YOU and ME and HER: A Love Story
- May 25, 2020
- Nitroplus
- 4h median play time
"You and Me and Her: A Love Story" is a visual novel game that explores the complexities of polyamorous relationships. The player assumes the role of a man pursuing a relationship with two women, and the story delves into the emotional challenges and rewards of navigating such a unique dynamic. With multiple endings and a strong emphasis on character development, this game offers a thoughtful and intimate portrayal of love in its many forms.
Reviews
- story780 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "You and Me and Her: A Love Story" is a complex and engaging narrative that blends romance, drama, and psychological elements, often surprising players with its depth and emotional impact. While some players found the pacing slow and the need for multiple playthroughs tedious, many praised the unique storytelling techniques, character development, and the necessity of the 18+ content for a complete understanding of the plot. Overall, it is regarded as a standout visual novel that challenges typical genre conventions and leaves a lasting impression on its audience.
“The story was so utterly engaging that I marathoned the game in only a few days.”
“It's genuinely such an engaging story with masterful twists and a meta commentary that is executed in the best way I've ever seen done.”
“This is truly a masterpiece of storytelling and your actions really do have consequences.”
“The intended plot twist was conveyed in a very poor way so that one could not emerge into it.”
“The problem is they slightly changed the story to reflect the lack of adult content, but because part of the plot revolves around it, the story doesn't make much sense.”
“In fact, there're nothing being developed throughout the story and by each ending everything gets reset anyway, forcing the player to go through the same cutscenes and skipping the same dialogues over and over again.”
- emotional200 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of this visual novel is profound, with many players reporting intense feelings of sadness, joy, and guilt throughout their experience. The story is described as a heart-wrenching rollercoaster that leaves a lasting impression, often resulting in tears and deep emotional turmoil. Players emphasize the game's ability to create strong attachments to characters, making it a unique and unforgettable journey that challenges conventional storytelling in the genre.
“This was one of the most beautifully heart-wrenching visual novels I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.”
“Totono is an emotional roller coaster from start to finish and leaves you wishing there was more.”
“This game will take you on an emotional ride that will hurt your soul and crush your spirit.”
- music138 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create the right atmosphere, with many players noting its emotional depth and variety compared to similar titles like Doki Doki Literature Club. The soundtrack is described as beautiful and haunting, enhancing the overall experience and leaving a lasting impact on players. While some feel certain tracks may be forgettable, the majority agree that the music significantly contributes to the game's storytelling and emotional resonance.
“The music is also really good when it needs to; it always creates the correct atmosphere.”
“I love the OST of this game; I even put some in my playlist.”
“The game’s soundtrack really adds to the creepiness.”
“The music selection is a bit forgettable all things considered.”
“Not to mention the PTSD I get from the OST and the main piano theme for the game, Liebestraum No. 3, each time they were played.”
“Listening to Y&M&H's soundtrack hits so hard post-game, and I still can't help but shed a tear or two remembering the experience I'll never get to relive.”
- graphics74 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning watercolor art style and character design, which many reviewers find to be a highlight of the experience. The visuals are complemented by a beautiful soundtrack and clever use of effects, creating an engaging atmosphere that enhances the storytelling. However, some content patches introduce graphic scenes that may not be suitable for all players, adding a layer of complexity to the overall visual presentation.
“Absolutely stunning visuals combined with an extremely compelling story.”
“I absolutely adore the art style, and it still holds up extremely well to this day.”
“The first thing that will hit you when starting the game up are visuals, which are absolutely stellar.”
“There's a content patch that can add a lot of weight to the story, but that extra content is very graphic and sometimes disturbing.”
“A short, somewhat spoiler-y, and not super comprehensive content warning - this game includes animal abuse, animal death (at the hands of a human), strong language, graphic sexual content, ntr/cuckolding, kidnapping, rape (depending on how you choose to read a few scenes, + your feelings about the situation), graphic descriptions of violence, gore, lots of blood, UI issues, mind-break, 4th wall breaking, and emotional manipulation, which might trigger some people if they've been through an abusive relationship.”
“Also, the DLC is pretty much just hentai; I don't think it adds any additional horror or anything like that, just long, graphic scenes that are awkward to witness around other people.”
- gameplay48 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 77 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized as a blend of visual novel and adventure mechanics, featuring light exploration, puzzle-solving, and significant player choices that impact the narrative. While some players appreciate the unique meta mechanics and character development, others find the gameplay can become tedious, especially with the need to skip through repetitive sections. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging story, art, and voice acting, but may require patience and a willingness to navigate its complexities.
