Tag Archives: romance

video game reviews

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts: A Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts 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.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts is a dating sim FMV out now on Steam.

Hook

You move to the big city to attend university. It is your first time away from home but it is also your chance to find love. This will be your year, but things start off to a shaky start. The apartment you were going move into has been rented to someone else and you are forced to move into a shared house with strangers. To your surprise, you find your roommate is your cute childhood friend. Suddenly, you find yourself in a house full of women pining for your attention, but the attraction is mutual. Navagate your relationship with your roommates as you try to find love. Who will you choose?

Gameplay

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts is an FMV, which means you get to sit back and watch the events unfold, eventually making choices that will affect the ending. There are multiple endings, and the game makes it easy to collect them all. What makes this FMV unique is that it makes it easy to see what paths you are unlocking, which girls you are romancing, and you can ultimately plot your route to the ending you want.

Review

I want to preface my review by admit that I am a sucker for cheesy harem anime. I’d like to believe that I grew up during the golden age of harem anime, and it is easily one of my favorite genres. Sure, the waifus are a nice bonus, but I find the simplicity and cheesiness of these narratives comforting. My favorite anime of all time is Oran Host Club because it is cute, cheesy, and apparently I also like cute anime boys pining over me. (I’ve been on a bit of a Otome game kick lately).

Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts is the live action harem anime I didn’t know I needed. This FMV is a high quality production with a decent story. I appreciate that they didn’t force me to play mini-games, and I got to sit back and enjoy a fun romantic story. And yes, the girls are very cute.

Production

The production of this FMV is good for the most part. The sound is good for most of the game, but there are scenes where the mixing is off. The girls sound far away, there are echos, or the dialogue is unintelligible (not that I know much Japanese). The acting is fine for the tone of the game. A lot of the acting is over the top, and that is by design. There are some over the top moments that can be a little cringe, but everyone seems to be having fun so who cares. The camera is great, and if you want high quality shots of your favorite girl, the game will deliver.

Story

I will preface this section of the review with the admission that I used to watch bad movies for fun. That was back before Netflix ruined everything (thanks Kissing Booth 2). Sure I could go the theater and watch whatever blockbuster smash hit was going to hit its million, but there is something special about those low budget indie films that no one is ever going to watch. I’ve sat through some garbage, but I’ve also sat through some fun, low budget, cheesy movies that I still go back to every now and again (looking at you Sasquatch Gang). All of this to say that while the game may not have deep characters, expansive lore, the story is fun and I had a lot of fun playing through it.

Now this is a harem genre game, so don’t expect deep characters with tangible growth. This is a game where cute girls pine over the main character because the script demands it, but the scenes around these ideas are cute, fun, and the type of distraction you might be looking for. There is some bad dialogue, but there are some cute moments that I had to play through a second time to appreciate fully. The story may not be as good as something Love Too Easily or One Rotten Oath (for something more serious), but it is up there as one of my favorite. If you are looking for a cute game about dating even cuter girls, get Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts.

Conclusion

I am a sucker for FMVs and Roommates, Romance, and Ringing Hearts continues to cement this love for the genre. The game has cute girls, a fun story, and solid production. It is very over the top and cheesy, but it is part of the charm. There isn’t too much fan service, so you should be able to play the game safely in public. But if you’re looking for bit more fan service, you can always play Island of Hearts. This game is fantastic, and I ended up playing the game until I collected all the endings. Get your copy today!

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video game reviews

Why DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation is a Must-Play

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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.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

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.

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video game reviews

Amnesia: Memories Review – A Visual Novel Worth Playing?

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Amnesia: Memories 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.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

Table of Contents

What is Amnesia: Memories?

Amnesia: Memories is an anime Otome visual novel out now on Steam, Android devices, and the Nintendo Switch. It originally released on the PS Vita in 2015. For those who missed out on the special era of Vita visual novels, or those looking for a new visual novel, Amnesia: Memories might be your next game.

Hook

You wake up without your memories and a unique magical creature to take their place. They are here to help you recover your memories, the problem is that they don’t know what world you belong to. Choose a world (heart, diamond, clover, spade) and try to find your place in its world. Rediscover a forgotten relationship with the boyfriend you left behind, and make the choices that will give you the best endings. Will you regain your memories and find your true love, or will you die in the process. There are over 20 endings and hundreds of choices. Can you collect them all?

