Indie Game Review | Blerdy Otome

Belle Automata: Chronicle I – Indie Otome Review

Published on March 3, 2023March 3, 2023 by Blerdy15 Comments

Belle Automata is a sci-fi fantasy romance visual novel developed by Jellyfish Parade. Inspired by lore from the likes of Cupid and Psyche, The Wizard of Oz, Pinocchio and other beloved tales, Belle Automata is the journey of an android reinventing herself. Join Aureve and the others as they forge their own paths dealing with love, self-acceptance, and grief for a life left behind.

Game Details

Genre: Sci-fi | Romance | Fantasy
Rating: Teen
Price: $19.99 USD
Developer: Jellyfish Parade (Owl)
Where to Get the Game: PC (Windows and Mac) | Steam

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SEASON: A Letter to the Future Game Review

Published on February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 by BlerdyLeave a comment

SEASON: A Letter to the Future is a beautiful narrative adventure game developed by Scavenger Studio. Leave home for the first time to collect memories before a mysterious cataclysm washes everything away. Ride, record, meet people, and unravel the strange world around you. Immerse yourself in the world of Season, a third-person meditative exploration game.

Game Details

Adventure | Exploration | Narrative
Developer & Publisher: Scavengers Studio
Price: $24.99
Where to Play: Playstation | Steam | Epic Games

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A Space for the Unbound Game Review

Published on January 31, 2023January 31, 2023 by BlerdyLeave a comment

A Space for the Unbound is a slice-of-life adventure game developed by Mojiken Studio and published by Toge Productions. Enjoy beautiful pixel art as you explore a 90’s rural Indonesian town, uncover its secrets, use supernatural powers to dive into people’s hearts, and pet cats. Follow Atma and Raya on a journey of self-discovery at the end of their high school years while facing the end of the world.

Game Details

Puzzle | Exploration | Narrative
Developer & Publisher: Mojiken Studio & Toge Productions
Price: $19.99
Where to Play: Nintendo Switch | Xbox | Playstation | Steam
Similar Games: When the Past Was Around | The Space Between | Missed Messages

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Aeterna: Rubra Plena Demo Review – First Impressions

Published on January 26, 2023January 26, 2023 by BlerdyLeave a comment

Aeterna: Rubra Plena is a magicpunk indie otome game developed by newbie indie studio, Quantum Velvet. The game is set in the world of Thealia, in a magicpunk universe with Persian undertones. You play a beautiful young noblewoman dealing with her current and past experiences while finding love. For their first project, Aeterna: Rubra Plena is visually stunning!

Game Details

Romance | Fantasy | Drama
Price: TBA
Where to Play: itch.io

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Love Shore (Early Access) Demo Review – First Impressions

Published on November 7, 2022November 7, 2022 by BlerdyLeave a comment

Set in the cyberpunk city of Love Shore, Sam and Farah attempt to navigate the monstrous underworld in hopes of uncovering the means of saving their friends. Love Shore is a visual novel cyberpunk noir featuring an entirely LGBT+ cast. With 8 unique romanceable characters and routes, multiple endings and packed with action and thrills.

Game Details

LGBT+ | Cyberpunk | Sci-fi
Available on: Windows, Mac, & Linux | Steam
Tentative Release: Mid November 2022

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Ballads at Midnight Indie Otome Game Review

Published on July 15, 2022July 15, 2022 by BlerdyLeave a comment

Ballads at Midnight is a dark fantasy romance visual novel developed by indie studio, Synstoria. Follow, Abigail, a sarcastic bard after she is exiled to the castle of a blood-thirsty vampire. Completely at his mercy you must decide whether Abigail will escape her handsome, yet dangerous warden or fall for his charms…

Originally developed for the annual game jam, NaNoRenO 2022, this new updated release comes with a host of brand new features and improvements. Thanks to the Synstoria team I was able to check out the game ahead of it’s re-release, so here are my thoughts on the game!

Game Details

Dark Fantasy | Romance
Price: Free to Play
Rating: T (Teen)
Where to Play: itch.io | Steam

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Dreambound (Early Access) BL Demo Review

Published on July 13, 2022July 14, 2022 by BlerdyLeave a comment

Fresh off the release of their fantasy BL visual novel, The Divine Speaker, indie developer Two and a Half Studios is back to bless boys love gamers with another new story! Today, the team dropped the demo for their upcoming game, Dreambound. Follow introverted artist Noah, who has long since given up on life. Soon a series of mysterious murders forces him to confront the demons in his past in order to finally move on with his life. Thanks to the awesome folks at Two and a Half Studios Blerdy Otome was able to get an early look at the demo before the official release! So, here are my thoughts on the demo so far!

Game Details

Drama | Boys Love | Mystery
Price: $24.99 (Full Game)
Rating: 15+
Where to Play: itch.io | Steam

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The Divine Speaker – First Impressions

Published on March 30, 2022August 18, 2022 by Blerdy2 Comments

After much anticipation, indie studio Two and a Half just dropped their 18+ fantasy boys love visual novel, The Divine Speaker! I have been following this project for awhile now and I am impressed by this imaginative experience! Follow orphan, Raen as he embarks on a magical adventure after being expelled from his home. Along the way he will will uncover truths that change the way he sees the world and himself. Mysteries, magic, fantasy and more await you in this grand tale of fate, and how each person defies it.

Game Details

Fantasy | Boys Love | Adventure
Price: $29.99
ESRB: M (18+) (explicit, uncensored adult content)
Where to Play: itch.io | Steam

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Melanin Friendly Games – Dot’s Home

Published on March 28, 2022April 23, 2022 by BlerdyLeave a comment

Hey Blerdy Tribe!! It’s Monday once again and I want to kick off the week with some melanin friendly games! If this is your first time here at Blerdy Otome, welcome!

Every Monday I spotlight video games that focus on stories surrounding more diverse casts of characters—for folks like me looking for a bit more representation in their games. Video games are for everyone, so shouldn’t their stories and characters be just as diverse as the people that play them? So I created this series to celebrate games that strive to tell much more diverse stories centering on Black and Brown individuals. But, I welcome all diversity and the series has expanded to include games featuring LGBTQIA rep and characters from other underrepresented groups.

So, if you’re interested in seeing previous Melanin Friendly Games posts, click HERE. This week I’m spotlighting the 2D single-player game, Dot’s Home, a collaboration between Rise-Home Stories project and indie teams, Ariel Knights and Weathered Sweater.

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NIGHT/SHADE: You’re the Drug – BL Game Review

Published on March 21, 2022August 18, 2022 by Blerdy2 Comments

NIGHT/SHADE is an indie 18+ futuristic thriller, boys love visual novel developed by Thrill Switch Games. I played the demo last year during the Kickstarter campaign and I fell in love with the story and characters, which definitely gave me some Dramatical Murder vibes. Follow Sasha, a drug dealer who finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between two dangerous and powerful crime syndicates.