You don’t just forget the loss of a loved one, and that kind of trauma can compel you to head into potentially dangerous situations in search of answers. 7’scarlet is the the sort of otome game that broaches that idea, with a missing person’s case compelling the people left behind to return to a childhood home town in search of answers and insights into a rather mysterious place. What’s remarkable here is, even almost 10 years after its debut in 2016, this otome game still feels fresh upon its Switch debut.  

Years ago, Ichiko Hanamaki and her family used to live in the town of Okunezato. She doesn’t much about that time, which makes it even worse when her brother Hanate disappears after returning there for a visit a year before. Since a summer vacation is coming up and her childhood friend and classmate Hino is heading back for a meeting of the Okunezato Supernatural Club, she takes the opportunity to him and find answers. However, the prospect of a brief job at the Fuurinkan Hotel offers a chance to spend even more time in town investigating and possibly falling in love with a shocking number of men she’s met before and doesn’t , and Ichiko seizes it in the hopes of discovering the truth.

7’scarlet always ended up being an otome game that balances both a mystery of sorts with dating sim elements, and that didn’t change for the Switch release. Depending on the guy you’re pursuing, you essentially learn more about a particular mystery or element of the game. Some of them are the most basic and deal with potential threats to Ichiko’s life. Others are more detailed and offer insights into the supernatural urban legend tied to alleged Revenants roaming the streets of Okunezato and murdering the innocent each year. Maybe you’ll also find out what happens to Hanate. Depending on the person you pursue, the possibilities of actual romance and answers may vary. In general, it’s pretty well-written, though Ichiko herself is one of those heroines that suffers from a rather malleable personality that varied based on what type of role Idea Factory needed her to fill in that storyline. 

The art is also generally pretty great, and the UI is quite clear. There are a pretty decent array of CGs scattered throughout most routes, though one of the six doesn’t feel like it gets the same treatment as the others. Most of the storylines do feature moments that showcase a connection gradually growing and forming between Ichiko and the chosen partner, so I didn’t feel like there were too many shocks from a route suddenly being romantic after no signs telegraphed throughout the story. Appropriately enough, there are some possible bad ends and dangerous outcomes, which fits given this is a young woman heading off to try and solve a missing person’s case on her own in a town known for unexplained yearly murders. 

Given this is a very straightforward port, the same problems present in the Vita and PC versions of 7’scarlet remain in the Switch version of the otome game. Primarily, it’s the way the mystery is handled. There are only some routes that fully cover what’s going on in Okunezato and with Ichiko and her brother Hanate. The others are still fulfilling in their own way, but given the mystery of his disappearance, her departing the town as a child, and the rumor about Revenants that return to the village, it’s really a letdown when things don’t cover those mysteries. I feel like the Toa and Yuzuki handle things best. The final route, though it should be most fulfilling, is sort of the worst, even though it does provide all of the answers. 

Honestly, that last route is probably the one I like least because of the execution. It’s a pity, since it feels like all of 7’scarlet’s story is building up to it! But then when you get there, it isn’t as well developed as the other love interests’ storyline. Even the relationship doesn’t feel as authentic as a result, which is especially troublesome given you’d need to get over some of the connotations associated with it.  

While there may be some unfulfilling moments in 7’scarlet, depending on the route, as a whole it’s an enjoyable and often otherworldly otome game. Given how unusual its storyline can get and the twists and revelations that come after chasing after certain love interests, it’s definitely one that stands out among other Aksys, Otomate, and Idea Factory works. I’m glad it’s gotten a Switch release so even more people can experience and appreciate it.

7’scarlet will come to the Nintendo Switch on May 15, 2025, and it is also available on the Vita and PC worldwide. 

The post Review: 7’scarlet Gets Great When Its Mysteries Are Solved appeared first on Siliconera.

Steam isn’t known for its excellent selection of otome games, but if you dig deep enough you will find a number of gems. The Steam Spring Sale is the perfect time to dive into the romance genre, as many of the best games are available at a deep discount. If you’re looking for some great otome games to expand your Steam collection then we’ve got ten that are worth picking up.

Here are the ten best otome games available during the Steam Spring Sale.

