- Dec 26, 2024
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Hi! I'd really like to share my thoughts about some romance games on itch.io and I'd be very happy if everyone could join in, share and talk as well><
Sharing thoughts about romance games on itch.io
- Thread starter Norland
- Start date
- Dec 26, 2024
- 39
- 70
Big Bad Dogs by spar0w
Bias: 5/5
Art: 4,5/5
Story: 5/5
Overall: I give it 5 bias points, so you can tell it drove me crazy and I'm completely obsessed with it. THIS GAME DESERVES TO BE MORE WELL-KNOWN ><. The gameplay system is really fun and interesting, with lots of hidden hints. You can replay it many times because each playthrough brings something new. You could say that your choices truly affect the direction of the story. You can visit the author's Tumblr to learn more about the characters. She's the cutest and coolest author I've ever known ><.
Bias: 5/5
Art: 4,5/5
Story: 5/5
Overall: I give it 5 bias points, so you can tell it drove me crazy and I'm completely obsessed with it. THIS GAME DESERVES TO BE MORE WELL-KNOWN ><. The gameplay system is really fun and interesting, with lots of hidden hints. You can replay it many times because each playthrough brings something new. You could say that your choices truly affect the direction of the story. You can visit the author's Tumblr to learn more about the characters. She's the cutest and coolest author I've ever known ><.
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- Dec 26, 2024
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To Eat a God by Soffis_mbm
Bias: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Story: 5/5
Overall: Masterpiece. Don't let the cover fool you (the author's art style has improved a lot now). This is a really great game that you should definitely try. The story and gameplay system is very unique.
Bias: 4/5
Art: 4/5
Story: 5/5
Overall: Masterpiece. Don't let the cover fool you (the author's art style has improved a lot now). This is a really great game that you should definitely try. The story and gameplay system is very unique.
In a certain route, the character breaks the fourth wall and interacts with you through your computer
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- Dec 26, 2024
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Love Limit by Winking Corvid
Bias: 2/5
Art: 3/5
Story: 4/5
Overall: A short romantic comedy love story with an alien. Play it when you're having a boring day and need some laughs to relax. The author's writing style is genuinely funny (funny>romantic) and a lot of ??? ending.
P/s: "Bias" here refers to games that have themes I personally love. When people like something, they naturally tend to be biased, so I include these points in each review to let everyone know how much they should trust my opinion hehe XD (Trust me, I have good taste)
Bias: 2/5
Art: 3/5
Story: 4/5
Overall: A short romantic comedy love story with an alien. Play it when you're having a boring day and need some laughs to relax. The author's writing style is genuinely funny (funny>romantic) and a lot of ??? ending.
P/s: "Bias" here refers to games that have themes I personally love. When people like something, they naturally tend to be biased, so I include these points in each review to let everyone know how much they should trust my opinion hehe XD (Trust me, I have good taste)
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- May 9, 2014
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Good idea, norland ^^
I think this is a good way to share some hidden games (otome/bl) from itch since the navigation for that website can be a bit difficult (for me). At least, I never know the games you mentioned before until now...
Let me also share my own recommendation as well :D
Heartbeats of Youth by Illumination Works
Bias: 4/5 (I'm an avid chinese novels reader so I'm biased toward this game despite the shortcoming the game has)
Art: 3/5 (The images is very limited and they often reusing it again and again on different scenes. It's also giving me AI-generated vibes)
Story: 4/5
Overall: A short and sweet high-school romance. If you like reading modern high-school romance chinese novels, you may like this game. The english language is very machine-like and their voice also sound so robotic but for a free game, at least, it's entertaining for me.
Idle Clouds Drifting Among Mortals by Illumination Works
Bias: 5/5 (Same reason as the previous game)
Art: 4/5 (At least they have variation of CGs, not a reused one like in the Hearbeats of Youth.)
Story: 4/5
Overall: If you like wuxia or xianxia theme, you may like this game. Same as previous one, the english language is very machine-like and their voice also sound so robotic but it's a free game :). Unfortunately, the game has (kind of) major bug where you can't get one of the love interest's ending.
