Cheritz’s Mystic Messenger otome game introduced a chat sim storytelling concept and relationship development gameplay that we’ve seen multiple indie games since attempt to build on, and Nochi Studios’ Lovebyte.exe is the latest to learn from the title. The early access visual novel wears its inspiration on its sleeve, with Vtuber streams with chats, a Discord style chat, emails, and voice calls. It’s trying some things! You can still tell it is an early build in some ways, but Nochi Studios’ ambition and inspiration is clear and gives me hope we could see a little more progress and fine-tuning ahead of a full launch.
To start, Lovebyte.exe is a dating sim and visual novel not unlike Mystic Messenger and A Date with Death with love interests from different possible genders and a customizable avatar where you set your Biscord (Discord) name, real name, pronouns, and profile picture. You followed the Aquasphere Network corporation Vtuber Equinox Angeldyne from the ICARUS.EXE generation. So much so that you considered him your kamioshi (number one). When watching one of his streams, one quite popular with over 1,200 people, he mentioned there was something on his mind. It then seemed like something was awry, and he asked for folks to hang on and give him a second. He then apologized and disappeared from view. This turned into a major incident, with him completely gone and no statement from Aquasphere Network, ICARUS.EXE, or Equinox himself. This led to waves of harassment and toxicity geared toward him.
It’s then that our avatar heads to a Biscord to escape the hate and talk with other Vtuber fans on Channel Aqua to discuss Equinox. This leads us down a rabbit hole to possibly form relationships with other individuals, perhaps learn what’s going on, and maybe even find out that… the Vtuber is… actually… in… the… chat.
Lovebyte.exe follows a somewhat traditional visual novel format in which our responses move along the conversation and can set us on courses to end up with the romanceable characters Dolphin Daddy, Forever Frog, MINK!! Mochaberry, Pochima, Solo Lightracer, and WizardPit. All of which, honestly, come across as a bit suspicious in chats due to knowledge of situations, money, and other elements. The messages in Biscord resemble those from the Discord client, while going to YewTube prompts a YouTube replica and the email app is a standard sort of account. Many of these prompt replies to situations, with the point being getting you onto routes with responses. The dialogue is pretty interesting so far. I would say it doesn’t feel as engrossing, pressing, and intertwined as Mystic Messenger in the build I played. But it does attempt that sort of feeling, and we do see how people develop and lore starts to come up as we “chat” in the main group and private DMs.
Images via Nochi Studios
To add to the ambiance, there are elements designed to further replicate the internet experience and add some extra gameplay features and elements. For example, most obvious is the inclusion of a To Do app on your home screen that suggests heading to different areas to advance the story, like the Channel Aqua chat, Aqua Cyber Police, your DMs, and your emails. This can also mean watching clips of Equinox and his gen mates on YewTube, including ones shared in Biscord. (The voice acting is great and can feel on point, thanks to folks like Cover Holostar Vtuber Banzoin Hakka voicing fellow ICARUS.EXE member Zeta.) The email element involves avoiding scams and taking advantage of deals so you can save money in your virtual piggy bank for SuperChats. But again, that isn’t interactive enough to be a true minigame, but involves sifting and clicking proper links and buttons.
There’s still a bit of work to be done on Lovebyte.exe to make it a true Mystic Messenger style visual novel and ensure there’s a rich world where choices matter. But what’s here feels like it is working toward that goal. The characters feature a bit of development, with chats highlighting who they are. The seeds of mystery are sown. The chatroom and internet aesthetic is in place. More details and situations where we can tell our decisions make a difference could put it in an even stronger place.
Lovebyte.exe is in early access for the PC via Steam.