Otome Recs

I’m terribly starved for recs but I also fear spending a bit of money on a game I won’t enjoy lolll

What platforms do you have available?

Switch, PC, and mobile!

What languages are you ok with? English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean etc

English

How much do you want to spend, or do you have budget concerns, or do you want to play for free?

No budget at the moment! I can afford to splurge a little

What games have you already played and what did you like about them?

I’ll preface with almost every mainstream mobile game.

Voltage Inc mobile games. Mobile games were easiest to get into bc of only paying for certain routes, but I’ve played just about every one so I need to expand my horizons lmao. Some notable favorites are Her Love in the Force (the action, big fan of Tsugaru’s slow burn, love Ayumu’s character and route as a whole, and I love Kurosawa. Betrayal is delicious.) Rose in the Embers (writing and art was gorgeous, all of the LI’s are fun to read no matter what), and Romance MD: Always on Call (their best Love365 game imo. Phenomenal. Everything. Even if I don’t care for a character their route was outstanding. So plot and character heavy and so good.)

Even if, Tempest. Literally THE best otome I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing. God I love everything?? The plot, the pain, the characters, the gameplay, the way it destroyed me a million times over and I fell in love with every single character and the MC was amazing. It was just so well written and executed, the gameplay mechanic was really fun. Had great side characters (let me date Maya pls). The soundtrack, art, and sprites are all gorgeous. I,, ugh,,,I love it sm

Amnesia. Not the biggest fan, honestly, but I’ve played it and it was decent enough to do every route. I think I just wanted to date Sawa 😵‍💫. I probably like Ukyo the best. Then Kent. Everyone else was eh. Toma’s on my shit list.

Uhh most Shall We Date? Games. I like the variety of LI’s so there’s guarantee to be a few I fall for. I also think the mythical plots are super fun (but I like realistic ones as well!) Guard Me, Sherlock was cool (I liked Sherlock and Jack the Ripper,,,,) and Lost Alice was super cute! Ah, can’t forget Obey Me. Love the polyamorous aspect, gender-neutral MC, and most of the guys are just chill,,, for the most part.

I have Hakuoki but haven’t finished it!

I technically have to get Piofiore because I bought the sequel not realizing it was the sequel lmfao. I hope I enjoy it.

And indie games like Our Life! Everything about a game like that is phenomenal hahaa, but it’s one of a kind.

What's more important in the story to you - plot or romance?

Yes? I’m okay with Even if, Tempest levels of romance at least. Some routes weren’t crazy explicitly romantic at all. But it wasn’t about the physical or superficial intimacy, it was about the deep emotional intimacy, how the characters clearly fell in love even if it wasn’t in a traditional dating fashion. Honestly felt more romantic than other games I’ve played where they have more intimate moments. But if a game isn’t as plot heavy as Even if, Tempest, I really like for it to be character heavy and have a solid romance. Essentially romance can be sacrificed for outstanding plot as long as it’s at least emotionally romantic, otherwise, extra romance to compensate!

What character or plot tropes do you like? What preferences do you have in terms of genre and love interests?

As for genre, I’m open to any! Played all and loved all.

One thing I love is a very lovable and capable MC. If I love the MC, I’ll enjoy the game even if I’m playing a route I don’t prefer. Some of my favorites are the later seasons of Her Love in the Force, Scarlet Fate, Season 1 Kiss of Revenge (I like her when she’s cold lol), and Even if, Tempest. It’s awesome when she drives the plot instead of being dragged around by it.

I also like a more forward MC in terms of intimacy. Sometimes I want them to pin the LI down and make him blush :’). Speaking of which, blushing/more submissive LI’s have my heart.

Love interests vary! Idk if I can narrow down a particular trope when I like so many different ones 😵‍💫.

One trope I have a craving for though is eccentric ‘evil’ (not really) love interests. Like the witch from Even if, Tempest. I would kill to romance him tbh. I also enjoyed (Mystic Messenger) Rika’s bad end. And I would kill to romance Unknown instead of Saeran/Ray. I prefer Unknown’s obsession over Saeran’s abuse. And Aterui from Scarlet Fate. Adore that man. Also like (Amnesia) Ukyo’s second personality hits and (Star-crossed Myth) Dui’s second personality hits. Both as a hot bf and when he was trying to kill MC 💀

I can name some of my all time favorite Love Interests that aren’t like,,, a lil crazy lmao! Tyril (EiT), Tsugaru and Ayumu (HLiTF), Tsumugu (otbs), Kaisei (KOP), Tsukumo (RitE), V (Mysme), Kenshin and Kaede/Sogo (SLBP), Dui (SCM), Aterui (Scarlet Fate), Kevin (BMP2), Mammon + Solomon (Obey me). And there’s plenty more I super like, these are just some I LOVEE.

Do you have anything that you really dislike in otome games?

While I adore banter, I hate tsunderes that end up just straight up bullying the MC. I like even back and fourth, not one-sided berating. Just straight up rude domineering love interests aren’t it for me either (except Kaga HLiTF. Idk why). Consent issues. Mildly dubious consent deals or like,, unaware sleepy cuddly touching (directed at slbp Kenshin lmfaoo), are all fine. As are kinda hot bad end deals, such as (Mysme) Saeran (Even if Tempest) Tyril and Crius . Just like,,, straight up SA ain’t it. Also lines that feel weirdly borderline misogynistic (on what women should do or are capable of) or ‘all men are wolves’ I can’tttt, I’ve read enough of that for a lifetime 😭

As I said I love strong MC’s, thus I dislike super meek MC’s who make decisions that make me wanna pull my hair out lmao. I also don’t like the super innocent blushes when so much as looked at type. I get it, romance makes me nervous too girl, but jeez at least be able to kiss him of your own accord 😭. Being more passive is okay ig, not my preference though.

What do you consider value for your time and money? Voice acting, length of game and amount of content, amount or quality or consistency of art, physical copies, language options, after story and bonus content, confidence that you will like most Lis etc

For me, the most important is quality, gorgeous art (I cannot play a game with questionable art), and a range of LI’s (and an MC) I’ll mostly like. The reason I haven’t played most popular mainstream otome and resorted to mobile games was because broke era, and I could pick and choose which LI’s I want on mobile. Usually, I only like one or two out of the whole lineup. Even if, Tempest is the only big, paid game I’ve played that I loved all the LI’s, and it convinced me to ask for recommendations to expand my horizons. I just don’t wanna pay the full price if I only like one or two LI’s. The plot, art, and good characters are what make or break it for me! The plot doesn’t have to be crazy in lieu of really good characterization and character interaction though! I care way more about good characters than a fancy plot, that’s just the icing on top.