With so many new otome games on the market, Sympathy Kiss stands out for being a slice-of-life office romance simulator that does an excellent job of presenting adult themes. However, where it falters is in its mixed bag of bachelors to romance and Akari’s questionable decision-making skills.
For those looking to get into otome games, this is a great one to start with, as it offers memorable characters, with a story that will have you cozying up to every member of the circus, wanting to heal their struggles.
This game is highly recommended for those who already love the property, but given my lack of knowledge of the series, I can also say it’s great for newcomers who love otome games with a sense of humour. Catarina Claes may be the best otome protagonist I’ve encountered yet, and I hope she gets another adventure on consoles soon.
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly does a phenomenal job of wrapping up everyone’s storylines in a thoughtful and meaningful way. Although the gameplay remains largely unchanged, Coffee Talk Episode 2 is still a fantastic sequel that keeps all the cozy vibes strong.
Fiction Factory Games adds another fun tale to its catalog of games, with every character’s story worth exploring. Fans of visual novels will find a lot to love and laugh about, as Penny Larceny steals hearts and your wallet.
It’s abundantly clear that the developers of Venba poured their heart and soul into crafting this love letter of a game to share the hardship and adjustment period that comes with being a new immigrant.
While the game offers nine routes for the player to explore, they vary in quality that ends up leaving Charade Maniacs a mixed experience from start to finish. That is not to say the game isn’t worth playing, but if you are someone who plays otome games for the romance aspect, those elements take more of a backseat to the game’s messy overarching story and it’s quantity over quality approach to storytelling.
If you are looking for a visual novel that is entirely focused on story rather than choices, and you enjoy a grittier story and world, Vengeful Heart easily fits that bill.
Birushana is absolutely worth recommending to otome fans, as all of the love interests are interesting and engaging, and the game does a great job of bringing history to life. It offers tons of content to explore, and so many boys to smooch.
Amnesia: Later x Crowd is a highly enjoyable game for otome fans, especially those who adore the cast of Amnesia: Memories.
Kaichu is a sweet experience that is well worth its time, but it’s also a game where players must temper their expectations, as it stays committed to its premise without any deviations.
The cast all have their unique struggles, and the story is all about building your friendships up, showing them that they are worthy of love and compassion, and providing support. Fans of the first game will find it just as endearing, but even if you haven’t played the first game, The New Challengers stands on its own and is worth your time.
There are not a lot of games that make my heart feel full of joy the way Pupperazzi does. Being able to leisurely take photos of dogs acting adorably, crazy, or sleepy is incredibly relaxing, and it’s definitely helped ease some of the anxiety I often feel every day.
True Colors offers a story that hits a multitude of emotions and it does it wearing its heart on its sleeve. Everything about the game is compelling, from its wonderfully amazing cast of characters to the difficult decisions, to even the unfolding mystery.
While I appreciate Too Kyo Games’ experimenting with gameplay in a visual novel, the execution leaves a lot to be desired, and it drags down an otherwise interesting premise.
Emily is Away <3 is a great addition to this series and its fusing of nostalgia and teen angst is both masterful and emotionally exhausting.
This story is beautiful, thoughtful, and even uncomfortable at times, and the two endings are very different but equally important. A Summer’s End is easily one of the best visual novels I have played in a long time and its story is going to follow me easily for the rest of my life.
Best Friend Forever has fantastic humour and charm in its writing and presentation without a doubt. Honestly, my main bulk of fun came from the dog-training simulator because I needed Titan the Maltese to be the best of the best. I found the dating sim elements lacking, and while I do think that they belong in the game, fleshing them out more would have created a home-run.
Wide Ocean Big Jacket is for those who love curling up with a good book, or love seeing sweet summer romances blossom. It’s a funny, light-hearted experience that will take very little of your time and offer something that is sweet and reminiscent of summer.
It is a game that tries to compete with the popular farming sims, but never quite does enough to stand on its own feet. While there are kernels of good ideas, they are marred by questionable design choices, with quests and goals that never feel satisfying.