Round two on my first impressions of Voltage Inc otome games!
If you want to see more of my first impression check out HERE where I rambling about my new found love for 2D pixelated man aka buying fictional boyfriends cause I have a problem.. a BEAUTIFUL but BAD PROBLEM. I also go in detail on playing some of the apps for the first time and give my first impression on some of the games I've played based on the prologue, demos and purchased.
So since the last review I've been playing around with more of the games by Voltage Inc, purchased a few more routes (that's a lie as splurging Christmas and Birthday cash on 9 games with multiple routes and seasons is more than a few) and got a better overview of the world of Otome games. I also tried out of curiosity and failed terribly some of the yet to be translated Japanese games to have a rough idea on the future games and also learned that Voltage can/have pull a Half Life 3 on some of the games *wave fist* *cry in the corner*.
Why am I comparing it to half life? Basically like the fact that we might never see a half life 3 (or a portal 3 or my biggest wish a L4D3... please get on it Valve) if the game is not profitable Voltage Inc stops updating or creating new stories for the app and in the last few weeks of playing with more of the apps I found out that there are a number of games that is either discontinued/ stop being translated cause the story is technically over (which is understandable) or due to lack of sales/ popularity (which is sad).
Since my last review Voltage have released 3 new games, 'My Last First Kiss', 'Butler Until Midnight', 'After School Affairs' and as the last few hours of me revising and uploading this post 'Bad Boys Do It Better'. Yes I've played them and I am still playing around with the apps so I'll cover some of them in my NEXT first impressions.
I've also played around with the Japanese version of some of the app just our of curiosity to read a preview of the story before they got translated into English though its kinda a bad idea if you can't read a word of Kanji as you'll be scratching your head wondering WTH are you reading (even with the spirit expression its hard!). Still its just fun to play around the Japanese version as sometimes they will have exclusive CGs and content before they get translated or that are exclusive to the Japanese version. Word of advice is to download the google translator app and scan the screen for a good yet crappy direct translation.
If you want to see sneak peaks and screenshots of the game/routes I've posted them on my tumblr (rotantrm) and you can follow my voltage otome gameplays/ me just fangirling and rambling at #row plays otome .
Disclaimer: CGs/SS/IMAGES belongs to voltage inc. blah blah blah you guy get what i mean
Game 1: True Love Sweet Lies
A lie like that makes me want to be deceived.,
You are a freelance photographer working in Tokyo, Japan. Your big break finally arrives - when a picture you took at a secret meeting between rival politicians makes the front page!
Not only that, but you just met the hottest actor in Japan in the elevator...and a sexy news reporter from news department has asked you out, to have some drinks together.
Things are looking up for you, until you find out...that it was all just a lie?! On top of that, the entire Tokyo underworld is after the data from your photograph - and your life along with it!
—Story summary, Voltage Official Website
The MC is a freelance photographer who just got her big break after taking a picture of a secret meting between rival politicians. Soon she encounters the guys from the Fuse detective agency, all in disguised as they attempt to get her SD card since the picture she took contain information needed for their case. The MC however refuses, slaps 'Mr Ueda' and goes home only to be abducted by a mafia and his men along the way. Tied up in an abandon warehouse the mafia boss tries to get the SD card from the MC only to be rescued by twins who takes the MC back to the agency where she must stay and room with the guys as her life is in danger.
The plot follows the MC choosing one of the guys to share a room with while she stays at the agency which leads to her spending time with that guy as they investigate the case and eventually falling for him. Also what stands out about this game is that its about the MC's issues with trusting this guys as how she meet them started out with a lie. From the trailer it looks like the guys are playing with the MC's feelings (and let's be honest, its not fun to have your feelings being played) but the game has nothing nothing to do with the MC's feelings being played. This route focus mainly on the investigation relating to the picture the MC has taken but also behind the mystery of the guy of choice and trusting him.
The plot follows the MC choosing one of the guys to share a room with while she stays at the agency which leads to her spending time with that guy as they investigate the case and eventually falling for him. Also what stands out about this game is that its about the MC's issues with trusting this guys as how she meet them started out with a lie. From the trailer it looks like the guys are playing with the MC's feelings (and let's be honest, its not fun to have your feelings being played) but the game has nothing nothing to do with the MC's feelings being played. This route focus mainly on the investigation relating to the picture the MC has taken but also behind the mystery of the guy of choice and trusting him.