Gameplay

Amnesia: Memories is your typical visual novel. Players will read through the story, and you get to make choices along the way. The choices you make affect the ending, and choosing wrong gets you the wrong ending. This is your typical Otome game where you are getting romanced by different hot guys, although the heroine in this story feels a bit more passive. The stories are divided as follows:

  • Heart – Shin
  • Spade – Ikki
  • Clover – Kent
  • Diamond – Toma
  • Joker – Ukyo

The top four characters are playable from the start, the joker ending only unlocks after playing through all the stories. One nice feature the game has is that it lets you create multiple saves and save at any point in the story.

Review

As far as visual novels, Amnesia: Memories is fine. The game has great art, a solid score, and decent writing (mostly). My problem with the game is that not all of the paths feel worth it (looking at you Toma). That said, there is enough good to this visual novel to be worth at least one play through, but I wasn’t interested enough to collect all of the endings. There are guides available for the completionists out there, but I recommend going in as blind as possible.

Aesthetic

The art in this game is great if you enjoy anime. The character design is unique and memorable, and I like how they contrast against the often simple backgrounds. I like that cut scenes and transitions are minimilistic because it shifts the focus to the story and its characters.

Story

I will do my best to avoid spoilers, but there is going to be some minor spoilers. As far as Oteme games go, I do prefer something more cheesy like Celestia Chain of Fate. I enjoy reading sappy romantic novels, and some of these routes weren’t romantic at all (Toma). If you want a visual novel with a more serious tone, I recommend checking out Nobody Nowhere instead. Amnesia isn’t bad, but choosing the wrong lead is going to turn off some people. I started with Ikki (Spade) and almost gave up on the game because it was so boring. It wasn’t until I got to switch leads and play Kent (Clover) where I started to become invested. This could be a subjective critique, but I would start with Shin or Kent and then your choice of the other two.

Main Character

One problem I have with the game is that the main character sort of exists for all of these events to happen to her. She doesn’t feel tangible or real because there doesn’t seem to be any agency. She loses her memories and things sort of just happen to her. This should feel like a tense and scary concept (and at times it does) but it almost feels like it doesn’t matter.

Maybe I play too many Otome games, but I was making choices because it would get me the good ending not because it would necessarily lead me to something interesting. A good Otome game usually paralyzes me with choices as I try to figure out what I want and what bits of the narrative I want to explore, but I didn’t feel that much with this game. I just didn’t care enough about the characters or the world to want to explroe more.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a decent read and don’t care too much a story’s realism, Amnesia: Memories is fine. You get some solid stories, some creepy undertones, and solid art. The voice acting is fantastic and there are enough guides out there for those who want to collect some easy achievements. I still would prefer something more on the cheesy side like Celestia Chain of Fate. As far as Visual Novels go, you can do worse. If you do end up getting this game, start off with Kent and work your way to Toma. Both Toma and Ikki have boring stories that can ruin a playthrough (it nearly ruined mine). Overall, not the worst ways to spend $10.

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video game reviews

Revisiting Celestia Chain of Fate

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Celestia Chain of Fate to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.

Shameless Self Promotion

If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your aesthetic, check out my reviews for the Epomaker QK108, the Redragon Antonium K745 Pro, and the adorable KiiBOOM Meow Pudding keycaps. Check out my latest review of the Fifine M9 Microphone System and the Kiwi Ears Aventus Wireless Headset. The Huanuo Nitroglide dual monitor arm is also pretty cool.

Make sure you check out the free ways you can support me, like using my Amazon affiliate link before you buy anything. It really helps me out if you do. You can also always buy me coffee! Don’t forget to share this review with your friends!

What is Celestia Chain of Fate?

Celestia Chain of Fate is a romance fantasy visual novel out now for Steam and on the Nintendo Switch.

Hook

You have been enrolled into the prestigious school for Daemons, Angelus, and half breeds where you will learn to harness your magic. There are tensions between the races, and you do your best to navigate through the complex webs of relationships that exist in a school like this. In classic Otome fashion, you find yourself at the center of attention. Handsom boys will pine for your affection, rivals will try to make your life at school miserable, but luckily you have a support system to help you through it all. Make the choices that will affect the ending. Who will you choose in the end? The answer is, all of them.

Gameplay

This is interactive fiction without any voice acting. Players will read through the story, and make the occasional choice that will affect the ending. Playing through the game unlocks additional side stories that help flesh out the world, and add a little flavor to the characters you meet along the way.

Review

I’ve played through Celestia Chain of Fate when the game first came out. I loved it, but was very ready for a second play through. I was happy to find that the game still holds up. If you are looking for a solid Otome game and don’t mind the overall cheesy romance, this is a fantastic add to your collection. The story is very cheesy, and it isn’t going to be for everyone.