The dev also publish other games than the one I mentioned above but I only have interest with these two games.
Resident Evil 4: Otome Edition by Shimmersoft
Bias: 4/5
Art: 5/5
Story: ?
Overall: To be honest, I haven't finished playing the game yet so I can't give rate to the story but it's should not be that bad based from the comments. I just feel lucky to stumble onto this old game. I highly recommend this to any Resident Evil fans, especially Leon fans.
WITCH SOUP by PACCHI STUDIO
Bias: 3/5
Art: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Overall: A short but cute game. You have to convince the cute witch (wizard) to not eat you.
I Love You! by Moonchime Localization
Bias: 5/5 (Biased because the love interests is so male-wife coded lol)
Art: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Overall: A short but cute romance high-school game. There's a high chance that you guys may already know this game. If you like femdom, I highly recommend this one haha.
Honorable mentions to seekL and Blooming Panic by robobarbie. I'll just share the short version here. The game is chat-like visual novel, similar to A Date with Death or Killer Chat. While Blooming Panic is full about sweet romance and has 4 love interests, seekL is about hacker and progamming with a touch of romance towards one love interest.
I think this is a good way to share some hidden games (otome/bl) from itch since the navigation for that website can be a bit difficult (for me). At least, I never know the games you mentioned before until now...
Let me also share my own recommendation as well :D
Heartbeats of Youth by Illumination Works
Bias: 4/5 (I'm an avid chinese novels reader so I'm biased toward this game despite the shortcoming the game has)
Art: 3/5 (The images is very limited and they often reusing it again and again on different scenes. It's also giving me AI-generated vibes)
Story: 4/5
Overall: A short and sweet high-school romance. If you like reading modern high-school romance chinese novels, you may like this game. The english language is very machine-like and their voice also sound so robotic but for a free game, at least, it's entertaining for me.
Idle Clouds Drifting Among Mortals by Illumination Works
Bias: 5/5 (Same reason as the previous game)
Art: 4/5 (At least they have variation of CGs, not a reused one like in the Hearbeats of Youth.)
Story: 4/5
Overall: If you like wuxia or xianxia theme, you may like this game. Same as previous one, the english language is very machine-like and their voice also sound so robotic but it's a free game :). Unfortunately, the game has (kind of) major bug where you can't get one of the love interest's ending.
The dev also publish other games than the one I mentioned above but I only have interest with these two games.
Resident Evil 4: Otome Edition by Shimmersoft
Bias: 4/5
Art: 5/5
Story: ?
Overall: To be honest, I haven't finished playing the game yet so I can't give rate to the story but it's should not be that bad based from the comments. I just feel lucky to stumble onto this old game. I highly recommend this to any Resident Evil fans, especially Leon fans.
WITCH SOUP by PACCHI STUDIO
Bias: 3/5
Art: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Overall: A short but cute game. You have to convince the cute witch (wizard) to not eat you.
I Love You! by Moonchime Localization
Bias: 5/5 (Biased because the love interests is so male-wife coded lol)
Art: 5/5
Story: 5/5
Overall: A short but cute romance high-school game. There's a high chance that you guys may already know this game. If you like femdom, I highly recommend this one haha.
Honorable mentions to seekL and Blooming Panic by robobarbie. I'll just share the short version here. The game is chat-like visual novel, similar to A Date with Death or Killer Chat. While Blooming Panic is full about sweet romance and has 4 love interests, seekL is about hacker and progamming with a touch of romance towards one love interest.
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- Dec 26, 2024
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The itch's search system is quite annoying. I dont know why some games don't appear in web's/ tag's search results (for example, Big Bad Dogs, The Kid at the Back, V3NUS, etc.) and only show up when you search for them on Google. And when you trying to find older games is honestly a nightmare. I'm happy that I could recommend some good games to you><. Hidden games deserve to be known more XD
- May 9, 2014
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Agreed. It's even become more horrible after itch have problem with the payment and adult games because of the propaganda :(
- Dec 26, 2024
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I've heard about this too. Some developers' works have been hidden or taken down. It's really such a shame :(
P/s: Thank you for the suggestion. There are some games I haven't played yet in that list, so I'll give them a try XD
rienichii
New member
- May 29, 2025
- 9
- 3
Thank you for the suggestions in this thread! Can I also ask to share Anie_Reichi's suggestion as well? Please and thank you!
