This story was very “meh” for me. Not cute, not sweet, not bad, not offensive. Just “meh.”
THE STORY (Spoilers Ahead):
I often spend a lot of time discussing the otome games I’m playing with my significant other. When Leon’s route came out, my discussion began something like this:
Strawbarely: *kicks down door* GUESS WHO’S GONNA ROMANCE A UNICORN
Needless to say, he had difficulty formulating a response.
So, yeah, Leon’s a unicorn. This is pretty obvious early on, and was openly discussed in the fandom enough that it was hardly even a spoiler. Even with that premise, this story is… really basic and bland.
The setup of Wizardess Heart is basically as follows: MC is invited to study at a magical academy. Once arriving she finds out her enrollment is only provisional, and she will be evaluated for 2 weeks to determine her fitness to be a full time student.
On her first day at the academy MC finds Leon on the school grounds. Leon has no memories and no personality. He’s basically a blank slate. As they spend time together, it becomes clear that Leon is really powerful with light magic. This raises some suspicions around the school. It also becomes clear that the magic is draining from the academy and its surrounding area, which means something bad is afoot. Of course, this all began just as Leon arrives.
90% of the story is just Leon learning to feel feelings. He has literally none to begin with, so new experiences teach him emotions one by one. This is a really boring premise to read… it was a tad repetitive, for one. Mostly, though, it’s that a good romance requires good personalities. Leon is as devoid of personality as he is of emotion, so the whole thing is just a snore.
Feel ALL the feelings.
The story resolves itself in an extremely predictable manner. You could probably guess it based just on what I’ve written.
THE MC:
I can’t stand Wizardess Heart’s MC. Her whole deal is basically that she’s an airhead and a doormat.
There was nothing super egregious in this route on the doormat front, but some other routes in this game are absolutely horrific in that regard. We’re talking “never give up on your abuser” storylines. It’s pretty bad. It goes way beyond passive and right into extremely unhealthy.
THE COUPLE:
She’s meh, he’s meh. Together they’re ultra-meh. It feels like Leon just likes her because she beamed emotions into him, and she just likes him because… uh, he likes her? Who knows.
May they love each other in their super boring way forevermore.
MOMENTS:
The story bored me to tears, but some of the art gave me a laugh at least.
Something about the way they draw Leon’s smile is really unsettling to me, to the point where I went “HOGOD” out loud when he first smiled on screen.
This character design. It’s like buff Santa got drunk at a toga party and started draping the fruit bowl all over himself.
And finally, the Headmaster’s eyes. That’s a man 2 minutes from a mental breakdown if I’ve ever seen one.
RATING:
This is a 1.5 for me.
My heart scale is defined as follows – 5 hearts = a story everyone will fall in love with, regardless of preferences; 4 hearts = a well-done story that people who love the concept will adore, and people who don’t may end up liking it; 3 hearts = if you like this type of story or this type of hero, then you will enjoy this, but those who do not like either of those things will probably not; 2 hearts = it had potential, it squandered it; 1 heart = just a waste of time from the get-go; 0 hearts = why was this made?
I think the only plot featuring a blank slate learning how to feel that I’ve enjoyed from Japan has been Princess Tutu. Which is the worst name ever because the moment I suggest it I see people’s eyes go “Mhmm :|” at the ridiculous name but… it’s really good. Really, really, good.
I’ll be honest, I really can’t go through with Wizardess Heart. The MC is too much for me. An untalented airhead who makes no personal growth is just painful to watch.
Yes! The worst part is that in many routes she totally puts aside her own dreams and aspirations in favor of those of the guy.
I’m gonna look into it! I’d be very curious to see this trope done well.
Exactly!
She’s so young and impressionable, the whole game feels like a series of abusive relationships….
Leon’s route was actually good about that since Leon is basically too much of a blank slate to mistreat her, but Azusa’s is one of the grossest routes I’ve ever read. Ever. Seeing people defend that character really hurts my soul. Klaus is also a complete jerk, and his whole setup is just predatory and gross.
I will say I liked Randy’s route. It was far from perfect, but at least he made an effort to build up her confidence and sense of identity rather an just doing his own thing. Plus, he’s the only one who didn’t talk down to her about being low-skill with magic.
This game, though, would be so much better on the whole if MC didn’t have this kind of personality. It really messes up a lot of the routes for me.
I’m glad there is at least one character that is redeemable.
I don’t know if I will give it another chance, but if I do, I’ll try Randy.
I’ve heard about Azusa being terrible, but I don’t really know the details.
Azusa’s route is extremely, extremely abusive. One choice literally leads to him MURDERING HER.
That sounds more like a horror story than otoge ahahahahaaa
And you know what? I’m gonna go ahead and go down that route. I love a good train wreck most of the time~
Whaaaaaaaaat! That does sound terrible.
Marvelle, I’d love to read a review of it once it’s finished! lol
I’m on a different device, so I think the problem with commenting has been on my end.
I want to know the why and how of the murder option….
Basically if you choose to “snitch” on him for being a horrible evil shitbag, he murders you. If you choose to keep quiet he doesn’t.
I have no words sufficient to express my feelings about this.
As I’ve been playing, I’ve chosen every response that I would personally pick in the situation.
I uhh…. I have yet to pick an answer that gives me more than one affection point. LOL