Aesthetics

The game’s art is fantastic, and it is what drew me to this game. The characters are all very good looking, and the world is drawn very well. There is some very cool art, with some fantastic music to get you in the right mood for romance. The only issue I have with the game is that the backgrounds are kind of ugly. Some scenes are a little distracting because the contrast between art styles is too much. The game does have  has some spectacular CGs that you are going to want to unlock to make up for it.

Gameplay

There isn’t too much to say about the gameplay. You are clicking through the text boxes with the occasional choice to mix things up. There is no voice acting, but it doesn’t need it. I usually read faster than the voice acting anyways. The game does work on the Steam Deck, but I couldn’t get the cloud save to work. I had to start over, which is fine, but the text is a little too small. I am old with tired eyes, so this might be a personal problem.

Story

The story is where I can feel the divide. I have been going through a romance anime kick lately, so I appreciate the story for what it is. Celestia Chain of Fate is a cheesy teen romance visual novel where handsome men pine for your attention. There are some very cringe moments, but there are also some sweet moments that make this the perfect cozy game in my collection. As a hetero male who is very comfortable with his sexuality, I can proudly admit that I like that handsome, supernatural men went out of their way to make me feel like the princess that I totally am. I don’t expect this game to be the piece of literary genius that will stand the test of time,  but its good enough for a couple hours of entertainment.

Conclusion

Celestia Chain of Fate is a fantastic visual novel for those of you who just want to enjoy fun cheesy romance. The writing isn’t deep or even that original, but it is a fun little journey that is worth playing through at least once. I very much enjoyed my revisit, and will definitely be back for a third as I try to collect all the endings. If you don’t mind the cheesy teen romance or the fact that you have to wait for a book too, it is worth getting into You can pick up Celestia Chain of Fate on Steam and on the Nintendo Switch. If you are looking for something a little more serious, check out Nobody Nowhere or my personal favorite, Urban Myth Dissolution Center.

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video game reviews

Genso Manège: A Captivating Visual Novel Review

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Disclaimer

I was sent a free copy of Genso Manège 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.

Shameless Self Promotion

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What is Genso Manège?

Genso Manège is an interactive visual novel out now on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Emma is a witch who has lost her memory and her powers, but fate has other plans for her. She finds herself back in a familiar amusement part with the people she had long since forgotten. Emma is determined to regain her powers and memories, and free those she trapped long ago. As Emma, players will explore a fresh and magical world, harness their powers over magic, and maybe even fall in love. With 6 romantic interesting, a wonderfully voice acted story, and some quirky little mini games, its going to be hard to pass up on this adventure.

Review

Genso Manège is a fantastic visual novel with great art, amazing voice acting, and a solid story. The story has decent pacing with interesting themes, fun characters, and mini games to keep players engaged. That said, the story is very much on the cheesy side of romance novels, but it fits the niche well. The hardest part will be choosing only one of leads, but that gives the game its replayability. I am definitely ready for another go.

I particularly like the use of minigames throughout the story. It gives the game an appropriate change of pace, and they have a good amount of flavor. The don’t feel distracting or overbearing, which can be a problem with interactive fiction.

Overall, if you’re looking for a new romantic visual novel with well flavored fantasy, you need to be playing Genso Manège. Pick it up on Steam and Nintendo Switch

video game reviews

Love Too Easily Review: A Cheesy Rom-Com Adventure

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I was sent a free copy of Love Too Easily to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.

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What is Love Too Easily?

Love too easily is a Korean Rom Com FMV out now on PC via Steam and GOG.

After a night of drinking, Yeonwoo wakes up with a headache and a vague memory of what happened. As she slowly regains consciousness she kisses someone, but she can’t remember who it is. Snippets of last night’s events slowly trickle in, but not enough for a complete story. She must now go out and piece together last night’s events, and hopefully find the love of her life. What will her investigation uncover?

Gameplay

Love Too Easily is an interactive story told through an FMV. Players watch the story unfold and make choices that affect the outcome. There are quick time events to keep players on the their toes, and multiple endings for added replayability. What makes this game unique are the interactive hand drawn mini games that break up the action in meaningful chunks.

Review

Love Too Easily is a fantastic FMV if you enjoy cheesy rom-coms. I loved every minute of it, but it can be a little much for those wanting a more serious narrative. I don’t understand Korean, but the acting seems solid, and there are enough twists to the story to keep things interesting.

