Complete Guide to Over Requiemz: Story, Routes, and Characters

Everything you need to know about the dark otome by Kogado Studio and Otomate: plot, choice system, five romantic routes, recommended play order, and critical reception.

Introduction

Over Requiemz is an otome visual novel developed by Kogado Studio and published under Idea Factory’s Otomate brand, with its Western release distributed by Aksys Games on Nintendo Switch. The game uses The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as a starting point to construct a much darker reinterpretation of the literary classic, in which the protagonist, a high school student named Yuhiru by default, is swept away by a tornado into a realm ruled by four witches and a king.

What sets Over Requiemz apart within the otome genre is its narrative approach: rather than relying on an affection meter that players must optimize by answering «correctly,» the game invites the player to role-play Yuhiru according to their own judgment, with only a handful of truly decisive choices clearly indicated within the text. This guide thoroughly reviews its plot, choice system, five romantic routes, the difference between «Fact» and «Dark» paths, the recommended play order, and its critical reception.

Over Requiemz does not ask the player to please the characters, but rather to decide what kind of story they want to star in: one of healing or one of obsession.

Game Overview

Plot and Premise

The story begins when a tornado catches Yuhiru, a high school student who feels restricted by her everyday life. The phenomenon transports her to the Realm of Oz, a territory ruled by a king and four witches who serve as guardians of the cardinal directions. Upon arrival, Yuhiru discovers that her black hair and eyes are considered a taboo in this world: they are the mark of the so-called «demon-possessed,» and she is sentenced to death almost immediately.

However, her execution is postponed under one condition: she must embark on a journey alongside four death-row convicts and their enigmatic overseer, the witch Dorothy. The destination of this expedition is the «ruins»—decaying structures that eerily resemble Japanese buildings and are infested with monsters. It is said that if Yuhiru and her companions successfully complete the journey, they might earn pardons for their sentences, and she might find a way back home.

Each of the four convicts accompanying her is inspired by a character from the original tale: the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion are reflected in three of the male leads, while Dorothy, far from being the heroine of the original story, becomes the Witch of the North watching over the group. All of them carry brutal crimes in their pasts—massacres, murders, attacks on merchants—and throughout the journey, the truth behind these acts is gradually unveiled.

The initial segment of the game, known as the common route, is relatively brief and serves to introduce the group and the rules of Oz. Once completed, the player chooses which character to pursue, shifting the playthrough entirely to their specific storyline, complete with unique antagonists and conflicts distinct from the other routes.

The Choice System

One of the key features highlighted in Over Requiemz is its approach to player choices. Unlike much of the otome genre, the game discards affection meters that fluctuate based on dialogue options. Instead, it distinguishes between three types of choices:

• Normal Choices: Alter immediate dialogue between Yuhiru and other characters, but do not affect the main plot progression. They allow players to explore personality nuances and alternative reactions without fear of making a «wrong» choice.
• Reward Choices: Unlock additional scenes or interactions that enrich character development without altering the main narrative path.
• Branching Choices: Truly drive the narrative forward and are clearly highlighted within the UI, ensuring players always know when a decision has real consequences on a route or ending.

This transparency allows players to save comfortably, as they only need to focus on moments marked as critical decisions. The result is a role-play-focused experience: players can choose responses based on what Yuhiru would genuinely think in each situation, rather than guessing what a love interest wants to hear.

Fact and Dark Routes

Each of the five romanceable characters in Over Requiemz features two independent narrative paths: the Fact Route (or Truth Route) and the Dark Route (or Obsession Route). Both stem from the same point in the common story but diverge completely in tone, resolution, and the nature of the bond Yuhiru forms with the chosen character.

In the Fact Route, Yuhiru actively helps her love interest process and heal from the trauma that led to his crimes. This is closer to a classic otome romance, though it still retains the dark underlying elements of the game’s setting. In contrast, the Dark Route shifts the relationship toward far more disturbing dynamics: extreme possessiveness, manipulation, and behavior that reviewers have described as toxic—most notably in Molly’s route, which is considered one of the most intense in the game.

This duality is not merely an alternate ending attached to the conclusion: it shapes scenes, dialogue, and psychological character development throughout the entire route. Playing both paths for a single character offers two distinct narrative experiences.

The Five Love Interests

Over Requiemz features five romance options for Yuhiru, none of which are locked behind prior playthrough requirements: players can choose any character as soon as the choice becomes available.

Recommended Play Order

Although all routes are unlocked from the start, both the community and reviewers suggest a specific order to minimize spoilers and enhance overall narrative impact.

Within individual routes, it is generally recommended to complete the Fact path before the Dark path, as the latter builds upon character insights established in the former.

Beginner Tips

• Pay attention to dialogue UI cues: branching choices are visually distinct from normal dialogue options, eliminating the need for external guides.
• Save before major choices if you want to explore multiple outcomes without restarting an entire route.
• Note that the game includes mature themes—violence, psychological manipulation, and toxic relationships, particularly on Dark paths—so review content warnings beforehand if needed.
• You do not need to play a character’s Fact and Dark routes consecutively; alternating between characters based on preference works fine.
• Pay attention to world details across different routes, as cross-referencing information helps clarify broader narrative mysteries.

Visuals and Sound Design

Over Requiemz features high-quality art design, detailed background assets, and event CGs for key story beats. However, critics note that many side characters lack unique portraits, and certain flashback sequences rely solely on text over black or white screens rather than dedicated illustrations—a common trait in visual novels, though noticeable given the game’s high overall visual production.

The soundtrack supports the game’s atmosphere through evocative instrumental tracks and an opening theme titled «Muted Expectations,» performed by Hisano, which debuted alongside an animated intro introducing the cast and setting. The English localization in the Western release has received praise for its quality and narrative flow.

Comparison: Fact Route vs. Dark Route

This side-by-side comparison outlines the core differences between both path types before selecting a character route.

Critical Reception

Since its Western release, Over Requiemz has received generally positive reviews from visual novel and otome outlets. Publications like RPGFan noted that the game «stands on its own merits as a compelling story about finding purpose,» highlighting character development across all five routes and how clues in one route clarify character behaviors in another.

Reviews from outlets like Siliconera praised the game’s role-playing approach, noting that removing strict «correct answer» requirements creates a more immersive experience. Similarly, outlets like Noisy Pixel commended how characters avoid simple archetype caricatures despite their Wizard of Oz inspirations, developing into distinct individuals.

Common critiques focus on how individual routes concentrate heavily on the chosen romance option at the expense of developing secondary characters within that path, as well as how main plot mysteries in Oz aren’t always resolved with the same strength as individual romance arcs. Overall, consensus positions Over Requiemz as a notable entry in recent otome releases, with reviewers expressing interest in potential future follow-ups.

Editions and Availability

Over Requiemz is available on Nintendo Switch digitally and physically via Aksys Games in Western regions. An exclusive Online Store Edition via Aksys includes the official soundtrack alongside the base game. No releases on platforms outside Nintendo Switch have been announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Over Requiemz offers a dark, personal reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, prioritizing role-playing choice mechanics over strict affection-matching systems. Its dual-route structure (Fact and Dark) expands narrative depth for each character, exploring both healthy healing and toxic obsessive dynamics in their relationships with Yuhiru.

A dark otome visual novel where every choice shapes the balance between redemption and obsession in the ruined realm of Oz.