t1z4l

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.

Eastasiasoft kicked off its 24th showcase announcing new games by revealing the Hakuoki otome game spin-off Hakuoki SSL: Sweet School Life is finally going to appear in English on the Switch. The game originally debuted in 2014 Eastasiasoft was behind the release of the Switch version of the original entry as well. This entry will debut in “late” 2025.

For those new to this story, it takes familiar faces and brings them into a whole new setting for an AU (alternate universe) story. So Chizuru and the of the Shinsengumi are still around! However, they’re leading a decidedly more peaceful life with no supernatural elements. Chizuru is a high school student. Rather than being the only woman in the Shinsengumi, she’s the first girl to attend a formerly all-boys school. Okita, Saitou, Toudou, Yamazaki, Ibuki, Nagumo, Kazama, Kyuujyu, and Shiranui are all students. Kondou is the principal and Hijikata is the vice principal. Harada and Nagakura are teachers. Sanan is the school’s doctor. As in some of the later releases, there are routes for characters like Nagakura, Sannan, and Yamazaki. So we follow Chizuru through her new life at a new school and maybe help her find love along the way.

Here’s the full Eastasiasoft Showcase #24 from YouTube. It actually starts with a look at the AU Hakuoki otome game.

The opening movie is also available to watch:

Eastasiasoft confirmed that there will be digital and physical copies of the game available. We’ll find those at Playasia. In addition to the standard copies, 2,000 limited editions with acrylic character standees, Switch Joy-Con stickers, an art book, and a soundtrack CD will appear as well.

Here’s how the limited edition will look:

Hakuoki SSL: Sweet School Life will come to the Nintendo Switch in English in late 2025.

The post Hakuoki SSL: Sweet School Life Otome Finally Localized on Switch appeared first on Siliconera.

Idea Factory International shared the PS4 and PS5 release date for the horror JRPG Death end re;Quest: Code Z. It will be available digitally and physically, and there will be a $89.99/£84.99/€89.99 limited edition sold direct through the company’s online store. 

In addition to the game, the collector’s edition includes three other items. One is a padded mouse pad of the heroine Sayaka, which feature’s the game’s logo in the background. The other is the  Death end re;Quest: Code Z Official Art Book and Stories volume offering extra insight into the game’s development and its world. Finally, you get a CD of the official soundtrack. An IFI’s Online Store trading card for the game is included with purchases as well.

Here’s the Death end re;Quest: Code Z Limited Edition:

The opening movie for the third entry in the horror JRPG series is also online now.

As a reminder, Death end re;Quest Z isn’t appearing on as many platforms as expected, even though the PS4 and PS5 ones are appearing as planned. Initially, it was supposed to debut on the Nintendo Switch as well. However, that version ended up canceled in December 2024. Idea Factory International didn’t explain why plans changed. However, at the same time it also canceled the Switch versions of Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 2 Sisters Generation, and Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth3 V Generation. 

Death end re;Quest: Code Z will appear on the PS4 and PS5 outside Japan on May 13, 2025, and it is already available on the consoles in Japan.

The post Death end re;Quest: Code Z PS4 and PS5 Release Date Set 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.

Idea Factory and Compile Heart are reportedly working on a new numbered Hyperdimension Neptunia game. It appears that the new game will be announced before the end of 2025. [Thanks, ryokutya2089!]

As part of an interview in the issue of the Famitsu magazine, Hikaru Yasui, a producer and director for the Hyperdimension Neptunia series, reportedly said that the he has been working alongside artist and developer Tsunako on a storyline for a continuation of the series for the last 3 or 4 years. Yasui teased that 4 goddesses will appear in the next title, and the developers have plenty in store.

Yasui also said that the entire staff is currently working hard in order to announce the latest numbered entry in the Hyperdimension Neptunia series to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the series. While the information shared by leaker ryokutya2089 addresses the next game as a “numbered title,” this most likely refers to a mainline Hyperdimension Neptunia game.

As a reminder, the last main title in the series is Megadimension Neptunia VII, originally released for the PS4 on April 23, 2015 in Japan and February 2016 overseas. Without counting side games and spin-offs, there are only 4 main Neptunia games.

Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos is the latest game in the series, and it is now available for the Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5.

The post New Hyperdimension Neptunia Main Game in Development appeared first on Siliconera.

Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos feels like an idea entirely born out of a poorly fleshed out concept in the previous Neptunia game. In Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution, Neptune inexplicably has a motorcycle. So now, let’s make an entire Neptunia game about motorcycles!

Since that’s where all this seemingly began, let’s how well that motorcycle worked in the previous game. In short, it did not. It was an optional element to dungeons and every time I attempted to use it, I found it frustrating to use. Handling was awful, especially at high speeds, and the dungeons were rarely, if ever, built to accommodate a motorcycle being driven through them.

Not a great start for Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos then. However, what makes this game different is that the motorcycle is the point. As a result, the handling has been tweaked (mostly) and the levels are much more suited to being driven through. However, it’s also a conceptual oddity that strays a long way from the rest of the series.

Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos places you in the wide socks of Uzume, the Neptunia universe’s personification of the Sega Dreamcast. She finds herself waking up with no memories and an undying love for Dogoos – imagine Dragon Quest slimes with dog faces. However, she quickly realizes how weird this love is and snaps herself out of it, jumps on a motorcycle and heads out to find the other games console goddesses to see how they’re holding up. Spoilers: they are all also weirdly enamored with Dogoos.

If that all sounds mildly unhinged, that’s because it is. The storyline of Neptunia Riders is bizarre, but at the same time it fits perfectly with the weird gameplay. The focus on motorcycles may trick you into believing this is a racing game. It is not. Instead, imagine the battle maps from Mario Kart crossed with Katamari Damacy. Yes, it’s an odd combination but I cannot think of anything more fitting.

Your average level works like this – you and a partner character must gather a specific number of Dogoos. To do this, you drive around a map on your motorcycle, and every Dogoo you drive near will be absorbed into a floating mass that follows the bike around. A rival team made up of Dogoos transplanted onto disturbingly buff human bodies will also be trying to do the same thing.

It’s not clear why we’re collecting so many Dogoos, however. Some levels try and justify the concept as “we need to take the Dogoos away from our friend so she’ll snap out of it” while others don’t even bother trying. I respect that though, since any attempt to explain any of it logically would fall apart under scrutiny. This is not the kind of game for logic.

However, while there is a bizarre yet fun concept here, the execution in Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos is not great. Just like the motorcycle mechanic in Game Maker R:Evolution, the motorcycle handling is stiff and unwieldy. This is better than the previous game, but this is mostly because the maps are so vast you can mostly hit accelerate and not think much about precise steering. The bikes simply aren’t that enjoyable to control. As someone who enjoys a racing game or two, it was disappointing to find these bikes lacking the oomph I expect from a virtual vehicle.

Where it seriously falls apart is the drift mechanic. This a real shame because drifting serves two purposes. The first is because drifting is inherently cool. The second is to widen the capture circle around the bike, allowing you to vacuum up more Dogoos. However, this is some painfully limp drifting. It’s really just a brake with extra steps, as your turning circle drastically increases but your speed also plummets. There were countless times I attempted to swerve through a cluster of Dogoos with the intention of being cool as heck but ended up grinding to a halt. Let me feel those tires squeal! This is unacceptable!

The other mechanics in Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos outside of the driving don’t hold up well either. This is a vehicle battler, after all, so of course there are ways to attack the rival team. This causes your opponent to drop off their clumps and into yours, although be warned as they can do it to you too. The main two methods of attack are a melee attack and a homing shot. The Dogoos you collect can also be used to attack your rivals. There are many flavors of Dogoo that can be channeled into different abilities such as slowing down your opponent.

In theory, at least, because I couldn’t make any of this work in practice. Melee attacks have indistinct animations that seem to hit wherever they feel like, while the homing shot seemed to leisurely drift towards your opponent before fizzling out. As for the different Dogoo abilities, I never used them because they didn’t seem to work, even in the tutorial when I was explicitly being told how to use them. I wish I knew how the tutorial eventually ed what I was doing but sadly I do not. As such, I never touched the mechanic again for the entire playthrough.

