Thoughts on non-romantic/platonic routes in otome games?

[pawyk]

I'm curious to hear what people have to say about platonic/friendship/family routes in otome games? I can think of one family-centered route like Finis from Code Realize (that was personally lowkey life changing for me) but I wonder what everyone else thinks about them?

 

[藍色水珠]

I think the family/friendship routes are meant to supplement the story and character development, unravel more mysteries, and depict the characters' untold experiences and emotional changes.

In *Code Realize*, Finis makes it clear to the player that he's not simply hindering or opposing the female protagonist; there are underlying reasons. He desperately craves fatherly love, but his father treats him as a replaceable substitute and uses him. The fact that he and the female protagonist are twins is a plot point only found in individual routes. His feelings for her are somewhat conflicted, unlike those of typical family members, and both are androids. I consider his route as supplementary explanation, a purely family-oriented route, not a romantic one.

我覺得家族/友誼路線是為了補充故事和角色設定，解開更多謎團，描寫人物不爲人知的經歷、感情變化。
《Code Realize》中的Finis讓玩家明白：他不是單純阻礙女主角、與她作對，背後都有原因。他非常渴望父愛，但父親當他是隨時能取代的替換品、利用他。他和女主角是雙胞胎，也是個人路線才有的線索。他對女主角的情感有點矛盾，不像平常家人，而且都是人造人。我把他的路線當作是補充說明，非談戀愛路線，純粹家人路線：眨眼：

 

[myfrral]

Basically, every otome game has a non love storyline, such as the truth storyline, the female lead's personal storyline, and so on. I hardly play these plotlines, and sometimes I play them because I need to perfectly gather all CG images (basically fast forward and skip, haha). I play otome games mainly because I can experience dating beautiful men and feel the love and life of another world, so I am not interested in non love plotlines. Sometimes, if there are very few love plotlines in otome games, I basically don't play this game

 

[AyaAyaya]

I am okay with it. It sometimes be even better-written than the romantic route~

 

[nerim-w]

I dont have any interest in them tbh. For me, the point of otome is to romance fictional guys and have fluffy and cute moments together!! It feels like going into a chinese restaurant and unexpectedly getting served italian food. Good food but still not what i wanted

 

[O cha]

I'd honestly have to think about it, because I can't really remember playing a route that's primarily about family or friendship (though maybe I have and it's just slipping my mind ). That said, I think I'd actually enjoy something like that.

Even without kissing, physical intimacy, or overtly romantic moments, I'd love a route where the MC and LI truly cherish each other, build a deep emotional bond over the course of the story, and become the one person they couldn't imagine their life without—even if their relationship isn't romantic.

It may not be romance, but I'd still consider that a form of love, and I think it can be just as meaningful.

 

[RailPassingBy]

I really really loooveee platonic/non-romantic routes especially when it comes from family—like siblings, oh and I also like friendship routes~

 

[joaoka]

Another brother route voiced by Yuki kaji like finis is wataru from brother's conflict !! Some of his events were super funny !

 

[VoltageIncEnthusiast]

I have no problem with platonic routes tbh. Sometimes you just wanna embrace the power of friendship and found family and not rack up romance points lol I play mainly romance games, but I don't mind platonic routes at all.

 

[osanajimimi]

Family and friendship routes are good to give support to the main character and complement the world-building, rather than being the main focus in an otome game, since most players are interested in seeing their favorite boys.

So, yeah, for me it's like I'm not really that interested, they could explored that content in the common route or in certain routes.

 

[enren]

Finis' Route is my favorite in Code Realize!
He's the only family route I've seen so far though.
The only friendship route I've seen was in London Mysteria. I like it too.
Makes me wish Narukami from Itehari would've had a family/friend route like those two.

 

[SmallEagle]

Personally, I wouldn't play a route that has no romance, however, I would like it as a subplot, because I do like when the game goes beyond just interacting with the LI.

 

[shunira]

I cannot recall ever seeing a route like this, but i would love one where you befriend all the love interets instead

 

[orionsbestie]

Finis' route was amazing tbh. It felt like a true finale route like those we've been getting in some games where the whole cast bands together to solve The Big Thing of the plot and leaves the door open for sequels. Which is what happened with C:R!

 

[totallyamanda]

I play otome games, like others, for the romancing of characters. (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) If there's no romance, I, personally, am not appealed by it.

However, I can understand the 'heroine' route where it's devoted to the heroine's growth and story without a romanceable character's parameters met so it's not just a GAME OVER screen but a story settled on its own. ദ്ദി˙∇˙)ว

I am also not speaking of the girl-friendship routes which are just thinly veiled attempt at attracting a "GL" audience without taking any risk or attempts to actually write a fully-fleshed out route between MC and a female love interest. ( ≖ ᴗ ≖ ;)

I haven't played any family routes personally so maybe once I finish Code Realize I could have a change of heart if the prior replies are anything to go off of. ૮꒰ ˶• ༝ •˶꒱ა ♡

 

[pawyk]

Finis' route was amazing tbh. It felt like a true finale route like those we've been getting in some games where the whole cast bands together to solve The Big Thing of the plot and leaves the door open for sequels. Which is what happened with C:R!

Yess!! I can also probably think of Bustafellows too when it comes to more plot focused and non-romantic routes that aim at resolving the plot holes!! But also Code Realize love to have those group-focused problem solving routes in the fandisks

 

[lovesicknis]

i love them finis was peak

 

[usagi-k]

i really enjoy them ! the storylines explored in such routes tend to be more focused on the main goal of the story ^^ i also enjoy platonic developments and personal growth just as much as seeing romantic development so i dont feel unsatisfied in that regard !

also i have so much love for finis <3 i really enjoyed his story in both the fds and seeing him and cardia accept each other as family was very special to me ^^ i was so glad they added it in since i really wanted to see him happy!

 

[Pancito]

I don't dislike them, but they honestly make me feel a little sad. After watching the relationship between the characters develop, it's hard not to want them to end up together. Sometimes I even feel a little guilty for not choosing the romantic route, even though I understand that platonic routes can tell beautiful stories and offer something different.

 

[pawyk]

i really enjoy them ! the storylines explored in such routes tend to be more focused on the main goal of the story ^^ i also enjoy platonic developments and personal growth just as much as seeing romantic development so i dont feel unsatisfied in that regard !

also i have so much love for finis <3 i really enjoyed his story in both the fds and seeing him and cardia accept each other as family was very special to me ^^ i was so glad they added it in since i really wanted to see him happy!

I KNOWWW I was so overjoyed to hear that the following fandisks ensures that they still had their happy ending ueue I think i'm the weakest to family routes the most!!

btw love your g o d icon!!