Oh man do I LOVE LOVE LOVE this game and I'm actually surprise how underrated this game is. Also I have to
In fact MC literally blow me away as comparing her to the other MC in the other games I've played so far she's one of the best! If you are someone like me who wishes the MC was more bad ass, fierce and snarky with her words THIS IS THE GAME FOR YOU! Like all the MC she's easy to read, honest, caring and passionate with her work as well as loves food but compare to the others, she's one of the strongest and more confident MC as a character. She's also one of the few who you get to see her 'spirit' when you play a certain routes and the choices of dialogs are the best! Like there are times where I want to be sweet with the guys and there are times where I want to be sarcastic and witty with them. Its probably the biggest reasons why my 'love meter' fluctuates between sweet and bitter and in fact for Sakura's route it stayed IN THE MIDDLE for most of the route till after chapter 7.
Seriously if anyone from Voltage Inc is reading this please write more MC's like this that has a good balance of cute and sweet but still strong, independent,sassy and confident as its encouraging and empowering for us girls (aka the market this game is target more towards) who play/read this games. Heck use her as a modal example as an MC for all your future games!
So there are 5 potential lovers in this game to romance and like all games there is someone for everyone as well as each guy has their own specialty like hacking and disguising. I like the cast of characters in the game especially the twins and Nozomu. I am also interested in playing Nomasa's route after completing Nozomu but as for Rui... I have mix feelings about him as most of the time he's rude and mean the the MC. I finally start to warm up to the fella when we see him use his snarky side for good in Kiyoharu's season 2 MS. Also is it just me or does he look like Chiaki from Our Two Bedroom Story?
This is the first game that I play from Voltage that has a 'love meter' and that the two endings are very different often depending on the choices you made through the game. One side is the sweet trap ending which is usually 'cute and sweet' while the other is the bitter trap which is where being sarcastic and sassy pays off as the ending is 'bolder and smutty'.
Both endings are slightly diverge and have its own computer graphics (CGs) which you can instantly view if you get the END SET. If you don't get the end set its okay as you're only missing out on a mini movie at the end of the game and I'll only recommend getting it if you really REALLY like the guy. If not you can look up walk throughs for the desire ending and fast forward.
The Cases (AND GUYS) I've played...
I could not decide for the life if me choose between the twin and sadly there is no 'buy one twin get the other free' policy so I got both their season one and two routes. Should I regret spending all that $$$??? Yes! Do I? NO ONE BIT and I can justify this with the fact I got them on sales!
I binge played through both Kiyoharu and Sakuya's season 1 and it was a good thing I got both of them as when I was playing one of their routes I I felt like I needed to read the other. The twins are slightly similar but also VERY different as day and night (haha read Sakuya's route and you'll understand). One thing I enjoy about both routes was how their sibling relationships played out which is probably the first voltage sibling relationship I've encountered that was not the MC's siblings. Their relationship was well written as it was realistic and personally relatable as their relationship is similar to what I have with my brother. Kiyoharu is the Oresame, older protective brother, corky machanic and is a badass so expect a lot of fast pace actions in his route while Sakuya is the Tsundere, quiet but reckless younger bother who hates woman and is the hacker of the group. He has a lot of issues and a tragic past so his route is more of character building but he does have his badass moments as well as a lot of really sweet moments.
The first guy I got in the game was actually Nozomu and though he's the oldest I actually didn't think of him as 'the older guy' as he looks and acts pretty much like everyone at the agency. Heck if it was not for the fact that the cast keep pointing out his age or that everyone literally bullies and teases him I will have thought he was younger! haha! Anyways I freaking love Nozomu and his route is probably my favorite as it had a good balance of action, drama and character development.
He does not really have a character trope apart from being 'the older guy' and if I were to compare him to another Voltage character I'll compare him to a tone down version of Kazuki or an older Aki from finally in love again as like those two he's sweet and a gentlemen, a leader and person of authority yet have his childish and adorkable moments but also he has this 'poker face' that makes it hard to predict his expression and emotions.
