What's the perfect amount of love interests?

[marinech]

In otomes, when do you think having there are too many LIs? Or is it not a criteria when playing?
I think the perfect amount is 5 ٩( 'ω' )و
It's not too much, but it is also enough content to be satisfied! Too much can feel like a checklist to me...

 

[Daisy Magnus229]

I agree, 5 is enough LIs in one game. If there are more (like 12 LIs for example), split them like in Starry Sky. Having too many LIs sometimes makes the story quite shallow, there is too much information to process, and I can't enjoy it to the fullest.

 

[Hisami]

Lesser LIs cause the routes are longer and more fulfilling. When there are more LIs the routes tend to shorter but honestly having more LIs than normal is fun too since many games generally have standard 5-6 LIs.

 

[Yue9832]

I think 5 is a pretty good sweet spot too! ٩( 'ω' )و It's enough variety to keep things interesting without making the routes feel like a chore haha.

But I also think having a lot of LIs can be really fun if it's done well! Like, if each LI has a distinct personality, their own story, and enough development, I don't really mind a bigger cast.

For example, I really loved the TMGS games because it didn't seem like the guys are just there to just fill the love interests roles even if there are clear favorites lol. I think it's less about the actual number and more about whether the game can give each character enough content to keep the player satisfied ^^

 

[raccoonNiko]

5 or 6, or even less, sounds just about right. I think that's the standard for most games, but I've played some with more LIs and was extremely satisfied with the amount of time each character was given (Blackish House my beloved…). I don't mind a game having more love interests if their routes are equally fulfilling, but it can make it hard to choose a favorite ( ⁰▿⁰)

 

[DoDoPopping]

I care more about the depth and nuance of how the characters are portrayed than the number of characters.
If this is done exceptionally well,
I'd still feel completely fulfilled even if there were only two love interests.
And if a game can pull that off with a lot of love interests,
that's some seriously impressive character work.

 

[haiane]

I think the gold standard is anywhere between 3 and 5. It's not too low, so there can be some diversity between characters, and not too high, so the developers can make solid routes for each LI.

This way it's also more likely, that I manage to finish the game before my hair turns grey with old age.

 

[myfrral]

I agree with your viewpoint! I don't think there should be too many LIs, five or six are enough. If there are too many, the plot will appear very short, and it won't be as fun for me.

But if the story plot of LIs is good enough, not too short, and the plot is rich, I think I will also play it

 

[maya_chan1]

I don't really have a specific number, but I definitely prefer having fewer LIs with well-developed stories over having a lot of LIs with short or weaker routes.

For me, it's more important that each LI has enough time for their story and relationship with the heroine to properly develop.

 

[osanajimimi]

4-5 to follow the story and the large amount of information, plus, the constant interactions help me get attached faster

 

[Aikourou]

5 is enough for me but I wanna see more otome where there's only 2 lis

 

[kamilya5]

I agree with 5

 

[xyssxyss]

4-5 is the best amount.In my experience, once I've played through about three love interests, I find it hard to keep playing the same game. If I really like it, I might play through four.

 

[starlight7]

4-5 is good number. If there is too many, the story will seem repetitive with individual parts lacking, and if too little, the game play time will be too short.

 

[Zoeee]

I think 4 or 5 is a good number—neither too many nor too few, just right.

 

[RedLipsSourApples]

There could be a hundred as long as they're all fleshed out with appropriately long routes I don't really mind

 

[roz]

I think 5-7 is a good amount

 

[star light]

I think about four or five people would be just right.

 

[藍色水珠]

When I was younger and first started playing otome games, I could romance more than 8 characters (including supporting characters and friendship endings).

The downside was that there were too many romanceable male characters, the common routes were long, and the individual routes and endings were relatively short, which reduced the fun and anticipation of the game.

Now I don't have much time, but I like to complete the game with all the characters, so 5-6 characters or more is enough. The key is the quality of the story and the charm of the characters—whether they can move the player's heart.

 

[SmallEagle]

I'll say 3 to 5, I agree that having less LIs allows to focus in the writing, and I always adore a deep story and characters.

 

[AkaTe]

I would say it depens on the Story.

In Hakuok, for instance, there are easily 12 LIs by now. I've played through the franchise a few times, and it works well without getting boring.

In the Starry Sky franchise, on the other hand, there are only three for each game, and their routes are quite short; I have to say that three love interests were absolutely sufficient there, and more wouldn't have done the games any good.

Norn9 handled it well too, featuring three heroines where each route introduces new story elements. It's the same deal with 9 R.I.P., thanks to the different arcs, it doesn't get boring, as each arc offers a fresh storyline.

In Homura: The Crimson Warriors, however, I felt five LIs was really too many, because the story revolves too heavily around the narrow scope of the Battle of Osaka Castle. I started losing interest after the third playthrough.

 

[Qroha]

I agree that 5-6 LIs are pretty enough. And this way ever LI would have about equal quantity of screen time. I played one game I definitely liked that had a lot of Lis (Sympathy Kiss) and I quite liked the game. But this game is more of an exception

 

[totallyamanda]

From my reply from a little while ago: I think it depends on if the characters are there from the start to romance or if they're added later as DLC.

For DLC love interests, I wouldn't care how many if they each get a fully realized, fleshed out route that isn't a face swap with another character's storyline. ٩(๑❛ワ❛๑)و

For the main story or starring love interests, I feel like six is the absolute max I could feel that each character has been given enough time and quality control to have a meaningful story and conclusion for its game upon release.

There's never too many if the world allows it, the characters and their story routes are varying and interesting and of course, written well and designed. ദ്ദി◝ ⩊ ◜.ᐟ

And I still stand by this!! I love developed worlds getting extensive lore enough to allow more characters in the same universe to exist/co-exist!