Thrifty Gaming: Games That Won’t Blow Your Budget #76

Hey Blerdy Tribe! It’s 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!

Cinderella Phenomenon – Evermore (2020) – Dicesuki Games

Cost: $9.99

Windows and Mac | Steam

Two years after the events of Cinderella Phenomenon, Crown Princess Lucette of Angielle is still learning to grow into her roles as a ruler and the Tenebrarum Bearer. After breaking her Fairytale Curse and saving her kingdom, Lucette believed she had finally gotten her fairytale ending.

…But what happens after Happily Ever After?

It turns out true love is a lot more complicated than the fairytales make it seem. Join Lucette as she learns to navigate both life and love in a kingdom forever changed by the Fairytale Curses.

-Synopsis

Cinderella Phenomenon: Evermore is a fandisk developed by indie studio Dicesuki Games, so it is recommended that you play the first game, Cinderella Phenomenon before starting Evermore. The game follows storylines that occur two years after the original game’s good endings. Return the Kingdom of Angielle—follow Lucette and the rest of the Marchen crew into their happily ever after in these short after stories. Make choices that guide the course of the story and unlock one of two unique endings per route.

Spare Parts: Episode 1 (2020) – Sophie Rose

Cost: Name Your Price (itch.io) | $2.99 (Steam)

Windows & Mac | Steam

Lucy’s fresh out of her parents’ home and looking for a foothold to start the rest of her life, but with no experience and only one friend, she’s having trouble finding a job. That is, until she stumbles into a shop run by a mysterious woman who, for some reason, hires her on the spot. Unable to keep her nose out of others’ business, Lucy finds herself caught in a much more complicated position than she bargained for.

The beginning of a story about the long struggle for a peaceful life, and the parts of ourselves we must sacrifice to make it there.

-Synopsis

Spare Parts: Episode 1 is a short LGBTQ positive visual novel developed by Sophie Rose. This is the first installment in a proposed series of visual novels following Lucy as she navigates the ups and downs of striking out on her own. Help Lucy find her way and maybe develop a romance with some cute robots along the way! Occasionally you will encounter choices that guide the narrative in the form of actions that focus on how Lucy interacts with certain situations and people. The first episode takes a few hours to complete and introduces the main characters and the story.

Beyond the Deep (2017) – Godline

Cost: Free

Windows and Mac

A mermaid princess wonders about what lies in the great beyond.

Does she decide to go out there and see for herself? And who will she find helping her along the way?

The mysterious loner of a merman, or perhaps a reliable childhood friend?

-Synopsis

Beyond the Deep is a short fantasy romance visual novel developed by Godline Games for the game jam Ludum Dare 38. Choose to get close with one of two attractive mermen–Triss, your fun loving childhood friend or Calder, a lone traveler. Make choices that will determine the course of the story and unlock each of the game’s unique endings!

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!!