WELL HERE IT IS. You nerds asked for it! You wanted it, and here it is! I COULD HAVE EASILY WRITTEN ABOUT SOMETHING DARK LIKE HORROR OR THE TRAUMA BEHIND TALES OF ARISES' MAIN CAST...
But no. Noooo. Ya'll wanted me to dig through my giant pile of anime dating sims to recommend some! Which, let's be real, is incredibly daunting of a task.
Some context; I'm sure everyone has heard of the dating sim genre. A spin-off of the visual novel, it's basically the same thing but you are picking options to romance a character in the story. Some are more intense then that, with different options forcing you to a bad ending, good ending, etc. For some, it's incredibly daunting and, well, a lot. Dating sims are meant to be replayed more then once, and your meant to find your one character you've fallen in love with.
Otome, which translates to 'Maiden', are a type of dating sim where...it's basically a reverse harem. You are a (more often then not) female main character who has a bunch of anime dudes after your hear. It's filled with the stereotypical 'man whose head over heels' and 'man who couldn't care less but secretly loves you', etc etc. You basically have anime men crashing their way to get you to love them. Which, let's be real, for people who are into that?
Is fantastic.
But! Otome is a huge genre and there is so many games in it. Thankfully, while the genre is still niche over here, there is plenty to choose from-and their easy to get, too! So in this list, I will go through my personal top 5 starter otomes someone can easily buy right now. I'll try to mix it up with the genres and such, and even will include one that teeters on the line of erotic...you know, for those of you over the age of 18.
NOW LET'S BEGIN
1. Pub Encounters -Switch, PC, Mobile
-Alright fine, I'm starting with the erotica out of the way first. Also, my all time favorite one. Pub Encounters is the only game on this list that has borderline erotic scenes. We're talking sex, here, folks. Kinks, public displays of (very graphic) affection. And hell, if that's your thing, Pub Encounters is your game!
You play an average office lady, bored on her walk home as you take a detour and find...a pub in an alley. Walking in, you meet some fantastic men. Yuze the executive, Arashiro the Yakuza lawyer, Kodama the detective, Hodo the author and the bar manager, Toyoizumi. We ain't talking anime boys here--this are men in their 40s-50s. The heroine herself is implied to be early-30s. So if your getting tired of your average otome with nothing but boys, I highly recommend Pub Encounters. Especially if you like your romance steamy and angsty!
Just a quick heads up for those looking to try this one out, be warned of some content warnings! Mentions of assault, abuse, voyeurism...Pub Encounters is not for the feint of heart, and I do not recommend it to everyone!
2. Code: Realize - Switch, Playstation, PC (and there's an anime if that's your jazz!)
-A lot of times, Otomes like to do this thing where they take from existing medium. Like old history, fairytales, etc. Call it a trope, call it brilliant, it's always fun. And no otome does it better then the Code: Realize series. You play as Cardia, the game's main lady. You know nothing about your past, just that your Father put a crystal in your chest that makes your skin and blood poison. Whose your Father, why did he do this...and who will you kiss??
Code:Realize is well known for it's take on historical book characters! You have Arsene Lupin, Saint Germain, Impey Barbicane, Victor Frankenstein himself and Abraham Van Helsing. This men are determined to help you, but you can only choose one to help you find your true heart!
...I'm so sorry for that pun. If you enjoy getting lost in a good book, steampunk and "whoa is me you cannot even touch me!" drama, Realize is a great otome starting point--and with so many sequels! So many....
3. The Arcana - Mobile
-Out of every otome on this list, this is probably the one most people have heard of, at least in passing. And a fantastic example that western developers are creating some fantastic romance games. Arcana is also one of the games on our list that features romances for multiple genders!!
You play as a Magicians apprentice, and are sent on your own to discover the world (and the people) around you. The game plays in segments, as is based off a tarot card system. Fantastic art, a beautiful story and some of the best romances I've seen in a game! This is a great first pick as you just need a phone!
Just know going in, as this is a mobile game, there is an option for purchases to ease the story a bit faster/unlock optional paths! So enjoy at your feelings of that! (Also as I write this, I miss this game, and specifically Julian, so much. Ahhh!)
4. Collar X Malice - Switch, Playstation.
-Now, everyone knows I'm kinda into true crime. I do enjoy myself some Oxygen nights and podcasts and such. Collar X Malice? Now that mixes two of my favorite things. Crime stories and otome! Now a little content warning, your main character in this title is a cop. If you can look past that, you'll be able to dive into a story about terrorist plots, hot anime guys and...a bomb strapped to you neck?
Your MC (main character) is taken hostage by a terrorist group that is threatening to bomb Shinjuku--where you work. You wake up to a group of men; Aiji, Kei, Mineo, Takeru and Kageyuki. Some of them want you dead, some want to smooch you...it's a great (and tense) combo!
If you enjoy a side of bomb plots and collar play in your dating sim (and don't mind the cop part) I highly recommend Collar, as you'll be getting some cute romance to your heavy lore dumps!
5. Café Enchante - Switch.
-And, last but not least, I give you a cute favorite.
Setting the scene; Kotone's favorite childhood memory is working with her grandpa in his mystical café. When he dies and she inherits it, she finds out the patrons of his little shop are anything but normal. She finds a door in the back of his office that leads into a mystical world-and mystical boys!
Misyr the demon, Canus the headless knight, Il fado the fallen angel, Ignis the demon and, well, Karou and government agent! These men were all patrons of your grandfather--and desperately want to be your patrons as well! The main reason Enchante is on this list is just how...beautiful it is.
Painting-style art, great guys and, a headless horsemen in a vest. Come on. It's a great starting point for people of the monster-loving variety, and someone who just desperately wants something different then standard anime boys.
Well, I hope you all found something your interested in! My favorite thing about the otome genre is just how...welcoming it is. For people new to visual novels and those who just want a hardcore story. Their emotional, powerful, fun and most of all...romantic!
I hope everyone has a fantastic Valentines day. Hug someone you love, friend or more. And enjoy some cute dating sims this time of year!