What makes all this worse is how messy the game’s visuals are. The levels all blur together due to bland visual design, and within larger areas it can feel like you’re driving around in circles because of how samey it all looks. The worst issues arise with the game’s inconsistent draw distance, since Dogoos and your opponents can sometimes pop into existence without warning. Even when you are able to see them, the Dogoo mass surrounding an opponent is often indistinguishable from groups of Dogoos on the field. It also proves difficult to tell your partner from your rivals, as the chaos of everything means the only distinguishing feature is the color of the capture circle, which is also often obscured.

There is some charm in Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos, mainly within the character interactions. The story is nonsense but it’s the fun kind of nonsense. The kind where even the writers appear to be aware of how silly it is and are embracing it. The lengths that the various goddesses are going to in order to show their love for their new Dogoo "friends” is legitimately funny at times. One character is brought to her senses by reminding her of the existence of pudding. On top of that, the voice cast were clearly having a great time with all of this.

In other words, it’s a Neptunia game. It’s a clunky mess of a game where every mechanic is half-baked and each level is painfully repetitive. But it survives on the strength of how much it revels in its silly character interactions.

Overall, Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos is a strange game, and not necessarily in a good way. The concept is fun but poorly executed thanks to muddied visuals and unsatisfying driving mechanics. Fans may enjoy the character interactions but may still be put off by how much of a departure it is.

Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos releases for the Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5 on January 28, 2025.

The post Review: Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos Is a Strange Motorcycle Game appeared first on Siliconera.

Back in 2017, Tokyo Clanpool ended up launching for the Vita in Japan. Now in 2024, it will release worldwide on new platforms. Tokyo Clanpool will get an English global release on the Switch and PC in December 2024, and it will appear digitally and physically.

Tokyo Clanpool is a first-person dungeon-crawler with turn-based battles set in a dystopian future. Monsters from a Reverse City flooded Japan. To fight back, new Prime Minister Natsume Kannuki rallied her cabinet of warriors, which are called Diet Dolls in reference to the Japanese National Diet houses. Players will head into a dungeon tower to face the monsters and head to the source in the sky. 

The government theme also comes through in an approval rating system. The people are watching as you go on your runs into the dungeon. If your approval rating is high, the percentage will go up and you’ll get bonuses as you explore. Those can also apparently turn negative if you aren’t performing well.

Here’s the first English trailer for Tokyo Clanpool highlighting gameplay ahead of the Switch and PC release.

Eastasiasoft also confirmed Play-Asia will sell 3,000 Switch limited editions of Tokyo Clanpool in English. While standard physical copies will be $39.99, the LE will be $59.99. The bonuses in it are an art book, a CD soundtrack, poster, and stickers. 

Here’s how that looks:

Tokyo Clanpool is available on the Vita in Japan, and it will come to the Switch and PC via GOG in December 2024 in English and Traditional Chinese. 

The post Tokyo Clanpool Coming to Switch and PC in English appeared first on Siliconera.

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.

With two otome visual novels to read through and a veritable army of potential boyfriends to romance, Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom feels like it’s worth every penny. Despite its age, Otomate's consistent art style (for better or for worse) and the relatively sharp visuals keep this historical tale modern.

When I was a kid, I knew about Hakuoki in ing. My friend played it and came to school crying about Okita. Another friend watched the show and came out of it talking about how Okita is pretty great. So all I knew about Hakuouki prior to playing this on the Switch was that apparently, Okita is popular (hardly a surprise). So you can imagine my surprise when I learned that not only is Hijikata the actual canon love interest, but the story features vampires?! It was a huge shock to me, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. I’d spent sixteen years of my life thinking Hakuoki is a normal piece of historical fiction, only for it to be a historical fantasy otome instead.

