Like all full-time students I am confident enough to say that I know the value of the dollar. Sometimes money just doesn’t stretch the entire month; between rent, food, bills, food, metro fare, food, books, tuition, and did I mention FOOD money seems to disappear at an alarming rate. But my pitiful part-time retail slave paycheck still allows me some pleasures. And by pleasures I mean paying for the company of sexy 2D pixel men, thanks to the wonderful world of mobile otome games. But, with so many options, which ones are best?
Pros and Cons of Free to Play Social Mobile Otome Games
Pros of Free to Play Social Games
- Well for one they’re FREE. As a student free-99 is my friend. Free food especially, but a no commitment rendezvous with a sweet piece of pixel booty—now that is a dream come true.
- There is a community aspect to social games that some paid games never have. As annoying and time-consuming as Friend Collaboration Events and Missions are, they force the player to reach out and bond with others within game.
- It forces me to pace myself. The daily free five ticket/pass is a lesson in self-restraint if I ever saw one…I am forced to literally savor every choice and every piece of dialogue, because when that last ticket disappears I have to wait 24 hours for the next reload.
- Finishing a route is a mini accomplishment! If you are like me and you don’t spend money on extra tickets, you know that it can take weeks if not months to finish a route. But when you do, the satisfaction is worth any early clear bonus!
Cons of Free to Play Social Games
- I have to wait and for me distance does NOT make the heart grow fonder, no, it makes the heart wander. I can go months without playing a game.
- Checkpoints really put a damper on the flow of the story. Imagine if you will: Your pixel man is about to confess his undying love to you. He is leaning in his perfectly drawn face is inches from your own, he’s about to speak so you click for the next line of dialogue, when, BAM, an item checkpoint!
- Free doesn’t really mean free, not when you have to pay real money for coins, which buy you premium items, which in turn get you PREMIUM ENDINGS!!!!
Pros and Cons of Pay Per Route Mobile Otome Games
Pros of Pay Per Route Games
- I get the entire story, no checkpoints, no waiting, nothing stands in the way of my love!
- Sound, glorious sound! BGM and VOICES!!! Granted, some free games have BGM, but I get to hear the characters talk!
- I can replay the story! There is a replay value with paid games that doesn’t exist with the free to play games. If I want to relive a story I can do so without worrying about items, coins, etc.
Cons of Pay Per Route Games
- The money! Some games can be costly, even if you pay by route, you could wind up spending $20-$30 on just one character and if you like more than one character that number can double if not triple. Then there are the sub stories and sequels. Some games allow you to pay on flat fee for all stories and routes, but even that can be costly. (P.S. SUPPORT PAID GAMES!!!)
Final Thoughts on Mobile Otome Games
I prefer pay per route otome games over fremium games
My usual go to is Voltage Inc, because they are the most accessible, but I have been known to dabble in the independent games, patches, etc. I am pretty open to suggestions when it comes to getting my otome fix. But despite my meager earnings, I still prefer the quality and reliability of paid games over free social games. There is no time limit on my experience and I can spend all day with my 2D love. While waiting until 5 AM for passes in free social games to reload has me feeling like I’m watching paint dry.
Not to say free games aren’t as fun as paid games, heaven’s no, there are some free games that far surpass anything the paid games have to offer, but the instant gratification of completing an entire story in a single night does give them a considerable edge.
At the end of the day it comes down to preference
In the end the choice really comes down to preference, I just prefer paid games. I don’t hate free social games like the Shall We Date series or the Voltage Party series, I just don’t have the patience for them. Between school, work, and sleep, I don’t really have too much time for games like I used to. So if I don’t get to play the next chapter, like now, chances are I won’t play it at all.
I will admit that sometimes the plot of the social games like the Voltage Party games are better than the paid app versions, but at the end of the day I feel like I get more bang for my buck when I pay for the route.
