Info about Lovers of Aether:

Official game description:
  
Now is not the time for war. Now is the time for love! The homecoming dance is tonight and you need a date pronto. Spend your school day talking to the students at Aether High. All the original characters from Rivals of Aether are in attendance. It's up to you to decide who you would like to take the the homecoming dance. Get to know each character by talking to them and asking questions. But the school day is not all about lollygagging. You'll have to attend classes, take a pop quiz, give a book presentation and play a game in the computer lab. At the end of the day, will you have a date to the dance?  
*   Less words than _War and Peace_ by Leo Tolstoy! Don't spend the rest of your life reading the words in this game.  
*   Orcane is a pranskter! Do you like pranks? Then you'll love Orcane.  
*   Use your mouse and click stuff. Or use a touch screen and poke stuff. Or use your eyes and look at stuff. Or use your wallet and buy Rivals of Aether.  
*   Every character is some kind of animal. Someone told me that is an important feature for a dating game, but I have no idea why.  
*   Calm relaxing gameplay. Unlike in a fighting game, no one is out to destroy you and make you wish you never picked up a controller. You can talk to characters at your own leisure and enjoy the elaborate lore of Aether High.  
*   Sylvanos will help you get ripped. Follow his natural path and you too can obtain beautiful longtoids.  
*   Learn about all the drama that went down last night at the Ding Dong Tree. Who will you believe?  
*   An amazing soundtrack that will remind you of the fighting game with these characters so maybe you'll buy that game for all your friends after playing this game.

Release date: Apr 1, 2019

Categories: Visual Novel, Dating Simulation, Anime, Furry Themes, Humor, Romance, Drama, Choice-based Narrative


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 3.0h
  - Story completion: 1.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides several data points regarding playtime. The first quote mentions 3 hours of gameplay for multiple routes, suggesting a short playtime for completion. The second quote indicates a play session of around six hours, though this includes breaks. The third quote suggests that even with multiple playthroughs, the game can be completed in less than an hour, indicating a very short completion time for individual routes. The fourth quote states that the game can be 100% completed in 2-3 hours, supporting the idea of a short overall playtime.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is most enjoyable when played with friends, despite some initial friction due to pacing and repetitive elements.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Playing with friends
  - Time to anchor: 0h 0m
  - Friction: Slow pacing; Repetitive gameplay; Unskippable dialogue
  - Unlock drivers: Playing with friends; Engaging in the cheesy nature of the game
  - Conditions: Playing with friends; Embracing the cheesy and addictive nature of the game
- Player Archetypes:
  - Casual Story Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of cute and fun narratives.
    - Playstyle: Casual and relaxed, focusing on the story and social aspects.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: furry; casual gamer
    - Reference games: Rivals of Aether
  - Achievement Grinder (sale)
    - Motivation: Completion of achievements and grinding.
    - Playstyle: Focused on replaying the game to achieve all possible goals and unlockables.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: achievement hunter
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Relaxed Casual Player (sale)
    - Motivation: Relaxation and casual play.
    - Playstyle: Casual and laid-back, focusing on the game as a way to relax and unwind.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual gamer
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Humor and lighthearted fun (weight 0.63): The game is praised for its humor, lighthearted tone, and the abundance of Easter eggs and fun music sprites. Players find it relaxing and enjoyable due to its comedic elements.
- Memorable and unique characters (weight 0.58): Characters in the game are noted for being memorable, unique, and well-designed. Players appreciate the distinct traits and endearing qualities of the characters.
- Beautiful visuals and art style (weight 0.5): The game is praised for its beautiful visuals, great graphic style, and appealing art. The vibrant, pixel-art style and character designs are particularly noted.
- Enjoyable soundtrack and mini-games (weight 0.48): The game features an enjoyable and beautiful soundtrack, along with fun mini-games. The writing style is also appreciated by players.
- Well-made and well-written (weight 0.44): Players appreciate the overall quality of the game, describing it as well-made, well-produced, and featuring a well-written story.
- Heartfelt and engaging narrative (weight 0.31): The game's narrative is described as heartfelt and engaging. Players enjoy the storytelling and heartfelt conversations.
- Absa's popularity (weight 0.3): Absa is highlighted for her cute and appealing design. Players express a strong liking for Absa, considering her a standout character.
- Enjoyable character interactions (weight 0.25): The interactions between characters are found to be enjoyable and pleasant. Players like how characters engage with each other.
- Perfect April Fools' joke (weight 0.2): The game is seen as a perfect and well-done April Fools' joke, with players appreciating the humor and creativity involved.
- Charming and creative action-RPG (weight 0.14): The game is described as a charming action-RPG, with players appreciating the creativity involved.
- Free to play (weight 0.14): Players appreciate that the game is free to play, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Wholesome dating simulator (weight 0.14): The game is seen as a wholesome and healthy animal flirting/dating simulator, adding a unique twist to the genre.
- Sweet addition to Aether universe (weight 0.14): The game is considered a sweet addition to the Aether universe, providing a good opportunity for players to explore this universe further.
- Cute character designs (weight 0.14): Players find the character designs, including the heart logo, to be cute and appealing.

