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.

Back at Anime Expo 2024, Aksys confirmed one of its 2025 Switch otome games would be Utakata no Uchronia, and now it shared an English name and updated release window. Illusion of Itehari will debut in Fall 2025. Unlike many of the company’s other titles, which are Idea Factory and Otomate games, this one comes from Broccoli and TIS Creation. 

As a refresher, Hinagiku lives on the floating island Itehari. Once she turns 18, she happens to meet a man named Yashiro. It’s because of this meeting that she ends up pulled into events outside the paradise in the sky where she lives and gets a chance to explore, something she always wanted. However, while her life has been idealized prior to this, this also means she’ll get a taste of the real world. In addition to Yashiro being a possible love interest, there will be four others to possibly romance. 

In case you missed it, here was its reveal trailer:

Pre-orders are already live for the physical copies of this Switch otome game via the official Aksys storefront. The standard copy costs $49.99 and just includes the cart. There is also an online exclusive version for $59.99 only available through the company. That packs a soundtrack CD with it.

Here’s how the physical copy with soundtrack looks:

The new Aksys otome Illusion of Itehari will come to the Nintendo Switch outside Japan in Fall 2025.

The post Next Aksys Switch Otome Is Illusion of Itehari appeared first on Siliconera.

The place for all of the best visual novels and dating sims used to be the PlayStation Vita, but following its tragic demise the Nintendo Switch has more than stepped up to the plate. Of all the modern consoles, the Switch is the place to go to play games with romance options, meaning that players are spoiled for choice. If you’ve been browsing the Switch’s library looking for your next dating sim visual novel to play, we have ten of our favorites that we want to recommend.

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! 336h46

The original Doki Doki Literature Club launched in 2017, so it’s likely that you know the twist by now. Aside from being a romance visual novel, it’s also a horror game with plenty of meta, and fourth-wall breaking techniques that work to make you feel uneasy, and chill your bones. However, the horror elements of Doki Doki Literature Club make for a more touching and overall more emotional story and game.

The original was free-to-play, but the Switch version Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! adds so many more touching moments. There are a number of additional episodes that show our four main characters interacting with each other outside of the titular literature club. You get to learn more about their backstories, as well as their relationships to each other. Doki Doki is so much more than a visual novel, and for those who love puzzles and easter eggs, you’ll find a lot more by exploring the in-game PC.

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On the surface Collar X Malice is your standard otome visual novel, but the themes are intriguing enough to carry the story by itself even if you aren’t into dudes. Collar X Malice is set in a time where mass police and government incompetence has led to the rise of a vigilante group, Adonis, which has pledged to sort out the crime and inequality that is rampant throughout the city. The group holds an eye-for-an-eye mentality, and Collar X Malice brings up the moral dilemma of how to get justice when the system doesn’t work.

Our protagonist is a cop living at a time when confidence in the police is almost zero. She approaches a private agency and asks them for help getting to the bottom of the current vigilantism crisis. What’s interesting is that the game doesn’t tell you what to believe, instead it is portrayed as the morally gray topic it truly is. Each route leads to the true ending, giving you a sense of accomplishment as you make your way through the story. One of the best overarching stories in any romance game.

Chaos;Child 6s263k

Chaos;Child is part of what I like to call the semicolon series that includes the hugely popular Steins;Gate. Just like Steins;Gate it has an intriguing story you can enjoy without the romance, but there are also romantic undertones between our protagonist, and the many women in his life. In Japan they released a side story that is exclusively a dating sim to tie in with the game called Chaos;Child Love Chu Chu. However, you can experience romance without learning another language.

Chaos;Child is set in a world where several people have awoken to their psychic abilities. While these superhuman talents should be seen as a benefit, a serial killer is on the loose targeting those who have these powers. Knowing several people with these special abilities, our protagonist is desperate to solve the murders before everyone he loves is gone. Just like Steins;Gate it has multiple endings, and you’ll want to play through several times to see all of the positive and negative outcomes.

Nurse Love Addiction 1sf6a

There are two games in this series available on Nintendo Switch, but they are both stand alone tales, and Nurse Love Addiction is our favorite of the two. The Nurse Love stories are yuri dating sims, meaning that they are based on the relationships between two women, and they play very differently to your standard heterosexual romance. Each route and romance shows a deep tenderness, and is (mostly) cemented in reality rather than an emotional rollercoaster.

Our protagonist Asuka is floating aimlessly through life like a jellyfish on the waves. She decides to the nursing school where her younger sister studies. She even moves into the same dorm as her sister as she feels like she can’t manage on her own. It’s not just about the romantic partnerships that she forges along the way, but Asuka’s personal growth as she tries to stand on her own for the first time.

The House in Fata Morgana 4473w

The House in Fata Morgana is very strict on the meaning of visual novel. There is almost no player interaction with the game, but the story is so intricately woven, and expansive that you don’t need to have an impact on it to improve the experience. The master of the house wakes up with no knowledge of their past, and the manor’s maid by their side. She guides you through the doors of the titular house telling various stories from throughout the domicile’s history.