The film production is solid, but there are scenes where you can hear an echo. The echo is a little distracting, but it isn’t unwatchable. There are also some cringy moments, but that comes with the secondhand embarrassment of choosing the wrong person and watching Yeonwoo get into an awkward situation.

This game is Steam Deck compatible, and it is a fantastic port. The subtitles are easy to read and everything looks good at the aspect ratio. This is a great portable game because you can sit back and enjoy the story.

One issue I had with the game was that the menu was in Korean at launch. This is an easy fix, but it does mean there will be some initial setup at launch. Another issue I have with this game is that you can’t skip cut scenes after you beat the game. I should be able to skip through scenes I’ve already played through. After two playthroughs, I didn’t have it in me to try again even though I wanted to get the true ending.

If you like interactive fiction and don’t mind the cheesy rom-com tone, check out Love Too Easily. It is a solid story with decent acting. If you don’t believe me, make sure you check out the demo.

You can pick up Love Too Easily on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and GOG for $21.99.

video game reviews

Celestia: Chain of Fate is a Cozy Story of Magic, Power, and Love

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I was sent a free copy of Celestia: Chain of Fate to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinion. This will be my honest review.

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What is Celestia: Chain of Fate?

Celestia: Chain of Fate is a romance visual novel coming to Steam and Swtich on September 12.

Aria lived her perfect life with her loving and devoted family. This all changes when she comes of age and is invited to attend the prestigious Academy of Celestia to learn how to harness her innate magical abilities. But fate has plans for Aria. The days leading up to the first day of classes seem to be filled with catastrophes, some even life-threatening. These days are also filled with chance encounters. She meets her rivals who are determined to make the rest of the year miserable, but she also meets the three boys determined to make it better. As the school year progresses, her relationship with one of these boys will develop into something deeper. Can she survive the year long enough to choose?

Gameplay

Celestia: Chain of Fate presents a compelling narrative with the occasional choice to make. These choices affect the narrative, and some will end the story early. Make sure you save often. The game allows you to save at any point in the story, and it allows you three separate save profiles. Most importantly, there is no voice acting, so be prepared to read. This game is like reading a cheesy romance novel, and that isn’t a bad thing.

Review

I am addicted to Celestia: Chain of Fate, and I am not embarrassed to admit it. This is one of the first visual novels where I felt the need to get all the endings. This was also the hardest because I didn’t know which character to choose as my romantic interest. They were all so cool.

The writing is cheesy and often predictable, but that doesn’t matter because the story is cute. I am not one for romantic novels, but this one hit the spot. I didn’t know how badly I needed to get swooned by a half daemon, but here we are on my 2nd play-through.

If you’re looking for a new visual novel and don’t mind it being a sappy romance novel, you need Celestia: Chain of Fate. The art is cute, the soundtrack is solid, and the story is comforting. It has a very cheesy tone with a predictable plot, but it doesn’t matter because it provides the coziest experience. I loved this game and recommend it to anyone looking for a new visual novel. Just make sure you save often. Magic school is dangerous, and I kept getting the bad endings. While it leans heavily on the cute tone, there is enough drama, conflict and danger in this story to keep things interesting.

Celestia: Chain of Fate releases on September 12 on Steam and Nintendo eShop for $29.99 ($39.99 for Physical), make sure its on your Wishlist. There is also a Steam demo available if you want to try it out first. I know it is not for everyone, but as a very old strait dude, I liked it a lot.

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Matchmaker Agency: A Cute Management Game About Romance

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I was sent Matchmaker Agency for free 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 of the game. If you enjoy my reviews, please leave a like comment, follow, and share this with your friends. You can also always buy me coffee!

What is Matchmaker Agency?

Matchmaker Agency is a management game out now on Steam. In a town defined by its romance, it is your job to facilitate it. Your grandparents used to run the town’s renowned matchmaker agency until their deaths. As the only other person in the family passionate about the business, your grandparents have left the keys to the business to you.

This task won’t be easy. It has been years since the shop was in business, and people have forgotten it is renowned. Build your clientele, run successful ad campaigns, make successful matches, and build your reputation. Can you build your agency to its former glory?

Gameplay

The goal of Matchmaker Agency is to build a successful business. There are logistical challenges that need to overcome like staying on top of your bills, maintaining your client’s satisfaction, building your reputation, and upgrading your place of business. These are decisions players need to make each week. While the main loop of the game is finding successful matches for your clients, staying on top of the business’ logistics keeps the lights on. 