I'd like to share my recommendations too!
Parasite in Love by Night Asobu
Bias: 5/5
Art: 4/5 (The UI is IMPRESSIVE. It changes throughout the story and really adds to the atmosphere. Also, the CG gallery's design is unusual. It's like an image of a head, and the CGs are arranged to look like a brain)
Story: 5/5 (Body horror? Sign me right up!)
Overall: It's more of a horror VN than a romance one, but still, it's a very good one. The protagonist is crazy smart, she is so cool! I have started to avoid swimming in the lakes after this VN though...
Mushroom Oasis by DeersphereStudios
Bias: 3/5
Art: 5/5 (The design of the LI is adorable!)
Story: 3/5
Overall: Not a finished game yet. A very enjoyable VN if you like yanderes. If I remember correctly, it has some meta-ish elements (fake choices, for example), but doesn't explicitly break the fourth wall.
Koibito no Nazo | Lover's Enigma by FallenCranberry Studio
Bias: 3/5
Art: 4/5 (There are Live2D CGs, and the designs of the LIs are very pretty!)
Story: 3/5 (The story is a little bit confusing and contradicts itself sometimes, but the developer mentioned that it will make sense in the full release)
Overall: Also not a finished game yet. Basically, it's psychological horror about a grieving woman whose lover died, and she's convinced it was a murder. There are a lot of paranormal things going on. The detail of saving with an in-game phone is nice, and you can walk around the town. You can even pet a cat!!!
Parasite in Love by Night Asobu
Bias: 5/5
Art: 4/5 (The UI is IMPRESSIVE. It changes throughout the story and really adds to the atmosphere. Also, the CG gallery's design is unusual. It's like an image of a head, and the CGs are arranged to look like a brain)
Story: 5/5 (Body horror? Sign me right up!)
Overall: It's more of a horror VN than a romance one, but still, it's a very good one. The protagonist is crazy smart, she is so cool! I have started to avoid swimming in the lakes after this VN though...
Mushroom Oasis by DeersphereStudios
Bias: 3/5
Art: 5/5 (The design of the LI is adorable!)
Story: 3/5
Overall: Not a finished game yet. A very enjoyable VN if you like yanderes. If I remember correctly, it has some meta-ish elements (fake choices, for example), but doesn't explicitly break the fourth wall.
Koibito no Nazo | Lover's Enigma by FallenCranberry Studio
Bias: 3/5
Art: 4/5 (There are Live2D CGs, and the designs of the LIs are very pretty!)
Story: 3/5 (The story is a little bit confusing and contradicts itself sometimes, but the developer mentioned that it will make sense in the full release)
Overall: Also not a finished game yet. Basically, it's psychological horror about a grieving woman whose lover died, and she's convinced it was a murder. There are a lot of paranormal things going on. The detail of saving with an in-game phone is nice, and you can walk around the town. You can even pet a cat!!!
- May 9, 2014
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Oooh I know this one! I haven't play the demo yet but looking forward to their full game
- Jul 2, 2022
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I'd also like to share my recommendations.
Embassy otherworld by Carziecat
Bias: 4/5 (I think the LI is very cute)
Art: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Overall: Really enjoyed the LI, the story is about the work of the Mc in the in the archiving of a different world.
V3NUS by vanrobami
Bias: 4/5
Art: 5/5
Story: 4/5 (So far)
Overall: It is not a finished game and just one route is more developed. The story is about the rebirth of gods, the Mc is Aphrodite and she is trying to find a partner to give birth to Eros.
Binary star hero by CONCRETEPARASITE
Bias: 5/5
Art: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Overall: This is a yandere story about a hero obssesed with the Mc which used to be a minor villain, there are other romantic interest but I mainly like the hero one.