The thread between the stories is a young person with albinism who appears in every tale no matter the time period. You have to figure out how your past ties to the house’s other residents, and why history has repeated itself time after time. It is both one of the longest and highest-rated visual novels of all time, and once you have played it for yourself, you’ll see why it is worth every word.

Muv-Luv 3c5p41

People say that the Muv-Luv trilogy reaches its stride with the second game Muv-Luv Unlimited, however, we recommend that players start where it all begins with Muv-Luv. The first game in the series is a simple slice-of-life adventure where our protagonist Takeru can choose between the many women in his life. The main two love interests are Takeru’s childhood best friend, and a rich but sheltered girl who is new to town, but there are other girls in his class he can date too.

This simple setup is vital for fully understanding and enjoying the next two entries, Muv-Luv Unlimited and Muv-Luv Alternative. It introduces you to most of the characters to the story, and lets you see Takeru’s normal life before things go off the deep end. Without spoiling what is in store, it’s an epic adventure dating sim that is worth sinking a hundred hours or so into.

Gnosia 3u4o2q

If you’ve ever played Among Us you know the basic plot of Gnosia. You are out on a space station with various others, and some of them are infected with Gnosia, which turns them against their crewmates. You use social deduction to figure out who has the disease and put them in cryogenic stasis before they wreak havoc on the ship. The twist here is that you will be reliving the experience over and over with increasingly more complicated mechanics.

Not everything continues between loops, but your knowledge of each crewmate, the things they like and the things they do will expand each time you meet them. This means that every loop your deductions – in theory – become more accurate as you get to know how people work, and how they would act in certain situations. Once you have met all the characters Gnosia opens up, and you can control different factors in each loop and get closer to certain cohabitees.

Jack Jeanne 213c38

One of our favorite recent otome games, we almost considered putting it on the list of dating sims that aren’t visual novels. Unlike many of the other games on this list, Jack Jeanne has a number of gameplay modes that don’t surround player choice, most notably the numerous rhythm sections. You play a promicoming actor, but the best acting school where you live only accepts men, and you’re a woman. However, amazed by your talent the director approaches you and asks you to enroll while disguising your gender.

In an all boys acting school, males have to take on the female roles in the performances. This is why students are split into the mascs, the Jacks, and the femmes, the Jeannes. Because of this the characters of Jack Jeanne are used to people challenging the typical gender norms, and a new normal emerges in this enclosed society. The play on gender, and inclusion of rhythm game elements leads to a truly unique otome experience.

Slay the Princess 432h

Unlike Jack Jeanne the gameplay in Slay the Princess focuses heavily on the choices you make. That being said, it gives you seemingly endless options to choose from. Each fork in the road has literally dozens of options you can choose from, making you feel more in charge of where the story goes than most other games. Each decision you make has a drastic outcome on the story in a way that feels refreshing when compared to the majority of dating sims.

There are only three characters in Slay the Princess: the Princess, the Narrator, and you. The Princess changes based on things you say, how you treat her, and how you react to her. Sometimes you go past the point of no return, and there is no way to undo the things you have done, but that is the point. While the Princess and you wrestle over and over in ways that can range from sweet, to slaughterous, to sad, it truly is a love story.

VA-11 HALL-A g5f1o

VA-11 HALL-A’s catchphrase is “It’s time to mix drinks and change lives” and that describes the game precisely. You play Jill, a bartender in a futuristic saloon, whose job is to make drinks and talk to customers. Players can influence the story by giving the customers the drinks they want, rather than the ones they ask for, because in the world of VA-11 HALL-A the customer isn’t always right.

It’s a deep character study surrounding not just Jill, and the affection she holds for her boss, but each person that comes to the bar, and the effect that just having someone to talk to has on their lives. Outside of the story, you can use the wages from the bar to design your room and make things feel more homey, making Jill just a little more upbeat. It’s a story about caring for others, but also taking care of yourself.

What are some of your favorite visual novels? Or which visual novels are you looking forward to getting your hands on? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Best Switch Dating Sim Visual Novels appeared first on Siliconera.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with an otome game that doesn’t prioritize romance, so long as it also offers enough “justification” for the eventual ending with love interests at the end. However, a consequence of trying to do too much in these sorts of games can mean that… doesn’t exactly happen. A title like Bustafellows proves you can have it all! Unfortunately, while Despera Drops is quite interesting, Aksys’ new Switch otome game isn’t exactly romantic.

Mika is a college student studying abroad in Italy. She seems normal, but has an unusual gift. If she touches someone with her bare hands, she can see what is in their hearts. That means she can catch a glimpse of past memories or current intent. She’s always kept her hands covered as a result, something her deceased mother warned her about before she died. However, she did accidentally touch one man at a cemetery once while in Italy, and that’s led to a whole mess of trouble.