To make matches, you’ll need to attract clients. You’ll do this by spending money on advertising, good word of mouth, and buying upgrades for your shop. When you attract a client, you’ll need to interview the client to find out what they want from their match. Once you have enough data and clients, you can set them up on dates. On dates, you’ll be presented with quick time challenges to help create a spark between your clients. If your matches are successful, you can keep building your business until you’re the best in the city.

Thoughts

I enjoyed Matchmaker Agency. It had a cute premise, a relaxing gameplay loop, and a fun art style. I’m not a huge fan of the genre, so I appreciate how casual this entry is. One unavoidable issue players will face is the awkward translation. There is some odd syntax that makes interviews tricky. It isn’t unintelligible, but it is noticeable. After a while, I kind of knew what the game was asking for, but I did fail some interviews because of the translation.

Another issue I had was with the dates. On dates, players are presented with issues and scenarios they have to react to. These choices affect the success of the date, but the timer goes by too quickly. Bundle this with the awkward translations, these challenges are unnecessarily difficult at times. I failed some challenges because I didn’t have enough time to make sense of my choices. It isn’t impossible, and eventually, you’ll know what the game wants, but it is something to consider. 

Despite the flaws, the game is fun. Matchmaker Agency is a casual management game with a quirky and fun story. It has a great art style, a fantastic soundtrack, and a relaxing gameplay loop. The translation issues are noticeable, but they aren’t a deal breaker. If you’re looking for a casual wholesome game and don’t mind the translation issues, grab Matchmaker Agency. 

You can pick up Matchmaker Agency on Steam for $19.99 (currently on sale for $16.99 for the next 15 hours).

video game reviews

Fabledom is the adorably wholesome village builder you should be playing

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I was sent Fabledom as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, this will be my honest review. If you enjoy my reviews, please make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends.

Fabledom is an adorable city builder available on Steam. The game is in early access, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it. It’s also got a healthy roadmap, and I am sure the game will get better. If you are looking to get into the genre, or simply looking for a new title to get into, Fabledom is a fantastic place to start.

Players start with a small population of peasants, limited resources, and an easy-to-follow tutorial. As your village grows, you unlock new mechanics. Fabledom lets players practice diplomacy with neighboring kingdoms, raise renowned heroes and armies, and find their true love.

Don’t let the adorable fairytale facade fool you. You’ll need to be tactical about how you grow your village. While I never hit the point where my village failed, I did hit bottlenecks in my progress that stemmed from my mistakes. I am sure there are guides designed to play Fabledom optimally, but I like learning from my failures. I always recommend going into these games as blindly as possible. It’s more fun that way. 

I am obsessed with this game. The gameplay is relaxing yet engaging, the art style is cute, and the music is such a vibe. This is one of those games you need to try at least once, especially if you are curious about the genre. You can pick up Fabledom on Steam for $11.99 (normally $15.99) until October 30th. It’s worth it at either price! 

Series Reviews

Romantic Killer: The cute reverse harem that I didn’t plan on loving

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If you haven’t watched Romantic Killer on Netflix, I strongly recommend you do so now. This series should at the very least be on your watch list, especially if you like anime. Romantic Killer is a cute anime with a lot of heart and exactly what you need if you are looking for comforting anime.

Anzu is a girl obsessed with video games with no intentions or time to find love. Unfortunately for her, a wizard appears and uses their powers to make her life into a dating sim. Anzu suddenly finds herself surrounded by hot guys and forced into situations that will decide her romantic future. Will this wizard succeed in their mission to help Anzu find love, or is she really as incapable of falling in love as she believes she is?

This series was originally intended as background noise as I built my gunpla kit. But my gunpla went unfinished as I quickly became absorbed into Romantic Killer’s silly and quirky plot. This series has a delightfully charming story with fun characters and a vibrant art style. I love how resistant Anzu is to the situation, but she is still willing to learn and grow from it. I love the awkward and hilarious situations the wizard puts her in. The only thing I don’t like about this series is that there isn’t an end yet, and I need to know what happens. I don’t want to get too detailed with this review because there is a bit of mystery to the plot that leads to its heartwarming resolution. The resolution and how all the pieces of the narrative connect is what makes this series special. I’ll admit that some of the plot points are a little forced, but it doesn’t matter when the result is this cute. I should go without saying that I love this anime. 

Regardless of what you think of anime, you should watch Romantic Killer at least once. It is cute, dumb, and very entertaining. It can be slow, especially during setup, but it is worth the journey. If you have Netflix and need something fun and comforting to watch, this is your answer.

I couldn’t find the trailer in English, but there is English dubbing and it is solid.