Without Romance

Her fairy tale life laid out before her, Risa’s eyes are set on the future. With thoughts of her family spurring her on, will she earn a place beside Ren Yamato, Prince Charming himself? The turmoil in her heart knows life is rarely so straight forward.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 113 reviews

story36 positive mentions

gameplay2 negative mentions

The narrative is well-crafted with well-defined characters, providing a unique perspective on themes of duty and personal growth.
The artwork and soundtrack are beautifully presented, enhancing the emotional impact of the story.
As a free visual novel, it offers a short yet engaging experience that can provoke thought about arranged marriages and personal choices.

The game lacks interactivity, offering no choices for players, which diminishes the gaming experience and makes it feel more like a short story than a visual novel.
Many players found the story too short and felt it left too many questions unanswered, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction with the ending.
The writing and character development were criticized for being shallow and not fully fleshed out, leaving characters feeling one-dimensional.

story
101 mentions
36 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is characterized by its brevity, often described as a short story rather than a full-fledged game, with many reviewers noting that it lacks depth and resolution. While some praise the writing and emotional impact, particularly regarding themes of duty and arranged marriages, others feel the narrative is incomplete and could benefit from further development of characters and plot. Overall, it is seen as a compelling yet concise experience that may appeal to fans of visual novels, despite its limitations.
- “Without Romance is a visual novel that stands out for its captivating storytelling and richly developed characters.”
- “As players progress through the story, they'll unravel secrets, solve puzzles, and forge meaningful connections with the characters they meet along the way.”
- “The story is short and sweet as usual, yet encompasses a deeper narrative that gets you thinking from the perspective of the characters affected by that harsh reality they find themselves in.”
- “The story feels plain; it's too casual and uncaptivating.”
- “The second the story finally starts, it suddenly ends without warning.”
- “But the lack of a true resolution to the story really left me hanging.”
music
10 mentions
50 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the emotional depth and overall experience, with a memorable soundtrack that complements the visuals and story. While some users noted limitations in the variety of tracks, the melancholic and fitting melodies were appreciated for their ability to create an immersive atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a key element that binds the game's artistic and narrative components together.
- “Complementing the visuals is a memorable soundtrack that perfectly captures the mood and tone of the game.”
- “Whether it's a somber piano melody or an uplifting orchestral arrangement, the music enhances the emotional impact of key moments, adding depth and resonance to the overall experience.”
- “Not to mention, the art is lovely, and the soundtrack is the glue that binds it all together... I definitely recommend giving it a go!”
- “Granted, the art is pretty, as is the background music, but the story falls really flat for me.”
- “The music in the game was quite limited, but easy to listen to and did not distract from the experience.”
- “But it was a ride best 2 hours I spent reading everything and just idle listening to the soundtrack.”
graphics
6 mentions
83 % positive mentions
-33 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The graphics in "without romance" are praised for their stunning detail and gorgeous artwork that vividly brings the game world to life. While the visuals are described as lovely, some users noted that the artwork is quite short, which detracts from the overall experience despite the engaging storyline. The combination of appealing visuals and a fitting soundtrack enhances the game's atmosphere.
- “Visually, 'Without Romance' is a treat for the eyes, with gorgeous artwork that brings its world to life in stunning detail.”
- “The visuals look good and the writing works well.”
- “Gameplay takes a minimum of roughly 25 minutes with moderate reading to enjoy the visuals and grasp different character aspects.”
- “The graphics are very short; they feel more like cute artwork than a fully developed visual experience.”
- “The visuals lack detail and depth, making the game feel less immersive.”
- “The character models are simplistic and don't match the expectations set by modern gaming standards.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is significantly enhanced by its evocative music, which complements a touching and bittersweet narrative, creating a profound and resonant experience for players.
- “Whether it's a somber piano melody or an uplifting orchestral arrangement, the music enhances the emotional impact of key moments, adding depth and resonance to the overall experience.”
- “Very touching and emotional story.”
- “This was really touching and bittersweet.”
character development
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
While "without romance" is praised for its strong emphasis on character development, some users feel that the overall writing quality is lacking, resulting in limited detail and depth in character arcs.
- “One of the strongest aspects of 'Without Romance' is its emphasis on character development.”
- “It is just a short visual novel; the writing is 'meh', and there is not much in terms of details and character development.”
gameplay
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for lacking meaningful decision-making, leading to a perception of minimal interactivity. Players note that it requires at least 25 minutes of moderate reading to fully appreciate the visuals and character development.
- “You don't make any decisions, and there is no gameplay.”
- “Gameplay takes a minimum of roughly 25 minutes with moderate reading to enjoy the visuals and grasp different character aspects.”
replayability
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the high replayability due to meaningful decisions that create multiple branching paths and endings, motivating them to explore different outcomes.
- “Each decision feels meaningful, leading to multiple branching paths and endings that encourage replayability.”
- “The game offers a variety of choices that significantly impact the story, making each playthrough feel unique.”
- “With different character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back for more every time.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its stunning visuals, seamlessly transitioning from vibrant cityscapes to tranquil natural environments, which effectively immerses players in its richly detailed world.
- “From bustling city streets to serene natural landscapes, every scene is beautifully rendered, immersing players in its richly atmospheric setting.”
- “The haunting soundtrack perfectly complements the visuals, creating an immersive experience that draws you into the game's world.”
- “Each location feels alive, with dynamic weather and day-night cycles that enhance the overall atmosphere and keep players engaged.”