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We’re going to see another one of the more unconventional Idea Factory International and Otomate otome games outside Japan soon, as 9 RIP makes its debut in October 2024. In this entry, there are multiple storylines with different love interests who are more otherworldly and even potentially dangerous than usual. As we go through it, it’s even divided into groups of stories telling different tales. To learn more about what makes this Switch otome stand out, Siliconera got a chance to speak with 9 RIP Director Amon and Artist Yuuya about the adventure. 

Jenni Lada: When did development on 9 RIP begin?

Amon: We started planning the project in 2021, and it officially began development in early 2022.

Yuuya: I believe the actual work began in 2022. I being very excited about working on the project from the beginning.

What design decisions did you make to ensure 9 RIP felt different from other Otomate otome games?

Amon: We were focused on the horror theme at first, but we realized that we wanted more than a simple dark and grim design for this otome game. So we used brightly colored, otherworldly flowers as motifs and incorporated glitchy art to create a mysterious and strange world in both design and presentation.

Yuuya: I think a horror-themed otome game is still quite rare.

Rather than just going for a dark and scary atmosphere, we focused on incorporating stylish colors and designs. In doing this, we hoped to create something that stands out and leaves a strong first impression. We kept that goal in mind as we continued our design work.

When drawing from urban legends, mythology, and the supernatural for 9 RIP’s characters and designs, which concepts did you prioritize? How did you pick what you'd include?

Amon: From the early stages of the project, we envisioned a game centered on traditional Japanese urban legends, ghost stories, and supernatural phenomena. We understand that not everyone enjoys the horror genre, so we tried to attract more players by incorporating well-known ghost stories and supernatural phenomena.

When it came to the artistic direction for 9 RIP, how did you approach characters based on supernatural entities and make them appealing otome love interests?

Yuuya: While visual appeal was certainly important, we began by incorporating elements from the stories into each character's design. For example, in School Ghost Stories, we included the sword that inspired Kara Kara's name and the rope around the boy in the mirror's neck, which plays a key role in the story.

In Other Realm, we made the characters' professions and roles immediately recognizable by using designs reminiscent of priest robes for one character, and clothes that reflected the chaotic nature of the other.

We also incorporated traditional cultural elements and various kimono styles for the costumes of characters in the Spirit World route, and ensured the characters' outfits were both distinct and visually striking.

As for the Urban Legendscharacters, we prioritized modernity over representing supernatural phenomena, so the characters don't look like ghosts.

I think that approach made the hidden things in everyday life more believable.

Given you already had experience with otome game character designs for supernatural or otherworldly beings in Café Enchante and Cupid Parasite, how did that affect art and decisions for 9 RIP?

Yuuya: From my experience in various great projects, I've come to realize that each character has their own life and story. I always feel that you can't, and shouldn't, ignore this when deg characters. It's not just about creating visually appealing designs. By properly reflecting each character's background, I believe we can create more convincing, compelling, and lively characters.

What did you get to achieve in 9 RIP that you haven't been able to do in past Otomate otome games?

Amon: I'm not familiar with all Otomate titles, but I believe structuring the game as an omnibus with four chapters—School Ghost Stories, Urban Legends, Other Realm, and Spirit World—was a very unique approach. I don't think I've seen it in other titles.

Yuuya: Maybe getting the chance to feature some pretty frightening-looking characters. Personally, I'd love to create even scarier ones!

Is there anything you would like to say to overseas fans of otome games and those who are anticipating the release of 9 RIP?

Amon: You can experience strange and somewhat peculiar love stories in this game. While various ghosts appear, I hope you will embrace them rather than be afraid of them. Also, if this game sparks any interest in traditional Japanese ghost stories and spirits, I'd personally be very happy. I hope you continue to enjoy and love 9 RIP.

Yuuya: Thank you for your constant of 9 RIP. I'm very  happy to bring this work to you in English. Every country has its own ghost stories, urban legends, and folklore, but I hope this game gives you a chance to experience and take an interest in Japan's. I look forward to your continued .

9 RIP will come to the Nintendo Switch on October 15, 2024. 

The post Interview: 9 RIP Director and Artist Discuss the Otome appeared first on Siliconera.

