Zero-Sum Heart

RPG· Female Protagonist· Story Rich· Choices Matter

Released Oct 2024

"I" make a deal with the witch to give up my heart, in exchange for love— from everyone. ——————————————————————————Is it worth it if losing my heart means gaining *his*? In this short visual novel, make choices and answer the question: is love a zero-sum game?

93% positive · 256 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 10 Oct 2026 $4.99

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Evaluation

Zero-Sum Heart is a short visual novel that launched on Steam on November 1, 2024, accompanied by a soundtrack and artbook as paid DLC. The developers (Mari & Jenny of Citreat Studio) described it as a small and personal project. All DLC released on launch day, and no additional content has been announced or hinted at beyond that initial release. Post-launch activity has consisted of localization additions (Japanese in January 2025, French in August 2025, LATAM Spanish in September 2025) and bug fixes — none of which constitute new story content. The game was also ported to Nintendo Switch on July 24, 2025, which brought the game to a new platform but did not introduce new content beyond what was already available on Steam. The developers have not announced any future expansions, DLC, or story content. The store description presents the game as a complete, self-contained story. With all DLC shipped on release day, no outstanding commitments, and no post-launch content cadence established, the game launched as a finished product and remains so.

Evidence

Game launched on November 1, 2024 alongside a soundtrack and artbook. Developers described it as a small, personal project they had poured work into for six months.

news post · Nov 1, 2024 source content shipped

high

Soundtrack DLC released on launch day, November 1, 2024.

dlc listing · Nov 1, 2024 source content shipped

medium

Content

2 of 2 released · no outstanding content

Released

Zero-Sum Heart Soundtrack

Nov 2024

Released

Zero-Sum Heart Artbook

Nov 2024

Media

Details

Developer

Citreat Studio

Publisher

Citreat Studio

Achievements

Platform

Windows, macOS

Controller

—

Steam Deck

Not rated

Players

Single-player

Female Protagonist Story Rich Choices Matter Multiple Endings Choose Your Own Adventure Romance Emotional Atmospheric Philosophical Adventure Stylized Magic Supernatural Visual Novel Surreal

About this game

Romantic, fantastical, and eerie, Zero-Sum Heart is a coming-of-age story about love.

Enter a magical boarding school on our protagonist's eighteenth birthday as she makes a monumental decision and derails her life.

A ritual sacrifice got her everything she ever wanted: an adoring crowd (faceless), a newfound power (dangerous), and a whirlwind romance (one-sided). But without a heart in her chest, how could she love anyone back? Does she even need to?

A short 2-hour story with multiple endings, blending genres of romance, teen drama, thriller/horror, and magical realism.
Vibrant and psychedelic hand-drawn illustrations that blur the lines between reality and fantasy.
A witchy, sinister, and groovy original soundtrack.

Zero-Sum Heart contains visual depictions of self-mutilation, violence, and gore, although not particularly graphic due to the non-realistic art style.

The story also contains limited depictions of stalking, harrassment, abuse, toxic familial and romantic relationships, murder, and suicide. Please note that due to the premise of the story, any romantic interaction the protagonist initiates with characters under the influence of magic might involve dubious consent.

If any of the above might be triggering for you, caution is advised while playing the game.