This man claims to have missing memories, and he finds a way to meet Mika again in a restaurant in the hopes she’ll tell him why he keeps feeling like he’s missing someone and compelled to visit a certain graveyard. Before she can respond, he’s murdered before her eyes. Mika’s framed for the murder, handcuffed to six criminals, and they’re all slapped onto a police transport. After an explosion results in them getting lose, we find that they’re also somehow all tied together and perhaps some of the few in the world aware of a shadowy group known as C.R.O.W.N. with inexplicable power and influence. Naturally, this also means Mika is a target and dropped into her own potential harem of new love interests.

Most of the time, Despera Drops is your typical otome visual novel. You read through the adventures of Mika and the rest of the criminals as they try and stay one step ahead of the clandestine organization C.R.O.W.N. as that group does dastardly deeds and attempts to ruin your lives. It works fine, though there might be an occasional minor spelling error when you go through. (I expect those will be fixed in a patch soon, but for example I noticed a “gentelman” instead of a “gentleman.”) However, every once in a while there will be a “timed” segment. When this comes up, Mika will look at her phone to see different surveillance cameras, and you have to issue the right directions at the exact time to carry out plans. It never felt too harrowing, but it did suit the atmosphere.

I’m also a fan of the art direction in Despera Drops, as this otome game doesn’t feature the sort of style like we typically see from companies like Idea Factory and Otomate. Red Entertainment and D3 Publisher brought in Yusuke Kozaki, who designed the characters for Fire Emblem Awakening, to design the cast here and work on the CGs. I mean, I adored that game and it’s my favorite Fire Emblem, so I was incredibly psyched about the choice. But it does actually fit well within the story and for each of the characters, and I appreciated that. I do wish there were a few more CGs in general, so I could appreciate it more.

Editor’s Note: There will be a Despera Drops spoiler in the next paragraph regarding criticisms surrounding two of the romance options in the otome game. 3c5d6a

The one thing I’m not a fan of is how two of the love interests are handled in Despera Drops. In the case of one, instead of actually having a friendship route or one in which our heroine gets to enter a same-sex relationship, it turns out to be one of those situations where the love interest was a man all along. It completely ruined that route for me. I sort of suspected that would happen, but also loved her personality and dynamic with Mika. On the other hand, we have 38-year-old-grown-man Gib speedrunning a relationship with a young woman who looks like she just turned 21. I understand that age-gap relationships can work, but after experiencing the route there wasn’t enough there to make me believe it. So I honestly felt incredibly put off by it, even though he doesn’t come across as overtly creepy until I saw how that route ended.

Though to be fair, what happens in Gib’s route is honestly not uncommon for any of the love interests in Despera Drops due to this being an otome game that doesn’t always prioritize romance. It’s more about the cat-and-mouse games and search for the truth behind the cover-ups, dealing with C.R.O.W.N., and insight into every romance option’s criminal background. Because that’s the main focus, I felt like each route could or should have been an additional hour or two long to provide a better sense of pacing and actual examples of the heroine and love interact falling for each other. In some cases, like Hamiel, I could see it. But so many others are far too rushed or like they are thrown together at the end because they have to be.

I love the idea behind what’s going on in Despera Drops, and the push for answers and vindication meant I really loved seeing explanations in this otome game. Unfortunately, I feel that “thriller” part and some great character designs are the only focus. It doesn’t do a good job of balancing that with the romantic elements you’d expect from the genre. Add in two routes I felt weren’t handled well and, while I do recommend parts of it, I don’t feel it’s a perfect crime. 

Despera Drops is available for the Nintendo Switch worldwide. 

The post Review: Despera Drops Otome Game Focuses on Mystery appeared first on Siliconera.

The original Virche Evermore -Error: Salvation-is one of the saddest and darkest otome games I’ve ever played. It is a lot. When going into the fandisk Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris-, I hoped there would maybe be some happy endings for Ceres and her love interests after going through so much. For the most part, there’s not, and Otomate continues to make the lives of these characters difficult. Which, if you loved the original, might be exactly what you’re looking for in this follow-up.

When you first hop into Virche Evermore - EpiC: Lycoris-, four “paths” are open to you. Side Story: Interlude is a selection of short stories that go over things that mostly happened during the original ErroR: Salvation. There are exceptions to this! But they are brief moments between Ceres and other characters. What’s handy is the UI for these lets you know who will be involved, if you get to make choices as you play, if you can earn CG images for characters, and whether or not you’ve read it. It’s a handy way to take short breaks between longer offerings here, and I especially liked how I could focus on reading stories involving characters I liked.

The Side End: Encore area in Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- is basically a prime spot for getting your heart broken again. This is because it consists of alternate endings and options for the main game. Sad ones, too! I went through my favorite character’s section here first, and both endings for the Encore left me feeling horrible for Ceres and her love interest. The new scenario fit in well with what I ed for it, as well as for other bachelors. They’re well executed! Just know going in that things could very well get quite dark here.

The Virche de la Coda: Emotion section is where Virche Evermore - EpiC: Lycoris- really gets into what you’d expect from an otome game fandisk, as it builds off of Virche Evermore -ErroR: Salvation- endings. This can prove incredibly satisfying for some characters, especially when Salvation endings are built up upon. (I mean, Despair ones are going to be an even worse time than before sometimes, which is a bit shocking!) The follow-ups are good, and a few of the CGs are really appreciated after everything the characters had been through.

