Pivot of Hearts a queer visual novel game, the first commercial visual novel from Brazilian indie developer Dragonroll Studio, officially launched on May 21, 2025. This narrative-driven game features queer, polyamorous, and culturally diverse characters, combining anime-inspired storytelling with a tarot-themed card system for dynamic dialogue choices. It is now available for Windows and macOS on Steam and itch.io, fully localized in English and Portuguese.
A Queer Romance Game Set in São Paulo
In Pivot of Hearts queer visual novel game, players follow Wén Xiàn, a Taiwanese–Brazilian indie dev reconnecting with friends and forging new relationships in São Paulo. The game offers over 100,000 words of branching dialogue, five distinct endings, and a card-based strategy system that encourages multiple playthroughs. Players can pursue romantic, platonic, or non-monogamous relationships across various story routes.
New Features in the Full Release
With the official launch, Pivot of Hearts includes several exclusive features not seen in preview builds:
- Fully animated opening cinematic
- Expressive voice-over snippets
- Steam and local achievement systems
- Enhanced visual effects and polish
- Finalized Portuguese localization
- Cultural translation notes
- Full Steamworks support (cloud saves, Steam Input)
- Itch app integration for easy updates
- Updated credits with bonus artwork
Early access players will receive these features via automatic updates.
Post-Launch Accessibility Plans
Dragonroll Studio remains committed to inclusivity and accessibility. Upcoming updates will introduce:
- Scene-by-scene summaries for story clarity
- Closed captions for all voiced content
- Auto-save functionality
- General UI/UX improvements
These changes aim to make the experience more comfortable and accessible for all players.
A Story of Love, Identity, and Community
Pivot of Hearts goes beyond romance. It’s a heartfelt tale about friendship, creative burnout, and modern relationships, all set against the vibrant backdrop of São Paulo. The game features original art, a soundtrack inspired by Brazilian music, and a fully local development team.
The project is led by Wilson Kazuo Mizutani (writer/dev), Lívia Santos (artist), and Livia Yoshikawa (composer). It has already earned recognition for its storytelling and diverse representation at SBGames and BIG Festival/Gamescom LatAm.
Get the Game Now
Pivot of Hearts is now available on Steam and itch.io. A free demo is also still up for download.
For more info, visit Dragonroll Studio’s official website, join the community on Discord, or follow the studio on Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube, X, and Bluesky.
Steam page: Pivot of Hearts on Steam
Itch.io page: Pivot of Hearts on itch.io