I highly recommend this game if you want a great and strong cast of characters, one of the best MC's, love mystery, a divaish goat, action pack adventure along with swoon worthy romance! This is the game you need to check as there are lots of laughs and there is never a dull moment in this game! Also the CGs and art style of the characters for the game is one of my favorite as it has this striking action comic look to it and the CGs that comes with the game are beautifully done so you'll have some lovely eye candies to stare at when playing the game.*i'll admit I stared at the first Nozomu CG in his MS for a good long time*
Also I'm not one to buy sub stories but their sub stories are so worth it as the storyline are often filled with action, laugh out loud moments and not to mention the MC is 10 times more badass in it especially the saving him sub stories! Heck I even bought the guys that I don't own main story routes to but its so so GOOD! Now I want to read Rui's route as he is a devious cutie x3
*RANT TIME so brace yourself*
My only complain with this game was as I was playing through Kiyoharu's season 2 IT ENDS ON A UNANSWERED CLIFFHANGER! Its says carry on to sequel... Sequel? What sequel?? I seen no sequel? GAH!! Then I found out that halfway through the second season was when Voltage decided to not update the game. I'm okay and totally understand if they stop updating the game if the story is complete in a nice wrap in a bow conclusion in the mids of a series... but here's the thing, the main reason why I marathon season 1 for all the TLSL guys I purchase is because the whole season tells one whole story arc! Season 2 ends in the mid of a cliffhanger setting up for the next episode aka the non existent sequel! gah!!! My fear with ANY GAME that is episodic in nature has once again come to haunt me as in the past games like Half Life were never released as company either decides its not worth investing time/money/effort in continue the game's sequel even though there are a lot of hard core fans who wants the game or even due to lack of budget/popularity. Heck at one point that was my fear with Life is Strange when waiting for episode 4 to be released.
Anyway enough with the rant, I still love this game and will definitely get more of the other characters routes that is Nomasa and Rui and if they ever do update it (prayers to the otome gods). If any of you guys know if the game will ever be updated (which is highly unlikely as they removed it from the Japan Sweet Cafe app) can you plzzzzz let me know with sugar in Sakuya's hot chocolate on top plzzzzz!
Other than that little flaw, True Love Sweet Lies is one of my top recommended games from Voltage Inc! Just play the prologue if you're still unsure of the game but trust me its one of the best voltage inc games out there.
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Game 2: Love Letter from Thief X
You’re a curator who works at a museum and whose grandfather was an artist of legendary proportion.
One day, you receive a note from the Black Foxes, a notorious group of thieves.
And their next target? You!
—Story summary, Voltage Official Website
Okay so I guess I have to play a Voltage classic and of all of them this was the one I wanted to play the most. I'm guessing that this app is discontinued/finished ??? Correct me if I'm wrong...
Anyways like I said this game has a similar vibe to True Love Sweet Lies but in this case instead of being underground detectives, its robin hood-ish thiefs. I'll be honest, I was not too impress with this game as the transitioning and writing was a little too chompy to my liking. I feel like True Love Sweet Lies was like an improve incarnation of this game. Still LLFTX still has some charms that I can see myself playing and trying out other routes.
Once again a great cast of characters with diverse personalities and each of them have their own specialties like Hiro who can speak A LOT of languages and is freaking good at disguising (Hiro cross dressing is freaking cute!) to Takuto and his hacking. I especially love their interactions and banters among each other as well as their relationship with the MC.
The Thief that stole my heart (and money lolz)
I've played Kensei's season 1 MS and epilogue and its freaking cute and action pack! I've so far played tsundere, oresame and gentlemen/ twisted gentlemen guys but never have I played the genuine nice 'big brother' sorta guys. I'll admit I actually was not sure which route to pick and most reviewers say that if you like action and cute romance pick Kensei. Boy was this adorably cute! Also the MC in this route surprised me as she is a freaking badass and can act like one of the guys! Mostly I love was the pacing of the relationship between Kensei and the MC as IT WAS SO DIFFERENT from what I expected. I like it cause their relationship started out as best friends turn romance and the way the romance was played out was totally unexpected but still refreshing and great as most games you don't get any romance till near the end of the game but this was a very spontaneous bump along the way.