Hakuoki covers the tale of Chizuru Yukimura, who's looking for her father, who is a missing doctor. (As a note, you can change her name if you want, but I recommend just keeping it so voiced lines don’t cut off.) Chizuru is a normal girl, outside of the fact that she can heal abnormally fast. She visits Kyoto while disguising herself as a male. However, she ends up getting into trouble with the notorious Shinsengumi when she sees something she shouldn’t have: Shinsengumi warriors losing control at the sight of blood and going berserk. In order to make sure she doesn’t blab about this to people, they force her to live with them. In time, they accept her as one of their own.

If you’re familiar with even a little bit of 18th to 19th century Japan and its politics, then you’ll be able to recognize a lot of the story beats when it focuses on the social and political climate surrounding the Shinsengumi. At times, the sheer level of detail the game gives about the group's history can clash with the more fantastical elements. The priorities just felt unbalanced. It started getting better later, but in the earlier chapters of the first game it almost felt like they were two separate stories that became one during development even originally. Some of the characters are new additions added in the Kyoto Winds and Edo Blossoms releases. Not everyone meshed well together at first. It’s very obvious who’s new and who isn’t, because new characters just seem to randomly appear before disappearing for large stretches of the story. 

As a whole, the localization is good. But when there were errors, they were usually ones that really stuck out. Iba’s introduction scene, for example, made a deep impression on me for reasons other than Mamoru Miyano. I had to re-read lines so many times to make sure my eyes and brain were working alright, especially since playing the game was the first thing I did that morning. When explaining the Water of Life (the serum that turns people into Furies), the doctor notes that the Chinese call it “xindn.” There is no such word. Most likely, they meant “xiandan,” if we’re using the Mandarin pronunciation.

I know that there is a lot of text to go through. I can’t even count how many times I thought to myself that I don’t envy the localizers for the workload and large amount of historical . But it’s precisely because the rest of the game reads well that these slip-ups become a lot more jarring.

The prevalence of specific to Japanese history can be confusing if you're not paying attention or if you're unfamiliar with the subject. I found myself going through the glossary multiple times because I couldn't certain allegiances. The story goes through the Shinsengumi history quite quickly, so sometimes it can be hard to follow. It definitely feels like Otomate aimed it at Japanese people who already learned about all of this in school.

Something about Hakuoki that I liked was that the story and characters took center stage in this otome game, rather than the romance. It’s hard for me to self-insert myself in the protagonist a lot of times in these otome games. I couldn’t connect with Chizuru at all and because she's a self-insert, she wasn't always the most interesting character to observe from an outsider's perspective. Maybe at the time of the game's original release, she was a breath of fresh air. Despite her overly considerate personality and her attempts to help even in situations where she can't help at all, she does take a proactive stance in the story. However, you could say that about tons of other otome game protagonists too. When I translated Winter's Wish: Spirits of Edo, I had a positive opinion of Suzuno precisely because of this personality type.

Despite Chizuru becoming the blueprint, rather than the exception, I enjoyed the plot and the characters nonetheless. I genuinely wanted characters like Harada, Heisuke, and Iba to get a happy ending. For the sheer amount of boys there are, the writing does a good job of giving them plenty of characterization and development beyond their basic tropes or shticks. To be frank, I didn’t finish all the routes in the game yet, but I'm excited to go back in and see what other interesting stories I still have to discover.

For both positive and negative reasons, Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom is a classic otome. The quality of the story and the characters are really good, and I can understand why people loved it. But playing it in 2024 after so many other otome games (and from Otomate to boot), it’s hard for me to see what made Hakuoki the special juggernaut it was at the time. Is it good? Oh yeah, if you’re big into otome or historical fantasy games. It’s great that you get both the Edo and Kyoto arcs in one convenient package without having to pay for two games like in certain releases. This is a game that stands very well on its own. But those curious about the legendary reputation of Hakuoki may come out of it scratching their head.

Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom is readily available on the Nintendo Switch.

The post Review: Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom Stands Tall 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 revealed a new game in the Madou Monogatari game series, titled Madou Monogatari: Fia and the Mysterious School, for the PS4, PS5, and Switch. The official website for the game is now live, with the Japanese release date set for November 28, 2024.