Common complaints:
- Short gameplay duration (weight 0.47): Many players have noted that the game has a relatively short runtime, with some describing it as very short.
- Simple and shallow gameplay (weight 0.46): Gameplay elements are considered too simple and shallow, with some players finding it tedious and repetitive.
- Lack of text skipping option (weight 0.4): Players have expressed frustration over the inability to skip dialogue text, making repetitive playthroughs more tedious.
- Abrupt and underwhelming endings (weight 0.26): The endings have been described as abrupt and underwhelming, with some players feeling that the final cut-scene lacks completeness.
- Limited language support (weight 0.25): The game currently only supports English, which has been a barrier for non-English speaking players.
- Negative stereotypes about visual novels (weight 0.2): Some players feel that the game reinforces negative stereotypes about visual novels, which can be demeaning to the genre.
- Limited player choices (weight 0.2): Players have noted that some choices in the game do not significantly impact the story, and there is a lack of options such as choosing the player's gender.
- Limited content and replayability (weight 0.2): The game has been criticized for lacking content and replayability, with some players feeling that 100% completion is not worth the time.
- Underdeveloped story routes (weight 0.15): Certain routes in the game feel less fleshed out, leading to a lack of depth and variation in the story.
- Difficult quiz and minigames (weight 0.14): The quiz and some minigames have been criticized for being too difficult, especially for those who haven't played the original game.
- April Fools joke perception (weight 0.08): Some players feel that the game is just an April Fools joke and not a serious dating sim, which has led to disappointment.

Gameplay feedback:
- Visual novel gameplay (weight 0.47): The game incorporates elements of a visual novel, where players experience a story-based game with interactive novel aspects. This includes reading-based gameplay and making choices that affect the story.
- Character interactions and dialogue choices (weight 0.46): Players can interact with various characters and make dialogue choices that influence the story and relationships. This includes selecting different approaches for different characters.
- Dating simulator with animal characters (weight 0.43): The game is primarily a dating simulator with a unique twist of featuring animal characters. Players engage in typical dating sim gameplay mechanics while interacting with these characters.
- Cooperative and casual gameplay (weight 0.39): The game features cooperative elements, including cooperative voice acting and casual gameplay mechanics. It is designed to be a simple and short experience, suitable for casual players.
- Multiple story routes (weight 0.32): The game offers multiple story routes and character routes, providing different experiences based on player choices. Some routes are more complex than others, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Introduction to Rivals of Aether universe (weight 0.31): The game serves as an introduction to the Rivals of Aether universe, featuring characters from that series. This includes a mix of action-RPG and dating sim elements.
- High school setting (weight 0.25): The game is set in a high school environment, where players attend classes, complete assignments, and participate in school events. This setting provides a backdrop for the various interactions and storylines.
- Mini-games and quizzes (weight 0.2): The game includes various mini-games and quizzes, adding variety to the gameplay. These activities are often integrated into class scenes and provide additional ways to interact with characters.
- Achievement hunting (weight 0.14): Players can hunt for achievements, adding an extra layer of challenge and replayability to the game. There are multiple achievements to unlock, encouraging exploration and thorough gameplay.
- Anime and furry elements (weight 0.13): The game features an anime art style and includes furry elements, appealing to fans of these genres. This aesthetic choice influences the character designs and overall visual presentation.
- Humor, romance, and drama (weight 0.08): The game blends elements of humor, romance, and drama, creating a rich narrative experience. Players can experience a range of emotions and storylines as they interact with different characters.
- Game takes place over a day (weight 0.08): The story of the game unfolds over the span of a single day, with players experiencing various events and interactions within this timeframe. This structure adds a sense of urgency and progression to the gameplay.
- Finding a date for a dance party (weight 0.08): One of the main objectives in the game is to find a date for a dance party. Players must build relationships and make choices that lead to this goal, adding a specific focus to the gameplay.