I recommend play this if you want to try an action comedy theme voltage classic. I'll definitely get a couple of other guys routes in the future, probably Riki or even Takuto since he's one of the more popular guys in voltage.
Game 3: Serendipity Next Door
Midnight on the balcony, Our secret time together...
Life in your apartment building is nothing special until a famous musician suddenly moves in.
You get to know the other tenants better,and the love story you were destined to live begins!
—Story summary, Voltage Official Website
The MC works in an import foods department and one day gets switched to
import household goods instead. That same day a pop star moves in next door and she gets know
the neighbors in her apartment building.
The plot follows the MC as she goes back to her apartment after meeting her neighbours and the guy who knocks on her door will be the guy she ends up spending time with and eventually falling in love with. Unlike other games where there is usually a universal story arc (eg. FILA where the MC makes a cake relating to the story or the game or OTBS where the MC has an assignment that relates to her relationship with her new roommate/stepbrother/co-worker) each game has a totally different story arc of the MC and her relationship with the potential lover and her neighbours along with her adjusting into her new department at work.
Once again a as I was looking up some details for this impressions and guess what??? Its ANOTHER DISCONTINUE APP! Why!!! I meant all the games I seem to like are discontinue... just WHY (cry in a corner).
I should call this the disconnected edition of my first impression but the next couple of apps are actually still being updated/I think its completed. I've played all the available demos and as for now only got one of the guys routes.
I'll admit, when I first saw this app I was drawn to it because of its name Serendipity as I love that word. Then googled and wiki a bit about this game before I play the app and saw its kanji name 'お隣さんにご用心' which literally translates to 'Beware of the Neighbors' and I was HECK YEH sold! haha while I do love the official English translated name as its sweet and totally suits the theme of the game, won't it be funny if it was publish under its direct Japanese translation!? xD Also the menu page is adorable with those apartment doors suites the game's theme!
I mentioned in my first otome impression review that my favorite genre are the realistic 'slice of life' games like Finally In Love Again and Our two bedroom story. This is one favs just from playing the demo as it's refreshing, down to earth and realistic vibe as all the guys in the game are someone I can almost see myself meeting in real life. Mostly what I love about this game is the music (click here to listen) as it very relaxing. The art style for the character graphics are some of my favs and its up there with the art style of FILA and TLSL. In a way if I were to compare the tone of this game it reminds me of Harvest Moon (A Wonderful Life to be exact) and Life is Strange is it feels homey and nostalgic. Gosh i say too many synonyms for the word relax but seriously that's what this game made me feel as I was playing it! While I do love my action, fantasy and dramatic games there are times where I just want to sit back and read a lighthearted story about regular people doing mundane everyday things.
Once
again I love the MC in this game and if there is a MC that I'll say is
almost exactly like me in reality its probably this MC. Haha! Like all the MC she's easy to read, honest
and caring but this one has that quirky yet bubbly girl next door vibe to her and is a real foodie (like come on she works at the food import department in a mail order service and has a blog!)!
In fact most of the demos I've played in this game the MC is hilarious and adorable in her own ways like saving a cupcake from getting wet to figuring out how go draw a map for a bossy pop star and best of all SHE NEVER STOP TALKING ABOUT FOOD! #allthefood #ilovefood #theMCisprobablymeinanotomegame
Also the prologue is one of the best intro as the story flow so naturally and you instantly get a clear idea of the guys you have the potential to romance with but also a good impression of the MC. Often when I play a game I need to play the first chapter of any guys and sometimes even read the character profiles and other reviews just so I can get an idea of which guy's route to buy (although I tend to go on an impulse rampage when the word SALES is there..) but from just the prologue I already know which guy I instantly want to get and which I will put on the back burner for later. There are 5 guys to romance with and like all otome games have very diverse personalities but also lifestyles. The only guy that was not introduced in the prologue is Keiichi so you might have to play his demo to get an idea for his character.
The guys next door I might fall in love with...