The game brings together former Compile creators to develop an RPG that maintains the nostalgic world and characters of the original series. The developer is Sting, with Hikaru Yasui as director and producer, Kazunari Yonemitsu and Kenji Oda advising, and Tobe Sunaho working as the character designer.

The story follows Fia, a girl aspiring to become a great mage, who enrolls in the Ancient School of Magic where her grandmother once studied. Players will explore the school, learn magic, and embark on adventures with friends. Along the way, she'll meet characters like Will, Rina, Toto, and Escha. Madou series staples like Carbuncle and Puyos will appear too.

The game will come in various editions in Japan. The Standard Edition is priced at ¥8,580 (approximately $60 USD). The Luxury Edition costs ¥17,380 (approximately $110 USD). That includes a includes an original card game, an acrylic diorama with interchangeable characters, and a specially designed box featuring artwork from the game. Digital Version at ¥8,580 (approximately $60 USD), and a Digital Deluxe Edition at ¥10,780 (approximately $70 USD). Pre-orders for the game are now open.

Madou Monogatari: Fia and the Mysterious School will come to the PS4, PS5, and Switch in Japan on November 28, 2024.

The post New Madou Monogatari Game Revealed appeared first on Siliconera.

At Anime Expo 2024, Idea Factory International announced five games, with two being new otome titles and another being the latest Hyperdimension Neptunia spin-off. All of the games that appeared are heading to consoles.

There are two otome games among the Idea Factory International Anime Expo 2024 games. These are Battlefield Waltz and Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights. Both will head to the Nintendo Switch.  In Battlefield Waltz, we follow a warrior-in-training named Ran and the five young men she meets at an academy for those who could become the best and strongest. Meanwhile, Temirana involves players helping the “Lucky Princess” as she finds love with one of the “Tragic Knights.”  

Here is the Vita trailer for Battlefield Waltz, as that’s where the game first appeared:

Meanwhile, here’s a Temirana trailer:

The new entries in Idea Factory International staples are Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos and Death end re;Quest: Code Z. The newest Hyperdimension Neptunia spin-off will show up on the Switch, PS4, and PS5 outside Japan. It involves racing motorcycles and the series’ classic Dogoos slime dog enemies. Death end re;Quest: Code Z is the third entry in the now trilogy, and it will also be on the Switch, PS4, and PS5. 

Here’s a Neptunia Riders VS Dogoos Japanese trailer:

You can see the Japanese Death end re;Quest: Code Z trailer below:

Finally, Touhou Spell Carnival will be on the Switch, PS4, and PS5 worldwide. It is a strategy game that still involves the bullet hell elements, as you’ll deploy and move the series’ classic characters on a grid, then use their bullets to attack. 

Here’s a Japanese trailer showing how it works:

The post Idea Factory International Anime Expo 2024 Games Include Otome, Neptunia 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.

Eastasiasoft confirmed people will be playing Hakuoki on the Switch this summer, as the release date is set for August 1, 2024. That’s when the digital version will appear and physical copies will start appearing.

Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom is based on the Kyoto Winds and Edo Blossoms releases. Those appeared outside Japan in 2017 and 2018 and split up the story of Chizuru and her possible romances with the supernatural Furies of the Shinsengumi into two parts based on the time spent in Kyoto and Edo. It also included additional love interests, such as  Keisuke Sanan and Susumu Yamazaki. This version also includes an adjusted localization.

Here’s the latest Hakuoki gameplay and release date trailer:

The physical copies of the game, which are only available through Play-Asia, will ship the same week as the digital copies debut. There’s a $49.99 standard version and $59.99 limited edition. The collector’s edition comes with an art book, CD soundtrack, and stickers.

The Hakuoki: Chronicles of Wind and Blossom Nintendo Switch release date is August 1, 2024. It is also available on the PSP, 3DS, PS3, Vita, PC, and mobile devices worldwide and PS2 in Japan. The physical copies will begin to appear that same week. The anime adaptation is streaming on Crunchyroll.

The post Hakuoki Switch Version Release Date Falls in August appeared first on Siliconera.