Overall, the game's wholesome narrative and engaging art contribute to a heartfelt experience.
- “The writing is funny, warm, and sometimes emotional.”
- “I was really feeling down and stressed out about my life and future, and when I came home and played this game, it made me feel better.”
- “I cried, shed literal tears because I couldn't ask for more than whatever Theo is.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Gameplay reviews are mixed; while some praise the engaging story and traditional otome elements, others criticize the lack of meaningful interaction and poor writing quality. The user interface is noted for its pleasing design, but overall, the gameplay experience varies significantly among players.
- “10/10, wonderful gameplay and story, exactly what an otome game should be.”
- “All of the usual UI controls that you would expect, with the primary functions accessible during gameplay via pleasing hi-fi style buttons running along the top of the text box.”
- “As a visual/interactive novel, this doesn't feature any notable gameplay; it's just a lot of clicking through badly written dialogue that would never have been accepted or published in print, which poses the question, 'how did something this badly written end up on Steam?'”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the grinding aspect of visual novels and e-books tedious, likening the experience to a frustratingly slow reading process where each sentence requires a click to advance, detracting from the enjoyment of the narrative.
- “Visual novels and e-books can be tedious at best. Imagine the best novel you've ever read, whether it's 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', '2001: A Space Odyssey', or even 'Twilight' (if you have terrible taste in literature). Now, translate that into a format where the words dribble out, and you have to click your mouse every time you want to read the next sentence, instead of just turning the pages.”
- “The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged. It often feels like I'm just going through the motions without any real sense of progress.”
- “I find the grinding mechanics to be a major drawback. It turns what could be an exciting adventure into a monotonous chore that drains the fun out of the experience.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The monetization model is praised for its transparency, featuring no hidden in-game purchases or gem systems for unlocking premium options, which enhances the overall player experience.
- “No hidden in-game purchases and no gem system to unlock premium options.”
- “The monetization model is fair and transparent, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content, making it accessible for everyone.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game items.”
- “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
- “The game is heavily focused on microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the character development for its depth, noting that each character possesses distinct personalities and undergoes meaningful growth throughout the game. The appealing character designs further enhance the overall experience.
- “The character designs are lovely, and each one has a unique personality that undergoes impressive character development.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers high replayability due to its short length, making it easy for players to revisit and enjoy multiple times.
- “It's a short enough game with easy replayability.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Under Maintenance is a casual simulation game.

Under Maintenance is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

Under Maintenance was released on February 14, 2023.

Under Maintenance was developed by Hearty Soup Studio.

Under Maintenance has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its graphics.

Under Maintenance is a single player game.

Similar games include Witches x Warlocks, Tailor Tales, Arcade Spirits, Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, Angel Wings and others.

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