Are you okay with ROs pursuing someone else?

[lncogneato]

Title explains itself, but I can expound a little more!

Disclaimer: Personally, there is no wrong answer. As opposed to how an IRL equivalent situation would be received, otome games, dating sims, etc. provide a space where we can establish likes and dislikes a little more clearly without a raised eyebrow (or I hope that's the case).

I don't recall this happening in any JP otomes unless you count Harvest Moon, but I've definitely seen it in quite a bit of itch.io games/IF. Where do you stand on the subject? When it comes to games, I'm a jealous person or maybe the awkward sort who can't get fully into a character's route after seeing them find a relationship with someone else. I kind of feel like an intruder, in a sense.

I get the appeal of it though! Realistically, these ROs can't have their lives revolving around the MC forever, and this opens the opportunity for them to solve their baggage so everyone's happy. Small tangent, but I guess that's why I like Him, the smile & Bloom's premise so much. Different MCs, but it's still you playing the game. Everyone ends up happy and you see hints of that when you're on someone else's route.

 

[Czekola]

When it came to harvest moon games I liked the fact that characters had their lives and eventually would get married even if that person was not me. Rivals make the stakes higher and for me it made the game more interesting. Sadly nowadays Story of Season doesn't add them.
Also u reminded me of Norn9 where different Mcs have different Love Interests. It was the first for me but i like how different personalities of mcs worked with their respective LI

 

[Nastya]

Personally I don't have a problem with RO/LI having past lovers or finding someone in a future if they don't get with MC. But I really not a fan when they get together in course of the game. It's less because I'm jealous and more that I feel like they destined to be together or something, lol, and my character gets in the way of it

 

[pepsinig]

Oh, I knew you were a IF reader the moment I saw "RO"
No, I'm not okay with that. Especially hate how in indie wester games the devs make the LIs have a thing for each other (e. g:Touchstarver or some IFs), it's so unnecessary and make me loss interest in the whole game. Often the relationship with MC are poorly written, feeling like an afterthought, like why are you making me feel like the third wheel in a romance game?
Yes, probably is unrealistic that every LI never finds love without the MC but that's what make the route more special. Also feels cheap how easily another character can date the LI, while the player character have to do so much for a good ending.

 

[アフリカオオコノハズク]

i like it.
it brings stakes and realism to the game.

always hate the "i choose him/her as partner, so now all of you guys are destined to be Virgin/single till you die".

it also shows that they actually interact with other people. it really kills the realism when the LI are good looking with good personality, yet nobody ever tries to flirt with them or the LI never interested with other good looking and Good personality people, yet they instantly falls to boring blank character like mc?

i am more of a "feelings were build with each time spend" kinda guys rather that "love at first sight" or "destined person" scenario.

 

[Scone]

i like it.
it brings stakes and realism to the game.

always hate the "i choose him/her as partner, so now all of you guys are destined to be Virgin/single till you die".

it also shows that they actually interact with other people. it really kills the realism when the LI are good looking with good personality, yet nobody ever tries to flirt with them or the LI never interested with other good looking and Good personality people, yet they instantly falls to boring blank character like mc?

i am more of a "feelings were build with each time spend" kinda guys rather that "love at first sight" or "destined person" scenario.

Well said and I completely agree. Just because we're the MC, doesn't mean every aspect of the LI's lives need to revolve around us. I wish otome games were a bit more realistic in this way, because it happens in real life often.

I like Harvest Moon Tree of Tranquility, and Animal Parade so much because they have that possibility, and it gives those other characters so much more depth.

 

[lncogneato]

Also u reminded me of Norn9 where different Mcs have different Love Interests. It was the first for me but i like how different personalities of mcs worked with their respective LI

Yes! I also thought of Norn9 when I got into my tangent. More personality variety but it's still you playing. I really liked that about the game.

Personally I don't have a problem with RO/LI having past lovers or finding someone in a future if they don't get with MC. But I really not a fan when they get together in course of the game. It's less because I'm jealous and more that I feel like they destined to be together or something, lol, and my character gets in the way of it

Oh, I totally get the "destined to be together" feeling. I feel I'd handle it a lot well too if that information was offered in an Epilogue. Having that choice would soften my overly guilty conscience of getting in the way, haha!