I've played through all the guy's demos and I really want to get their routes but as I mention the freaking price hike happen around the time I discovered the game so I can't exactly afford to get any of the routes unless Voltage suddenly has a sales on the game. So this is kinda my narrow down wishlist on the top two guy I wanna get and I'll be honest, if money was not an option I'll get ALL OF THEM.
Okay can I just say that from the moment I open the game I shouted IZUMI IS CUTE! Like an adorable bunny boy adorable! Heck I only played his first episode and we got a freaking cute CG that either makes me want to hug my ipad or pinch his cheeks... yah take both the ipad and Izumi away from me as god know what I'll do xD
When I was reading through the prologue the first guy that I was impress with was Izumi so I carried on with his episode 1 demo and freaking adore him! Izumi is a vet student and the MC first meet him outside the pet ship she works at. He's also younger than the MC by a couple of years (yes I know what you're thinking but now now this is not FILA) and the MC views him like a younger brother.
Now they say he is a Tsundere character but I don't see him being hot and cold to the MC... TILL I CAVED PAID FOR HIS ROUTE and gosh this boy fluctuate between Tsun and Dere faster and a ping pong match! Also his interaction with the neighbours is the best from his massive fanboy and maybe even man crush on Masaomi to his hilarious banters with Jinpachi (haha he nicknames Izumi 'sour patch boy' which suits him!) is are my favourite in the game. I'll definitely do a full review later on his route but its really heart-warming watching him and the MC fall for each other and what's interesting was that the MC actually turned kinda Tsundere on Izumi once she realize she has fallen for him. I like his route and I'm really sad that we probably won't see this game getting revived anytime soon as I want to see more of Izumi and the MC relationship and character developed like Izumi becoming a successful vet, him and the MC moving in together, them getting married and having cute babies etc *sigh* I'm just sad that this game only have one season...
If this smily blushy adorkrable tsundere face does not convince you to give Serendipidy Next Door a try... well not gonna force you so ON TO THE NEXT GUY!
Now they say he is a Tsundere character but I don't see him being hot and cold to the MC... TILL I CAVED PAID FOR HIS ROUTE and gosh this boy fluctuate between Tsun and Dere faster and a ping pong match! Also his interaction with the neighbours is the best from his massive fanboy and maybe even man crush on Masaomi to his hilarious banters with Jinpachi (haha he nicknames Izumi 'sour patch boy' which suits him!) is are my favourite in the game. I'll definitely do a full review later on his route but its really heart-warming watching him and the MC fall for each other and what's interesting was that the MC actually turned kinda Tsundere on Izumi once she realize she has fallen for him. I like his route and I'm really sad that we probably won't see this game getting revived anytime soon as I want to see more of Izumi and the MC relationship and character developed like Izumi becoming a successful vet, him and the MC moving in together, them getting married and having cute babies etc *sigh* I'm just sad that this game only have one season...
Technically the game is dedicated to this fella as the MC only get to know her neighbours because he moves into the apartment complex. I played his demo and its okay... I kinda like it and will probably carry on with his route too as I want to see how his relationship with the MC developed and see if he ever learns to read a map or cook! haha!
Masaomi (I'm just gonna call him Omi form now on) is a pop star and musician who's on a hiatus and just moved into the apartment next to the MC. He's kinda a kooldere and has a terrible sense of direction.
Also I kinda like the fact that his first run in with the MC was literally her running into him on her bike with a bagel in her mouth! Perfect first impression MC!
I might get Jinpachi as he is freaking HAWT! I usually don't go for the 'older guy' character or even the 'alpha male' but looking around tumblr at his CGs is the type of eye candy CGs that you get nose bleeds for! But my first impression of him.. kinda scary and rude so might put his route on the back burner. Also there's Keiichi who is very different from what I expect from a voltage character and am interested in seeing his interaction with the MC as his first chapter was hilariously cute! He reminds me a nicer and improve version of Cathy from 'Finally In Love Again' as he has a flamboyant personality. The only guy I'll pass is Shinobu as I have this weird vibe coming from this dude and according to most reviews he is an extreme Yandere... yah big turn off there.
Overall really do like the concept of this game. I a sucker for 'falling for the boy next door/neighbors in love' sorta stories like Lola and the Boy Next door (review here), My Life Next Door and especially Maybe Someday.