Otomate isn’t shy about making otome games that are outside the range of normal expectations, with some some being dark like Virche Evermore or silly like Cupid Parasite. What we can count on is the developer going all-in on a theme. 9 RIP, the latest Switch otome that involves dating characters inspired by urban legends, ghosts, and supernatural entities, fully commits to the bit. In so doing, it also tells multiple stories of otherworldly encounters that feel like their own (romantic) urban legends.

Part of what makes 9 RIP such a unique otome game is its execution. While all three of the storylines begin on a common route, they diverge based on a choice made early on. So at the outset, we’re presented with a young woman about to graduate high school, but preparing to declare what she’d like to do next and if she’ll attend the college her mother desperately wants her to attend. Making one of three decisions while considering how to handle the problem causes the story to branch off into three main tales. Each one has at least two potential love interests tied to otherworldly elements. (If you’ve cleared other routes, this goes up to three on one path.) It’s really fascinating, as we get to see how her destiny splits and multiple encounters and results based on her decision.

It also means that the ensuing romantic storylines on each path get to more heavily feature the selected characters tied to it. They’re better integrated to the story, which means both their love stories and the overall arc feels stronger. This doesn’t mean you won’t encounter some of these other leads in the arcs that don’t feature them as a candidate to chase. As an example, when you first meeting Koyo in that storyline branch, you’ll also encounter Kureha and Yui. However, Kureha and Yui are ing cast there, and play larger parts in another branch. It means everything ties together in a more tidy manner, which I appreciated and felt enhanced the overall experience. 

As does the insanity system. While there are the typical choices that can increase affection with particular love interests, there are others that affect the heroine’s mental state. In each of the routes, our avatar ends up in varying predicaments. The sanity gauge comes into play based on the sorts of reactions we can select for certain situations and predicaments. These can, in turn, affect our fate. It’s an interesting element, especially since it does tie in with the horror and supernatural themes at play. After all, the character does end up in some dire predicaments, and some of the love interests are intimidating or unsettling individuals. 

Speaking of which, I genuinely love the range of love interests available in 9 RIP, as it really feels more varied than most otome games. There are so many romance options, and they really fit the theme of the game well. In fact, I think the selection means it’d be even easier for a player to find at least one that appeals to them. They’re all pretty well written, with distinct personalities that come through and are appealing for various reasons. Also, while there are occasionally “scary” moments, there’s a good sense of balance between drama, comedy, romance, and supernatural segments. The only suggestion I have is that since the characters are tied to different storylines, it’s valuable to make a few saves on one of the save file pages so you can jump back to get on the route where you can pursue your favorites. 

What’s also great about 9 RIP is how well this otome game nails the general aesthetic and ambiance. Otomate understood the assignment. The UI, color schemes, and details all perfectly capture the mood. The CGs range from typical ones you’d see with love interests, in addition to some in which you can see the nature of these otherworldly companions and perhaps even darker tendencies. It is good at establishing and maintaining a mood, which really suits the theme well. 

The only thing that really got to me is a stylistic choice regarding perspectives. In other Otomate otome games, there would occasionally be options to see parts of the stories from other characters’ perspectives. So maybe we’d see what the love interest was thinking. In 9 RIP, you don’t get that choice. As part of the normal progression down a path, it will suddenly cut from the heroine’s viewpoint to that of one of the guys we can pursue in that route or an NPC. Occasionally, it is interesting or helpful. However, sometimes it really took me out of the moment — especially if it didn’t add anything valuable to the moment and was just the guy thinking how he’s instantly drawn to her or wants to be with her — and I’d have preferred if that was optional.

9 RIP is another one of those Otomate otome games that experiments with what we expect from these sorts of dating sims, and it’s a great success as a result. The chance the developer took on storytelling means the love interests get more moments with the heroine and also feel like stars of their storylines. It involving urban legends and some horror staples mean we get some unexpected and fun romance options. Plus, the aesthetic is great. There are a few elements that might not be as appreciated people, but I feel like that comes down to personal tastes rather than actual failings on the part of the developer or game itself. 

9 RIP will come to the Nintendo Switch on October 15, 2024. 

The post Review: Otome 9 RIP Plays With Urban Legends, Insanity  appeared first on Siliconera.

Idea Factory International shared a release date for its next Switch otome game 9 RIP. It will debut on October 15, 2024. As a reminder, the game launched in Japan on the system on June 29, 2023.

