Disclaimer
I was sent a free copy of DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
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Table of Contents
What is DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation?
Idea Factory brings the DATE A LIVE series to Steam and PS4 in one fantastic package. DATE A LIVE is a romance visual novel never before localized. Gamers will get access to three novels: Rinne-Utopia, Rio-Reincarnated, and Arusu install (played in that order). If your in the mood for some cheesy harem anime to read this summer, here is where you need to start.
Hook
Our story starts thirty years after the spacequakes. These are cosmic disaster that brought with it powerful beings known as Spirits. Spirits posses great power, but they are unstable. Left unchecked, they can cause great harm to the world. Shido Itsuka is an average high school student, but the only one in this world with the power to save everyone. Forced in the middle of all this chaos, Shido must date the Spirits and use the power of love to save them. Get ready to collect some waifus as you use your powers of romance to create the perfect dates that will save the world. How long will it take you to collect all the endings?
Gameplay
The game is a dating sim/visual novel. Players can date 11 different characters with unique personalities, choose from 150 dating events, and your choices matter. Once you are done with this game, there are light novels, anime, and a movie you help you get even more waifus.
Does it work on the Steam Deck?
DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a fantastic title for your Steam Deck. The resolution is perfect and most importantly, the text is legible. I have old eyes and have a hard time with visual novels on my Steam Deck (especially since my daughter hid my glasses), but this felt like reading a book. I prefer the experience on the Steam Deck because I can read in bed or on the couch, and any time I can spend away from my computer is a plus to me. Especially since I couldn’t put this game down.
Review
DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a visual novel I’ll recommend to everyone. While it is a little on the cheesy side, and the fan service might turn some folks off, it is the fun and quirky story you need right now. It has great art, and enough content to be worth the full price. It is currently on sale for $10 on Steam until July 9th 2026, which is a steal!
Aesthetic
As a huge anime fan, I have no notes. I love the character design, and I appreciate that they don’-t get too lazy with with backgrounds. Waifu hunters will appreciate the fan service, and the features that let you screenshot. Casual anime fans will appreciate the cute anime girls and dates you get to go on. I don’t speak much Japanese, but the voice acting seems solid, although I started reading faster than the characters would talk so my sample size is a little limited.
Story
I have a soft spot for cheesy harem anime, and I have a history of snapping up these types of games. I was incredibly excited when this game was sent to me, but I was not ready for how good this visual novel would be. The writing is solid, the pacing is great, and there is enough unique scenarios that make me want to 100% this game. The supernatural elements are well done, but I love me some cute anime girls and here I am, trying to appease them all. If you enjoy cheesy harems as much as I do, you probably already have this game in your library. If you don’t, it needs to be. Especially now that it is on sale. If you already have this game in your library, Celestia: Chain of Fate is a cheesy reverse-harem visual novel that isn’t as good, but might be up your alley.
Conclusion
My collaboration with Idea Factory has been a difficult one because I can’t put the games down. Regrettably, I have slowed down my posting schedule because I would rather be playing the games. This was probably the hardest title to put down because of how much fun I had with the dating sim. The hardest part about this game is choosing a waifu, especially since I don’t have the time to collect all of them. I’ll settle for Tohka for now. I have never read the novel or watch the anime, but I think its time to start. While the game does make a few references I didn’t quite understand, I was a fan Fans of the series already have this game in their library, and new fans need to have it soon. Honestly, if you are looking for something to read and don’t mind the fan service or over the top-cheesy anime antics, this is the book for you. Best of all, it plays on your Steam Deck so you can read this from anywhere.
You can pick up DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation on Steam and PS4. If you are looking for more visual novels, check out After Love Ep if you want something more serious, and Harmony: The Fall if you want something beautiful.