It’s with Tradition: Drifter and Virche du Salut: Ankou that Virche Evermore - EpiC: Lycoris- gets really interesting. These two are tied together, as you need to finish the Drifter storyline before you can get into this new storyline for Ankou. The former is honestly fascinating! It helps get more into the island’s history, Yves’ past, and everything going on. While our time with Tamaki is short, it is fascinating. It also ties in to characters from Virche Evermore -ErroR: Salvation- in ways I didn’t expect, which helps the otome game further.

It’s the Virche du Salut: Ankou route that made this collection for me. The integration of the original Virche Evermore -ErroR: Salvation- storyline into this new Virche Evermore - EpiC: Lycoris- otome game route is executed so well. I think it felt pretty seamless. I also really loved this character in the first game, so seeing this new story for him and getting this new resolution felt so satisfying. It made everything I went through feel worthwhile. I think it’s the real highlight of the fandisk and reason to play it.

So yeah, you probably are still going to experience a lot of heartbreak going through Virche Evermore - EpiC: Lycoris-! Surprise! But I absolutely think it is worth it, especially considering the new Drifter storyline and Ankou route. The execution of the fandisk is also rather interesting, since it really does a solid job of taking us into the past, present, and future, with all of these extra stories and moments with the characters so well organized. That does mean that it is 100% not a standalone experience, but you have to expect that from otome game follow ups and Virche Evermore -ErroR: Salvation- players will enjoy this for what it is.

Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- is available for the Nintendo Switch. 

The post Review: Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris- Tells More Sad Stories appeared first on Siliconera.

When you meet certain people, even virtual ones, you may also find yourself hoping for the best for them. Maybe it is because of who they are. Perhaps it comes down to what they’re facing. Tales of Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch is one of those games, in part because the personalities of lead characters Hikaru Nishime and Lilun and situations leave you hoping they’ll achieve their goals and thrive.

Hikaru is an orphan. His aunt and her family took him in following his parents’ death. However, when he should be starting high school, he’s instead being shipped off to a small island with less than 1,000 residents to live with a grandfather he barely knows. Worse, once he gets there he finds that said grandpa is gone. He took off to another continent, and Hikaru’s aunt didn’t even him for classes at the new high school. After being forced to sleep in a sugarcane field his first night, he meets a mysterious young woman who’s also come to Toyotoki Island, is also all alone, and was mistreated in the past as well. The two end up working together to get by, and in so doing find new places for themselves and ways to achieve their goals. This also leads to them meeting other residents of the island and getting close to them as they too grow as individuals. 

So the first thing you should know going into Tales From Toyotoki is that this is a kinetic novel, and not the sort of visual novel where you’ll make decisions. Yes, there will be a point when Akari Akatsumi will make it seem like you have a choice as to which route you pursue or what you do. You don’t. So those looking for the ability to influence the outcome or a little more interaction won’t find that here.

However, that doesn’t mean you should abandon or overlook Tales from Toyotoki. This is a situation in which that focus works to the benefit of the story. The official descriptions for it reference it being a coming of age tale and story of self-discovery, and the linear nature means Fragaria really gets to focus completely on that element of it. There are no distractions. We’re 100% seeing how our leads and other individuals grow as people. 

I especially appreciated how while everyone gets some time in the spotlight and development, it’s really Hikaru and Lilun getting the most attention. The mystery behind Lilun’s background is handled well, and I appreciated how it didn’t push too hard for immediate answers and reveals. Likewise, I liked how things are never just clean cut or immediately solved for Hikaru. Even when he does make some strides forward, he’s never getting an easy answer or immediate salvation. 

The way the two play off of each other is also a critical part of the story. Hikaru and Lilun each have their own areas of expertise. Alone, they wouldn’t get far. But we constantly see how together, the two are able to help each other out, progress, and get closer to accomplishing things they need to do to grow as individuals or meet their desires.

Tales from Toyotoki’s artistic direction and voice acting also help “sell” its premise. We’re experiencing life on a small island, thanks to seeing things from Hikaru’s perspective. The art direction and character design is, likewise, quite quaint. It feels rustic and homey. The voice acting is good as well, with a cast that feels well suited for the situation. Especially when it comes to Lilun and Akari. I did notice a few awkwardly phrased lines. (For example, one of the earliest ones is “The person I was supposed to live with was nowhere to be seen.”) But those instances are infrequent and don’t detract from the overall experience.

Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch feels designed to keep you captivated by the events of Hikaru and Lilun’s lives as they deal with the odds that are stacked against them. Every win for them is one for the reader as well. It takes its time to show how these young people develop and find their footing, and it’s great when we get to see them succeed.

Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch is available on the Nintendo Switch, PS5 and PC. 

The post Review: Tales From Toyotoki Leaves You Rooting for the Kids appeared first on Siliconera.

