Pop. Love. Panic! Start a band in this dreamy, musical journey from indiepop cuties OFK. Cry, skate, date, and run for your life in 5 interactive music videos, across a heartfelt story of what you risk to chase your dreams.
The core gameplay revolves around making dialogue choices during conversations and text message exchanges between the four protagonists. While these choices have a limited impact on the overall narrative, they allow players to shape the tone and dynamics of the characters' interactions, expressing their own personalities through the responses.
One of the standout gameplay elements are the interactive music video sequences that appear at the end of each episode. These rhythm-based minigames, synced to the original songs performed by the in-game band, offer players the opportunity to actively participate in the musical performances. Though relatively simple, reviewers report that these sequences serve as a fun and engaging way to further immerse themselves in the game's soundtrack.
A significant portion of the gameplay involves navigating text message exchanges between the characters. Players can choose how the protagonists respond to messages, with the dialogue options affecting the tone and subtext of the conversations. Reviewers widely praise this texting mechanic for its authenticity, and for the way it helps develop the characters' relationships and interpersonal dynamics.
The game is presented in an episodic format, with each installment lasting approximately one hour. This pacing allows players to experience the story and characters in manageable chunks, with many reviewers appreciating the opportunity to reflect on the events of each episode before moving on to the next. The episodic structure is also cited as contributing to the overall cinematic and TV-like feel of the experience.