7’scarlet b1g56

7’scarlet is a supernatural mystery novel first and a romance adventure second but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking handsome husbandos to smooch. Our protagonist travels to the rural Japanese village where her brother was last seen, with the idea of staying at the local ryokan until she finds him. With the help of the people of the village she realizes that everything in this quiet town isn’t quite what it seems.

7’scarlet costs $7.49 during the Steam Spring Sale.

Psychedelia of the Ashen Hawk 42h1b

Another supernatural mystery, Psychedelia of the Ashen Hawk doesn’t follow the standard otome formula. Rather than choosing a route, there is one common route and your decisions dictate what ending you get. There is no bad or good ending for each sweetheart, or even a true ending at the end of your journey. Psychedelia of the Ashen Hawk tells the story of a woman living life as a man, lest she be outed as a witch, in a town no one can leave that is set in perpetual winter. Another standalone game in the series Psychedelia of the Black Butterfly is also on sale.

Psychedelia of the Ashen Hawk is reduced to $7.49 during the Steam Spring Sale. 

Stardew Valley 6810v

Stardew Valley isn’t technically an otome, but it has romance options and is an amazing deal during the Steam Spring Sale. After inheriting a farm in Stardew Valley from your grandfather, you move to the village to start your new life. Alongside romancing the various residents of the town, you build and manage your farm, go mining, fishing, attend festivals, and everything else cute and cozy. A beautiful adventure that will make you dream of rural life.

Stardew Valley is available for $8.99 until the end of the Steam Spring Sale.

Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds 5r4k5a

Both Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds and Edo Blossoms are discounted during the Steam Spring sale, but you should definitely play Kyoto Winds first if you haven’t tried the series before. Surrounded by hunky samurai from the shinsengumi during the Edo period in Japan, it tells an old-school story, with a supernatural twist. Hakuoki is known for its huge number of suitors, and if you don’t mind letting your boyfriend drink your blood now and then, this is the game for you.

Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds is priced at $5.99 during the Steam Spring Sale.

Ozmafia! 6h5r6n

Ozmafia! has 13 different love interests, vast branching routes with multiple endings each, and an overarching story, or Grand Route, if you manage to romance them all. Waking up with no memory in a war torn world, you get closer to those around you in the hope that you can all survive. A story that goes in every way possible with a huge pay off at the end.

Ozmafia! costs $17.49 until the end of the Steam Spring Sale.

London Detective Mysteria 2m4t5e

London Detective Mysteria is one of the beefier otome games out there, with a large number of suitors and very long varied stories for each potential companion. Attending a detective school for those gifted in the art of deduction, you’ll meet – and can romance – famous characters from crime fact and fiction, such as Sherlock Holmes, John Watson, Arsène Lupin, and Jack the Ripper. The perfect otome game for those who want to spend a long time wrapped up in a single world.

London Detective Mysteria is $14.99 until the end of the Steam Spring Sale.

Taisho X Alice 542a6v

An episodic visual novel based on popular fairy tales, Taisho X Alice is an otome for those who want to be carried away in the fantasy. Across the game’s three episodes and epilogue you’ll romance seven gender-swapped fairytale princesses like Red Riding Hood, Snow White, and Cinderella. An otome for those who like twists on traditional stories.

Every episode of Taisho X Alice can be purchased as a bundle during the Steam Spring Sale for $14.99.

Amnesia: Memories 414a5v

Amnesia: Memories is a classic game in the otome genre, and is the first game that many fans of the genre played. Waking up with no memory, and a pixie called Orion that only you can see, you try to find out what your life was like before without letting those around you learn how vulnerable you are. Whether you want a man who women find irresistible, or one who doesn’t understand social cues at all, then Amnesia: Memories is the classic for you.

Amnesia: Memories is just $5.99 during the Steam Spring Sale.

Steam Prison 2pm72

In a world of the haves and the have nots, our heroine lives in the utopia of the Heights, looking down on all those who live in the Depths. However, after being framed for her parents murder she is dropped below, and must befriend the hunky civilians in order to survive. The overall concept is strong, but the characterization is a little weaker, so it’s one we wouldn’t recommend if you are just dipping your toes into the genre.

Steam Prison is $17.49 until the end of the Steam Spring Sale.