People won’t need to wait too long to work out with Vocaloids worldwide. Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku will launch in English on September 5, 2024, with it and its songs fitting right into the beginning of the promised Fall 2024 launch window. 

Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku is an exercise game, but it also has rhythm game elements since you are boxing in time to various songs. Hatsune Miku, Megurine Luka, and the Kagamine Rin and Len twins are all available as your trainers. There are also over 54 songs, though 30 of them being BGM tracks from the Fitness Boxing series proper. It will cost $49.99, and physical copies will be released.

As the game is already available in Japan, we do know the Vocaloid tracks that are available in the game so far. While this is a Miku game, many songs also feature Luka, Rin, and Len. Here’s the list:

• “8HIT”
• “Ai Dee”
• “Alien Alien”
• “Bitter Choco Decoration”
• “Bring it On”
• “Buriki no Dance”
• “Champion Road to True Love”
• “Double Lariat”
• “End of Hatsune Miku”
• “Fire Flower”
• “God-ish”
• “Hated by Life”
• “Just Be Friends”
• “Let's Mikcise”
• “Lost One’s Weeping”
• “Love Song ni Shukuhai o”
• “Medic: A Doll”
• “Melancholic”
• “Melt”
• “Miku Miku ni Shiteageru”
• “Over Lit”
• “Po Pi Po”
• “Rise Up”
• “Romeo & Cinderella”
• “Telecaster B-Boy”
• “Shoujo Rei”
• “Tell Your World”
• “Teo”
• “The Vampire”
• “World’s End Dancehall” 

Of those songs, some of the entirely new tracks for Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku are “Champion Road to True Love,” “Let's Mikcise,” “Love Song ni Shukuhai o,” “Over Lit,” and “Rise Up.”

To go along with the Vocaloid theme, people can go with Fitness Boxing or Miku Exercise modes as they play. There are also special outfits inspired by the series for characters. Also, while Miku, Luka, Rin, and Len are the main draws, Evan and Lin also return for cameos from the main games.

Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku is available on the Nintendo Switch in Japan and will appear in English on September 5, 2024.

The post Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku Appears in English in September appeared first on Siliconera.

Finally, the Switch release of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ might give the game its moment again! Almost 10 years after its original release, Aksys picked up the Switch version to release it worldwide. Considering how interesting it can be and all of the other elements making this particular release so valuable, I can’t help but hope it leads to more people giving it a chance.

Something isn’t right in Tokyo. Kou doesn’t initially realize it. He’s going to school and working part-time jobs as usual. But when he sees his classmate Asuka harassed when he’s leaving work at night, he gets drawn into assisting in fighting back against the Eclipse phenomenon. Using Soul Devices and eventually fighting alongside classmates who find themselves also able to fight back against the Greed monsters threatening innocent people. Yes, it is Persona-like, while still combining the Ys sort of action-RPG elements while in labyrinths. 

Now, right away, you’re probably wondering why you should even head into the Switch version of Tokyo Xanadu eX+. After all, Aksys’ release is the fourth version of the game to appear worldwide. However, there are a number of reasons to give it a chance again. Enough so that I think it’s worth playing now more than ever.

The big one, and the thing I love most about heading into Tokyo Xanadu eX+ again, is that this is the best portable version of the game. The Vita version is difficult to come by now, and it’s only the standard release that didn’t add the extra scenarios, bosses, and content in any of the eX+ releases. (All of that is perfectly implemented in such a way that if you are new to the game, you won’t realize it wasn’t originally a part of the experience.) If you have the Steam version, you could hypothetically play it on a Steam Deck. However, it isn’t fully ed. It’s only classified as “Playable” there. So the Switch release is completely ready to go and perfectly suited for the system. 

Aside from the definitive version of the game now being on the Switch, the other highlight for the Aksys release of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is a fresh localization. It reads wonderfully. Everything is clear, concise, and perfectly gets the point across. Back in the day, I covered the Vita and PS4 releases. I enjoying them! It’s been a long time since I played, so I can’t 1:1 cite changes. But the new take is substantial enough that I could just tell as I went through it that it was handled a bit better.

There’s also the matter of this Tokyo Xanadu eX+ Switch release being the perfect preparation possibility. In March 2024, Nihon Falcom announced the Tokyo Xanadu 10th anniversary project. While it is going to be a new and original thing, playing the first game in this branch is invaluable. It gives you an idea of what to expect. You can see what sorts of encounters and gameplay you might experience. Also, who knows what sort of threads or Easter eggs could carry over. It’s invaluable. 

I’m so glad the Switch version of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is here, as this is such a fun action-RPG. I always felt like it ended up being a bit overshadowed, due to the fact that it does feature some similarities to the Persona series and Nihon Falcom’s Trails line exploding in popularity. The combat is solid in dungeons. Its take on a modern adventure set in the real world is strong. The eX+ additions do feel valuable. Not to mention, the twist that comes up is good! It’s a JRPG worth playing.

Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is available on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC. The original game appeared on the Vita.

The post The Switch Version of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ Is the One to Play appeared first on Siliconera.