Embassy otherworld by Carziecat
Bias: 4/5 (I think the LI is very cute)
Art: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Overall: Really enjoyed the LI, the story is about the work of the Mc in the in the archiving of a different world.
V3NUS by vanrobami
Bias: 4/5
Art: 5/5
Story: 4/5 (So far)
Overall: It is not a finished game and just one route is more developed. The story is about the rebirth of gods, the Mc is Aphrodite and she is trying to find a partner to give birth to Eros.
Binary star hero by CONCRETEPARASITE
Bias: 5/5
Art: 4/5
Story: 4/5
Overall: This is a yandere story about a hero obssesed with the Mc which used to be a minor villain, there are other romantic interest but I mainly like the hero one.
- Dec 10, 2024
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here are my top recs :) most of these have yandere LIs or are dark romance in some way
symptoms of deceit by strawberry squid
bias: 5/5 | art: 4/5 | story: 5/5
overall: something strange is going on at mc's workplace, which they are being left in the dark about by their coworkers. i love both LIs & the plot is very interesting.
favor by concreteparasite
bias: 5/5 | art: 4/5 | story: 4/5
overall: mc has a sucky life & meets a devil at the bar. made by the same dev as binary star hero, which i also love & recommend!!
obscura by rotten raccoons
bias: 4/5 | art: 5/5 | story: 5/5
overall: mc travels to a marketplace to find a cure to their curse where everyone hides behind a mask. my fav LIs are keir & oleander.
touchstarved by red spring studio
bias: 4/5 | art: 5/5 | story: 4/5
overall: mc has a curse where people go insane from their touch so they travel to eridia for a cure. somehow i love all of the LIs, but kuras & ais are my favs.
criminally yours by meant to bee studios
bias: 4/5 | art: 4/5 | story: 4/5
overall: mc is an undercover hero and the main LI is an obsessive villain. i live for superhero-themed media so this was very entertaining!
reanimated heart by double dead studio
bias: 4/5 | art: 5/5 | story: 4/5
overall: mc dies in an apocalyptic world & is transported to a supernatural dimension. my fav LIs are black & crux.
symptoms of deceit by strawberry squid
bias: 5/5 | art: 4/5 | story: 5/5
overall: something strange is going on at mc's workplace, which they are being left in the dark about by their coworkers. i love both LIs & the plot is very interesting.
favor by concreteparasite
bias: 5/5 | art: 4/5 | story: 4/5
overall: mc has a sucky life & meets a devil at the bar. made by the same dev as binary star hero, which i also love & recommend!!
obscura by rotten raccoons
bias: 4/5 | art: 5/5 | story: 5/5
overall: mc travels to a marketplace to find a cure to their curse where everyone hides behind a mask. my fav LIs are keir & oleander.
touchstarved by red spring studio
bias: 4/5 | art: 5/5 | story: 4/5
overall: mc has a curse where people go insane from their touch so they travel to eridia for a cure. somehow i love all of the LIs, but kuras & ais are my favs.
criminally yours by meant to bee studios
bias: 4/5 | art: 4/5 | story: 4/5
overall: mc is an undercover hero and the main LI is an obsessive villain. i live for superhero-themed media so this was very entertaining!
reanimated heart by double dead studio
bias: 4/5 | art: 5/5 | story: 4/5
overall: mc dies in an apocalyptic world & is transported to a supernatural dimension. my fav LIs are black & crux.
Oh this is such a great thread! I hope none of you mind if I take some of these titles as recommendations. Most of my otome are on Steam or Switch, so I've only recently been looking at itch.io ^_^
- Jun 30, 2025
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it's a demo as of now, but watch the road seems promising to me. beautiful art, very atmospheric and intriguing. you play as a truck driver making your way through a severe snowstorm until you meet a mysterious hitchhiker asking you to give him a ride. 1 love interest.
bias: 5/5 | art: 5/5 | story: ?
(the dev also shares art and occasional information about ilya on her tumblr.)
the retrospection of tomorrow, while also a demo, already has 10+ hours worth of playtime. it's a time-travelling non-linear vn with heavy psychological elements to it. can be hard to follow so i'm not sure what to make of it yet, but i think it's worth recommending. do note that it's quite plot heavy so the romance isn't always the focus.