Nightshade 2i626f

If you didn’t get your fill of samurai hotties with the Hakuoki series, then Nightshade should fill the gap. More than just full of enticing romances, Nightshade has five routes, and goes heavy on the world building of the lives of people in the Sengoku period. An otome with a traditional story structure, but has made sure that everything is well put together.

Nightshade costs $19.24 during the Steam Spring Sale. 

The Steam Spring Sale is on now and ends on March 20, 2025.

The post Ten Discounted Otome Games From The Steam Spring Sale appeared first on Siliconera.

Back in December 2018, Intragames revealed it would be bringing the Idea Factory otome 7’scarlet to PCs. A closed beta test and January 2019 release window was announced. Well, the game didn’t make it to PCs in January 2019, and a newly released trailer gives it a Spring 2019 release window. The latest 7’scarlet PC trailer was released alongside a Facebook update.Intragames noted that all closed beta tester free DLC has been sent out to participants via email. It also noted that the release date for the game will be announced soon. Here’s the Intragames trailer revealing the delay to Spring 2019. There is one thing to note. While the newly released trailer does specify a Spring 2019 launch at the 1:47 mark, the official Steam listing still notes a February 2019 release window. 7’scarlet is immediately available for the PlayStation Vita.

The post 7scarlet PC Release Window Shifts To Spring 2019 appeared first on Siliconera.

Whether it’s a commander of the Shinsengumi or Victor Frankenstein – no kidding he’s datable in Code: Realize – Guardian of Rebirth games – Aksys has a love interest for you. In addition to two Code: Realize games, Aksys localized mysterious Psychedlica of the Black Butterfly, Psychedlica of the Ashen Hawk, and detective story 7’scarlet. The Psychedlica games are on sale for $24.99 each and the Code: Realize titles are just $19.99.

Aksys also sent us three otome bundles to give to Siliconera readers! The otome bundle includes codes for:

7’scarlet (PS Vita)

Psychedlica of the Black Butterfly (PS Vita)

Psychedlica of the Ashen Hawk (PS Vita)

Code: Realize Bouquet of Rainbows (PS4)

Code: Realize Future Blessings (PS Vita)

Bad Apple Wars (PS Vita)

Period Cube: Shackles of Amadeus (PS Vita)

We have three bundles to giveaway and you can enter by posting a comment here from now until December 17 at 23:59 PM PST. We’ll the three winners via the e-mail, Facebook or Twitter linked to their Disqus .

The post Get Up To 50% Off Hakuoki And More Otome Games During Aksys’ Sale appeared first on Siliconera.

Another Idea Factory otome visual novel is getting a PC port. 7’scarlet will be heading to the platform in January 2019. However, there may be a chance for select people to play it early. A 7’scarlet PC closed beta test will be held, and s have already begun.

Intragames announced the 7’scarlet PC closed beta test on Facebook. People chosen will get a code for the global closed beta test, as well as the game and its DLC as a gift for their trouble. To apply, people must send the information below to [email protected]. However, Intragames did not note when the closed beta test will begin.

Application Form
1. Name:
2. Email Address:
3. Steam ID
4. Country:
5. Language:
6. OS version and language
7. PC Spec
8. IP Address

In 7’scarlet, players help a young woman named Ichiko Hanamaki try and find her missing older brother. He disappeared in Okunezato about one year ago, and now she has headed there with her childhood friend Hino Kagutsuchi to try and find out what happened. Once there, she will find a Mystery Club, learn the town has many possibly supernatural secrets, and perhaps fall in love with one of the many men around her.

7’scarlet is immediately available on the PlayStation Vita.

The post 7scarlet PC Closed Beta Tester s Begin appeared first on Siliconera.

Aksys’ Summer of Mystery continues. The company has decided to release three otome, visual novels with mysterious and thrilling elements outside of Japan between April and June 2018. The second game in this run, 7’scarlet, is now available. This entry involves a young woman who heads to a small, isolated town called Okunezato with her childhood friend, Hino, to find her missing brother, Ichiko.

To celebrate the visual novel’s launch, Aksys has released a new trailer showing off 7’scarlet’s gameplay and characters.