Game 4: Dreamy Days in West Tokyo
Masaomi (I'm just gonna call him Omi form now on) is a pop star and musician who's on a hiatus and just moved into the apartment next to the MC. He's kinda a kooldere and has a terrible sense of direction.
Also I kinda like the fact that his first run in with the MC was literally her running into him on her bike with a bagel in her mouth! Perfect first impression MC!
I might get Jinpachi as he is freaking HAWT! I usually don't go for the 'older guy' character or even the 'alpha male' but looking around tumblr at his CGs is the type of eye candy CGs that you get nose bleeds for! But my first impression of him.. kinda scary and rude so might put his route on the back burner. Also there's Keiichi who is very different from what I expect from a voltage character and am interested in seeing his interaction with the MC as his first chapter was hilariously cute! He reminds me a nicer and improve version of Cathy from 'Finally In Love Again' as he has a flamboyant personality. The only guy I'll pass is Shinobu as I have this weird vibe coming from this dude and according to most reviews he is an extreme Yandere... yah big turn off there.
Overall really do like the concept of this game. I a sucker for 'falling for the boy next door/neighbors in love' sorta stories like Lola and the Boy Next door (review here), My Life Next Door and especially Maybe Someday.
Game 4: Dreamy Days in West Tokyo
Do you believe in destiny?
You come back to your hometown after a 10 year absence.You run into your old crush, who's all grown up.
Going to school together, talking about memories of the past…
The two of you are getting closer day by day.
You've known him forever. Now experience the thrill of unexpectedly falling for him
—Story summary, Voltage Official Website
The MC returns to her hometown after moving away 10 years. As she wonders around the town she meets up with the her childhood friends, 5 boys who lives around the same neighborhood. The game follows the MC going to one of the boy's shop/house and eventually falling in love with said boy.
I adore the 'childhood friend romance' trope. This is one of the few games that is dedicated to that trope where all the potential lovers are childhood friends. The game caught me by surprise as it surpass my expectation! All of the guys in this game follows the typical trope we see in otome and anime yet they came out as down to earth and relatable comparing to the other voltage games.
This is a game recommend this game to the younger readers, if you are starting out with otome or even voltage inc games or if you're intimidated with the more mature stuff as the first season starts with the characters as teen and progresses to their college and adult years.
Once again this game gave me feels from playing Harvest Moon like Serendipity Next Door but in a cozy small town sorta way where everyone knows everyone and their business (especially the gossipy elderly lolz) and the whole community are always working together.
The MC in this game is realistic in a awkward teenage girl sorta way who is still figuring out what she wants to do in life after high school but also encountering the fact that she might be falling for one of her childhood best friend. While the MC does not really stand out like some other games I still did enjoy playing her character as she has some realistic inner conflict that are relatable to most girls.
One thing this game adds is the 'Childhood story' in between chapters which is a great way of getting a flashback of the MC relationship with the guy but also cause its fun seeing how similar/different the cast were as kids.
My Childhood Sweetheart
So the game a while back celebrated its 2nd anniversary so got Ichigo and
Rihito's season 1 and 2. After playing Ichigo's route I kinda want to
get Haru and Taka's routes as they were both so sweet to the MC! I kinda
find it interesting that the boys are very dotting to the MC even as
kids. Maybe it only happens in reverse haram or otome but from memory non of the guys I'm friends with where this dotting and caring towards me IRL lolz. The routes are really sweet and I love how the boys interact not only with the MC but with each other. I especially love Ryozo and Rihito's bromance xD
So I got Ichigo's route first mainly cause he's like the poster boy of this game. I really like his route eventhough he was the epitome of a rebellious tsundere teen. Its really nostalgic reading his route as there were so many things that I related to when I was in high school. Hell if it was not that I took a practical route I actually will have gone and become a pasty chef like Ichigo! I'm as for now halfway through his second season but I really enjoy his first season.
