I’m here to make a confession today: I love otome games. Fine, if you read this site I’ll admit you’ve probably already figured that out by my series “,” but I’m mentioning this specifically because it’s super nerdy. Plus, although I sneer at my friend’s romance novels, I really here in my glass house. Ed.: anyone who says they don’t live in a pink-tinted glass house of smut is lying or deluded, or perhaps just lives a sad, sad life (unless you’re asexual, you’re perfect and we heart you too)—official G-vesc position on romance ♥ Otome games are also sometimes called dating sims and generally fall into the visual novel category.
Visual novels tend to be extremely story-driven with the outcomes determined by the choices you make along a branching story route. Dating sims often have you scheduling your character’s time in order to raise specific stats by doing certain activities. While all three terms are often used interchangeably (by me at least), my definitions overlap more like rectangles and squares: all the otome games I’ve played are visual novels, but not all are dating sims. As a quick peek at shows us, otome games are literally “girl games.” They’re aimed at a female audience and are evidently a fairly new genre.
They’re most popular in Japan, but from what my personal anec-data show me, the genre is quickly gaining a bit of traction in the U.S. As well, and is especially popular with indie creators. I could go on with the stats, both real and imagined, but seriously just go read. It’s short and actually pretty interesting. Anywho, back to my main point: After dipping my toes into the water of Bioware’s dating-sim-lite Dragon Age: Origins, I quickly found myself sliding down that slippery slope into visual novels and full-on dating sims.
It was really no surprise to anyone, with my existing interest in anime & manga. But it leads us to confession time #2: My husband is an otome-enabler. He’s the one who convinced me to play DA:O in the first place and got me my first indie dating sims. He’s also the one who buys me the latest localized game on pre-order before I even know it’s out. As a side note, did you know otome games should be considered a marital aid? You get the thrill of a new romance, with the accompanying discovery and excitement that brings, all while remaining faithful to your existing monogamous partner (if you have one).
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It works out well for both of us, at least. Now, in the interests of “full disclosure,” I’ll also tell you I have a vested interest in trying to convert as many people as possible to the otome genre. I figure the more of you I can convince to spend your hard-earned dollars on these games, the more incentive we’ll give developers to make and translate more. And I want, no I practically NEED, more games! At this point I consume them at an almost voracious pace.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to get jaded after binging on a few; they often have the same types of guys and the storyline tropes can get eye-rollingly common. This is particularly bad with Voltage iOS games. Each game starts with 5 guys and each time there are the same types—it’s clear copy/paste.
Don’t get me wrong—despite all that, I still loved. But taking breaks to explore different games and genres is important to keep them fresh for when I find a new one. Nevertheless, I inevitably comb the internet after a few weeks and come back to the rapidly dwindling supply of games I’m willing to play. I have some standards (surprising though that may be to some of you), and at the top of the list is that the game cannot be too lackadaisical with issues of consent. I don’t personally have any trigger issues, so I may be more forgiving than some, but even I can’t get past the intro of a game wherein the “desirable” male character(s) sexually threaten the main character like it ain’t no thang.
So with all that said, I suppose I consider myself somewhat of an expert in the genre, and I.certainly. consider myself to be an expert in taste, so I here present to you (in no particular order), my Top 5 List of Amazing Otome Games/Visual Novels You Need to Play Right Now! OMG I loved his storyline SO MUCH. Probably more than I should have. This game is pure Harry Potter wish fulfillment as you play as a new student at a magical school. It’s simply the best indie stat-raising/visual novel hybrid I’ve played. Most stat-raising games I’ve played focus so much on the stats that the storyline seems poorly tacked on.
I’ve found it easy to spam the right activities to get the best ending, and generally felt like I didn’t even get a story in the process. That’s not the case with this one.
You raise your stats in various magical subjects to get new spells, which then provide you with multiple ways to solve your tests. You also make some friends and enemies along the way.
It’s got a good story, good writing, and 6 romanceable characters in it. It was my very first foray into indie otome games and I must say I was not disappointed—and you won’t be either.
15 Games Like Katawa Shoujo Our page of games like Katawa Shoujo has a large number of visual novels that feature dating as a main theme. This list also includes free options. Katawa Shoujo has become a highly popular visual novel and has been available since 2012. Its success has been due to both the unique setting for the game and the controversy it’s attracted. Whether or not you like the setting and themes present in the game you can’t deny that it is a great visual novel experience (it’s also free which makes it even better). In Katawa Shoujo you’ll be playing as Hisaso Nakai after he develops health issues and is sent to a special school to help care for his condition. Adjusting to a new school is always a difficult task and the game centres around those awkward first few months as you try to create friends, or in the case of Hisaso find love.
With a large number of branching storylines and endings with the five potential candidates it’s a great romantic adventure that you can return to again and again. Below you’ll find other games like Katawa Shoujo with a focus on high school like settings, free games or ones that deal with more mature themes. In each of these visual novel games you’ll have plenty of relationships to chase and hours of interactions to enjoy.
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