Romance is Dead. At least that is what Maddie, a young student of biology, has decided. Having had her own relationship blow up just a few weeks prior, what Maddie really needs is a tub of ice cream and some good horror flicks. What she gets instead is three men who all seem to crash into her life one dark evening before Hallows' Eve. But in Tall Tales' free indie visual novel these men aren't there to prove that love is alive... quite the opposite. Don, Adam, and Maurice are very different but have one similarity between the three of them. The lack of a pulse. Maddie steps up to solve the mystery, help these odd creatures of the night and maybe just find a bit of romance she had since given up on. There are plenty of endings in this macabre tale for you to find, as well as a fresh new story revolving around the supernatural, voodoo, and a little bit of fuzzy fluffy to keep your morbid but yet sensitive side happy.
Romance is Dead is a standard visual novel where you can pick from choices presented on screen to change the story. Who you treat nice and who you don't affects a lot, but even the bad endings have a nice little conclusion to themselves. What makes this interactive story not-so-standard is the subject matter. While not your typical undead romance, Romance is Dead also deals with some heavy topics such as racism and suicide, but that level of depth makes this a more solid read than just pure hot air romances. Even those who aren't that big of a fan of cheesy love stories will enjoy this tale. Every character has a backstory and you get to learn all about them. Finishing all the endings is recommended because each one has their own mystery to solve. There are little hints in other storylines that tie into other paths the story can take. With a good skip button that stops at decision points and dialog you haven't read, replaying the game is still fresh and new. And with the interesting weave of this tale and the moments that will make you go 'Aaaawwwww' it's one you'll be happy to restart.
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This was a really enjoyable experience! Each of the characters was unique and endearing in his own way!
Walkthrough (these are just one path to the ending)
Don's endings
Don's Neutral Ending
1. Angry
2. Yeah, right. I’m not that stupid.
3. Yeah, that’s right. I don’t need another weirdo around me.
4. And Don’s probably just being superstitious.
5. Not exactly.
6. … to push Adam away from me.
7. He’s supposed to help Adam, not make him feel uneasy!
8. I listened to Don’s advice.
9. … To deny him my blood.
10. …waiting for Adam was the best choice
11. Don.
Don’s Bad Ending
1. Angry
2. Yeah, right. I’m not that stupid.
3. Yeah, that’s right. I don’t need another weirdo around me.
4. But Don’s right - I can’t trust a vampire.
5. Not exactly
6. … to push Adam away from me.
7. So he’s keeping a close watch on Adam - good!
8. I listened to Don’s advice.
9. …To deny him my blood.
10. …waiting for Adam was the best choice
11. Don.
Don’s Good Ending
1. Flattered
2. Well, I guess “helping out” starts tonight…
3. … I felt like I could probably trust him.
4. But Don’s right - I can’t trust a vampire.
5. Can’t deny it…
6. …to return Adam’s embrace.
7. So he’s keeping a close watch on Adam - good!
8. I listened to Don’s advice.
9. …to deny him my blood.
10. …waiting for Adam was the best choice
11. Don.
Maurice's Endings:
Maurice's Neutral Ending
1. Angry
2. Yeah, right. I’m not that stupid.
3. Yeah, that’s right. I don’t need another weirdo around me.
4. But Don’s right - I can’t trust a vampire.
5. Not exactly.
6. … to push Adam away from me.
7. He’s supposed to help Adam, not make him feel uneasy!
8. I listened to Don’s advice.
9. … To grudgingly agree.
10. …waiting for Adam was the best choice
11. Maurice.
Maurice Bad Ending
1. Angry
2. Yeah, right. I’m not that stupid.
3. Yeah, that’s right. I don’t need another weirdo around me.
4. And Don’s probably just being superstitious.
5. Not exactly.
6. … to push Adam away from me.
7. He’s supposed to help Adam, not make him feel uneasy!
8. I listened to Don’s advice.
9. … To grudgingly agree.
10. …waiting for Adam was the best choice
11. Maurice.
Maurice’s Good Ending
1. Angry
2. Yeah, right. I’m not that stupid.
3. Then again… I must admit I am curious…
4. But Don’s right - I can’t trust a vampire.
5. Not exactly
6. … to push Adam away from me.
7. He’s supposed to help Adam, not make him feel uneasy!
8. I listened to Don’s advice.
9. …To grudgingly agree.
10. …waiting for Adam was the best choice
11. Maurice.
Adam's Endings:
Adam's Neutral Ending
1. Angry
2. Yeah, right. I’m not that stupid.
3. Yeah, that’s right. I don’t need another weirdo around me.
4. And Don’s probably just being superstitious.
5. Not exactly.
6. … to push Adam away from me.
7. So he’s keeping a close watch on Adam - good!
8. I listened to Don’s advice.
9. … To deny him my blood.
10. …Adam probably needed me right now
Adam’s Bad Ending
1. Flattered
2. Well, I guess “helping out” starts tonight…
3. I was certain that it was nothing good.
4. But Don’s right - I can’t trust a vampire.
5. Not exactly…
6. …to return Adam’s embrace.
7. He’s supposed to help Adam, not make him feel uneasy!
8. I told Adam the truth
9. …to deny him my blood.
10. …Adam probably needed me right now.
11. Adam.
Adam’s Good Ending
1. Flattered
2. Well, I guess “helping out” starts tonight…
3. I felt like I could probably trust him.
4. But Don’s right - I can’t trust a vampire.
5. Can’t deny it.
6. …to return Adam’s embrace.
7. He’s supposed to help Adam, not make him feel uneasy!
8. I told Adam the truth
9. …to grudgingly agree.
10. …Adam probably needed me right now.
11. …that he deserved the truth.
12. Adam
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