Hey Hey Blerdy Tribe! We made it through the first month of 2025 and I don’t know about you all, but this year is off to an interesting start… Thankfully there have been some really awesome game releases and announcements to temper some of the crappier stuff going on in the real world.
This list is compiled from press kits/releases I’ve received from developers/publishers and just searching through my social media feeds. These are the releases and announcements that I found during the month, but I am only human—so if I missed a game, just let me know down in the comments section!
Full Game Released in January
He’s Just Away – HelloYinny | Released: 01/01
Your beloved husband and childhood sweetheart, Seto, is dead. But you refuse to believe it. Desperately clinging to the shreds of his love. To alleviate your loneliness, you create an android replica of your beloved using your employer’s highly classified AI chip, the “Heaven Project.” You intend for the android to be temporary. But he wants to make his stay permanent.
Dekkai Heart Candy-kun – bbboxxx | Release: 01/03
This is the otome game that you can experience living together with a slightly twisted boyfriend. A double feature of short stories, one sweet and one bitter. Be bound and loved by the man of your choice…
S4U: CITYPUNK 2011 AND LOVE PUNCH – U0U Games | Released: 01/08
This is a modern adventure of young adults seeking love and meaning. Return to 2011’s Castor Yard, tap on your keyboard, and make those letters dance: Use your online persona to make meaningful decisions for your clients and yourself.
Game Trailer
Gameplay
Legend of Savvarah: Children of the Sun – ST Sinovar | Released: 01/23
A fantasy interactive story (visual novel) where the mysteries of ancient gods, enigmas of bygone eras, magic, and the complex relationships between various beings are intricately woven together.
Game Trailer
Teaser Trailer
When Stars Collide Episode 2 – Steamberry Studio | Released: 01/25
In the game, the player joins the crew of The Ophelia, a deep space exploration vessel as they uncover a trove of technology from a nearly forgotten species. Unaware that, among the items they unearth is an inhabited stasis pod, the crew recovers the found items but inadvertently awakens the occupant of the pod in the process.
EPHEMERAL -MINIATURE GARDEN- dramatic create | Released: 01/30
The main character, a mermaid, is caught up for a crime she didn’t commit. She ends up in a small box garden where a certain race of people is quarantined.
Genso Manege – Mages Inc & PQube | Released: 01/31
Follow Emma as she fights to reawaken her magical powers in order to aid a unique cast of characters, all of whom are trapped inside a travelling amusement park. Having lost memories from youth, Emma must rediscover her past through love and friendship in this stunning dream-like fantasy otome.
Game Trailer
Gameplay
Masquerade Hell Academy – PIL/SLASH & JAST BLUE | Released: 01/31
The quiet Numata Hiroshi is being blackmailed by his classmate, Himehara Yoritake. One day, Himehara orders Numata to steal the exam answers off the teacher’s desk, which sets off a chain of events culminating in the two men being among the captives taken by a criminal impersonating a police officer.
Their captor is a deranged, cruel man, and if they’re going to survive, they have no choice but to comply with his demands…
National Park Girls: Love Our Parks Edition – Studio Elan | Released: 01/31
The complete edition of National Park Girls! After five years of being a ranger in Yosemite National Park, Eve is just about ready to throw in the towel. However, things start to change when she meets three spritely girls who claim to be manifestations of the National Parks.
Demos and Betas
TALENTS – Enhanced Demo – Izumi Games | Released: 01/03
Play as an aspiring game writer and designer who dives into a business partnership with a rowdy crew of talented co-founders, aiming to conquer the indie game development industry through their shared stories, love, and relentless determination. Will you write your way to the top?
Snowkissed Romance Demo – Lovely Inc. | Released: 01/15
It’s 1994 in the mountains of Northern Japan – Are you ready to fall in love? Snowkissed Romance weaves addictive stat-building, day planning, and mini-games with captivating storytelling and plenty of ’90s shoujo charm.
Game Trailer
Gameplay
Thesis of Love Demo – ThunderBanana | Released: 01/28
During the endless summer in Chishima, you join a graduate program hoping to become worthy of your crush. Little do you know what awaits… In this otome dating sim, experience campus life with three lab members trapped in toxic relationships. Your choices may lead them to new paths.
Game Trailer
Gameplay
Kickstarter and Funding Campaigns
Snowkissed Romance Kickstarter – Lovely Inc. (Ongoing)
Snowkissed Romance is a nostalgic winter love story featuring addictive stat-building gameplay inspired by genre-defining otome games.
- Campaign length: 01/15 – 02/19
- Funding Goal: $55,000 USD
Talents Emergency Donation Campaign – Izumi Games (Ongoing)
This small donation campaign helps us keep going, as funding can be unstable, especially when unexpected obstacles and blockers arise. We don’t have other rewards set up since crowdfunding wasn’t originally part of the plan (plus, we don’t have a final set price for the full game yet, hence it’s not part of the rewards), but every bit of support makes a huge difference!