At the Aksys Anime Expo 2024 , the company revealed it will be releasing five more Switch otome games in 2024 and 2025. Among the announcements were more details about known games like Despera Drops, new announcements for titles like Utakata no Uchronia, and a new platform for existing game 7’scarlet. 

First, two Aksys otomes we already knew about ended up with updated release windows revealed at the event. The first is the Virche Evermore Epic: Lycoris fan disc. That will launch on November 7, 2024. Despera Drops will follow, but that won’t appear until Spring 2025. 

The other three were all new announcements, though one is a game we’ve seen before. 7’scarlet, which Aksys previously handled the Vita release for, is among the new Switch otome games coming in 2025. That involves a woman looking for her missing brother and uncovering even more unexpected events and people. That will launch in Spring 2025. The other two are so early in development, they don’t have English titles yet. One is Mistonia no Kibou: The Lost Delight, which involves a maid named Applause in the fairy-adjacent kingdom called Grand Alvion. She’s going undercover to get revenge, but may also find love along the way. Meanwhile, Utakata no Uchronia sees a young woman named Hinagiku meet an amnesiac and, in so doing, get a chance to leave the flying city she calls home.

For a reminder of what 7’scarlet is like, here’s Aksys’ trailer from the Vita version of the game that appeared in 2018:

This is the trailer for Mistonia no Kibou: The Lost Delight from Japan:

Here’s the Utakata no Uchronia Japanese trailer, which highlights all of the love interests:

Aksys also made a number of announcements not related to its otome titles. Here are the other games it is working on:

• Blazing Strike PS4, PS5, Switch, and PC release: October 17, 2024
• Ed-0: Zombie Uprising PS5 physical release: October 10, 2024
• Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku Switch DLC bundles will appear after the September 5, 2024 launch.
• Raging Bytes Switch and PS5 physical release: December 12, 2024
• Tales from Toyotoki: Arrival of the Witch Switch and PS5 release: August 22, 2024
• Tokyo Xanadu eX+ Switch release: July 25, 2024
• Zero to Dance Hero Switch release: November 2024

The post 5 Aksys Switch Otome Games Appear at Anime Expo 2024 appeared first on Siliconera.

Sometimes, an Idea Factory and Otomate’s fan disc follow-up for an otome game does something more than just offer epilogues and side-stories for major characters. There are times when there will be entirely new routes. Radiant Tale: Fanfare is a perfect example, and it means the game is more solid because it adds additional love interests alongside the returning crew.

There are essentially three parts to the Radiant Tale: Fanfare otome game, but the bulk (and best) of it is split between epilogues with Ion, Paschalia, Radie, Vilio, and Zafora and an entirely new epilogue story that involves actual dedicated routes for Jinnia and Liyan. Alest and Colivus have some moments in the new storyline that takes place after a common route where Tifalia doesn’t end up with anyone as well, but Jinnia and Liyan’s stories are much more extensive. Which is a bit of a shame when it comes to Alest, because he’s quite fun!

Anyways, in the case of the returning bachelors, we’re getting a chance to follow up with Tifalia after she’s already (mostly) established with the five romance options from the original Radiant Tale otome game. Generally, I feel like they’re mostly solid. Everyone tends to stay in-character, and the stories end up being a bit varied. I didn’t expect Tifalia and Radie to be as committed as they are already by the time their extra story rolled around, but I guess it makes sense given their closeness in the original title. In fact, I generally liked all the storylines, and the fan disc made me appreciate Paschalia a bit more than I did in the original.

However, I truly feel like the highlight of Radiant Tale: Fanfare is the additional storyline that gives Jinnia and Liyan full storylines with Tifalia. Liyan’s is absolutely fantastic and there’s some great pay-off here, especially given all the teasing and moments in the original otome game. It is handled very well here, especially given the new plotline and role Tifalia plays once CIRCUS is done. The execution honestly makes me question even further why he wasn’t a part of the primary cast to begin with. As for Jinnia, I didn’t honestly expect to want to romance him, but his storyline is just as strong as Liyan’s. He’s hilarious and there are wonderful moments between him and Tifalia. In fact, I felt like Jinnia and Liyan’s routes in the fan disc might have felt stronger and more well-thought out than Paschalia’s, Ion’s, and Zafora’s in the base game, and I really liked Ion as a character.

All of the stories are really quite fun to read and go through. The localization is great. I’d say it’s especially fun in the new storyline with Jinnia and Liyan, as both characters are such strong personalities and really steal the spotlight. However, the other side stories are fun too. I wouldn’t say I’m as big of a fan of the interludes, which feature characters discussing amongst themselves briefly, but they’re okay. Also, as you’d expect from a follow-up to Radiant Tale, the CGs are bright, vibrant, and often rely upon fairy tale ambiance. They look quite good.

Really, the only downside is that the original otome game is required reading for Radiant Tale: Fanfare. There is no way you can go into this without having experienced the original adventure. The new epilogues for the main bachelors rely upon the past experiences with Tifalia. The new storyline picks up after the end of that and with her working on a new task for the royal family, so you will be lost if you don’t know why the event she’s working on is even happening. Still, the first game is very good and worth playing, so get to it?

