Love is vengeance in Eros Xavier’s Love Solutions
Love is a powerful force, capable of pushing people to do and be their very best. To confess their affections, to eat an extra slice of cake, to pursue that dream job. Yet love is also proficient in destruction and chaos, a seed that can plant jealousy, nudge and prod at insecurities… It’s with this perspective that makes up the narrative of Eros Xavier’s Love Solutions.
Developed by Rafif Kalantan as part of her master’s program at National Film and Television School, the narrative-driven puzzle game follows a retired cupid who shares the titular name of Eros Xavier – a cynical angel whose past has led him to change his profession completely. At the behest of a client, whether that be an ex or a weirdly-protective-to-the-point-of-creepy mother, Eros uses his abilities to push couples to the edge of the abyss, where the only way to go is down into a pit of despair.
Gameplay-wise, players are introduced to the couple by a written-up profile. It details what they do for a living, their individual personalities, as well as the little things that’ll tick them off. A note from who asked for Xavier’s services in the first place is also included, which gives a look into not just the dynamics of the relationship you’re looking to ruin, but the outside forces that wants you to grind the loved-up duo into the dust.
Our first doomed couple (and the only one we got to see during our time with the demo) is one that can be summed up with ‘opposites attract’. One is extremely methodical and logical, the other wears their heart on their sleeve and so on. We didn’t get to read the full brief of this couple, but to sum it all up: the fella’s mom wants you to break the two up because reasons. Why is it always the mommy’s boys, eh?
Breaking up a couple is simple: push them to the extremes. Eros Xavier’s Love Solutions does this by placing you in a room in the couple’s house and giving you a list of things you can do that’ll worsen the relationship. While you do have the ability to go absolutely ape sh*t – as we very much did, opening up cabinets, leaving the fridge door open, etc – following the list you’re given is the easiest way to succeed.
As you browse and explore the location you’ve been set in, you’ll notice that doing certain things will cause the couple (seen in the top right hand corner) to wince or become angry depending on whether you’re messing with something that causes them strife or not. Mess with person A’s signature aeroplane collection and they’ll get progressively more angry, eat B’s cookies and they’ll soon be on the warpath. Either way, the cracked heart meter will also begin to rise, with the level being complete once it reaches the arrow head.
The exploration side of Eros Xavier’s Love Solutions feels a lot like a parent setting a toddler down onto an obstacle course: chaotic and fun. While on the surface it feels like a bare-bones point and click, we couldn’t help but laugh in delight at each cookie ‘eaten’ by the bin, or how the environment reacted to each decision we’d made. Power sure is corrupting.
But what really drew our attention was Eros Xavier himself. His smooth and seductive voice bears similarity to the dulcet tones of Gideon Emery, but behind his brown eyes is a story of a lost husband that has driven him to where he is today. A queer, tragic love story isn’t out of place, but considering we only got a snapshot of what this game could be, we’re curious to see how Eros’ story – and the many couples whose love lives hang in the balance – will turn out in the end.
At our enquiry on whether there will be even more diverse couples and queer storylines, the developers behind the point-and-click game informed us that there would be a mixture of different relationships to explore and, ultimately, break-up. Monogamy isn’t the only type of relationship involved in-game, after all, and Eros himself is likely to deal with his own issues. Sure you’re technically breaking these couples up, but from the wry humour and charm that lies underneath each interaction? Something tells us that this game won’t go straight into the ‘misery’ territory without some level of fun involved.
As of now Eros Xavier’s Love Solutions is not available to play, but if you’re just as intrigued as we are, you can keep up with the game by following the game via social media.
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