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Do you prefer long common route -> shorter character route OR short common route -> longer character route

I'm not a fan of games where the common route is ridiculously long but each character's route is lightning-fast.
I actually quite like otome games where character routes start from the get-go.
I think the design approach in hana awase is really interesting—since it's split into separate arcs,
most of the characters you meet outside your own arc are basically on the path to a BE.
Back when I first played it, this setup was mind-blowing...
and the way the BE routes—the journey to the ending—were written was absolutely brilliant.
The attention to detail was incredible.
 
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I think both can work really well, just in different ways. It really depends on the plot and what the game is trying to accomplish.

Some games genuinely need a longer common route to establish the world, introduce the characters, and properly build up the relationships before the individual routes begin. Other games are more character-focused, so it makes sense to have a shorter common route and spend more time developing each LI individually.

I also really appreciate games that manage to balance the two, where the common route and individual routes are both substantial enough that neither feels rushed or unnecessarily stretched out.

But honestly, the best solution is having a fandisc. A fandisc can focus almost entirely on each LI and give you that extra time to explore their relationship without having to spend half the game establishing the main plot again.

In the end, I think it comes down to the skill of the writer. A well-written long common route won't feel too long, and a well-written long character route won't feel dragged out. If the writing is good, I'll happily read either.
 
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Like most have said I prefer a shorter common route, if not I usually hold skip or save at certain points to cut out the rest of the route. I wanna be able to focus on the RO in general. Its annoying when they have such a short RO route and it also doesn't tie up loose ends
 
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I prefer short routes where exploring the world and the characters just gives you a taste of what's to come, like an appetizer, haha. Although I was so fascinated by R.I.P. 9. Three different common routes before you even choose the love interest, they were so distinct and so well-tailored to play in favor of whichever LI you choose that it felt like playing different games. I loved it.
 
Tbh I dont like common routes. I prefer prologue, then character route. But if I have to choose from this two u gave, I prefer short common route and long character routes.
 
Ooh I'd say it depends! For otome games that lean more on a slice of life genre, I would like it to be short common routes with longer character routes so I can see more fun interactions between MC and LIs. But if the story of the game is lore-heavy and the setting has a pretty expansive world building, I would love to explore more about the world through the longer common route. Because as much as I love the romance in otome games, I'm still a VN lover through and through where a well-written plot can make me engaged in the story regardless if there's not much romance
 
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I'm concerned that a shorter story might not have enough room to fully develop the plot or make the characters feel compelling, so I think a medium length is ideal
 
Such a difficult question! Both have their advantages, don't they?
When the common route is long, I find it easier to get emotionally invested in the story, and I often enjoy it more as a reading experience.
The first playthrough is always the most fun for me, so I also enjoy shorter individual routes that make subsequent playthroughs feel nice and fast-paced.
When the common route is short and the individual routes are long, I like that too, because each route feels fresh and new every time.
If I had to choose, though, I think I prefer a longer common route.
 
I definitely prefer a shorter common route and longer character routes. Longer character routes that build on the LI's story and allow the relationship to grow are the best. I dont like long common routes and short LI routes where the romance is rushed. Some games have long common routes to build the plot, but honestly I rather they develop the characters more.
 
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I prefer short common route . Still, I dislike common routes that are far too short because they lack sufficient setup.
 
I prefer short common route so I can play the longer character route because it can give me more information about my favorite character and it's more interesting to find out the backstory & progress with MC
 
I prefer a common route that's long enough to introduce all the LIs. Overly long common routes only cause me boredom and irritation.
 
I usually like longer common routes especially when I'm super interested in the plot, but if I'm only playing because of a specific character I've found then definitely longer character routes ^^! If the main bulk of the story is super interesting and really goes into the characters before any routes I'm a big fan of that! Sometimes if the main story is lackluster though then a long common route is such a bore...
 
My first thought was short common -> long route, but I do love when characters interact with each other and good world building. However, my main interest when playing an otome is romance, so I'll stay with short common -> long route.
You can still do dynamics and lore even if you're already on a route, maybe show different things in each one so that it feels more rewarding to do all routes.
 
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Make the entire game long! Long common route and long character routes! Give me a game with +60 hours of gameplay :evillaugh:
 
i like shorter common routes because when they are so long i tend to start getting bored and frustrated wondering when i can finally get to a character route.
 
I prefer having shorter common routes because I'd rather have the mc have more time with the LI she'll end up with than taking too long to flirt with everyone. I'm not saying that she should fall in love immediately what im trying to say is that I want that at some point in the common route, the story will force you to pick some place and be stuck with the LI in there and then romance happens. Having the scenario turn out this way means giving more time for romantic development to happen, an adequate time that gets the reader to say "with all that time and bonding, no wonder they fell in love"
 
Both long common routes and long character routes 👀 My favorite example so far would be Blackish House. Both common routes are great, though I do think the one in Side A lets the character routes shine even more. The one in Side Z is more concise, but the routes felt way longer in comparison. I think it has a perfect balance that lets you get to know the characters really well in both common routes while also giving you many hours of gameplay with each LI.

I also think that the common route in Jack Jeanne is one of the best I've ever read. It's extremely long, but it lets you get to know the characters really well. I enjoyed the character events that appeared as you raised your affinity with them and thought they were way more entertaining than the actual routes.

Maybe I'm just a long common route enjoyer lol
 
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