Maid For You ~ Otome Visual Novel (Pre-order) Mac OS

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Otome games, or romance games aimed at a female audience, may have originated in Japan, but their appeal is finally reaching international audiences. In the past few years, more and more games have been released in English, allowing players worldwide to date their share of handsome men. With interest in romance visual novels at an all-time high due to the widespread success of games like Dream Daddy in 2017, I wanted to dispel some misconceptions about the otome game genre and recommend my top 10 favorite titles.

  1. Browse the newest, top selling and discounted Otome products on Steam.
  2. You get an unexpected package delivery one day. When you open it, there’s a man inside - but luckily, he comes with instructions! You have your own impressionable boyfriend. It’s your duty to shape him into a proper person since he’s actually a “doll” with no past exposure to people. However, this delivery wasn’t meant for you.

Lady&Maid or 아가씨와메이드 is about a woman who inherits a mansion from her grandfather and in turn, the maid harem that comes with it. There are 5 maids to choose from, with more possibly being unlocked after completing the main route. A unique take on the Otome genre. From what I’ve seen, it seems to be your typical Visual Novel where your options determine the type of ending you.

The term “otome” comes from the Japanese word for maiden or young lady, indicating the target audience of the genre. The origins of the genre date back at least to Angelique, which was released for Super Famicom in 1994 and is widely considered the first otome game. Angelique was developed by a team of women at KOEI known as Ruby Party who wanted to make more games that would appeal to girls.

Angelique was slightly different from the “choose-your-own-adventure” visual novel style common to many otome games today. Rather, Angelique leaned heavily on a simulation system that had players raising various stats to appeal to the man of their dreams. Simulation gameplay was common for romance games at the time, such as Konami's Tokimeki Memorial series aimed at male players, which also came out in 1994. These simulation elements lead to the term “dating sim game” (romance simulation game). Many players still refer to romance games as dating sims, despite the fact that many have moved towards a more visual novel-style format.

Today, otome games encompass such a wide range of themes that it's difficult to distill them into a few simple characteristics. You certainly don't have to be a young lady to enjoy what otome games have to offer! However, since the genre originated as romance games for women and took many stylistic queues from shōjo manga, the protagonists are women, and the romance options are nearly always men. (There are some instances of otome games with female romance options, such as the Japan-only Gekka Ryouran Romance, or OZMAFIA!! and Mystic Messenger.)

The single unifying aspect of all otome games is romance. Whether you're racing to stop a coup d'etat in a steampunk version of England or uncovering the mysteries of a bizarre world populated by talking pigeons, all otome games revolve around the protagonist eventually falling in love. For the most part, otome games are intended to be played multiple times, so that over the course of each character's story (or 'route'), you'll see the whole story start to piece together. Often, there are even secret characters who won't unlock until you've played everyone else's route!

There are many otome games that offer intricate storylines in addition to juicy romance, but there's also plenty of silly fluff out there. There's an otome game out there for nearly every interest! Just five years ago, I would've been hard-pressed to come up with 10 otome games available legally in English, but now I can curate a list of only the best to recommend. Here are 10 of my personal favorites to get you started:

Hakuōki: Kyoto Winds

The Hakuōki series gets the award for being the first major Japanese otome game franchise to be localized into English. Hakuōki is wildly popular in Japan for good reason: the historical members of the shinsengumi have been transformed into handsome men and infused with some demonic intrigue for action-packed (albeit tragic) romance. While numerous versions of the game have been localized into English for a plethora of systems, Hakuōki: Kyoto Winds is the most recent iteration for PS Vita and PC. It includes new character routes as well as improved graphics, making it the definitive version of Hakuōki. However, the game has been split into two parts, meaning it ends on a cliffhanger: you'll have to purchase Hakuōki: Edo Blossoms when it comes out this spring to see the complete story. Consider grabbing Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom for PSP or Hakuōki for iOS/Android if you want the full experience right away, minus the new routes.

OZMAFIA!!