As a reminder, people who pick up a physical copy of 7’scarlet get a set of seven 3” x 4.5” character cards. US residents who buy it and Aksys’ other two Summer of Mystery otome games, which are Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly and Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk, before July 31, 2018 and Aksys can get one of 1,000 pin sets.

7’scarlet is now available for the PlayStation Vita.

The post 7’scarlet Makes Its PlayStation Vita Debut appeared first on Siliconera.

Release windows have been announced for three of Aksys’ PlayStation Vita otome games. The company has announced the Summer of Mystery. Things will kick off with Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly in April 2018. It will be followed by 7’scarlet in May 2018. Finally, June 2018 will bring Psychedelica of the Ashen Hawk.

In addition, Aksys has revealed bonus items for the three games. Each physical copy of these otome titles will come with a pack of character cards inside of it. There will also be 1,000 enamel collector pin sets for people who purchase digital or physical copies of all three games, live in the US and apply by July 31, 2018. For a shipping and handling charge, people will get pins representing all three games.

Aksys’ next otome title is Code: Realize ~Future Blessings~ for the PlayStation Vita. It will be released on March 30, 2018.

The post Aksys’ Three Otome Visual Novels Get Release Windows appeared first on Siliconera.

Aksys Games announced they’re bringing 7’scarlet, the otome visual novel by Idea Factory’s Otomate label to North America in 2018 for PlayStation Vita.   Here’s a look at some footage from the event courtesy @RPGSite:

7’scarlet announced for Vita. Coming 2018. pic.twitter.com/M7QsZMes2k

— RPG Site (@RPGSite) July 1, 2017

Description via VNDb:

The summer holdays. A town caged by nature, Okunezato. One year ago in this town, her older brother suddenly disappeared without a trace. Shaped like a fragment of the moon, a nostalgic atmosphere permeates the town. It is known for having many legends and folklores. As a result of the continued population decline, the amount of modern-looking buildings have increased in the main street. The town is starting to gain attention due to its status as a “mystery hot spot” amongst the youngsters in the underground scene. One day, during summer vacation, the protagonist and university student Hanamaki Ichiko is invited by Kagutsuchi Hino- her childhood friend in the same university year level as her- to go to Okunezato in order to look for her disappeared older brother together. Hino had found the “Forbidden Okunezato Club”, a website in which its visitors discuss the mysteries and legends of Okunezato. Taking advantage of the offline meeting between the visitors that will take place during the summer holidays, he suggests to look into her brother’s disappearance during this time. With Hino having pushed her back, Ichiko wills herself to go to Okunezato. The young men from the Forbidden Okunezato Club website had gathered at the Fuurin Hotel- the live-in chef Amari Isora, the cat lover otaku Kushinada Toa, the med student Tatehira Sousuke and the owner of Fuurin Hotel Murakumo Yuzuki. Others such as the genius middle schooler who assists with managing the hotel, Hirasaka Yuki, the landscape photographer Tsukuyomi Kagura, the unsociable novelist Karasuma Chikage and the video game-loving female employee of Fuurin Susano Yua also become involved as they all get caught up in mysterious incidents. The “other face” of Okunezato comes to light as rumours regarding the “Legend of the Dead” are treated as though they were fact. Everytime they follow the footsteps of her disappeared brother, mysterious events spark. The true existence of the forbidden grounds, and the legendary flower that only blooms in Okunezato… The truth behind these incidents lead to a surprising and totally unexpected ending.

  7’scarlet is available in Japan on PlayStation Vita and launches in North America in 2018.

The post 7’scarlet Headed To North America In 2018 For PlayStation Vita appeared first on Siliconera.