Radiant Tale: Fanfare is a delightful follow-up to the original otome game and really relies on you loving the characters. The entirely new epilogue storyline with Jinnia and Liyan as the main love interests feels like one of the best and most refreshing parts of this new adventure. However, the additional stories with Tifalia in established relationships with the original five characters also does well with building up on those stories. If you enjoyed the original, it’s worth returning for this sequel.

Radiant Tale: Fanfare will come to the Nintendo Switch on June 27, 2024. 

The post Review: Radiant Tale: Fanfare Does Its Characters Justice  appeared first on Siliconera.

Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku is going to be available for exercise “classes” worldwide, with Aksys confirming it is responsible for the English release outside Japan. People will see it on the Switch in more regions in Fall 2024. 

This latest entry in the Fitness Boxing series has already been available in Japan for quite a while. It debuted in the region back in March 2024. People get to work out alongside Hatsune Miku and other Vocaloids like Megurine Luka and Kagamine Rin and Len. Though for those familiar with past games Evan and Lin also return. When people go through the various punches and moves, which are sensed by holding a Switch Joy-Con in each hand, you’ll have the option of using Vocaloid songs as background music.

Here’s the first Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku English teaser trailer. It is incredibly brief and just shows Miku in her standard costume punching. In-game, all four Vocaloids will be wear workout clothing in addition to their classic outfits.

This is the second Fitness Boxing crossover to show up in recent years. Fitness Boxing: Fist of the North Star ended up appearing worldwide too. As you can imagine, it mean working out with characters from the anime. 

Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku is available on the Nintendo Switch in Japan and will head to other regions in Fall 2024.

The post Aksys Picks Up Fitness Boxing feat Hatsune Miku  appeared first on Siliconera.

We already knew Aksys would release the Nihon Falcom Persona-like Switch port of Tokyo Xanadu eX+, and now there’s a release date. It will launch on July 25, 2024, and the Aksys Store version includes a four CD soundtrack.

The Tokyo Xanadu eX+ Switch release date announcement was paired with a brief trailer for the game. It mainly focuses on the launch. It mainly shows some of the animations to start, but there are also brief gameplay clips for the RPG.

To compare, the original Tokyo Xanadu release trailer Aksys prepared was a much longer one. It showed the entire animated introduction to the game.

The bundle that includes the game and the soundtrack will be a bit more expensive than the game alone. The Aksys Store is already taking pre-orders for it. People get a physical Switch cartridge and the four CDs in a separate case for $69.99.

Here’s how the cover art for the soundtrack and game look:

The Tokyo Xanadu eX+ Switch release date outside Japan is July 25, 2024. The game is immediately available on the Switch in Japan and the PS4 and PC worldwide. It originally launched on the Vita in 2015.

The post Switch Version of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ Release Date Set appeared first on Siliconera.

I love it when Idea Factory and Otomate create an otome game with a strong heroine, a strong cast of characters who all interact well with each other, and that can also mix in some humor or great lore building. Tengoku Struggle: Strayside is much like Variable Barricadein that respect, and as a result it is one of the better and stronger games Aksys has localized.

In the world of Tengoku Struggle: Strayside, there’s a complex system of reincarnation and redemption that ties the human realm, heaven, and various levels of hell to ensure people move on and become the best versions of themselves. Rin Enma is a transient soul, one with no memories that would have disappeared, but she was adopted by the King of Hell as his daughter. She’s dedicated herself to making a place for herself and making him proud, even becoming a Hell Guardian, to ensure she wouldn’t disappear. 

However, immediately after graduation, some notorious figures managed to actually escape hell after a special thread of redemption was dropped from heaven. As such, King Enma sends Rin to the human realm, as part of the normal exchange program, to have her work alongside criminals Goemon Ishikawa, Kikunosuke Uga, Sharaku Toushuusai, and Yona Murakami. However, while these men are willing to work for her father, they have no such loyalty to her. It's up to them to somehow all work together, figure out what Shinobikuni and her escapee minions' plans are, and send the prisoners back.

That said, Tengoku Struggle: Strayside is one of those fantastic otome games where the whole cast is incredible. Not only does Rin have fantastic chemistry with all of the bachelor options, but they all get along well with each other. As such, we’re getting to see all of them play off of each other and their relationships develop from a group of people who just wanted to get out of hell for a while to actually being friends who care about each other and maybe even love Rin. The fact that they come from different time period and have different “sins” that landed them in various hells also make them fascinating, since we can eventually identify with why they did what they did and see how they interact based on their backgrounds.

Because Rin is both living and working alongside of these new allies, we’re seeing relationships develop naturally between them in this otome visual novel. They come to see how strong and dedicated she is, as well as appreciate how seriously she takes her role as a Hell Guardian to rehabilitate and prove herself. Likewise, she sees the good sides of them and understands that just because they wound up in hell doesn’t mean they’re evil. This means there are a lot of moments that are dramatic, insightful, touching, and even just plain funny. 

