• 2010s,  Review

    Review – La-Mulana

    Completing La-Mulana without a guide is a feat of strength. That's probably why I couldn't do it. After an unsuccessful run some years ago, I tried again on another console and with a begrudged willingness to get outside help. It went a lot better this time.

  • Amber's Magic Shop Header
    2010s,  Dating Adzuken

    Dating Adzuken – Amber’s Magic Shop

    The technical difference between an actual dating sim and a romantic visual novel largely just comes down to stats. In a dating sim, you build up stats and go through a progressive calendar. Amber's Magic Shop is a dating sim, but rather than just straight stats, it has a much more interesting approach.

  • Star Wars Episode 1 Racer
    1990s,  N64,  Review

    Review – Star Wars: Episode 1: Racer

    Episode I was a travesty, and I accept no arguments. On the plus side, we got some great games. My favourite is Star Wars: Episode I: Racer, based on that stupidly ostentatious scene from the movie. So much suggests this game would be bad, but it's quite the opposite.

  • Seduce Me header
    2010s,  Dating Adzuken

    Dating Adzuken – Seduce Me

    Have you heard of Diabolik Lovers? Don't look it up. Anyway, Seduce Me is like that but a mansion full of Incubi. It's also substantially less sexy. Like, it has sexual themes, but it's negatively arousing. I tried my best here, but I'm not sure any of us are going home with a boner.

  • Pub Encounter Header
    2010s,  Dating Adzuken

    Dating Adzuken – Pub Encounter

    Taking a diversion from the normal schoolday dating sims, it's time to look at a romantic visual novel with real men. By which I mean, anime men that are old enough to legally drink. I don't know if maturity is what I'm looking for, because goodness knows I'm lacking in that department.

  • Video Games

    Review – River City Girls

    I love the Nekketsu/Kunio-Kun/Downtown/River City series. It is forever my jam. However, I have noted that my gender is largely under-represented in the series. That’s fine. Kunio-Kun is the main character after all. But all of his buddies are male and rarely do you get the chance to play as one of his female school chums. The only past example…

  • True Love Header
    1990s,  Dating Adzuken

    Dating Adzuken – True Love

    Finally, and actual adult dating sim. Adult in the sense that it has sexual themes. It's still schoolyear romance. True Love says it takes place during college, but I'm not entirely convinced. Pretty sure those are high school uniforms. But, whatever. Do you think there will be nudity? You might be surprised.

  • Video Games

    Review – KukkoroDays

    I never would have expected an ecchi visual novel to leave a lasting impact on me, but TroubleDays somehow found a way to worm its way into my mind and take up residence. It wasn’t necessarily for its dirtiness, though it is, at the very least, adjacent to my interests. Rather, it was because it was just a cute romance.…

  • Nicole Header
    2010s,  Dating Adzuken

    Dating Adzuken – Nicole

    I really wasn't expecting anything to top Iris School of Wizardry in dark turns, but somehow Nicole found a way. I'm not new to having a game make me feel uncomfortable, but it's always unfortunate when it happens. I don't even think it was intentional with Nicole, it just happened.

  • Pyrite Hearts Header
    2010s,  Dating Adzuken

    Dating Adzuken – Pyrite Heart

    This game is listed as "adult" on MobyGames, but I'm fairly certain it isn't. Instead, it's yet another high school romance, which is pretty normal for the genre. The highlight in Pyrite Hearts is when I dressed in a maid outfit. N-not that I'm into that sort of thing. Baka.