Love Cult Kickstarter – Nochi Studios (Successful)
A dark romance game about saving the world with your cult followers to spread love, featuring a GxB/GxG romance! [Otome, Visual Novel]
- Ended: 01/31
- Funds Raised: $10,840 USD
Game Jams and Festivals
Sealed with a Kiss Jam (Finished)
A month long Fantasy Romance game jam created by DevTalk. Developers were tasked with creating a fantasy romance narrative game or visual novel (this includes fantasy or supernatural stories). Ran from Jan. 1 to Feb. 1, 2025 with a total of 75 submissions!
Highlights from the Sealed with a Kiss Jam
Winter VN Jam 2024 (Finished)
A month long game jam created by Katy133 and hosted by Crystal Game Works. Developers were tasked with creating some winter-themed stories might be cozy times in front of a fireplace, spending time with loved ones over winter holidays, or adapting classic winter-themed tales. Ran from Dec. 1 to Jan 1, 2025 with a total of 74 submissions!
Highlights from the Winter VN Jam 2024
Queer Winter Game Jam (Finished)
Queer Winter Jam is a five week game jam created by the LGBTQ+ special interest group of the IGDA. The purpose of this jam is for queer developers and allies to create games to celebrate the spirit of winter. Ran from Dec. 15 to Jan 15, 2025 with a total of 29 submissions!
Highlights from the Queer Winter Game Jam
Amare Games Festival 2025 (Ongoing)
A game jam hosted by Amare Games that tasks developers to create diverse story focused games. Will run from Jan. 31 to Mar. 15, 2025! There are currently six entries!
While Amare games share a distinct “vibe,” they place no restrictions on the gender of the Main Character or Love Interests, embracing diverse romantic narratives. This includes requiring a gender variable MC. This is not a requirement for Amare and Amare games may have gender-locked MCs.
Otome Games Celebration (Coming soon)
The Otome Games Celebration is a Steam festival hosted by Crystal Game Works that focuses on sharing & celebrating the wide range of otome available on Steam!
The event will be held from May 19-26th on Steam as a week-long festival. New otome demos, sales, and more will be part of the festivities! The Otome Games Festival is currently looking for participants!
Announcements, News, & Updates
Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights Postponed Until 2026
Idea Factory Intl announced today that they will be pushing back the release of Temirana: The Lucky Princess and the Tragic Knights until 2026. The title was originally scheduled to release in the west this year (2025). There is no information on why the release has been pushed back, but IFI has assured us that…
Aksys Games Opens Pre-Orders for Otome 7’scarlet
Otome Fam we have news from Aksys Games!! Pre-orders have opened for 7’scarlet, the highly anticipated otome adventure coming to Nintendo Switch™ this spring. A special edition of the game with a diorama featuring the chibi versions of the characters will be available exclusively from the Aksys Online Store. In 7’scarlet, players take on the role of…
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma Coming May 30
Marvelous USA announced that Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will launch globally on the Nintendo Switch™ system and Windows PC via Steam on May 30, 2025. The latest entry in the popular action-RPG and life-simulation series introduces players to the Eastern territory of Azuma, a land of Japanese-inspired visuals and unique twists on familiar gameplay elements from…
Sparks Fly as Infold Games Launches Trailer for Infinity Nikki’s “Firework Season” Update
With New Year’s international illuminations still fresh in the mind, Infold Games lifts the lid on Infinity Nikki’s exciting new “Firework Season” Update, heading to PlayStation 5, PC, iOS, and Android on January 23rd. This vibrant update – which launches alongside the captivating New Bloom Festival – introduces a dazzling array of content to immerse players further into the whimsical world of…
01/09 – Aksys Releases Opens Pre-Orders for Despera Drops.
Aksys opens pre-orders for Despera Drops and reveals the release date–March 9, 2025. (Aksys Twitter)
01/15 – Aksys Releases Patch for Virche Evermore -EpiC: Lycoris-
The patch fixes text legibility and other minor changes. (Aksys Twitter)
01/22 – Infold Games launches Cosmic Encounters Pt 2 & Reintroduces Caleb as a Main Love Interest
In Cosmic Encounters Pt. 2, players will reunite with Caleb, their cherished childhood friend and skilled fighter pilot, who makes his highly anticipated return as a main love interest. His story takes center stage in Chapters 11 and 12, as players embark on a gripping journey to the floating island of Skyhaven. (Press Release)
That’s it for this month’s romance games news!
There were a lot of great games that came out in January and I’m excited to see what titles release in the coming months! At least where romance games are concerned, 2025 is off to a great start!
Have you played any of the games included in this month’s post? Did you discover something new? Let me know what you think down in the comments section! Thanks for stopping by and I’ll catch you in the next post!
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