You are an unregistered citizen living just outside Rhineway’s slums, just barely beneath the notice of the government-enforced superpower registration program. When you save someone in the midst of a job fair gone horribly wrong, you manage to get scouted by Wardennote to join his illustrious superhero agency, Orion.Your rent is overdue, you have a hungry cat, and the salary is good. Beyond good. It makes sense to accept the offer, even if you're hardly a hero. Even if your powers are waning by the day.
Herotome is a Ren'Py-based urban fantasy visual novel where superheroes work as officially sanctioned, crime-fighting celebrities created by Wudgeous (Ballads at Midnight).
The game's alpha demo features the prologue, and was published on itch.io
in March 2021. The next installment is currently in development.
This page contains minor unmarked spoilers.
Herotome contains examples of:
- Brought to You by the Letter "S": Warden has a “W” on his belt buckle, and apparently as his phone’s profile picture.
- Clark Kenting: Warden wears a sports jacket over his hero suit when he goes to check on the protagonist, but neglects to zip it all the way up for some reason.
- Creepy Loner Girl: The clammy lady who tries to grab the protagonist appears to be this. She is described as strangely wet and bug-eyed, and she stammers when she gets excited.
- Friend of Masked Self: Warden lamely claims to be "Warden's friend" if you choose to call out who he is.
- Good Thing You Can Heal: Warden blocks a searing lazer beam with his arms and chest, “using his body as a wall.”
- Heroes Fight Barehanded: Warden charges in with swinging fists to stop a terrorist attack.
- Kindhearted Cat Lover: The protagonist has a pet cat named Katie, and is potentially an Introverted Cat Person depending on how the player plays her.
- Notably, she will buy cat food with the last of her savings while neglecting to feed herself.
- Kiss of Distraction: The protagonist can choose to kiss the clammy lady who is assaulting her. Judging from her subsequent blushing, the clammy lady seems to like it, but it does not prevent her from continuing the assault.Protagonist: Why did I just do that!?
- Portmantitle: Herotome combines “hero” and “otome.” It can also be read as “hero to me,” “her otome,” and “hero tome.”
- Powers in the First Episode: The protagonist seems to have had powers since before the start of the game.
- Ring-Ring-CRUNCH!: The protagonist doesn’t smash her phone, but she may suffocate it with a pillow until it stops ringing.
- Something Person: Beam Man, who happens to be Mr Whidden, your 10th grade science teacher turned job fair terrorist.
