[Recommendations] In Search FOR Otome Games

[crimson_yukime]

Hey everyone~! (*≧▽≦)

This is my first time posting (since I just joined today!) I need some help in choosing my otome game starter collection! Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ First off, I only have PS3, PSP and NDS. PC games are out because I have a mac and I don't wanna use BootCamp and sorts. If possible I don't want NDS games cause I think the CGs don't turn out as

Comments

[eisprinzesschen]

Hakuouki. Definitely Hakuouki.
Uhm, I'm not really good in writing summaries so instead I'll just give you the links to the official website(s): http://www.otomate.jp/hakuoki_ps3/ (for PS3)
http://www.otomate.jp/hakuoki_psp/ (for PSP)
http://www.otomate.jp/hakuoki_ds/ (for NDS)
IMO the story is great (and the CGs even more so) and I really liked most of the characters.
I would recommend it to everyone who is looking for an otome game which is not all cute und pink and sparkling and stuff but have a serious story with handsome characters.
I had a hard time reading all the kanjis in this game though, but maybe it was just my imagination. ^^;

Oh, and I heard that Death Connection (available for the PSP) is also quite good. :3 http://www.otomate.jp/dc/psp/index.html

[crimson_yukime]

The actual reason I got suddenly interested is because of Kazuki Youne's art in hanaoni and hakuoki! It's so preeeeeettttyyyyy!! I am trying to avoid Hakuoki atm because the setting is old times and that means some very complex vocab and kanji... I have it on my to buy list though definitely!! For starters though, anything else that will have a sort of more modern setting? Death connection looks good, I'll check a few reviews and decide! Thanks!

[sei_kun]

You can try to read reviews first :) For example, Hinano's blog (http://breadmasterlee.wordpress.com/) has quite a number of otome game reviews, although she mostly does PC games. Or you can try this one: sandeian.wordpress.com which does have reviews for PSP games.

Be warned that both blogs are full of spoilers, so if you want to avoid spoilers completely you might want to avoid them.

[crimson_yukime]

I kinda actually read through those blogs... Haha. - didn't mind the spoilers and they actually wanted me to play all of them! (But of course money is issue because buying them in one go is impossible for me) which one would you think should I go first? Is the gameplay for each very different...?

[sei_kun]

Gameplay for each... well, most of them would be a standard VN, but some like the Quinrose games usually have a somewhat complicated gameplay which you'd need a guide to figure out.
Have you seen this one? http://otomediary.wordpress.com/review-index/recommendations/ Might be a good clue on where to start.

For your second criteria... the only games I've played lately which seemed to be rather "suggestive" was probably "Last Escort: Club Katze", although I gathered that the art style's not for everyone. For Garnet Cradle, I really liked the story but that suggestiveness was gone; as far as romance goes it was rather on the "innocent" side. The one game maker where the games are highly suggestive is Quinrose... so yea, Alice series might most likely fit your bill.

[crimson_yukime]

I also have Garnet Cradle somewhere in my wish list... I think the story was interesting enough that without smut, I think it will work because the story still compels you to finish the game!

Last Escort has pretty art actually, not the standard anime type drawing, more polished pretty art I'd say! The only concern is the repetitiveness of the game, having it on the same setting (i.e. the host club) for all events? (Well, according to a review that is.) I'll look it up some more and see.

Quinrose's Alice series is kinda tempting me for the smut suggestiveness BUT the gameplay seems intimidating and the fact that some CGs are really deformed for me, bothers me... I'll wait some more for this one!

[splash]

Hmm I could recommend a lot of PSP titles but they're pretty mild on the smut aspect. You can't really expect much daring material on the PSP after all, it's all saved for the PC. XD

[crimson_yukime]

I don't really need the CG to be all that revealing and naked. 8D I mean, just having implied connotation in the storytelling or have more mature themes and not very shoujo-ey?

I have read reviews for quinrose's alice series... Do you think that would be something I would pick up considering my criteria? I really can't decide what to pick up coz there's so many that is tempting to me. If you can recommend just one that I should really really try, what would that be? (That fits my like/taste)

[splash]

Actually I don't think I've played a quinrose title that's satisfied me yet XD; If you mean on the PC?

I guess my impression of what you mean by "mature" is something dark and serious like Hakuouki?? Because actually the ones I like the most aren't so dark. XD; You can find a lot more dark stuff in BL games www But I guess if you REALLY need that element in a story, I'd say Sorayume (produced by TAKUYO).

Lately I REALLY like the "polish the man up from dead bottom to high rising" (can't think of a better way to say this atm) like Lucian Bee's and the Vitamin series though. They're mostly funny with lotsssssss of good seiyuu fanservice, and then of course the usual otome goodness. Those two series are jam-packed with awesome games under them.

[crimson_yukime]

I welcome comedic scenes as well of course. I can't stand veeeeery serious stories. Is lucian bee the name of the game or the company maker's name? I'll go check it out when I get home then! Vitamin series looks good too! I read a review of it! So excited to get my paycheck next week!!

[chiisai_hime]

Starry Sky's a relatively easy series (though the only one that's not completely innocent is Autumn cuz of Iku). Also, if you don't mind reading (or skipping) Alice's thoughts, I'd recommend Anniversary(+clover) no kuni no Alice, some implied scenes in that one~ Also, Last Escort is not that fluffy. But of course, any otome gamer MUST play a tokimemo game!!

[crimson_yukime]

I'm scared of starry sky series CG because the heroine has long bangs that cover her eyes. Makes her look stalkerish to me. Sorry... About clover no kuni no alice, would u consider alice an awesome heroine or is she the annoying/frustrating type?

[chiisai_hime]

Alice would be one of the better heroines, not the stupid useless type, but cynical and strong-willed. And she does have a personality so it's a nice change to those flatter archetypes (and b*tches).

[crimson_yukime]

Sounds interesting! :) I looked up some gameplay reviews and it did interest me! (Is it okay to buy Clover no kuni no Arisu before buying Heart no Kuni and the other one, or is it better to start from Heart no Kuni and go up because they are connected to one another?)

(I wish I had lots of money to allot for my otome game fascination! >_<)

[devilottie]

Seriously, Death Connection portable is a hot choice. I myself is playing it now and the storyline's dark, not all bubblegummy and deals with adult themes. Rather intriguing I would say. frankly speaking, Hiiro no Kakera series are nice..u shld give it a shot despite watever they sae abt the heroine. =)

[crimson_yukime]

I will definitely get Deathly Connection too! Saw the trailer and how hot the guys are, I am getting it! X3

Hiiro no Kakera has really great visuals but having a lot of people say that Tamaki is annoying gives me doubts if I can tolerate her... I am trying Hiiro no Kakera 2 just cause it is NOT Tamaki as the heroine. I'll decide from there how bad I want that series and see if I will risk buying the first one. :)

Thanks for the suggestion!