Thrifty Gaming: Games That Won’t Blow Your Budget #58

Hey there Heroes, Travelers, and Wandering NPCs, it’s once again that special time of the week—Thrifty Thursday!

In a world where it’s all about the almighty dollar, sometimes it’s a little tough to make our pennies stretch enough to accommodate our hobbies. But, there are plenty of ways to balance your budget while still enjoying the things you love, you just have to be a little thrifty about it. So, I created Thrifty Gaming in order to spotlight some lesser known indie titles that are both entertaining an affordable.

If you’re a new follower or someone who has been following since my Nice Job Breaking It Hero days and have been gone for awhile, here’s a refresher… Thrifty Gaming, is a weekly post series where I spotlight three games/visual novels that are under $10.00. These can be mobile games, PC games, and a few times I have found some nice indie console titles too. The list used to focus on just otome games and romance visual novels, but after requests from a few readers I have since expanded to other gaming genres. I don’t include sales or limited time offers, each title has to be consistently priced at $10.00 or less without any promotions to be included in this line up.

Note, these are not reviews, rather recommendations so your mileage may vary with some of these titles. This week’s post will include a brief synopsis and links to each game so you can add them to your gaming library! You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy your hobbies, so save a little bread and check this week’s thrifty gaming picks!

**AI•DOL (2018) – *Ebi-Hime***

Cost: $10.99*

Windows, Mac, & Linux | Steam

Set fifteen minutes into the future, AIdol is about a new craze that’s been sweeping Japan: virtual idols.

Virtual idols look like normal humans, but they’re made of wire and circuitry. They can sing better, dance better, and entertain better than any human could ever hope to, and their devotion to their jobs is unfailing.

The protagonist, Hana, is a young high school student who loves virtual idols – particularly Aiko. Aiko is the postergirl of the famous company Lyriq, and one of the most popular virtual idols to ever exist. Aiko is the nation’s darling, and though Hana adores her, she knows she’ll never get a chance to speak to her. Aiko is simply too far out of her reach.

That is, until one day, when somebody claiming to be Aiko starts sending Hana text messages asking for help. Aiko tells Hana that she’s in severe danger of malfunctioning, and the only person who can save her is her original programmer… but nobody seems to know where they are, and nobody is willing to help her.

Left with no alternatives, it’s up to Hana (and an eclectic cast of characters she meets along the way) to save Aiko from being turned into scrap metal!

-Synopsis

AI•DOL is a mid length, family-friendly visual novel developed by Ebi-Hime, the creator behind Empty Horizons and Sweetest Monster. The game follows Hana, as she attempts to save her favorite virtual idol, Aiko. Interact with an eclectic cast of quirky characters and explore each of the unique story routes and endings!

*This game is slightly over the $10.00 limit.

Viviette (2018) – DYA Games

Cost: $6.99

Windows, Mac, & Linux | Steam | Nintendo Switch

Uncover the secrets and mysteries of Neuville’s Mansion. Test your logic against diverse puzzles, locate and use a variety of items, and don’t lose your sense of direction, as navigation itself becomes an obstacle in your path.

-Synopsis

Viviette is an exploration, puzzle game with just a touch of classic horror developed by DYA Games. Explore Neuville Mansion, solving puzzles and collecting items that will help you on your journey. Uncover the truth behind the manor’s many secrets and unlock each of the game’s many endings.

The Death of Erin Myers (2019) – Viperante

Cost: $1.99

Windows, Mac, & Linux | Steam

Erin Myers was a cop. Now she’s dead. But how did she die? And why did she die? Find out, as you step back in time, and play through some of the most important moments of her life. Uncover her fears, her desires, and her darkest secrets. In the end, you can’t save her. But maybe, just maybe, you can understand her.

-Synopsis

The Death of Erin Myers is the first installment in Viperante’s Short Story Series, an anthology of five standalone and self-contained point-and-click adventure games. This segment takes roughly 1-2 hours to get through—interact with other characters and search for clues about the events leading up to the death of Erin Myers.

That’s it for this week’s thrifty buys, but, don’t worry I’ll have more titles for in next week’s post, so be on the look out for that next Thursday! But, if all that extra money you saved is burning a hole in your pocket and you just can’t wait for next week’s list, definitely check out some of my previous Thrifty Gaming posts, there are tons of games for gamers who like me are ballin’ on a budget!

Thank you for reading and Supporting Blerdy Otome! If you like what you see be sure to drop a like or a comment to let me know your thoughts on this week’s Thrifty Picks!!