Oh, I knew you were a IF reader the moment I saw "RO"
No, I'm not okay with that. Especially hate how in indie wester games the devs make the LIs have a thing for each other (e. g:Touchstarver or some IFs), it's so unnecessary and make me loss interest in the whole game. Often the relationship with MC are poorly written, feeling like an afterthought, like why are you making me feel like the third wheel in a romance game?
Yes, probably is unrealistic that every LI never finds love without the MC but that's what make the route more special. Also feels cheap how easily another character can date the LI, while the player character have to do so much for a good ending.

Guilty as charged, haha. Longtime IF reader. I see your point! I think third wheel is a better term to capture what I'm trying to convey. I'm fine when other developers do it; you just gotta gauge your comfort. If the story and romance involving MC's current route is good enough to dissuade my hesitation, I'll stay for the ride! I can't fault them for wanting to embrace that realism. It adds to complexity :D

Well said and I completely agree. Just because we're the MC, doesn't mean every aspect of the LI's lives need to revolve around us. I wish otome games were a bit more realistic in this way, because it happens in real life often.

I like Harvest Moon Tree of Tranquility, and Animal Parade so much because they have that possibility, and it gives those other characters so much more depth.

i like it.
it brings stakes and realism to the game.

always hate the "i choose him/her as partner, so now all of you guys are destined to be Virgin/single till you die".

it also shows that they actually interact with other people. it really kills the realism when the LI are good looking with good personality, yet nobody ever tries to flirt with them or the LI never interested with other good looking and Good personality people, yet they instantly falls to boring blank character like mc?

i am more of a "feelings were build with each time spend" kinda guys rather that "love at first sight" or "destined person"

I agree! I'm not very big on insta-love genres or first sight scenarios. I appreciate when developers present things a lot more organically. I'm the bonafide appreciator of slow burn and small intimate acts guy!

I also see your point with the falls to boring blank character. When we're presented with a really great supporting cast but a far-too underdeveloped MC that tries but fails to form a distinguishable identity, it's really frustrating generally and romance-wise.

Games can be really exciting with the ROs-pursue-others scenario and also grounding players is important as to not get too in our heads about circumstances unlikely IRL. Overall, I think one of our differences lie in that I'd rather seek those thrills and stakes applied anywhere else. I tend to like romance aspects more relaxed and a bit unrealistic. I like the exploration without the pressure my mind conjures.

I want to be better at being okay with it though! That's why I really like reading your guys' responses. Thanks for reading my word slop HAHA

 

[ninnikuryona]

not a fan to be honest,, i read otome to have cute guys fall in love with my mc, not mess around with other girls. im not seeking realism in games/visual novels, so its either all mls pursue only the mc, or theyre simply undateable. sorry ww

 

[lambdadelta]

the closest i've ever experienced to this was in tokimeki memorial girls side 1+2 where we had rivals who could end up with the guy instead of us. depending on your point of view it can be either exciting or annoying... they didn't bring rival mode back in tmgs3 but you can make the guys fight each other instead lol (not a fan of it myself)

i think it depends. if this other relationship turns out to be more interesting/the other person seems a better match than our character then it's a little awkward? but i'm not against it but i can see how feeling like an intruder would break the immersion too. i think everyone here made good points.

 

[blueclovers]

I think it works in a multiple heroine situation (RoRoAli is a bit of a mixed bag of a game, but I think it's cute the twins develop "matching" relationships depending on which one you're playing as and what route you're on), not to mention Rosalia as a rival in the OG with Angelique (who became playable later with Duet), but in terms of modern visual novel style games, I don't like it. I kind of play otome games "backwards" in that I care about the heroine(s) first and the route characters second, and generally speaking former/dead lover tropes were handled really clumsily in older games, so I'm not keen to repeat similar nonsense with a potential other romance in other routes.

I do like side character romances though, and I miss rival marriages in Story of Seasons a lot. Fire Emblem's shipping mechanics are also the most fun when everyone can shack up. It's just that to me otome games are the equivalent to romance novels first and gaming experiences second.

