2023 Switch Otome Retrospective

The Crimson Flower that Divides Lunar Coupling

• Release Date: February 23, 2023 (Switch) | June 7, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: HuneX

“On a continent where the number of women has drastically decreased due to an incurable disease known as “The Rot.” The heroine, Naala was welcomed into the royal family and began to feel at ease in her life as Auri’s bride. However… The nightmare begins again, as a decision will have to be made in front of the Nasla army that is kidnapping women.“

Personal Thoughts: I’d heard how steamy this game was and I’d be lying if I wasn’t a bit put off by the censorship of the English release. That said, there was plenty of spicy moments to get the blood pumping!

I have mixed feelings about a “sexual” otome game being set in a fantasy middle eastern setting, but can’t say I disliked the aesthetic and character designs.

Favorite Character in Crimson Flower

Norn9: Var Commons

• Release Date: March 30, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Aksys Games

“Explore a History that Never Existed! Sorata, a child prodigy, wanders away from his class field trip and awakens in a new but oddly familiar setting.

He is taken to the Norn, a massive floating airship. Aboard he meets others – young people known as Espers, each with unique powers to control elements… or human minds. The land below them resembles the past, but everything is changed and under the control of a massive organization known as The World. Unravel the mysteries surrounding Sorata’s journey and his companions.”

Personal Thoughts: The re-release of Norn9 Var Commons for the Nintendo Switch is a HUGE improvement on the old Vita port. This is the definitive Norn 9 Var Commons experience! I had a blast revisiting this sci-fi adventure and honestly, I enjoyed it loads more than I did when I first played it in 2015.

Favorite Character in Norn9 Var Commons

Dormitory Love

• Release Date: April 28, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Hase im Haus

“Spring has arrived, and love is in the air! Get ready to fall head over heels in love with the unique characters in the fully-voiced romantic visual novel game, “Dormitory Love.”

Set in a student dormitory in Tokyo, this game follows the story of Jun Minase, who suddenly finds herself working as the dorm manager for a group of international students.”

Personal Thoughts: I’ve only played a bit of Dormitory Love, so I can’t give a full impression of it just yet. But, the art is cute and the chill slice of life premise is a welcome change from some of the more dramatic otome releases this year. Also, I am definitely excited to see another indie Japanese otome game making it’s Western debut.

Winter’s Wish: Spirits of Edo

• Release Date: May 18, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Aksys Games

“1716. Kyoho era. Repeated incidents in Edo upset and frighten the people, so the “Oniwaban” is created to help maintain order and security. A girl born with special powers in a far away village has been exiled to the snowy mountains because she sees “black Threads” whenever a disaster will occur.

Men claiming to be Oniwaban appear at her door, saying she is needed in Edo. Her ability to sense oncoming disasters could save the country from demonic forces. Or destroy it.”

Personal Thoughts: If you like historical otome like Hakuoki or Birushana or great worldbuilding and lore like in Olympia Soiree, then you’ll really love Winter’s Wish: Spirits of Edo. It has it all, action, suspense, romance, and beautiful art!

Favorite Character in Winter’s Wish

Jack Jeanne

• Release Date: June 15, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Broccoli & Aksys Games

“Kisa is about to abandon her dream of becoming an actor when she is given the opportunity to enroll at the prestigious Univeil Drama School. She is granted admission with two conditions: be chosen as the lead in the final performance and hide her identity as a girl! Competition at the school is fierce and the rivalry is real!

Will Kisa be able to forge powerful bonds with her all-male classmates while competing against them for key roles?

Will she be cast in the lead role in the final performance at the end of the year all while keeping her secret?”

Personal Thoughts: JACK JEANNE has my vote for the best otome game of the year! This is such a refreshing, emotional, and fun experience! I love all the characters and just want everyone to succeed! The singing and dancing rhythm games really pull you into the action of the game. SUZU IS STILL BEST BOY, but gosh did I fall hard for everyone (except Soshi). Seriously, if you have not played this game, YOU NEED TO NOW!!

Favorite Character in Jack Jeanne

Charade Maniacs

• Release Date: June 27, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Idea Factory International

“A mysterious figure abducts Hiyori Sena, transporting her to a strange world with nine other abductees and welcomes them to a world called Arcadia.