Period: The week of July 18th – July 24th (2016) Top-seller: Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi/Tempura – 168,782 (3DS) Nintendo 3DS sales: 725 Nintendo 3DS LL sales: 189 New Nintendo 3DS sales: 4,355 New Nintendo 3DS LL sales: 21,463 PlayStation Vita sales: 11,363 Wii U sales: 5,864 PlayStation 4 sales: 20,021 PlayStation 3 sales: 1,006 Xbox One sales: 55 << Last week’s software sales chart << How to read and understand sales   Last week, Japan got to see Adol Christin’s latest adventure in Falcom’s action RPG Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana, along with Compile Heart’s Black Rose Valkyrie and the newest version of Stranger of Sword City, New Interpretation Stranger of Sword City on PS Vita, and more. Here are the weekly video games sales data for software and hardware that sold in the week of July 18 through July 24, 2016.   Top of the list this week is Yo-kai Watch 3: Sushi & Tempura. We previously saw the release of Yo-kai Watch 3 last week and it didn’t exactly live up to its expectations in sales when compared to the previous main-numbered title. We pointed out how Yo-kai Watch 3’s debut numbers actually came from just a single day of Media Create’s weekly tracking, but after having sold only 168,782 copies after a full week, for a total of 800,918 lifetime sales thus far, our thoughts remain the same.   According to Media Create, the 800,000 copies fell short of the initial shipment numbers of about a million copies. With the additional shipments in mind, it is estimated that there are over 500,000 copies of Yo-kai Watch 3 Sushi and Tempura floating around the market, and the retailers have voiced that there’s a “heavy number of leftover copies” on the shelves. In comparison, Media Create notes that last year Yo-kai Watch Busters had sold through 915,000 copies within its second week and sold a million copies by its third week.   At #2 we have the top new title of the week with Falcom’s action RPG Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana for PlayStation Vita. The previous title, Ys Seven released in September 2009 for PSP and it sold about 33,000 copies. Shortly after that, Japan saw Ys: Memories of Celceta on September 2012, which sold about 42,000 copies in its debut. Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana managed to sur the two with 43,753 copies sold in its debut. Media Create points out that the title appears to have performed well with steady sales thanks to the fans of the series.   As for other new titles, we had the 3DS title Sumikko Gurashi Mura wo Tsukurun Desu by Nippon Columbia at #3 with 20,616 copies sold in its debut. Following in #4 was Compile Heart’s latest RPG Black Rose Valkyrie on PS4 with 12,862 copies. New Interpretation Stranger of Sword City, which is basically the “International” version of the game, made its debut at #8 in Japan with 7,248 copies shipped on PS Vita. And finally at #16 we had Idea Factory’s latest otome title 7’scarlet with 3,128 copies sold. On an interesting note, it’s pretty fun seeing Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire climb up to #9, showing that the Pokémon hype has been pretty real these past few weeks in Japan.   Hardware sales didn’t see much of an increase—as a matter of fact, we saw a slight decrease across most platforms, including the New Nintendo 3DS LL, which is a bit odd considering that it was Yo-kai Watch 3’s first full week. It’ll be interesting to see if any of the PlayStation hardware sees a bump next week with the release of Toukiden 2.   The top-20 chart for the week is as follows:

Sales data acquired from 4Gamer and Media Create.

The post This Week In Sales: Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana Sets Out On A New Adventure appeared first on Siliconera.

Deadly Premonition producer and Toybox co-founder Tomio Kanazawa has been working on a new mystery visual novel project called 7’scarlet for PlayStation Vita. Here’s a look at its opening movie.   We had a look at 7’scarlet last year, but Idea Factory haven’t shown too much on their Otomate brand title developed by Toybox. Below is a look at the opening video that was recently shared by Kanazwa:   Here’s a comment from the producer:  

I proudly introduce the opening movie from my new mystery ADV project “7’scarlet”. Made it as all-live-action, without using any screenshots from the game at all. I wish this will be your new experience… Find the criminal, get closer to the truth and guess who done it!

  Along with a description courtesy VNDB:

“I heard the investigation got called off… but if it’s OK with you, do you want to go check out Otonezato?” “Me? I…” A miracle called “despair” in a town known as “Otonezato”. At first glance, it seems like a peaceful town. However, various enigmas and intentions lurk within. The shadow of your disappeared older brother. The cage of nature. The taboo club of Otonezato. A murder mystery. Folklore. The whispered “Legends of the Dead”. The moonlight will shine upon and reveal the truth of this town. “I won’t let you go… definitely. Not this time.”

  7’scarlet will release in Japan on July 21, 2016 for PlayStation Vita.

The post Deadly Premonition Producer’s Visual Novel 7’scarlet For PS Vita Gets An Opening Movie appeared first on Siliconera.