 

[plumtree]

I actually flip flop a lot on this, I guess it depends on whether I like the other character the RO gets with? I disliked how in Seduce Me 2, ALL of the brothers whose routes weren't chosen suddenly ended up engaged. If the other character exists outside of their relationship to the RO, and I like their personality then I'm more okay with it. Super interesting question btw

(Didn't know that RO was such a giveaway for being an IF fan...haha maybe I've also been outing myself the whole time)

 

[Anie_Reichi★]

I'm not okay if that love interest is the one I was pursuing. I was quite shocked and little bit jealous when I say Gray and Mary's rival event in the library (HMMFoMT) lol.
Probably that's why I don't like playboy characters, especially who flirt with lots of people.
It's not like I want all love interests to only have MC in their mind until the end of their lives (that's bit too much lmao) , if that's the case, I would feel uncomfortable too.
This also why I don't really like if all love interests suddenly have interests towards MC and saw her like a meat, lmao.
I just feel, if I decided to pursue A, but then I see A pursue (or still have feelings for) someone else, I can see A is already interested with someone else. Although this makes me sad but I don't want to continue to pursue him anymore. I don't like unrequited love. Even if at the end, A will fall in love with MC, it's still left bitter taste in my mouth. (I guess I will only like this kind of story if I want to read some angsty.)
I don't mind if the love interest had past relationship as long as he doesn't have feelings towards his ex anymore.
I also prefer in mono-relationship and will be uncomfortable with the love interests who are in poly-relationship.

 

[ishibashi]

I like it in life sims, like Harvest Moon. Even in RPGs, too. Though I'm not a fan of time limits ala the OG Harvest Moon where unless a player successfully passed the romance path triggers by X, the other romances happen. Should be player-triggered, like you have the option to help them get together or don't.

In romance VNs, as long as it's not with the character whose route I'm doing and doesn't take up a lot of screentime with their side romance drama, I'm fine with it. I get no sense of 'winning' against a romantic rival, it just takes away time that could be spent on cute moments with MC and love interest. But if I'm in a route with someone, and another RO drops by and say 'my new date complained at me a lot today', or in case of BL if two romanceables start bickering like a couple, I'm not going to mind. If they make it my business and get a whole subplot to themselves, then no thanks.

 

[fr4pp3cinn]

Not really into it myself, but it depends on the game. I do like multiple MCs, since we get the chance to explore different sides of the characters, especially when the MCs personality varies a lot.
For me the fun in otome is seeing the relationship play out, so the RO getting with someone else off-screen is kinda boring. However, I do like pairing in RPGs, especially if the player can help the characters get together.

 

[lncogneato]

I actually flip flop a lot on this, I guess it depends on whether I like the other character the RO gets with? I disliked how in Seduce Me 2, ALL of the brothers whose routes weren't chosen suddenly ended up engaged. If the other character exists outside of their relationship to the RO, and I like their personality then I'm more okay with it. Super interesting question btw

(Didn't know that RO was such a giveaway for being an IF fan...haha maybe I've also been outing myself the whole time)

Oh my god, I was thinking OF THE SAME THING. Seduce Me was my first encounter of the suddenly everyone has a significant other scenario HAHAHA. I get that they couldn't be single forever, but it's jarring when you just did all their routes the last game but then suddenly they're all engaged with no preamble. It was hard because I really liked both James and Sam .

 

[lncogneato]

If they make it my business and get a whole subplot to themselves, then no thanks.

You just made me think of another thread idea . Side character romance subplots in dating sims and how people feel about them.

I get wanting stuff like that as extra content but when it's recurring during the routes I'm doing, I go: "Wow, that's super cute, but wait, MC and the RO haven't even had enough screentime together yet . Can we develop them first?"

But I do get it when it's interwoven into the premise like Cupid Parasite where matchmaking is the whole point. Exhibit A, Owen and Melanie in Ryuki's route (admittedly though it made me yearn for similarly awkward pining moments between Ryuki and Lynette HAHAHA). Maybe it's more a sign that I want more nervous, first-time dynamics and romances in dating sims. Sickly sweet with a touch of secondhand embarrassment.

