What do you value more in otome: the plot or the romance?

[MarietaStay]

There are otome where the plot matters more than the relationships between the main characters. And there are cases where the plot isn't very interesting, but the chemistry between the characters is so strong that the plot doesn't seem to matter as much. So, which of these do you value more in otome?

 

[ninnikuryona]

definitely romance for me! i mean, otome as a whole is a romance genre, right? im okay with a good and deep plot, but if there is no romance in otome, i will definitely walk away feeling underwhelmed, no matter how amazing the story actually was..^^;
but that said, its not like im demanding 90% of otome content being pure sugar, though such works are obviously valuable too! i just wish otome devs wouldnt neglect romantic elements in favour of a story..:"3 a good balance between the two is what makes a game an unforgettable experience! something like that.^^

 

[mitsumitsu]

I'm open to both but I lean more on the romance end. I want to giggle at my screen while kicking my feet as I watch the two dumbasses in the game realize their feelings for each other. This is also why Amulit games aren't my cup of tea with their linear system, friendzone for 95% of the game until the last 2 hours where you finally get your dose of fluff... I need more...

 

[Hisami]

Am I greedy if I want both. But romance has to there it's non negotiable. If its not there then its just visual novel for me not otome and I definitely favour otome games more

 

[uzzzzu12]

i value the plot more tbh. i could play an otome with nearly no romance but if the plot sucks i'm dropping it i was dissapointed with tobari's route as it had barely romance but the plot was interesting enough to keep going. fds can make it up anyways

 

[lambdadelta]

we truly do need both... sometimes it's not so much about having a complex plot, but how it's presented. i think even a fairly "uneventful" game can be interesting once you dive into a character's psyche and you know how to work a more mundane setting ^^ and a game with a LOT going on can also be underwhelming at the same time, i think?

but romance needs to be there. i get sad if it ends up feeling like an afterthought lol or like. a confession in the last 5 minutes and i'm supposed to imagine the rest...

 

[godsblunder]

Obviously having both a good plot and a good romance is ideal but if I had to choose only one, I would prefer a well-written romance in my otomes since that's the definiting feature of the genre. Otherwise there are lots of other great visual novels to try outside of otome if plot is what you value most, like The House in Fata Morgana.

 

[yuriia]

Actually, both are important to me. However, if I had to choose one, I'd lean more towards the plot. A good plot makes me overlook the unromantic love storylines, but a bad plot makes me think, "Oh my god, I'm having a romance in this garbage setting, it's ridiculous!" when I get to the romance route.
After all, after the romance, I still have to go back to that awful plot!

 

[Yui_Tsurata]

I choose plot. I think both are important but a good storyline will leave stronger impression in me and makes the game more memorable. I did choose games base on "whether if the plot can pique my interest" regardless of romance amount.
A perfect way to balance in my opinion is a main game with good storyline, a little romance and fandisc with all the fluff (or angst lmao).
And a plot-heavy game can be as long as it needs but with more romance-based titles, I prefer it to be straight forward and avoid unnecessary prolong details.

 

[ichigomilk]

I value both and like when games have a good balance of both. I also think each one has its own charm so I enjoy playing both plot heavy and romance focused otome games. However, I think it's good to rotate between the two. For example, after playing a plot heavy one I'd want to play something lighter and more romance focused before playing another plot heavy one.

For plot heavy games, I love learning about the world and its characters, I also enjoy solving mysterious and seeing how the story will end. But I feel like the romance usually doesn't happen until the very end so for these games, I'd want there to be a short story or a fd just so we can see more of the couple and their life after the main game. I'm usually left disappointed if there isn't more or the romance feels rushed/sudden. For romance focused games, I'm fine with the plot taking a back seat as long as there is at least some plot going on. I need there to be some plot so there can be good character development and for me to be invested in the story.

If I really have to pick one then I'd probably pick romance just because I play otome games for the romance lol

 

[Lilia]

Plot and romance are both important in otome but honestly if the latter is neglected, it's hard to consider the game "otome" for me. Plot heavy games are also harder to pull off in my humble opinion. I'm easier to please if an otome is on the fluffier side while I'm more picky with those heavy with plot.

