I hate romance games.
Romance games where the main character joins a stage full of characters with problems that the main character, who had no connection to it whatsoever, was able to fix.
Romance games where the so-called "legendary" props can only be used by the main character, even though a character is more qualified than they are.
Romance games where the spotlight only stayed on the main character, and forgot about the actors who mattered in the story.
It's like watching a newbie actor hogging the spotlight and throwing the play into chaos because the director likes them more.
Whenever I play games like those, my stomach churns uncomfortably and acid burns my esophagus.
But no matter how much I hate it, I still play it.
Genuinely, because it leads me to throw insults, which calms my stress that clung to me from work.
But it also is the closest thing I can be to a play that seemed trending to the masses these days called "love", no matter how forced it may be.
I think it's stupid to cling to a feeling so full of uncertainty. But it's human nature to conform to the choices of the majority. The bandwagon effect, if you will.
So when people started praising a new romance game, I bought it with resignation and self-pity.
Looking at the vivid cover of the game was enough to make me gag.
The cover showed beautiful characters, both male and female, with each of them positioned around the title. Looks like the game developers were going for a wider audience with the gender selections.
What got my attention was the fact that the main character isn't shown at all. Is it that type of game where they let you customize the MC?
"Excuse me, sir? Do you still need something? You're blocking the line."
I immediately tucked the game inside the bag in a hurry. I raised my eyes back to the cashier.
Her smile was strained, and she was tapping her finger on the counter. A clear sign she was, well, annoyed. I glanced behind me only to see a teenager who seemed to be engrossed in his phone to care.
I put in my best smile, ignoring the headache about to erupt.
"Sorry, just got distracted. Thank you."
She continued to smile, urging me to leave. I smiled back to annoy her more.
But I gave her the win and left like she requested. Continuing this charade would add more pressure in my head. Reminds me that I need to restock my meds this week. But first and foremost, I put my hand on the bag.
I need to see what the buzz is all about...
Wait, what's the game called again?
My migraine is getting worse if I forget the name of something I bought a minute ago, no matter how much I hate it.
I passed a pair of college students going in the other direction. It was a bunch of strangers I'd soon forget, so I didn't bother to engrave their existence in my memory. But their conversation made me pause.
"Did you finally finish Leo's route?"
"I did! It was heart-wrenching. My bias was hated for no reason at all. But it was really hard for me to fully 100% it without activating a death flag."
"Can't do anything about it. Hope's Funeral is just that kind of game."
Right, it was called "Hope's Funeral."