 

[zhuzaima]

A very interesting topic! I play a lot of bl games, every character is gay, and I kind of like pairing them up. Most times they are usually more attractive than the protagonist. I don't like all the characters around the protagonist. I support free relationship, but unfortunately there are very few such games, so sad.
I recommend "玉響/Tamayura", the characters can pair off freely, not just with the protagonist.

 

[6161xx]

It depends on the specific plot and the feelings it evokes in me. I can accept the characters having other romantic subplots, because it gives me a sense of drama I haven't experienced in real life. But if it's too intense, it might make me feel like an outsider.

 

[Arisa-chan]

It depends on the specific plot and the feelings it evokes in me. I can accept the characters having other romantic subplots, because it gives me a sense of drama I haven't experienced in real life. But if it's too intense, it might make me feel like an outsider.

THIS!! This is similar to how I feel about it. I think the option of someone else adds layers to the story.

To add, I think it really depends on how well it is executed in terms of writing and character. It be interesting to see how the ROs pursue someone else if it matches their character and storyline and is not just thrown in out of the blue. Plus points if I find myself actually shipping them.

Perhaps though, I would feel better about it if it happens if I didn't pick the RO or in the bad end.

 

[はなび]

I tried to say my thoughts but it seems like I'm incapable of writing anything other than essays all the time I'm so sorry

In things like life/farm sims and RPGs, the romance isn't the main point (and is usually optional) so I don't mind if the love interests get with other characters there. In fact, in games like that, the player character usually isn't that defined as a character and is more customisable (and could even be silent), or at the very least, we don't really see their thoughts the same way as in otome games (because simulations/RPGs are not visual novels where we see narration in the perspective of the main character), making who they are and what they're like matter less in the relationship writing, so I don't really feel like it's essential in terms of writing that it's them that specifically gets with the love interest. So in those cases, I might find other relationships between the love interest and another character potentially more compelling because they're both written to be more defined compared to the player character. Romance not really being the main point (and optional) also means the relationship between the player character and the love interest is usually not treated with as much thematic importance (at least in the overall story or game).

But otome games are almost always visual novels or have narrative as the main focus, and they are romance stories. So the relationship and the characters within this relationship are more important overall, and must be depicted with more care (imo). And at least for the otome games I like, the MC is more of a defined character that is written in a specific way, and the romance and relationship development and dynamic is specifically built around that, making it feel to me like it has to be the MC. Because of that, seeing a love interest, even in another route, get with someone else almost feels like it trivialises the romance and relationship in their route, since the whole story (as a romance story primarily, even if there are other elements) is centered around that and trying to build up this specific relationship (with these specific characters) as something special and profound and very thematically important.

I'm aware this is kind of hypocritical because the same MC romances different people in different routes, so why shouldn't it be okay for the love interests to romance other people as well? But I can't help but feel like it's fine if it's the MC getting with different people because these relationships are focused on in the story - the MC gets a whole route (or something equivalent) with each character that fleshes out the relationship, and they are the protagonist/POV character so we basically experience their romance with the love interests firsthand (with their thoughts, etc, as it's a visual novel). This makes all of the relationships feel equally profound in a way the love interests getting with someone offscreen or as just a side plot in another route wouldn't. It just feels to me like their entire route and development with the MC was just kind of thrown out for something we don't witness that well.

Yes, it's not very realistic for the love interests to only ever be in love with the MC, but if the whole story is dedicated to exalting the relationship and using it to convey the overall theme of the work (or at least that route), then I personally don't really want to see the love interests get with other people in an otome game (unlike in RPGs, etc, where I tend not to actually like romancing characters with the player character because the main point/themes don't revolve around that relationship and the protagonist in a lot of those games tend to be more blank/underwritten in the story tbh).

Also, I have to love otome MCs (to like the story), so I feel kind of protective over her, like you better love her and only her lmaoo. While in RPGs, I might like other characters more because the player character there usually has less to them (or at least their thoughts etc aren't shown as much) and I tend to only like ships where I like the characters and find them interesting. I guess for otome, I would maybe be fine with the love interests getting with other people if I didn't particularly like the MC for that particular game. But usually, I love her enough (and see the importance of it being her) to not want to see her be a third wheel to anyone.