Everyone must act out “dramas” for a chance to escape, all whilst avoiding the trappings of a traitor.

From the writer of Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly, Uta Amamiya, and the illustrator of Norn9, Teita, who’s hand will she take at the end?”

Personal Thoughts: You’ll either really love Charade Maniacs, or you’ll absolutely hate it. But, the one thing we can all agree on is that Charade Maniacs is a wild ride.

The biggest draw of the game is the overarching “who’s the traitor” mystery, so this is a game that you want to go into blind, because knowing too much will spoil the set up. There are a lot of twists and turns and secrets to uncovered in Charade Maniacs.

Despite it’s flaws, I honestly had a lot of fun playing this game! This is a story where you WANT to know how everything ends! 

Favorite Character in Charade Maniacs

Masquerade Kiss

• Release Date: July 20, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Voltage Inc

Who wins in the game of seduction? You’re an elite agent tasked with taking down the most corrupt people in the world.
However, your latest target may be your most challenging yet. His hand slips into your dress, fingers dangerously close to the wire hidden in your lingerie…
“You think you can take me? Go ahead, try.” You’re playing a dangerous game now, one without winners…

Personal Thoughts: I think this is the hottest, steamiest title Voltage Inc has released to date and it is a MUST play now that it’s on the Switch! The love choice format of the mobile app is GONE, and now you can truly enjoy the slow seduction that is Masquerade Kiss.

Dominant, mature MCs are everything and this leading lady is not afraid to use everything at her disposal to bag her man…

Favorite Character in Masquerade Kiss

Radiant Tale

• Release Date: July 27, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Aksys Games

“Tifalia’s comfortable life is turned upside down upon a chance encounter with the performers of CIRCUS. Their lack of success leads them to recruit her as their producer to help them on the road.

Will this fanciful group bring joy to the people and free the Prince of their world from his curse? Or are they doomed to failure?”

Personal Thoughts: Radiant Tale is such a fun, wholesome experience from start to finish.

This game is just the embodiment of fun and good vibes. I fell HARD for Vilio, but every one of the members of CIRCUS are a delight! The fairytale like premise and loveable cast vibes will have you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. Also did I mention this game is GORGEOUS?!

Norn9 Last Era

• Release Date: August 31, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Aksys Games

Delve into the fan disk and discover more about Norn and those living on the ship and how they came to be there. Details about their lives and growing up. Lots of content and character information. Four different sections for hours of enjoyment:

• Prelude – includes the backstories of how everyone came to be on the ship.
• Fuga – the original game digest
• Concerto – the after story
• Fantasia – the bonus  – where  everyone becomes a chibi! In order to return to actual size you will have to complete a special mission!

Personal Thoughts: If you want to spend more time exploring the world of Norn9, this fandisc is for you! Lots of additional content to enjoy. This feels like a way for the writers to fill in a lot of the plot holes about the world and characters that were left unanswered by the conclusion of Var Commons.

This can be fun, but sometimes it feels like one big retroactive info dump… so, your mileage may vary.

Taisho x Alice: HEADS & TAILS

• Release Date: September 21, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Primula & PROTOTYPE

“Like a coin, TAISHO x ALICE has two sides: the real world and the Looking-Glass World. Without darkness, there can be no light…Join Woolfe and Ryoushi to explore the greater mystery of the events that took place in the real world! It’s time to take a peek behind the curtain in TAISHO x ALICE: HEADS & TAILS!”

Personal Thoughts: Taisho x Alice is one of those games that pushes you headfirst into its insanity. One thing to know going into this series is to expect the unexpected and HEADS & TAILS is in full form in that department. It offers fun alternate stories, romantic resolutions for Yurika and the LIs, and ROUTES FOR BOTH RYOUSHI AND WOOLFE! 🙏🏿

Also Verde aka Molly Lee’s translation is STILL hilarious!!

Favorite Character in Taisho x Alice

even if TEMPEST Dawning Connections

• Release Date: October 26, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Voltage Inc.

“Fate’s final verdict, illuminated by love. A fan disc for “even if TEMPEST.”

She forfeited her own life, killed others and was killed herself, and even sacrificed her loved ones to achieve the best ending. And now, after repeated deaths, the story of her life begins.”