It's the ultimate mashup of fairytale and literary characters, from The Wizard of Oz to Puss in Boots. The twist on these classic characters comes from the title – they're all members of warring mafia groups that the protagonist unwittingly finds herself caught between. This game's a roller coaster that goes from not taking itself seriously at all to being surprisingly dark in its many routes. There's even one girl option, though it's light on potential romance. While some routes will definitely not be for everyone (the brothel and love triangle routes in particular), the story is not the strong point of this game, so you won't you'll feel like you're missing out if you don't complete all of them. Even so, it's still worth playing for its gorgeous art, witty English localization, and quirky cast of characters. OZMAFIA!! is available for PC.

Period Cube: Shackles of Amadeus

Period Cube can most easily be described as Sword Art Online: The Otome Game, only this time the protagonist is not a long-time MMO player, but a girl who ventures into an MMO along with her childhood friend when her brother is rumored to have gone missing inside it. As she uncovers the mysteries of the MMO, she comes in contact with a number of different players. Period Cube stands out for not only having very good romance routes, but also a great cast of supporting characters. If you can, go into Period Cube with as little knowledge about the characters as possible – it's even more fun when their real-world personalities are a surprise! Period Cube: Shackles of Amadeus is available for PS Vita.

Mystic Messenger

Out of all the games on this list, Mystic Messenger may be the most widely-known. As the first iOS/Android otome game developed by the Korean studio Cheritz, it utilizes the mobile phone platform to simulate an actual app where you play by interacting with characters in chat rooms and receiving simulated phone calls. Though Cheritz's previous PC-only titles Dandelion and Nameless ~The One Thing You Must Recall~ are both perfectly good otome game recommendations, Mystic Messenger presents an extremely effective immersive experience along with its great cast of characters, including a female romance option.

Hatoful Boyfriend

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This is a game where instead of dating human boys, you date pigeons. It starts off with a whole lot of silliness, poking at visual novel conventions, but there are hints of something more sinister under the surface. While OZMAFIA!! is the kind of game where it's no big deal if you skip a few routes, Hatoful Boyfriend absolutely must be played until you get the true ending. Get ready for a game that's a whole lot more than just a few bird puns! Hatoful Boyfriend is available for PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, PS Vita, and iOS/Android. There's also a fan disc (an add-on to the original game that's not quite a full sequel) titled Hatoful Boyfriend: Holiday Star.


Otome games tend to be criticized for having bland protagonists who don't take a active role in their narratives, despite being the central player character. While a less-defined protagonist may be easier for players to imagine themselves as, many players prefer protagonists with their own personalities, motivations, and character growth. Here are a few otome games with standout heroines:

Nightshade

If you liked the historical setting of Hakuōki, Nightshade might also be for you. Like Hakuōki, it features some historical characters and events, but it's centered around two warring ninja clans rather than the shinsengumi. The protagonist Enju is the daughter of the head of one of these clans, and she's determined to become a full-fledged ninja despite her village's insistence against it. With five male romance options, an action-packed plot, and lovely visuals, Nightshade deserves a spot in every otome game fan's library. You can find Nightshade for PC on Steam.

Collar X Malice

In this game, Tokyo is stricken by a terrorist organization called Adonis, who conduct a series of murders related to a countdown to the mysterious X-Day. Protagonist Officer Hoshino is on patrol in Shinjuku when she's attacked and fitted with a locked collar filled with poison around her neck. The suspense-filled plot follows her quest to uncover the truth behind the collar and X-Day, along with the help of five former police officers. Unfortunately, the localization could have used some more editing, but Collar X Malice is still a great otome game choice for PS Vita if you're looking for a darker story and stronger female protagonist.

Sweet Fuse: At Your Side

You play as Saki, the fictional niece to Megaman creator Keiji Iwafune. (No, really.) Saki finds herself in a sticky situation when she attends the unveiling of Iwafune's brand new amusement park, only to be trapped by a psychotic pig that wants her and the other attendees to participate in a dangerous game. Saki is one of my favorite otome game protagonists because she isn't afraid to speak her mind, even if it means telling her male suitors off! Sweet Fuse also stands out for being hilarious and having a great cast of characters who are more than just the usual clichés. Sweet Fuse is only available for PSP, but the PSN version can be played on a PS Vita. Trust me, it's worth the trouble!

