When many people think of video games, the first thing to spring to mind may involve explosions, zombies, aliens or a white-knuckle car race around various obstacles. But a much calmer alternative is dating simulation or Sim games. This genre should particularly resonate with any gamer who also dabbles online dating activity. There are overlapping themes – with Internet dating on sites like Flirt.com you have to employ a combination of instincts and discernment as you whittle down the possibilities for a prospective partner based on often minimal information, relying on first impressions, or a hint of chemistry.
There’s an undeniable thrill in having so much power at your fingertips, as your choices determine how your immediate future will pan out. These character development themes are prevalent throughout dating Sims. Since originating in Far East Asia, these dating games have exploded in popularity. If you would like to dabble in dating simulation alongside the real-world alternative, here are five of the most recommended.
Amagami
The plotline here involves Junichi Tachibana, a somewhat unreliable student who suffered a broken heart two years previously when he was stood up the night before Christmas. Disillusioned with love and the festive season with its painful memories, his heart begins thawing one Christmas when he encounters one of six gorgeous girls from school. Who will he choose? Who will he open up to again?
If My Hearts Had Wings
In this dating Sim, Aoi has lost his direction in life after an accident forced him to retire from cycling. He meets Kotori, a slim and raven-haired beauty, wheelchair-bound, who reignites his zest for life. This game is very much about living for the day, and focusing on the possibilities of relationships, looking forward to a positive future rather than dwelling on the past.
Mystic Messenger
A South Korean female-oriented dating Sim, this was awarded Best Indie Game at the 2017 Korea Game Awards. Here the player assumes the role of a female character whose name can be altered according to taste. The premise is she downloads an app that leads her into living in a secured apartment overseen by Rika, founder of a mysterious charity organization. She meets the other members of the organization and gets further involved in their activities. You can select from seven character routes to uncover the truth behind the charity group. Along the way, you’ll also meet the enigmatic Luciel Choi, known as 007, or simply Seven, a junk food-gorging secret agent. As well as collecting sports cars he is a genius commuter hacker.
Clannad
Although this story focuses on familiar surrounds – a private high school, a bakery run by the protagonist Nagisa’s parents – the world outside is frequently glimpsed as being devoid of life, aside from a strange girl who can piece a body together from pieces. This synopsis certainly does not do the Sim justice, but by far the best way to get more from Clannad is to download the game itself and become familiar with its powerful concept and unusual characters.
Amnesia
In this dating Sim, the player assumes the role of a female character who can choose any one of a variety of male characters as her partner. The males are based on the symbols from a deck of cards – Diamond, Spade, Heart, Clover, and Joker. These affect the route in which the game can spiral, with different relationships between the protagonists. As for the game’s title? The protagonist suffers from Amnesia, losing any memory of her lifestyle and social status – her struggle to put the pieces back together informs the game’s unfolding drama.
HuniePop
Launched in 2015 after a successful crowdfunding campaign, HuniePop is an original video game combining dating simulation and puzzles which have to be cracked. The gamer follows a protagonist’s dating adventures as they try to get friendly with various women. There are two versions, censored and uncensored, taking account of the potentially strong sexual aspect. Check games like huniepop as well.
KimiKiss
This game certainly appeals to any participant’s sense of achievement. Gamers follow the struggles of a high-school student who has returned from summer vacation and is now striving to achieve his first kiss within a period of 30 days. There are many characters to interact with, and KimiKiss has also spawned a series of novels.