Rihito's route is currently on the back burner for those days when there is not much new released from voltage but I still luvvvvv this smooth flirty guy! Its kinda hilarious that the MC kept thinking he's a girl when they were kids (actually I can see why the MC mistaken him as a girl when they were kids as his sprite design as a kid DOES look like a little girl lolll) which was the main reason why he was such a cry baby. Between all the guys I've seen in this game I actually thought he's the most mature of them though he does have his childish moments. Also he is known for being a piano prodigy and that his mum is very protective of him.
Overall its a sweet game that I'll recommend to those starting out with voltage games and wants a simpler slice of life story line, those who wants a younger age range of guys or a more innocent take on romance.
Game 5: My Forged Wedding
“For just one month... please, pretend that we’re married.”
A sudden proposal to enter a fake marriage. Pretending to be newlyweds started out as a dreadful task, but as you spend each day together, you slowly become drawn to his charm.
Will what started as a lie turn out to be true love?
—Story summary, Voltage Official Website
The MC just graduated university and has moved from her hometown Kyushu to Tokyo in hopes of finding a job. There her Uncle Kunihiko gets her a job however in order to do so the MC has to help one of his friends with their problem unbeatably know to her is that she has to pretend to be married to said guy to help him with his problem.
Another voltage classic and one of the few older games that is still getting updated. Heck it recently got a spin-off game called My Wedding and 7 Rings (another first impressions for another day). Once again this game did not catch my eyes partly cause of the name 'my forged wedding'. I like the idea of a fake relationship but a fake marriage??? ah that's a bit too much to my liking. Also none of the characters caught my attention at first especially the main cast but after playing those sub stories on the sweet café (bless you voltage for those free sub stories to test the waters of the characters before I make a purchase) I actually start to like them.
The game has that same clunky transaction I find with the older games like LLFTX and the choices are MEH as there are only two choice instead of the usual three. The interaction between the MC and the cast is great! I like watching the guys interaction especially when they are at the Long Island. As for the MC, she's kinda like all MC's I see in voltage though what's special about this one is that she drinks like a fish since she grew up next to a family that owns a Sake brewery.
Which guy I'm gonna help aka be in a fake marriage/relationship with turn real deal???
I like the guys added later in the game more than the original cast. Akito is my first choice as he's the MC's best friend from childhood (which I'm a sucker for) while Haruki is that smooth and gentlemanly guy with a traditional Japanese man twist. It was once i played Akito's route I started to like characters like Ren and Yamato who's routes I played but on the spin off game MWA7R.
Remember me mentioning about the MC being neighbors with a family that owns a sake brewery??? Well the route that I played follows the MC as she gets tricked into a fake relationship with Akito to convince his parents to let him stay in Tokyo so he continue his work as an Esthetician. As the route progresses the MC and Akito finds out that his family brewery is in financial difficulties and and they figures out how to save the brewery while allowing Akito to continue with his career.
I like this route. Its very heartwarming and nostalgic especially when we get to the end of the MS we hear the story of why Akito decided to become an Esthetician. Aki's character is a big teased to the MC but he is still sweet and caring to her in a brotherly/best friend sorta way. Also like all childhood best friends story there is a lot of flashbacks that ties in with the stories and its just nice seeing all those scenes of the MC and Aki when they were kids growing up and how they parallel to their current life.
I'm in no rush of getting the other guys routes and will probably wait for sales (which was the main reason why I already own Akito's route) but I am interested in plying Saeki, Ren, Yamato and Takao routes.
Overall
I'm just gonna straight out say it... I'm trash for Voltage Inc otome! I love the idea of this playable/ interactive romantic visual novels and over the last few months since the last first impressions I've found some of my ultimate favorite routes, apps and characters. This is a unique genre and medium of story telling that needs to be experience. I've yet to try other companies otome games like OKKO and Shall We Date but for now I think I'll stick to voltage till I can have a bit more time to expand on other otomes.
There are just too many voltage games to cover at one go especially with how fast they release the games lately so there will be another first impressions coming soon. I might actually make a first impressions of the newest app 'Bad Boys do it Better' next as I just finished playing the prologue as I'm editing this.
Let me know your thoughts on the apps I mentioned and if there is a character route that I have yet to cover in said let me know if I should play it. Also follow me on tumblr (rotantrm) and the hashtag #row plays otome for more of my otome rambling/ game play commentary
Till next time
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