Rose of Winter

Pillowfight is one of many non-Japanese developers dipping their toe in the otome game genre. While Rose of Winter isn't explicitly labeled as an otome game, it ticks all the boxes otome game fans are looking for. The protagonist, Rosemary, is an adorable mercenary who needs to make some dough by escorting one of four princes across a treacherous mountain. Choose a prince and get ready for some super cute interactions between Rose and her suitor in this short but sweet otome game that will leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Code:Realize – Guardian of Rebirth

This has all the makings of a great otome game: kickass protagonist, lovable cast of guys to date, intriguing storyline, gorgeous visuals, and memorable music. The heroine Cardia is stricken with a deadly poison that causes anything her skin touches to melt, so she's instructed by her father to stay away from people. While she initially seems like another damsel waiting for man to save her, Cardia takes matters into her own hands and learns to kick butt alongside her male suitors (who are all modeled after famous literary and historical figures). Code:Realize – Guardian of Rebirth is currently only available for PS Vita, but a PS4 port and fan disc will be debuting in English on March 30th.


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Dramatical Murder

Dramatical Murder created and published by Nitro+ Chiral. It is an Anime-based Visual-Novel and Single-player video game. It is an addictive science-fiction video game in which the player can take on the role of Aoba Seragaki. Most of the gameplay spent on reading stories and dialogues.

The game follows a branching storyline with multiple endings and plenty of decisions that players make during the gameplay. The game featured four mainline plots, and following the completion of all four, it unlocks the fifth one. During the gameplay, the player has multiple options to choose from, and text progression pauses at these points until a choice is made. Each decision provides rewards to progress in the storyline.

Just like the other similar games, the Dramatical Murder game also allows the player to interact with the non-player characters and try to make some romantic relationships. Dramatical Murder offers two different kinds of endings, such as good and bad, that depend on the player which he wants. The game offers stunning visual details with an enjoyable storyline for its global users.

#1 Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

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Danganronapa 2: Goodbye Despair is an Adventure-based, Visual-Novel, and Single-player video game by Spike Chunsoft. The story of the game follows a group of high school students who are stuck on the island with their high school’s headmaster named Monokumaa.

The game offers two different types of gameplay, such as School life that divided into the Daily life and the Deadly life sections and Class Trail. In Daily Life, the player can move in the different areas to interact with other characters and progress through it.

It allows the player to converse with the characters to earn Hope Fragments in the Free Time section that the player can exchange for skill in Class Trial. The Deadly Life section occurs when a crime scene is exposed, and the player aims to find evidence that will assist them in the Calls Trial.

The Class Trail allows the player to determine the identity of the criminal just like a previous game. The section is primarily formed of nonstop debates that enable the player to find weak points of the student to shoot them.

It also offers several modes apart from the main game. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair game offers superb game settings, content-rich story plot, enhanced game mechanics, and beautiful visual details.

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#2 Princessess Maid

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Princessess Maid is a Visual-Novel, Anime-based, and Single-player Dating Simulation by Toki Production. The story of the game revolves around the two twin Princesses who are going to get married to unknown persons they can’t love her.

In this game, the main task of the player interacts with the non-player characters, makes new friends, finds true love, and goes on the hot dates. It is one of the best games for all teenagers. It has a verity of non-player characters, and each one has charming looks and personality.

The player must also make her husband happy during the gameplay and flirt with new guys. Princess Maid offers core features such as different areas, unlock new dialogs, various characters, and character customization options, etc.

The game offers stunning game mechanics and visual details, if you loved Visual Novel Dating Simulation, then do try it out Princessess Maid lets you have the best time.

#3 Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

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Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is an Adventure-based, Visual-Novel, Single and Multilayer video game developed and published by Spike. The game casts the player in the role of Makoto Naegi, a student of Hope’s Peak Academy, who trapped himself in a game of mutual killing among his students.

