cruelty without reason, rape usually in general, or intentional character stupidity so characters being stupid OOC to advance the plot. the last one is particually enraging
The extra heroines/hero getting along with other extras really well like really well, after giving hope to mc.. Why are you giving hope to my guy if your are going in another way ???
I know this isn’t always the general view, but games where the start drags on. Obviously, I don’t expect all the action to kick off in the very first few minutes of the game, but at least give us a glimpse of what to expect...
#5 - Endless dialog. (Conversations that seem to go on forever with no real point.)
#4 - Wonky Controls. (Controls that either do not work or require constant clicking.)
#3 - Mini Games. (If I wanted quick time events, I would buy an actual video game!)
#2 - RPGM - (If the devs would stop using 8 bit immersion breaking garbage I would not hate it)
#1 - Sandbox - (Because 99% of the devs can not pace it properly and it breaks immersion.)
When the story makes absolutely no sense, the characters act like complete idiots, or the writers ruin a perfectly good character for no reason. And don’t get me started on pointless plot twists! I don’t have the patience to watch 20 hours of nonsense just to find out the writers had no bloody plan.
I'm harsher on protags than most, but usually I understand that they need to be a little annoying for this genre to work. But inconsistent or random protags that swap traits scene to scene is a bridge too far. LIs losing all characterization as well is a major no-no. You cannot sell me on taking your story seriously if you choose that ignore what you have written in order for easy titillation.
Large harems that completely suspend my suspension of disbelief. Again, I'm willing to play along, but at some point, you're going to have to try a bit harder. Especially if you give no reason to like the protag. You cannot force me to follow that all these beautiful women to live on the whims of this boring, unremarkable dude just because he's the protagonist. Try a little harder.
Bad writing and dialogue are basic turnoffs, but long winded writing that doesn't go anywhere is a killer. Get your point across and move on. Dialogue should be concise, not fluffed up to show off the word count.
I'm starting to despise the common place tropes. Yoga mom. Hot therapist. Older sister that dislikes you, younger sister that dotes on you. Slut friend of younger sister that likes you all of a sudden. And go on. I know creativity is hard, but please try harder.
Female protags being reduced to just sluts. It feels way too meanspirited for me. Male characters are rarely ever reduced like this.
Lastly, how black people are used in these. Nearly every black character is either a criminal or some race fetish bullshit. I really don't vibe with that and it's an instant turn-off the second I see it. Also more characters should be willing to use minorities when it makes sense for them to be there. Not just as different flavors, but in earnest ways that feel real.