Rivals in the reality show (Gay Romance Visual Novel)

Important: Originally released in May 2021, this game was remade in April 2024, and this page highlights the new version. Despite the update, the old version remains accessible for download to cater to those who are interested.

Disclaimer: This game was made with AI-made resources - but still with much love and effort.

“The rivals in the reality show” is a fast-paced, whirlwind visual novel about two rivals who participate in a reality show together.

Larry is the handsome vocalist of The Broken Red Guitars, a garage band suddenly turning popular. Wilk is the mysterious lyrics writer from Purple Vanilla - a rival band playing nostalgic dream-pop. Despite the fact that Larry and Wilk’s fans hate each other, the two men feel a strong connection.

When Larry’s manager declares that his band will participate in a reality show together with Purple Vanilla, Larry isn’t sure of what to expect. Soon, he’s stuck in a confusing love triangle, between him, his rival Wilk, and his best friend Gilbert.

To make matters even more complicated, someone in the reality show is telling lies… Who is it, and what effect will it have on Larry’s heart?

• A professionally written gay romance short story by the incredibly talented author Tina Isabel Leung, with over 11,000 words to immerse yourself in.
• No choices to stress over, just sit back and enjoy the story unfolding towards a guaranteed happy ending. Sometimes simplicity is the key to pure gaming enjoyment!
• A  quirky cast of game characters, each one unique and full of personality! With so much variety to admire, you'll surely fall in love with these charming and diverse characters.
• Stunning visuals with colorful backgrounds that bring to life the luxurious villa where the reality show unfolds.
• A handpicked electronic soundtrack by Sascha Ende that will have you hitting the repeat button! 
• A game interface that replicates the excitement of a reality show program! With a fun and engaging design, you'll feel like you're part of the action as you navigate through the game. 

The Broken Red Guitars are a seasoned garage band that has recently skyrocketed to popularity with their rock covers of beloved old pop songs. Let's get to know the four members who are behind this musical phenomenon.

• Larry: Meet Larry, a handsome man with a passion for card games, though he can be a bit insecure at times. Despite his self-doubt, he always brings charm and wit to the table.
• Gilbert: Larry's best friend and the lead guitarist of the group. He's in a relationship with the lovely Manuela and adds a touch of rockstar flair to the band with his killer guitar skills.
• Marvin: A quiet soul with a hidden talent for drumming that will blow your mind. His drumming skills are out of this world, adding a unique rhythm to the group's sound.
• Eve: The bass player and the heart of the team. Eve brings everyone together with her infectious energy and solid bass lines that tie the band's sound together seamlessly.

Their biggest hit, "Your Poker Lips," is a heartfelt tribute to Larry's high school crush, his teacher Mrs. Smith. The inspiration for the song came from the poignant experience of being rejected by her after a failed love confession.

Purple Vanilla is a dream-pop trio that effortlessly captures a nostalgic vibe with their music. Let's meet the three talented members:

• Wilk: Meet Wilk, the enigmatic lyricist hailing from Poland, whose talent knows no bounds. His words carry a sense of mystery and depth that captivate listeners and leave them wanting more.
• Austin: A young and kind composer, inspired by Japanese visual arts, Austin brings a unique and delicate touch to the group's music. His compositions are a beautiful blend of emotion and creativity that resonate with audiences on a profound level.
• Skyler: The DJ who infuses a psychedelic vibe into the group's acoustic tracks, transforming each song into a mesmerizing masterpiece that speaks to the hearts of young listeners. With Skyler's magic touch, the music takes on a whole new dimension, creating an unforgettable sonic experience.

Their latest album, "The Lost Train," takes listeners on a metaphorical journey through life, as described by Wilk. Each track is cleverly titled to reflect different stations along this emotional ride, including "Station: Home," "Station: Love," "Station: Heartbreak," and more.

These are the controls for the new version of the game:

• Space - Progress the Game
• S - Save Screen
• L - Load Screen
• M - Menu Screen
• B - Backlog
• A - Auto Mode
• F - Fast Mode
• Esc - Return to Title Screen

Hasalynx Games is an indie game gig that doesn't have any external funding and mostly relies on founder's funds and private effort to create the games. If they spark your curiosity, please buy them (they're so cheap!), comment, and spread positive word. Also, don't forget to add this game to your collections and follow Hasalynx Games on itch.io, so as to receive updates when a new game is up!