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

[agathi]

If I really have to pick, it would be the plot for me. I can handle otome games with lackluster romantic interactions between the MC and the ML of that route, but if the plot is nonsensical and ends up infuriating me, I wouldn't enjoy it anymore. There have been times where I really love the ML's personality and character in general but I was so frustrated with the writing in his route that I had to push myself to finish it just for the sake of completing it

 

[nekokaburi]

It's a tough call, but if I had to choose, I'd go with how the story flows.

If things feel too rushed or surface-level, I just can't get into the world or really care about the characters. For me, romance only really hits home when you see the relationship build up step by step.

 

[chuubiey]

Both, i can't choose just one. If the plot is bad but the romance is good, i can lose interest. Same goes the other way around

 

[3302325939]

Honestly, I can't give up on either the story or the romance! It would be great if they were blended well, but... it is hard to find works like that. Especially since they often depend on personal taste. If I had to choose one, I'd definitely go with the romance. After all, it's an otome game

 

[dreamilyshoujo]

Both, please. Make the game 90 hours long, I don't care. I just want plot AND romance in my games I find a pain the trend of having a heavy plot game first to have a fandisk later because when the fandisk releases I don't remember all the details from the first game anymore...

 

[koii]

Plot without romance is not otome, and romance without plot is not a story

 

[roz]

For an otome, I definitely prefer romance because that's the genre I'm looking for when I play them. In general, though, I prefer a strong plot with romance as a subplot

 

[b3rryb3rry]

I feel like so many games (mostly Otomate) really neglect the romance for the sake of the plot. I usually leave those games feeling kind of... underwhelmed? Even a lot of their fandisks aren't as romance-driven as I would've hoped.

One of my favourite otome games ever is Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 1 and that game doesn't really have much of a "plot" outside of regular school life and the opening/closing scenes. But the gameplay and romantic interactions more than make up for it!

For me if there's not going to be a lot of romance I at least want more interactivity/gameplay... If a game has a lack of romance AND no gameplay I'm a lot less likely to enjoy it tbh.