Zero-Sum Heart

Zero-Sum Heart is a psychological visual novel that blends romance, magical realism, and emotional horror into a surprisingly intimate and unsettling experience. Developed and published by Citreat Studio, the game tells the story of a lonely student attending a magical boarding school who willingly sacrifices her own heart in exchange for the ability to make others love her. What initially sounds like a dark fantasy romance quickly develops into something far more emotionally layered and psychologically uncomfortable. Rather than focusing on traditional romance tropes or straightforward horror, the game explores loneliness, emotional dependency, self-worth, obsession, and the terrifying consequences of forcing affection through supernatural means. The story centers around a protagonist referred to simply as “I,” an isolated eighteen-year-old girl who has spent most of her life feeling unwanted and emotionally disconnected from the people around her. Her older sister, a mysterious witch figure, offers her a forbidden ritual capable of solving that loneliness forever. By giving up her heart, she gains the supernatural ability to make others admire and adore her without question. How…

A surreal, horror take on highschool romance. The unique artstyle, addition of magic, and breaks in the VN format make for some trippy and effective scenes. There are times when its downright cinematic and I appreciate the topics it covers in relationships. Its short, sweet, and charming. (Or very twisted. You decide)

agreed with one comment which says that the amount of attention on the male lead is a little devastating. although, overall game is well-written, art is unique and pleasing, music isn't bad too. i think that it's an amazing project for a small indie studio, so wish all the luck for the next project

-`♡´-"I love you." "Why?" "Because it's you. Because the universe seemed to have somehow planned it. Because the moment I saw you, everything felt different. Because you asked me to run away with you. No introductions, no plan, no destination, just the two of us. Because you saw something in my work when I thought no one cared. Because you understood. Because there's a tiny wrinkle in your nose when you smile. Because I saw a raindrop on your eyelash and it looked so magical. Because you are the only person I know who will put semicolons and full periods in your text messages. And because you are looking at me with those sad eyes right now and I should be upset, but I'm not." -`♡´- -`♡´- "I'll get you another gift, plenty of them, if you want them. I'll get you flowers. A bouquet I put together myself. I'll grow them. I'll get you cupcakes, chocolate ones with fudge-filled centers and sprinkles on top, which are my favorite from the baker on the street I grew up on. And I'll ask her to teach me how to make a birthday cake, too. I'll get you coloring pencils. Cardigans, fluffy seat cushions, a bunch of those tiny handblown glass frogs. All for no reason, other than because I thoug…

Fairly short but masterfully done first person romance visual novel with horror aesthetics. 4 Main Endings and a couple of bad endings strewn in-between. The soundtrack is a collection of very serene and beautiful instrumentals, it fits each scene very well. I am a big fan of the tracks "The Future" and "The Confession".

An appeal to imagination is greatly appreciated. Selecting games by 💗 is challenging, this time I seems to got it right. As I said, I've being drawn in by the color and stayed longer to sink into nuance of visual language. One could accuse the game in over-preference for heteronormativity in the plot, but other elements such as sound, dialog and emotional fidelity are so well made so I simply don't wanna dwell on it. A modern graphical meditation that invites us to engage with the stuff that isn't to be labeled in word through the medium of color. Bravo!