The gameplay revolves around the investigation and finds contradictions with an emphasis on faster gameplay. It consists of multiple chapters, and each chapter features two different styles of gameplay, School Life and Class Trails. In school life, the player can explore the school grounds in the first-person view, interact with the other students, take classes, and complete a series of objectives to progress.

The class trail is the main section of the game in which the player must deduce the culprit of the crime. Class Trails also consist of four different styles of gameplay, such as Nonstop Debate, Bullet Time Battle, Hangman’s Gambit, and Closing Argument.

In each style, the player can perform different tasks to progress. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc offers key features such as interact with the lots NPCs, collect items, unlock new skills, and dozens of upgrades, etc. The game offers impressive gameplay, fantastic game mechanics, and brilliant visual detail to enjoy everything in a way like never before.

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#4 RE: Alistair

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RE: Alistair is an Awesome, Otome-based, Massively Multiplayer Online, Visual Novel, Stat Raising, and Dating Simulation created and published by Sakevisual. The game is available to play on Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. The game offers the player to get into the role of the protagonist named Merui Lucas, who is a female.

According to the story, the protagonist is a girl who loves playing video games. Merui often plays an MMORPG known as Rivenwell with her online fellow named Fiona. A boy named Alistair who steals a valuable item from the protagonist and forces her to get it back. The player must explore the world and take revenge with the boy who stole the rare item in the game world.

The protagonist has no idea who he is in actual life. There are three boys from Merui’s School, could be Alistair, such as Shiro, Travis, and Derek. The game allows the player to complete challenging objectives and earns points. With the best mechanics, superb gameplay, and stunning visuals, RE: Alistair is the best game to play and enjoy.

#5 Frozen Essence

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Frozen Essence is an Otome, Visual Novel, Single-player, and Dating Simulation developed by Unbroken Hours. The game offers exciting gameplay, in which you can take on the role of the protagonist named Mina, who is trapped.

She lost her memory and followed the assistance of the Oracle, and protected by the guys from those who frightened her with dark powers. The game allows the player to explore the realm, find love, and go on a date.

The game offers the combination of traditional visual novel and dialog-based elements and lets the player enjoy multiple ending. The player can find the clue and reveal the mysteries of crystal prison and enjoy the Otome game ultimately.

Frozen Essence game includes core features such as Addictive Gameplay, Multiple Characters, Crystal Realm, Peaceful Meeting, Oracle, Expression, and more. Frozen Essence is a wonderful game to play and enjoy right the mobile devices as well as tablets.

#6 Other Age

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Another Age is an addictive, Visual Novel, Otome, Single-player, and Dating Simulation developed and published by Zeiva. The game takes place in the fictional kingdom of Zeiva and allows you to live in the role of the princess. According to the story, you are given a machine on your 16th birthday that you can use to summon people from other dimensions.

Maid For You ~ Otome Visual Novel (Pre-order) Mac OS

The game offers exciting gameplay and lets you play as a princess, find your love and go on a date whenever you want. Summon guys from other dimensions and engage you in dating experience. Users can explore the exciting game world, a date with different guys, and choose your love right away.

The players must have to reveal the mystery of the Kingdom and complete objectives. You can play the game with the use of the mouse. The game offers visual novel with dialogs box elements. With the best mechanics, superb visuals, narrative story and immersive gameplay, Other Age is the wonderful game to play and enjoy.

#7 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors

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999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors is an Adventure-based, Visual-Novel and Single-player video game developed by Chunsoft and published by Spike. The story of the game is truly based on Junpei, a student at a college. The gameplay of the game consists of the two different types of the section, such as Escape and Novel.

In the Novel section, the player can start his adventure to progress through the storyline and converses with various NPCs. This section requires a little interaction to read the text that appears on the screen. This text represents the dialog between the different characters. It also allows the player to make important decisions that directly affect the course of the game.

In Escape mode, the player can explore different locations, collect lots of items, and solve some of the puzzles to escape in the darkroom. It is an excellent game that offers action-packed gameplay that lets you immerse yourself deep into the brilliant game world.

999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors provides key features such as various collect items, unique puzzles, NPCs, massive game world and different storylines, etc. The game offers quite addictive gameplay, well-written storylines, simple controls, and brilliant graphics details.