 

[7Senses]

I tried to say my thoughts but it seems like I'm incapable of writing anything other than essays all the time I'm so sorry

In things like life/farm sims and RPGs, the romance isn't the main point (and is usually optional) so I don't mind if the love interests get with other characters there. In fact, in games like that, the player character usually isn't that defined as a character and is more customisable (and could even be silent), or at the very least, we don't really see their thoughts the same way as in otome games (because simulations/RPGs are not visual novels where we see narration in the perspective of the main character), making who they are and what they're like matter less in the relationship writing, so I don't really feel like it's essential in terms of writing that it's them that specifically gets with the love interest. So in those cases, I might find other relationships between the love interest and another character potentially more compelling because they're both written to be more defined compared to the player character. Romance not really being the main point (and optional) also means the relationship between the player character and the love interest is usually not treated with as much thematic importance (at least in the overall story or game).

But otome games are almost always visual novels or have narrative as the main focus, and they are romance stories. So the relationship and the characters within this relationship are more important overall, and must be depicted with more care (imo). And at least for the otome games I like, the MC is more of a defined character that is written in a specific way, and the romance and relationship development and dynamic is specifically built around that, making it feel to me like it has to be the MC. Because of that, seeing a love interest, even in another route, get with someone else almost feels like it trivialises the romance and relationship in their route, since the whole story (as a romance story primarily, even if there are other elements) is centered around that and trying to build up this specific relationship (with these specific characters) as something special and profound and very thematically important.

I'm aware this is kind of hypocritical because the same MC romances different people in different routes, so why shouldn't it be okay for the love interests to romance other people as well? But I can't help but feel like it's fine if it's the MC getting with different people because these relationships are focused on in the story - the MC gets a whole route (or something equivalent) with each character that fleshes out the relationship, and they are the protagonist/POV character so we basically experience their romance with the love interests firsthand (with their thoughts, etc, as it's a visual novel). This makes all of the relationships feel equally profound in a way the love interests getting with someone offscreen or as just a side plot in another route wouldn't. It just feels to me like their entire route and development with the MC was just kind of thrown out for something we don't witness that well.

Yes, it's not very realistic for the love interests to only ever be in love with the MC, but if the whole story is dedicated to exalting the relationship and using it to convey the overall theme of the work (or at least that route), then I personally don't really want to see the love interests get with other people in an otome game (unlike in RPGs, etc, where I tend not to actually like romancing characters with the player character because the main point/themes don't revolve around that relationship and the protagonist in a lot of those games tend to be more blank/underwritten in the story tbh).

Also, I have to love otome MCs (to like the story), so I feel kind of protective over her, like you better love her and only her lmaoo. While in RPGs, I might like other characters more because the player character there usually has less to them (or at least their thoughts etc aren't shown as much) and I tend to only like ships where I like the characters and find them interesting. I guess for otome, I would maybe be fine with the love interests getting with other people if I didn't particularly like the MC for that particular game. But usually, I love her enough (and see the importance of it being her) to not want to see her be a third wheel to anyone.

Well said! I enjoyed reading your thoughts :)
I personally agree on the point for life/farm sim games! The older Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons games used to have love rivals, and I always thought that was a neat thing. The farming and saving the town was the main focus, so it's totally cool if the other characters lived out their own lives and got married while I was busy doing other stuff. I did like that it added a layer of realism that the town was changing/growing with other love interests getting married and having kids while you were helping the town.

 

[nemaiaish]

If RO was in a relationship before, it pushes him down a bit in my ranking and it makes me a little angry, but if his personality was great in his path, I think I would ignore his previous relationship.

 

[はなび]

Well said! I enjoyed reading your thoughts :)
I personally agree on the point for life/farm sim games! The older Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons games used to have love rivals, and I always thought that was a neat thing. The farming and saving the town was the main focus, so it's totally cool if the other characters lived out their own lives and got married while I was busy doing other stuff. I did like that it added a layer of realism that the town was changing/growing with other love interests getting married and having kids while you were helping the town.