Personal Thoughts: Even if Tempest left a lot of unanswered questions, thank god, Dawning Connections is here to complete the saga! But, boy did these writers make Anastasia and her boys FIGHT for their happy endings! All the drama and angst from the first game is back, but its somewhat tempered by the abundance of sweet romantic moments. Also, a few of these routes deliver some nice PG-13 spice~

Favorite Character in Even if Tempest Dawning Connections

Hana Awase New Moon

• Release Date: October 26, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: HuneX

“Flowers bloom through a maiden’s prayer…From the illustrator at the forefront of otome content, Yura, and Project “Tsuki ni Murakumo, Hana ni Kaze,” comes a forbidden love story between “flowers” and “water” with a hanafuda motif.
The popular otome game where you can enjoy both a traditional visual novel and hanafuda battles is coming to Nintendo Switch™!”

Personal Thoughts: I REFUSED to pay $36 bucks for each of the Hana Awase New Moon titles on release, I did, however, take full advantage of that HuneX Winter Sale. So, my impressions of Hana Awase are based solely on the demos and word of mouth.

The premise is interesting–I am a sucker for forbidden romances. I’m not too fussed about the LIs, except for Iroha, but he’s last so I’ll have to work up to him. 😭 I know next to nothing about hanafuda, the gameplay wasn’t too hard to figure out and the designs were GORGEOUS.

But, because this is a 4 title series, I’m definitely planning to take my sweet time working through it all.

Virche Evermore: Error Salvation

• Release Date: November 9, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Aksys Games

“In an island country people are born with a curse that leads to death at age 23. The people lament and oppose their short-lived fates.

A watchman appears to the girl known as “Death” and guides her to uncover the mysteries that haunt the country – whether she likes it or not. Despair is the fate that awaits those who are loved by Death.”

Personal Thoughts: Goddamn was this game rough on the feels! Virche Evermore more than earns it’s dark and angsty reputation, but I say BRING ON THE PAIN!

This game goes to some dark places and if you’re looking for a feel good, fluffy romance, Virche Evermore is not the game for you. Mass murderers, corrupt governments, death (so much death), and characters pulled to depths of despair are a large part of the story. But, if you can stomach its darker story and themes, Virche Evermore is one hell of a ride.

Favorite Character in Virche Evermore

My Next Life as a Villainess All Routes Lead to Doom Pirates of the Disturbance

• Release Date: November 28, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Idea Factory International

“This delightful rom-com sets sail on a journey filled with swashbuckling action, pesky pirates, and possible doom?!
Catarina Claes is a young woman born into a family of nobility who has a memory of her past life as a high school student. She was reincarnated as a Villainess in an otome game called Fortune Lover. Exile or death were all that awaited her in this new world. However, she managed to evade these ends, and somehow made it through the year to spring break.”

Personal Thoughts: I LOVED the anime, so I was super excited to see we were getting this game and it did not disappoint! Villainess is an iconic series with a dynamic and fun cast and I was so happy to see everything I loved about the series transfer well to the otome format… I mean it is based on an otome game…

Lots of laughs and lighthearted antics abound! The new love interests were a lot of fun (Rozy being my favorite), but no one can surpass my unwavering devotion for Keith!

Pirates of the Disturbance is just a lot of fun, delivering an enjoyable experience for both existing fans of the franchise and for newbies.

Favorite Character in Villainess Pirates of the Disturbance

Metro PD: Close to You

• Release Date: November 30, 2023 (Switch)
• Publisher: Voltage Inc

“You’re my partner as of today.” You’re a rookie detective. Your training? Trial by fire, solving a dangerous case together!

Get yourselves out of tight binds and discover an even stronger bond with each other. Will you catch the real culprit? And will your case come to a romantic conclusion? A lethal love where you watch each other’s backs. What will come of your dangerous and thrilling romance?!

Whether on the job or in love, there’s never a dull moment!

Personal Thoughts: I AM NOT HERE FOR THE ASANO ERASURE!! Voltage has been porting a lot of their titles to the switch, but I have noticed a trend in them omitting random routes and characters. But, this time they went too far! They got rid of my FAVORITE character in the entire game!!! While I am excited for the game to be on switch, this hurt my heart.

But, I suppose if you liked Collar x Malice you can kind of consider this a watered down version of it…

Favorite Character in Metro PD Close to You