#8 Love and Order

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Love and Order is an Addictive Visual Novel, Otome, Single-player, and Dating Simulation developed and published by Winter Wolves. The game sets in the small district of Montreal and allows the player to get into the role of the protagonist named Dana Larose, who is a female.

In the game, the main objective of the player is to start her career in the office of Crown Attorney as a secretary. The crown’s office filled with both understaffed and overworked. The player has to go through different projects with the help of office staff. In the game, the player must find her love, reveal the mysteries, and complete all challenging tasks.

The game includes four characters named Ross, Jonathan, Dorothy, and Pierre. The player can earn extra money by doing extra work in the game and follows the hints to uncover the mysteries of the Crown Attorney’s Office. With the addictive gameplay, superb mechanics, excellent sounds, and stunning visuals, Love and Order is the wonderful game to play and enjoy.

#9 Cinders

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Cinders is an Adventure, Visual Novel, Otome-based, Dating Sim, and Single-Player Simulation developed and published by MoaCube. The game offers a combination of Role-playing and Classic Visual Novel elements. It lets the player get into the role of the protagonist named Cinders, who is a young woman living with her stepmother and her daughter.

The story of Cinderella inspires the game. In the game, the fate of the protagonist is in the player’s hand. The game lets the player play as cinders, explore the game world, fell freedom, see exciting sceneries, and find her love.

The game offers the player with controls with up to 300 options to select from, more than 120 decisions, and multiple ending. With the best features, addictive gameplay, superb visuals, and brilliant mechanics, Cinders is one of the best games to play and enjoy.

#10 Date Warp

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Date Warp is a Visual Novel, Female Protagonist, Otome, Adventure, and Single-player Dating Simulation developed and published by Hanako Games. The game takes place in a massive mansion and lets the player assume the role of the protagonist, who is a female.

The game follows the story of a young girl (Student) who goes on a date with her boyfriend and disappears and the story of the game starts. The protagonist and his boyfriend named Bradley go on their first date in the game.

After their car accident, they find themselves in a strange mansion and find a group of young men staying at the mansion. There is a man in these five guys who have a gun. After staying the night at the mansion, the story takes a turn that the player will surely enjoy.

The player has to complete the objectives, explore the massive mansion, reveal the mystery, and see the story’s end. Someone or maybe the player will die at the end of the story. Date Warp offers the best mechanics, addictive story, impressive gameplay, and excellent sounds to have an ultimate experience.

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#11 Lucky Rabbit Reflex

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Lucky Rabbit Reflex is the best Otome, Casual, Novel Visual, Dating Sim, and Single-Player Simulation created and published by Superb63. The game offers exciting gameplay, in which you can assume the role of the protagonist, who is a female.

The game takes you to a high school environment, where lets you engage yourself in fun-filled activities. The primary task involves you to find a friend or a boyfriend to date. You can enjoy plenty of amazing things with your desired girls or boys and do whatever you want.

The game includes core features such as up to 19 Endings, 75 Unique CGs, Endings Gallery, 178,861 Words, more than 150 unique items of accessories and clothing, and loads of other fun facts. With the best mechanics, visual novel gameplay, and the best story, Lucky Rabbit Reflex is the incredible Dating Simulation to play and enjoy.

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#12 Spirited Heart

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Spirited Heart is an Otome, and Visual Novel Simulation with Role-playing, Romance, and Dating Simulation game developed and published by Winter Wolves. The game offers exciting gameplay and takes place in a virtual fantasy world.

In the game world, you must create your fantasy ego by selecting normal humans, a demoness, and a cute elf. As the game start, the player must find a job from up to twenty jobs by checking the minimum requirements.

You’ll enhance your character skills, responsibilities, and more with each job. The game includes six different dateable characters and allows the player to interact with all of them, find your love, and go on a date. Each Character has its unique personality and reacts variously depending on the race that you choose.

Your main goal is to win other’s hearts and maybe get married to one of them. Spirited Heart game includes key features such as Three Different Races, Detailed Fantasy Simulation, Complete Missions, Random Events, and more.