In addition to the 9 RIP release date, product pages for the limited edition of the Switch otome are now live on all of the Idea Factory International storefronts. Prices aren’t set for it yet in the US, the UK, or the European storefront. However, the contents are the same in each region. People get a copy of the game, the hardcover art book, a C with the audio dramas “Various Worlds, Various Emotions” and “Gift from a God,” a magatama necklace like the heroine wears, and Yukimaro’s fan. As with all Idea Factory International Store releases, it also comes with a trading card. 

Here’s how that version of the game looks: 

As a reminder, 9 RIP is an otome game that involves ghosts and the supernatural. Its School Ghost Stories route actually involves being trapped in a school. In addition, someone isn’t just trying to find love while dealing with otherworldly beings. Your choices you make in the visual novel will also affect your avatar’s sanity levels. 

To help get a better idea of what to expect, here’s one of the Japanese trailers looking at the characters we’ll romance:

The 9 RIP worldwide release date is October 15, 2024, and it will appear on the Nintendo Switch. The Idea Factory and Otomate otome is already available on the Switch in Japan. 

The post 9 RIP Switch Otome Debuts in October appeared first on Siliconera.

Idea Factory International announced its next new otome game, and it is going to be 9 RIP for the Nintendo Switch. There’s no exact release window yet, but it will appear digitally and physically in 2024. 

Misa Isshiki lives in a town where people get spirited away and supernatural things seem to happen. She isn’t quite sure if she believes it, until she has her own otherworldly experiences. As a result, she’ll get to get close to otherworldly love interests like Hibiki, Kureha, Koyo, and Sena.

Here’s the first trailer for the English version of 9 RIP. Basically, it sets the stage for the spirited-away otome and the otherworldly love interests players will meet.

As usual, there will be an Idea Factory International Store Limited Edition for this new otome game. However, there are only placeholder pages for them on the North American, European, and UK storefronts right now. This means we don’t know yet what additional items come with it. However, both the LE and standard physical copies from IFI include a trading card.

9 RIP will be available digitally and physically on the Nintendo Switch outside Japan in 2024. It came out on the system in Japan in June 2023. 

The post Next Idea Factory International Otome Game Is 9 RIP appeared first on Siliconera.

Otomate released new information for three of its Switch otome games. Cupid Parasite: Sweet & Spicy Darling, 9 R.I.P, and Wand of Fortune R2 FD: Epilogue For You are all on the way in Japan. In addition, it opened up pre-orders for Spade no Kuni no Alice ~Wonderful Black World~. Wonderful Black World is the second part of Wonderful White World. That is the eighth entry in the Heart no Kuni no Alice series. It will come out on August 3, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch in Japan.

Cupid Parasite: Sweet & Spicy Darling will come out on September 9, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch in Japan. Pre-orders are now open. This is a sequel to 2021’s Cupid Parasite and continues the story of Parasite6. This time they are holding a bachelor party, even though none of them are going to get married.

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9 R.I.P. is a new IP that will come out on June 29, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch. Eight character trailers are now available via Otomate’s YouTube channel. These videos introduce who the characters are, their voice actors, and their relationship with the protagonist. 9 R.I.P. centers on a heroine who is really anxious about her future after high school. She lives in an area that’s always had a lot of mysterious disappearances, and her troubles are the trigger for a series of bizarre events.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BndZlxb7dQI&list=PL9Kk_7CXsUl7thuKCdLlS-5DkuqE2IhYM&index=8

Finally, the last game that Otomate made an announcement for is Wand of Fortune R2 FD: Epilogue For You. There is now an official website for it. Like all of the other games, this is for the Nintendo Switch and it will come out on September 14, 2023 in Japan. It is a continuation of Wand of Fortune R and focuses on parallel pasts and future for the protagonist Lulu.

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9 R.I.P. is the first of the Otomate new Switch otome games, and it will come out in Japan on June 29, 2023. Spade no Kuni no Alice ~Wonderful Black World~ will follow on August 3, 2023. Cupid Parasite: Sweet & Spicy Darling will appear on September 9, 2023. Wand of Fortune R2 FD: Epilogue For You will debut on September 14, 2023. All of these games will be on the Nintendo Switch in Japan.

The post Otomate Announces Release Dates for 4 Switch Otome Games appeared first on Siliconera.