Performance notes:
- Runs on low-end devices (weight 0.09): The game is optimized to run smoothly on devices with lower specifications.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for dating sim fans (weight 0.6): This game is highly recommended for fans of dating simulators, visual novels, and character-driven games. It offers a fresh take on the genre with good art, writing, and humor.
- Appeals to series fans (weight 0.54): The game is recommended for both fans of the series and newcomers. It can be enjoyed by anyone, even those who haven't played the original game.
- Free and enjoyable game (weight 0.4): The game is recommended for those interested in a free and enjoyable experience. It is worth trying out due to its cost and quality.
- Good art and character designs (weight 0.2): The game is recommended for those who enjoy games with good art and character designs. It features intricate and visually appealing elements.
- Short but worth it (weight 0.2): Despite its short length, the game is recommended for those who like cute short stories. It is worth trying out.
- Highly recommended to all (weight 0.16): The game is fully recommended and cannot be recommended enough. It is a must-try for everyone.
- Wholesome animal dating simulator (weight 0.14): The game is recommended for those who want a wholesome animal dating simulator. It offers a relaxing and funny experience.
- Casual and mature players (weight 0.14): The game is recommended for casual players and everyone, not just mature players. It offers a broad appeal.
- Furry themes appeal (weight 0.14): The game is recommended for people interested in furry themes. It offers a unique experience for furries.
- Intends to buy original game (weight 0.11): Players intend to buy or save up to buy the original game 'Rivals of Aether'. The game has sparked interest in the original series.
- Indie RPG fans (weight 0.08): The game is worth trying for fans of indie RPGs. It offers a unique experience within the genre.
- Comparable to popular games (weight 0.08): The game is comparable to 'Doki Doki Literature Club'. It offers a similar experience to well-known games in the genre.
- Completion and achievements (weight 0.08): The game is recommended to complete and get achievements. It offers a sense of accomplishment and replay value.
- Absurd comedy appeal (weight 0.08): The game is recommended for fans of absurd comedy. It offers a humorous and entertaining experience.
- Potential standalone series (weight 0.08): The game could be its own standalone series. It has the potential to expand into a larger franchise.
- Pricing and content suggestions (weight 0.08): Suggestions include giving the game a ~$15 price tag and adding more content. Players are interested in seeing more from the game.
- Not for PC gamers (weight 0.07): The game is not recommended for PC gamers. It may not meet the expectations or preferences of PC gamers.
- Screen brightness adjustment (weight 0.07): Players wishlist for screen brightness adjustment. This feature would enhance the gaming experience.
- Plans for 100% completion (weight 0.07): Players plan to achieve 100% completion and become speedrunners. The game offers a challenge and replayability.
- Replayability (weight 0.07): Players would play the game again. It offers a enjoyable experience worth repeating.
- Longer version desired (weight 0.07): Players would love a longer version of the game. They are interested in more content and extended gameplay.
- Try something new (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for anyone bored and ready to try something new. It offers a fresh and unique experience.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Enjoyment (weight 0.26): Players appreciate the engaging and witty writing, charming character designs, and enjoyable voice acting. The cooperative gameplay, pleasant visuals, and relaxing soundtrack also contribute to a positive experience, along with the game's replay value and humorous dialogues.
- Amusement (weight 0.14): The game's humor, absurd comedy, and silly dialogue are major sources of amusement. Players find the cheesy and dumb nature of the game addictive, along with its overall charm and art, leading to a fun and casual experience.
- Frustration (weight 0.1): Players are frustrated by the inability to skip dialogue, which becomes repetitive and grindy. The difficulty in reading text and the lack of depth in the story, along with the challenge of getting all characters to like you, also contribute to this frustration.
- Joy (weight 0.09): The game brings joy through its cute character art and design, funny humor, and charming action-RPG elements. Players also enjoy the positive experience with the game's music and the fun interactions with characters.
- Excitement (weight 0.09): The concept of the game and its well-done April Fools' joke nature excite players. The enjoyable interactions with characters, charming visuals, and music, along with the bonding with characters like Absa, contribute to this excitement.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Players feel satisfied with the game's quality as a free April Fools' joke, meeting their expectations. The great visuals, improvement in fighting game skills, and the positive experience of completing the game and learning its themes add to this satisfaction.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Disappointment stems from the game's short length and abrupt ending. Players also express dissatisfaction with the lack of appealing visuals, ordinary plot, and the inability to date certain characters, feeling that the game is incomplete.
- Interest (weight 0.02): The combination of furry elements and dating game mechanics piques players' interest. The heartfelt narrative and character hypocrisy that adds balance to the story also contribute to this interest.
- Happiness (weight 0.02): Players are happy with the enjoyable characters and overall positive experience the game offers. The engaging content and pleasant interactions contribute to this happiness.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's high production quality and engaging character interactions. The graphic style and achievements also add to this appreciation.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): The game's high production values for an April Fools' joke surprise players. The game surpassing expectations and the unique experience it offers contribute to this surprise.
- Disgust (weight 0.01): Badly written dialogue in the game causes disgust among players.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Poor quality writing in the game leads to anger among players.
- Pride (weight 0.01): Players feel pride in completing the game 100% and adding another platinated game to their Steam account.
- Delight (weight 0.01): The unique blend of dating sim and fighting game genres delights players.
- Charm (weight 0.01): Engaging conversations and character dynamics charm players.
- Depression (weight 0.01): Rejection by the goat character causes depression among players.
- Heartbreak (weight 0.01): The goat character rejecting the player leads to heartbreak.}