 

[nerim-w]

Romance easily! I mean, its literally otome after all, im playing it FOR the romance. And I enjoy plot but I'll get bored real quick even with the most exciting plot because the romance is forced or non-existent... like blah blah blah, this world is complex and theres strange shenanigans going on, okay now where's my boyfriend that I signed up for 🫩

 

[藍色水珠]

I value the content of the script: foreshadowing, depth, logic, etc., followed by the character's personality shaping, whether it is enough to attract me.

Romantic content can be added moderately, just like a comedy plot. But it doesn't have to be overflowing. Most of the whole article is dating, falling in love, talking on the phone, not doing business, and there is no exact purpose and theme, which will make people feel bored. No matter how bright the role is, it will also cause aesthetic fatigue.

 

[wian]

I think having a good balance of both is the best, but if I had to pick one, I'd definitely choose the plot. As long as there's at least some development between the heroine and the love interest, that's enough for me personally.

Of course I enjoy romance, but before that, I need a story that's interesting enough to keep me playing and not get bored. I really like games where the main story focuses on the plot first, then the extra stories or FD expand on the romance and give more details about the characters and the world. Those are usually the ones I end up enjoying the most.

 

[crisalt]

I'm playing for romance and characters in general (like friend groups or "found family"). Romance should be spread out evenly in the game, instead of rushed and added in the epilogue like an afterthought. Plot alone wouldn't be enough for me to care.

 

[Yara010]

Plot because if story is bad then I won't play it
But I love some romance too

 

[osanajimimi]

I would say plot a little more relevant to me, but honestly, most recent title just lean to plot and forget about the romance aspect. I wish that both aspects have the same priority, like c'mon it's an otome game, romance is vital

 

[Lilyyyy]

Both!!

 

[selinee]

This highly depends on the type of story imo, different genres = different expectations.
Taking example games like 9RIP, Club Suicide, the Psychedelica series, I'd value the plot more because the developers are trying to sell a daaarkkk plot or something with a mystery. In these types of games, romantic moments can't save the story if the plot development is bad. In all honesty I remember being frustrated at times when I was playing Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly, because I felt the pacing was hindered by all the chit-chat between characters

Then there are games like the TMGS series, Brothers Conflict, Yunohana Spring... where the relationships/interactions between characters carry the game. I wouldn't go into those games expecting much plot (- but there still needs to be something to move the story forward), I would expect a lot of chemistry and romance, you know, moments that make me giggle. If the characters aren't clicking for me then it'd be hard to like those games.

Overall I think it's best to have a balance though. To me otome games are story games where romance is a must-have element. It's up to the writers to balance that. If they can't, I'd say it's a skill issue.

 

[Darmian]

Probably minority opinion, i actually prefer stories with platonic love over romance. So, i fine with game focuses on plot side more than romance.

 

[purplebeetle]

Romance SHOULD be the plot, no?

 

[aoisora( ◕ H ◕)]

I think both plot and romance are equally important.
You need a solid story alongside the romance elements.
A strong plot makes the romantic milestones feel earned and impactful, while deep relationships make the overall journey much more engaging.

 

[chardonnay]

actually, both. if story is REALLY good, then i can close my eyes for weak romance and just fokus on main story, and if romance is REALLY good, then i can forgive some plot holes or something like that.

 

[dogiwall]

While the plot's important, I don't think while I'm looking for romance want a extremely slow burn or want it basically as a subplot. And as others said, a balance of both the story and romance is important.

If an otome game barely has romance, what makes it different than just reading a general visual novel? Regardless of what others genre it has (such as horror, mystery, fantasy, slice of life, etc), I think the core question should always be "Will these two characters end up together?" Conflicts, while essential, should add up to that core question/romance rather than be the core itself.

 

[CQUUbCQ]

Games with deep, sweeping storylines are incredibly appealing, and I personally love them. However, since they are *otome* games, I believe the romance element plays a crucial role. Sometimes, even if a game's plot is so complex that I'm tempted to give up on it, the romance keeps me motivated to keep playing. That said, I wouldn't want a game that focuses solely on romance while having a simplistic story, either.
I suppose it really comes down to balance... It's a tricky thing to get right.