“It's a visual novel with adventure game mechanics, including some light exploration and puzzle solving, and a substantial amount of choices presented during the narrative.”
“I think the game is worth playing for the meta mechanics alone, since it was unique and fun to go through and it felt very satisfying to get through it the right way.”
“Great gameplay with lots of character development and new memories that are sure to leave a mark.”
“To the point that I think I got stuck in a gameplay loop that couldn't advance because the Steam version removed all the H scenes.”
“Personally, I've been waiting for the translation for years, so playing this game at first made me really happy, but when I came to see the outcome and the gameplay hours, I realized I was expecting a tad more.”
“Not recommended if you happen to be lacking patience and are looking for a relaxing and easy gameplay.”
- humor28 mentions
- 93 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is polarizing, with some players finding it hilarious and well-written, while others criticize it for relying on "degenerate weeb humor" and moments that feel forced. Many reviews highlight a mix of comedic and emotional elements, creating an experience that can evoke laughter, tears, and discomfort simultaneously. Overall, the humor is described as both a strength and a weakness, depending on individual taste and expectations.
“I found myself laughing, tearing up, and clamoring for more.”
“Great writing, voice acting, humor, and more.”
“The dialogue between characters got me laughing a few more times than I'd like to admit.”
“Not funny, cried”
“Not funny, cried”
- character development26 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The character development in this visual novel is highly praised, with reviewers noting its depth and emotional impact, enhanced by beautiful artwork and a compelling soundtrack. Many highlight significant moments that cleverly subvert expectations, contributing to a richer narrative experience compared to similar titles like "Doki Doki Literature Club" and "Katawa Shoujo." Overall, the game is recognized for its well-crafted characters and engaging storytelling, making character development a standout feature.
“A visual novel with great OST, great art, great character development, and great thought and sweat put into it.”
“This game features interesting character development and also well-described personalities and story.”
“The character development is the pinnacle of this visual novel.”
“There is this huge character development moment where they started up the perfect 'lovey dovey' porn music to totally undercut the scene in a way that compounds the content of the scene so elegantly.”
“It isn't like Katawa Shoujo where removing the H scenes just has you miss a smidgen of character development and denies you some lewds to fry your dopamine receptors with.”
“Beyond just +18 content, it really adds to the experience and character development.”
- atmosphere20 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its unsettling and immersive qualities, effectively enhancing the horror experience through a combination of striking visuals and well-utilized music. Reviewers note that the art and sound design contribute significantly to the emotional weight of the narrative, creating a tense and dramatic environment that keeps players engaged and on edge. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both haunting and captivating, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The music is also really good when it needs to; it always creates the correct atmosphere.”
“The art is on point, and the relaxing background music while continuing the gameplay adds to the dramatic atmosphere.”
“For a horror game, DDLC blows Tono out of the park; the overall unsettling, grotesque, and traumatic images used really make the game progressively more disturbing.”
“The writing is razor sharp, and the atmosphere is substantially tense.”
“Subtle music notes add to the atmosphere of the 'something's wrong here' moments, and the branching paths are not very obvious until you get into the narrative enough to start playing detective and speculate about what is going on.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and monotonous, often detracting from the overall experience and causing frustration among players. Many reviewers noted the excessive h-scenes and slow progression, leading to frequent use of the skip button. However, some players felt that enduring the grind ultimately led to a rewarding and emotional payoff in the true ending.
“It was tedious and served not only to make me hate Miyuki but also hate the game.”
“I've never seen the skip button so much before, and it was just boring and tedious beyond all belief.”
“There are some issues that hindered my enjoyment, one in particular being a tedious section in the thick of the true ending route.”
- replayability6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a nuanced aspect; while fully engaging with the story may lead to a perception of zero replay value, players can gain new insights and appreciation through subsequent playthroughs, especially after achieving the true ending. Additionally, a secret endless ending available after a month adds an intriguing layer for those willing to revisit the game.
“Finally, there are certain elements in the game that you will understand better and appreciate if you replay it after achieving the true ending. This further adds to the replay value, especially if you're interested in revisiting the game. Additionally, there is a secret endless ending if you wait about a month, which, in my opinion, is the best ending.”
“If you buy into the story fully, then it has 0 replay value, and I mean that as a high form of praise.”
“Finally, there are certain aspects of the game that you will understand better and realize if you replay the game after getting the true ending, which further adds replay value (if you're interested in replaying). There is also a secret endless ending if you wait like a month, which, in my opinion, is the best ending.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews do not provide specific feedback on the game's optimization, focusing instead on the positive impact of the music and vocal performances. Therefore, no conclusions about optimization can be drawn from the provided texts.