Right now I bet you’re laughing: dating simulations sound like a somewhat nerdy correct? That’s probably the reason that they don’t do that great here in America and other western countryies; we just plain think they are un-cool. Typically though these games do very good in Japan, sometimes making in on to the top ten sellers list, sometimes not.
These games are broken down into sub-genre’s with erotic and visual novel games. Why would they be grouped with erotic games you say? The answer to that is very simple, it’s because these games typically have you meeting a computer controlled boy or girl and you have to talk to them to achieve your goals. Thus making it for a perfect sexual encounter, or so game designers in Japan must think.
The most common goal in a normal dating simulator is of course dating, having you choose from several girls or boys you have to usually impress them through in game options to date them. The games will sometimes have elements such as time limits, charm and looks meters, and an attraction meter which goes up as you do things to impress the character you’re wishing to “date.”
The storyline of these games varies, what you expected it to be all about dating? The stories if you will are usually told by a time limit of events. These events change the way characters interact.
When the game ends the player will fail if he hasn’t won over a girl, that is usually done by marrying her, or perhaps having sex with her, or just achieving eternal love. Take note that these games have different endings, which can increase the replay value for some people.
Once in a while a dating simulator will come out where a girl is the main character and chases after boys, or sometimes even homosexual characters can be featured, but a lead male character with females as the target is the most common type. Often these games have a high school theme, and sometimes they have a fantasy theme. As a fan of anime I have to mention that dating simulators can sometimes follow an anime story line as well, allowing the player to find out different endings to his or her favorite Anime or Manga.
Role playing games can also join the fun, as some have mini games which center on dating. Which leads me to what I believe are the best dating simulator games, Harvest Moon is the best hands down I believe, even though it’s a game within a larger game. You may have heard of Harvest Moon before, its been on systems such as Super Nintendo, Gamecube, Nintendo 64, and Playstation to name just a few. The story line can vary from game to game but typically you play a young man that has to farm and play other mini games to help out his town.
Some of us that enjoy The Sim’s games have already experienced a form of dating simulation games, as The Sim’s features romance among characters and your choices affect the outcome. One very decent dating simulation game from Japan I’d like to mention is Tokimemo, spawning numerous sequels this game is based on a Anime and should be a game to look out for perhaps.
Dating Simulations to look out for- The Sims, Harvest Moon, Clannad(Visual Novel), Tokimemo, and Bible Black(18+)
I have to say that some of the Anime based dating simulators can be very fun as well, but typically involve a lot of patience which isn’t my thing. These games have yet to become mainstream in America and I doubt they ever will. These games may seem nerdy, but give them a try. Who knows? You might actually enjoy them.