Ahh thank you for reading my long post!
Yes, I was thinking exactly about the rival marriages in the older HM/SOS games. The main story was never the romance so I didn't think it was as important for the main character to get with anyone, and I liked seeing the town develop through the rival relationships and families. It really added a sense of time passing that otherwise wasn't really felt as much because of how static things can get as the years go by in game. I think in those games, I tended to ship the rival couples more, especially since I was able to get a stronger grasp on their dynamic because neither character was silent, unlike our protagonist. Of course, I thought the romances with the protagonist were fine as well, but I really enjoyed the rival pairings and events.

 

[sawayaka]

I tried to say my thoughts but it seems like I'm incapable of writing anything other than essays all the time I'm so sorry

In things like life/farm sims and RPGs, the romance isn't the main point (and is usually optional) so I don't mind if the love interests get with other characters there. In fact, in games like that, the player character usually isn't that defined as a character and is more customisable (and could even be silent), or at the very least, we don't really see their thoughts the same way as in otome games (because simulations/RPGs are not visual novels where we see narration in the perspective of the main character), making who they are and what they're like matter less in the relationship writing, so I don't really feel like it's essential in terms of writing that it's them that specifically gets with the love interest. So in those cases, I might find other relationships between the love interest and another character potentially more compelling because they're both written to be more defined compared to the player character. Romance not really being the main point (and optional) also means the relationship between the player character and the love interest is usually not treated with as much thematic importance (at least in the overall story or game).

But otome games are almost always visual novels or have narrative as the main focus, and they are romance stories. So the relationship and the characters within this relationship are more important overall, and must be depicted with more care (imo). And at least for the otome games I like, the MC is more of a defined character that is written in a specific way, and the romance and relationship development and dynamic is specifically built around that, making it feel to me like it has to be the MC. Because of that, seeing a love interest, even in another route, get with someone else almost feels like it trivialises the romance and relationship in their route, since the whole story (as a romance story primarily, even if there are other elements) is centered around that and trying to build up this specific relationship (with these specific characters) as something special and profound and very thematically important.

I'm aware this is kind of hypocritical because the same MC romances different people in different routes, so why shouldn't it be okay for the love interests to romance other people as well? But I can't help but feel like it's fine if it's the MC getting with different people because these relationships are focused on in the story - the MC gets a whole route (or something equivalent) with each character that fleshes out the relationship, and they are the protagonist/POV character so we basically experience their romance with the love interests firsthand (with their thoughts, etc, as it's a visual novel). This makes all of the relationships feel equally profound in a way the love interests getting with someone offscreen or as just a side plot in another route wouldn't. It just feels to me like their entire route and development with the MC was just kind of thrown out for something we don't witness that well.

Yes, it's not very realistic for the love interests to only ever be in love with the MC, but if the whole story is dedicated to exalting the relationship and using it to convey the overall theme of the work (or at least that route), then I personally don't really want to see the love interests get with other people in an otome game (unlike in RPGs, etc, where I tend not to actually like romancing characters with the player character because the main point/themes don't revolve around that relationship and the protagonist in a lot of those games tend to be more blank/underwritten in the story tbh).

Also, I have to love otome MCs (to like the story), so I feel kind of protective over her, like you better love her and only her lmaoo. While in RPGs, I might like other characters more because the player character there usually has less to them (or at least their thoughts etc aren't shown as much) and I tend to only like ships where I like the characters and find them interesting. I guess for otome, I would maybe be fine with the love interests getting with other people if I didn't particularly like the MC for that particular game. But usually, I love her enough (and see the importance of it being her) to not want to see her be a third wheel to anyone.

First of all, I'm with you, thread OP! If I know LIs/ROs are exes, or can get with each other/people aside from the MC, throughout the route I won't be able to get the thought out of my head.

はなび, omg thank you for this post this is exactly how I feel and you worded it so well!!

I think the only time I'm okay with it is if an LI/RO's ex or potential other lover is a background character that doesn't get much attention, and it's made explicitly clear that they're not even up for consideration once MC is in the picture.

 

[lst]

I know this happens in patch 1.7 of The Goddess Of Tears -Daybreak-. Katarina romances every LI that Philia originally does. Personally, in games where there's at least one route where dating guys isn't the original protagonist's priority (as is the case with the Daybreak route of GTD), I don't mind an LI pursuing someone else, as long as the romance with a different protagonist feels believable.