I also absolutely adored how the villains here are handled. Once Rin and her crew es through the Hell Gate to the human world, they relatively quickly encounter Shinobikuni and the other prisoners she “saved.” While Shinobikuni unquestionably comes across as villainous, some of the others fall into a more grey area. Azami, Okuni, and Sansaburo all seem like relatively decent people who happened to go through some unfortunate things that left them in hell, just like the prisoners Rin is working alongside. I loved the roles they ended up playing and how Tengoku Struggle: Strayside also took the time to tell their stories too.

Some minor things do come up that may keep Tengoku Struggle: Strayside from becoming someone’s next favorite otome game. The more minor ones are some issues that came up likely during the editing and localization process, and I wouldn’t be surprised if maybe a patch fixes up a few of those errors. Another issue is that this is absolutely a visual novel that feels like one route is the “right” and canon one. You won’t see some of these loose threads tie up until that storyline, which is unfortunate. Especially since it is the last one you get to. However, because you do have to go through the others first, at least that offers some resolution for the other enemy and ally backstories. 

On the plus side, even though there is so much going on in Tengoku Struggle: Strayside, it never feels like the romance is an afterthought. It’s very well integrated into the story. We’re really seeing Rin grow closer to the men she’s working with, and we get these pay-off scenes in the end as a reward for it. Even some of the “bad” endings are interesting when we get to see what happens to Rin and the individuals as a result of things not going as planned.

Tengoku Struggle: Strayside is a delightful otome game. This is the one you pick up and play if you like a well-rounded world, a heroine who stands up for herself and has a personality, and a cast of heroes and villains who all feel interesting. It’s easy to get invested in its story. 

Tengoku Struggle: Strayside comes to the Nintendo Switch on April 4, 2024. 

The post Review: Tengoku Struggle: Strayside Is a Heavenly Otome With Devilish Suitors appeared first on Siliconera.

Following its first appearance at the February 2024 All Aksys showcase, the company revealed the release date for the otome game fan disk Radiant Tale: Fanfare. It will launch on June 27, 2024, and there will be a special edition that includes the soundtrack.

As a fandisk, Radiant Tale: Fanfare will include both continuations of the main routes with original love interests, as well as side stories and an original tale. So for the epilogue section, people can continue their relationships with Ion, Radie, Paschalia, Vilio, and Zafora. The other segments fall into the Interlude and If sections, with the former being other stories from the original game that offer more insight into characters and the latter following Tifalia in a new role. 

When it comes to physical copies, Aksys is offering both a bonus with standard and exclusive editions. People will get a set of character cards with either the $49.99 or $59.99 copy if they pre-order it. These feature the original bachelors and Tifalia, as well as other characters. As for the company’s exclusive edition, the extra $10 cost nets you a soundtrack

Here are the teaser images for the character cards and soundtrack CD Aksys shared with us.

We’ll see another otome game from Aksys before the Radiant Tale fan disk debut. Tengoku Struggle: Straysidewill launch on April 4, 2024.

The Radiant Tale: Fanfare release date is June 27, 2024, and Switch owners will be able to pick up a digital or physical copy.

The post Aksys Otome Game Radiant Tale: Fanfare Release Date Set appeared first on Siliconera.

During the February 2024 All Aksys event, the company revealed details about the Tokyo Xanadu eX+ Switch versions and four otome games. Despera Drops and Tengoku Struggle: Strayside are new original titles, while Radiant Tale: Fanfare and Virche Evermore Epic: Lycoris are fan discs. There’s a Spirit Hunter: Death Mark II Switch, PS5, and PC February 15, 2024 release date confirmed as well.

As a reminder, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ is a Persona-like RPG from Nihon Falcom. Like the other title, people follow high schoolers with special Soul Devise abilities that allow them to protect the real world by heading into the Other World. The eX+ version adds additional content like insight into the character White Shroud. Tokyo Xanadu eX+ showed up on the Switch in Japan in June 2023, and is heading westward in June 2024. Aksys will also sell its four-CD soundtrack.

Tengoku Struggle: Strayside is one of the Aksys Switch otome games we already knew about. For this event, we got a release date. People will hepp the princess of the Underworld hunt down escapees on April 4, 2024. The standard version launch copies come with character cards, while the limited edition will include a soundtrack.

Despera Drops is the other entirely new otome game. It will be on the Switch in 2025. It follows a young college student named Mika Amamine who is held as a suspect in a murder, but then escapes with six criminals. All seven are pursued by the police and people who are after her specifically.

As for the two otome fan discs, they’ll both be out in 2024. Radiant Tale: Fanfare, the follow-up to the supernatural story about a circus gathering a certain sort of energy to save a prince, will be out in Summer 2024. That has five new epilogues for the existing love interests and two new routes with people you couldn’t pursue before. Meanwhile Virche Evermore Epic: Lycoris will appear in Fall 2024 and involves five new side stories that follow the original game.

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