Replay Boys Game Review – What the heck is up with this band?!

Groundhog Day meets Doki Doki Literature Club in the Replay Boys, a visual novel from indie studio, Split Narrative where you have to wrangle the members of an up and coming boy band. I went in expecting to navigate boy band blow outs over music and crazed fangirls vying for the attention of the boys, and what I got was an experience that NOTHING could have prepared me for… I won’t be forgetting this game anytime soon!

Game Details

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The “Lost” Otome: PS Vita Otome Games that Deserve a Switch Port

The PS Vita reigned supreme as the go to otome console, but after years on top, Sony finally pulled the plug on the much beloved handheld. Sure, the Nintendo Switch has picked up the slack, supplying us with a flood of new otome games. Publishers like Aksys Games and Idea Factory International are keeping us fed with a number of highly anticipated releases. Virche Evermore: Error -Salvation- just released earlier this month and My Next Life as a Villainess All Roads Lead to Doom -Pirates of the Disturbance- is on its way to the Switch later this month.

There have even been some big surprise announcements of Vita titles being revived on the Switch! Just recently, Norn9: Var Commons and Amnesia: Memories were revived on the Nintendo Switch. That alone gave many in the fandom hope that maybe other previously Vita exclusive otome games might see their own Switch ports in the near future!

Of course, a few have seen a revival on PC via Steam, like the Psychedelica series and 7’scarlet, but there are still a few that are in danger of being “lost” in the wake of the Vita’s absence. So here are some of the Vita exclusive otome games that I would love to see pop up again on the Switch (or even on PC).

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Loca Games to Release their Fantasy Indie Otome, Yukar of the Abyss on Nintendo Switch December 7th

An Otome romance game where you pursue love with Japanese animal gods.

Exciting news from the indie games space, Loca Games announced a month ago that their fantasy otome, Yukar of the Abyss would be coming to the Nintendo Switch. Early this morning the team announced that Yukar of the Abyss will be making it’s way to console ahead of the holidays on December 7th (America, Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong) and December 11th (Europe, Australia, and New Zealand).

A fantasy Otome visual novel based on the myths and legends of Hokkaido, Japan. Meet and fight with unique Gods, overcome fierce trials together, and discover what happens when you pursue forbidden love with the divine..

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Nochi Studios Launches Kickstarter for Sifting Thyme

Indie studio Nochi Studios launched a Kickstarter campaign to help raise funds for a planned PC update for Sifting Thyme. Originally released in 2020 for mobile, Sifting Thyme was the studio’s first release–check out the full review for more details.

Take on the role of the newest transfer student at Lincoln Culinary Academy, a private culinary school to find your culinary calling and an unforgettable romance. Because of the work needed to update the games, Nochi Studios will be running their Kickstarter until December 16, 2023.

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Even if Tempest Dawning Connections First Impressions Review – Happily Ever After Ain’t Always Easy

Even if Tempest Dawning Connections, the follow up to 2022’s dark fantasy otome game, Even if Tempest is one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Voltage Inc. really went above and beyond with their first console exclusive title, and the fandom is chomping at the bit to see how things are going for Anastasia and the rest of the gang after the tumultuous events of the first game.

In this sequel we follow Anastasia and the LIs as they embark on their happily ever after. Though, for some the road to happiness does come with a few twists and turns. Dawning Connections is everything we’ve wanted an more—offering a much lighter experience than the first game (though if you want a bit of drama there is plenty of that too).

Thanks to the awesome folks at Voltage Inc. I was able to check out the game before the release and y’all it is EVERYTHING! So here are some quick spoiler free thoughts on Even if Tempest Dawning Connections (typed from my hotel room)!

Game Details

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Inescapable: No Rules, No Rescue Available Now

Your choices and behaviors will lead you down very different paths in this twisty social thriller

If you love Danganronpa and the Zero Escape series, you’re gonna love Inescapable: No Rules, No Rescue! Aksys Games and Dreamloop Games announced today that the narrative adventure Inescapable: No Rules, No Rescue is available now for PC and consoles. You’ve been kidnapped and forced to participate in a twisted reality TV show with 10 strangers. At the end of their stay, they’ll each receive $500,000… if they survive.

Get Inescapable: No Rules, No Rescue

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Chronotopia: Second Skin is a fresh take on a little known dark fairytale

At long last, Brittany based indie studio, Träumendes Mädchen released their fairytale inspired visual novel, Chronotopia: Second Skin. The project was crowdfunded on Kickstarter in 2016, but due to various circumstances spent years in development limbo. But, the developer has been working on the game and now it is finally available to play. Chronotopia: Second Skin is a unique rewriting of the Donkeyskin fairytale, a darker variation of Cinderella. Follow Kionna into a painful but ultimately rewarding search for her true self.

Game Details

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GB Patch Launches Kickstarter for Our Life: Now & Forever

Grow from childhood to adulthood with your two neighbors and experience a one of a kind life in this customizable, choice-heavy story🍂

At long last indie studio, GB Patch launched the Kickstarter campaign for the much anticipated second installment to the nostalgic, Our Life series—Our Life Now and Forever. Grow from childhood to adulthood with your two neighbors and experience a one of a kind life in this customizable, choice-heavy story.

The campaign is set to run until November 9, 2023 and to celebrate the launch, GB Patch has released an new extended demo. I reviewed the demo back in 2022, but this new demo comes with brand new scenes and interactions!

Update: The campaign was fully funded less than 20 minutes after launch!

Game Details

  • Genre: Nostalgic | Slice-of-Life | Amare
  • Demo available on itch.io and Steam
  • Campaign Period: October 10, 2023 to November 9, 2023
  • Tentative Release Date: November 2025

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Kickstarter launched for Dark Fantasy Amare Visual Novel, Keepers of Astraela

Indie game developer, GSE Studios just launched the Kickstarter campaign for their upcoming dark fantasy amare visual novel, Keepers of Astraela. The team debuted with the game Heart & Soul, a Greek mythology otome visual novel that follows the myth of Psyche and Eros.

Their latest project Keepers of Astraela is inspired by the book ‘Vision‘ by Wrenna Stone, which follows a writer whose characters come to life. The Keepers of Astraela base game is set for a fall 2024 release.

Game Details

  • Genre: Amare | Dark Fantasy | Isekai
  • Demo available on itch.io and Steam
  • Campaign Period: October 4, 2023 to November 3, 2023
  • Tentative Release Date: Fall 2024
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Kickstarter launched for Yandere Indie Otome, Heart Cage

Hong Kong based indie developer, Ricelovecoffee just launched the Kickstarter for their upcoming yandere otome mystery game, Heart Cage. The team originally released a fully voiced demo for Heart Cage as part of Otome Jam 2023.

Yandere x Otome x Mystery A mystery Otome game with all yandere love interest, play as a detective and find out the truth! This is a planned 18+ game, with a tentative release date of Q2 2025.

Game Details

  • Genre: 18+ otome | Drama | Mystery
  • Demo available on itch.io
  • Campaign Period: September 15, 2023 to October 15, 2023
  • Tentative Release Date: Q2 2025
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