In the world we live in, some people are better at interacting with people than others. And more often than not, those people have a better chance of getting into a relationship than those who usually keep to themselves. Meanwhile, the opposite is true: some people are content with waiting to meet their fated person due to their introverted personalities. They want to just let fate take its course and not force it.
The latter case is where we find our protagonist for this visual novel.
Making＊Lovers is a visual novel that features a main character that will brave through that crucial first step of trying to get out of their comfort zone and proactively look for their fated person instead of waiting for her to meet him. Will our protagonist succeed in this emotional roller coaster that we call love?
The Plot
The story follows our protagonist, Takanashi Kazuma (or any name you give to our protagonist), who is working in-between steady jobs to fuel his Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) life in his late-blooming into the life of a man in a relationship. It is at this time that he will meet and fall in love with either of the five love interests that come from all walks of life, depending on the player's choices.
These choices will inevitably lead to Kazuma realizing what he is missing in his life and mature from the NEET he is into a man worthy of the woman the players choose to stay with.
The Gameplay And Replayability Value
As previously mentioned, the game is heavily dependent on the player's choices, though these will only appear during specific moments. For the most part, players will be treated as passive audiences similar to those watching a movie or reading a book.
One of these moments is when the player guides Kazuma to one of the five love interests.
The game allows the player to guide Kazuma to one of the main love interests through the choices the player makes. There are no bad endings as the player is guaranteed to go into one of the love interests' routes. The game encourages numerous replays, which allow the player to choose differently and pursue a different love interest or to get a different outcome during dates.
Speaking of dates, players can decide where to take Kazuma and their love interest at certain points in the game. During these times, they're asked to select from a variety of places: from arcades, karaoke hubs, and boutiques, to even the beach. The player will also be able to get three locations to choose from on where Kazuma and his date will eat to end the date.
This aspect of the game is where its replayability value shines - going through each location to see Kazuma and the love interest's reaction in the venues selected fleshes them out and the player's understanding of them.
As the story progresses, players can get to know the heroine of their choice better and learn of the circumstances that led them to meet and fall in love with Kazuma. The whole game tackles themes such as independence from one's parents, challenging mediocrity, and the hardship of finding and pursuing your dream job.
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Although Making＊Lovers has chock full of variety for content, the stories of some heroines might feel short and sometimes rushed. There were times when I felt like the writers didn't show one of the love interest's struggles properly, thus making her ending feel abrupt and unearned, in my opinion.
Even so, this flaw doesn't take much away from the game, as it still feels enjoyable and fulfilling.
Soundtrack
The game's soundtrack makes an amazing effort to get you immersed in the situation and the setting the game puts players into. It matches the light-heartedness of the visual novel during tense moments, allowing the player to feel emotionally comfortable.
Overall, the soundtrack feels upbeat, fulfilling, cheery, and smooth as jazz sometimes. It does well in amplifying the joy and experience of playing the visual novel.
Character Art
Making＊Lovers' art style feels like a mix of cuteness and mature elegance. While it is not the most realistic of art styles, it more than delivers in adorableness.
The characters' fashion sense is not something to be ignored, either. Whether the heroines are on a date, at home, or working, the player's eyes will be rewarded generously. Watch out for the beach part!
The game also has a unique feature wherein the player can see the heroines' side and back views compared to the front-view-only norm in most visual novels.
The Verdict
Making＊Lovers is a great game for players who want to chill and relax after a stressful day. It is light enough for first-time players of visual novels to pick up and enjoy, especially for those looking for something to cheer them up.
If you're looking for a visual novel that is light-hearted and hilarious at the same time, Making＊Lovers promises lots of laughs, smiles, and fulfillment for those who give it a chance.
This game gets a solid 9/10 from me; I would very much recommend anyone who wants to try it out, especially now that its sequel, Making＊Lovers After Stories, is already translated and is on sale until Sept. 3.
Making＊Lovers is available on Steam for $14.99.