3 love interests (4 in the full version)
bias: 4/5 | art: 5/5 | story: ?
bias: 5/5 | art: 5/5 | story: ?
(the dev also shares art and occasional information about ilya on her tumblr.)
the retrospection of tomorrow, while also a demo, already has 10+ hours worth of playtime. it's a time-travelling non-linear vn with heavy psychological elements to it. can be hard to follow so i'm not sure what to make of it yet, but i think it's worth recommending. do note that it's quite plot heavy so the romance isn't always the focus.
3 love interests (4 in the full version)
bias: 4/5 | art: 5/5 | story: ?
- Dec 26, 2024
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I like this game too. Its story is so interesting. Just like you said, the timeline is really confusing. I honestly don't fully understand what's going on lol, but it's still totally worth looking forward to because the author's writing is so engaging. I really love the heroine. She's beautiful, and her personality is truly admirable XD
- Aug 11, 2014
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oh we share similiar tastes! I love Obscura (I even bought it in early access) and while I didn't get to back Touchstarved in time for its kickstarter I loved the demo (the developers previous game, last legacy, was so good, it's sad what happened with the fictif app)
- Dec 10, 2024
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yay i love dark fantasy so obviously obscura and touchstarved are high on my list!! my other fantasy recs are bewitching sinners, lost in limbo, & voiceless elegy. i've never heard of last legacy, i would've loved to have tried it :c
- Jun 21, 2024
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anyone here played keyframes by (blank) house? its so cute!!! highly recommend it gives me the 'our life' vibes bc of the incredible customization you can do for your MC, but in college! <3 i'm more of a lighthearted romance game type of gal than everyone here, apparently T_T
- Dec 10, 2024
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i've played both keyframes (the demo) & our life, and enjoyed them!
- Apr 1, 2025
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I'd like to recommend Ebon Light by Underbliss. At first I was put off by the art style but the ROs sucked me in. All of the ROs except one are morally questionable since they live in a warrior culture that prizes strength and intimidation but it doesn't come off like a mafia romance (no shade at anyone who's into that). There's some light MC customisation: hair and eye-colour and wardrobe customisation (love me some dress-up) and mild stat checks (occurs naturally through choices, not scheduled). For a completely free game released years ago, it still holds up great in terms of writing. There's some mystery and mild horror elements too.
Mine would def be Chromatic Agape! It's not talked about enough, I swear.
I lowkey recommend it if you're into darker yandere otome with villain/hero dynamics ^^ It even has a character customization menu (they're planning to add even more options in the future too yay~), and a trigger toggle screen if you're uncomfy with stuff like blood, gore, NSFW content (I legit hadn't seen this mechanic in other yandere games).
There are 7 pixie LIs in total, so you're absolutely spoiled for choice lol. The only downside is… the full release is in 2026 TT I CAN'T WAIT ANY MORE I need to romance those yandere psychos asap lol
Everything in this game is literally 10/10, I just wish there was more.
I lowkey recommend it if you're into darker yandere otome with villain/hero dynamics ^^ It even has a character customization menu (they're planning to add even more options in the future too yay~), and a trigger toggle screen if you're uncomfy with stuff like blood, gore, NSFW content (I legit hadn't seen this mechanic in other yandere games).
There are 7 pixie LIs in total, so you're absolutely spoiled for choice lol. The only downside is… the full release is in 2026 TT I CAN'T WAIT ANY MORE I need to romance those yandere psychos asap lol
Everything in this game is literally 10/10, I just wish there was more.
I'm a big fan of Our Life (still replay it once in a while) and I've been trying to find similar games, but I haven't heard of Keyframes! Thank you so much for the recommendation!!
- Jun 30, 2025
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i'm glad i wasn't the only one lol, i'm hoping the full version will make things a bit clearer for us!
i agree, it is a pretty compelling vn even when i'm not sure what's going on. i really liked fay too... she's so strong. do you have a favorite love interest/route?