#13 The Flower Shop: Winter in Fairbrook

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The Flower Shop: Winter In Fairbrook is an amazing Otome, Visual Novel, Single-player, and Dating Simulation developed and published by Winter Wolves. The game offers the combination of the dating and farming elements and lets the player immerse himself in an ultimate otome experience.

The game lets the player take the role of the protagonist named Natalie and get into the game world where she must grow crops and sell them for nice profits. The game is a mixture of the classic visual novel with dialog element. The player can speed up the process of growing and grow crops and sell them immediately to earn a lot of money.

The player can grow flowers to impress someone and find your love. The game includes various characters such as Ryan, Jacob, Trent, Susana, and more. The Flower Shop: Winter In Fairbrook includes core features such as Raise Flowers, Relationship System, High Replayability, Dating, Farming, and more. It is the best dating simulation to play and enjoy over your Mac, Windows, and Linux systems.

#14 Long Live the Queen

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Long Live the Queen is a Fantasy-based, Visual-Novel, Role-playing, and Single-player Simulation by Hanako Games. The story of the game follows a princess who is getting training to become a brave queen of her kingdom after the death of her mother. In this game, the ultimate task of the player keeps the princess alive for forty weeks until she turns fifteen and gets crown.

At the beginning of the game, the player can read the story of the match and schedules weekly lessons of the protagonist in different topics such as foreign affairs, expression, logistics, military matters, self-defense, and magic, etc.

These activities will increase her proficiency in various statics. After the week’s progress, the player can present with different social and political opportunities. The gameplay consists of several weeks, and each week of the game offers different lessons to learn.

Long Live the Queen includes core features such as upgrades, simple controls, unique characters, multiple endings, magical spells, different characters, and much more. The game offers excellent graphics, clear details, easy interface, powerful soundtracks, and great game mechanics.

#15 Magical Diary: Horse Hall

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Magical Diary: Horse Hall is a Visual-Novel, Fantasy-based, Adventure, Romance, and Single-player Simulation developed and published by Hanako Games. The game takes place in a magical school where the player can take on the role of a female protagonist.

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In this game, the ultimate task of the player is to make interaction with the non-player characters, make new friends, learn new magical spells, face exams against the deadly enemies, find true love, and go for the date for the May Day Ball.

But it is not so easy to be lured into the secret society that can force the player to marry with her professor. To make the game more enjoyable, it offers a customization option that allows the player to create his character with lots of exciting things.

It also includes core features such as unlock new secrets, multiple solutions, communication, romance, and different events, etc. The game offers quite addictive gameplay, a well-written storyline, and beautiful graphics details.

#16 Always Remember Me

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Always Remember Me is an Otome-based, Visual Novel, Single and Dating Simulation developed and published by Winter Wolves. The game offers a heart-touching story, in which Amy (the protagonist) is desperate for her boyfriend. Due to a car accident, Amy’s boyfriend lost his memory and didn’t remember her anymore.

The game allows you to get into the role of Amy who is a female and help her to let her make reminder of her boyfriend again. Explore the game world, interact with other NPCs, and find action what you want to perform, find someone else to date, and maybe she falls in fall with another person.

There are four datable characters, such as Hugh, Aaron, Eddy, and Lawrence. You can earn points by completing objectives. Now it’s on you to shape the destiny of Amy. Always Remember Me offers key features such as Four Characters, Detailed Simulation, Relationship System, High Replayability, Lots of Stats (Romance, Money, Morale, Creativity, and Culture), and more.

#17 True Love: Confide to the Maple

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True Love: Confide is a Love-Theme Text-Adventure, and Single-player video game developed and published by SP-Time. The game takes place in modern China after reform and opening and offers a love story in High School in China.

In this game, the player will gain experience of High School life in China, and he will know the thinking of young teenagers. The objective of the game is to interact with teenagers and find true love.

True Love: Confide to the Maple is a really enjoyable game specially made for those who like love-theme games and want to enjoy the real-time experience. Do try it out, you’ll be amazed at all the things in this stunning game.