Do you have any preference (game content, tropes, characters, seiyuus, characters' personalities, looks) that will make you dive into the game?

[Catmelia]

I actually have a few preferences that literally dragged me into the depths of the games / anime / manga / manhwa...and that's how I started playing a few times games like Pio Fiore no Bansho etc.

Sometimes, it can be the art of the game as well, I really enjoy the artist RiRi's works with all the vibrant colours and meticulous details.

 

[konjikinoyami2]

For me, graphics might be one of the important factors when deciding whether to play an otome game, but I can't say that with complete certainty either. A game with graphics that aren't particularly impressive, like Sangoku Rensenki, can actually make me like it and become more attached to it than a game with beautiful visuals but a story that doesn't appeal to me.

If I said it was the voice actors, I couldn't say that with complete certainty either, because when I choose to play a game mainly because of its voice actors, I usually end up not finishing it. Most of the time, it just doesn't click with me. And what about reviews? Maybe they do play a role. If a game has overwhelmingly negative reviews, I definitely don't want to waste my time playing it. That's probably the one thing I can say for sure. But even if a game has amazing reviews, if I don't get that feeling that it's the one according to my intuition, it'll just sit there in my backlog untouched!

So I guess I'd say it depends entirely on my mood at the time. It's more like, "What game do I feel like picking up today?" For example, if one day I'm in the mood for heavy drama and a serious, emotionally intense story, I'll pick up a game that's known for having a heavy storyline. But if I'm in the mood for something light and easygoing, I'll pick up a game that's known for being funny.

So in the end, I think it's probably my intuition that determines which game I end up playing on any given day.

 

[Daisy Magnus229]

Art first, then story.

I always fall in love at first sight with the art (either from the CGs or the cover). After that, I read the summary or reviews to get the gist of the story. I usually get to know the characters' personalities while playing, so I never choose a game based on the LI's personality. A good seiyuu isn't enough for me to dive into a game, because I can play a voiceless game as long as the story hooks me.

If there's a childhood friends, big brother, yandere, trash male lead... well, I'm diving into it faster than a submarine.

 

[Catmelia]

Art first, then story.

I always fall in love at first sight with the art (either from the CGs or the cover). After that, I read the summary or reviews to get the gist of the story. I usually get to know the characters' personalities while playing, so I never choose a game based on the LI's personality. A good seiyuu isn't enough for me to dive into a game, because I can play a voiceless game as long as the story hooks me.

If there's a childhood friends, big brother, yandere, trash male lead... well, I'm diving into it faster than a submarine.

Then do you have any favourite otome artists in particular?

 

[Catmelia]

For me, graphics might be one of the important factors when deciding whether to play an otome game, but I can't say that with complete certainty either. A game with graphics that aren't particularly impressive, like Sangoku Rensenki, can actually make me like it and become more attached to it than a game with beautiful visuals but a story that doesn't appeal to me.

If I said it was the voice actors, I couldn't say that with complete certainty either, because when I choose to play a game mainly because of its voice actors, I usually end up not finishing it. Most of the time, it just doesn't click with me. And what about reviews? Maybe they do play a role. If a game has overwhelmingly negative reviews, I definitely don't want to waste my time playing it. That's probably the one thing I can say for sure. But even if a game has amazing reviews, if I don't get that feeling that it's the one according to my intuition, it'll just sit there in my backlog untouched!

So I guess I'd say it depends entirely on my mood at the time. It's more like, "What game do I feel like picking up today?" For example, if one day I'm in the mood for heavy drama and a serious, emotionally intense story, I'll pick up a game that's known for having a heavy storyline. But if I'm in the mood for something light and easygoing, I'll pick up a game that's known for being funny.

So in the end, I think it's probably my intuition that determines which game I end up playing on any given d

For me, graphics might be one of the important factors when deciding whether to play an otome game, but I can't say that with complete certainty either. A game with graphics that aren't particularly impressive, like Sangoku Rensenki, can actually make me like it and become more attached to it than a game with beautiful visuals but a story that doesn't appeal to me.

If I said it was the voice actors, I couldn't say that with complete certainty either, because when I choose to play a game mainly because of its voice actors, I usually end up not finishing it. Most of the time, it just doesn't click with me. And what about reviews? Maybe they do play a role. If a game has overwhelmingly negative reviews, I definitely don't want to waste my time playing it. That's probably the one thing I can say for sure. But even if a game has amazing reviews, if I don't get that feeling that it's the one according to my intuition, it'll just sit there in my backlog untouched!

So I guess I'd say it depends entirely on my mood at the time. It's more like, "What game do I feel like picking up today?" For example, if one day I'm in the mood for heavy drama and a serious, emotionally intense story, I'll pick up a game that's known for having a heavy storyline. But if I'm in the mood for something light and easygoing, I'll pick up a game that's known for being funny.

So in the end, I think it's probably my intuition that determines which game I end up playing on any given day.

WAO.......then do you still repeat the heavy stories whole if you're replaying the game?

 

[Daisy Magnus229]

Then do you have any favourite otome artists in particular?

I do!

My first place is Kazuaki. Then Shinyu, Satoi, Teita, Yomi and Y at, their arts always mesmerizing. The recent one is RiRi because I just finished Piofiore and Illusion of Itehari.

 

[konjikinoyami2]

WAO.......then do you still repeat the heavy stories whole if you're replaying the game?

I generally don't like replaying games with heavy storylines, because I feel like the first experience should be something I keep in my heart and remember. A second playthrough might take away some of the impact and make it feel less special. But if it's a game with really deep philosophical themes, the kind that you can keep coming back to and thinking about endlessly, then I do think those are worth replaying. Most of the time, though, I tend to replay games that are more lighthearted and mainly focused on comedy.

 

[Catmelia]

I do!

My first place is Kazuaki. Then Shinyu, Satoi, Teita, Yomi and Y at, their arts always mesmerizing. The recent one is RiRi because I just finished Piofiore and Illusion of Itehari.

Ah ~ mine are 花邑まい and Usuba Kagerou other than RiRi, cause I've followed their works since a long time ago. I enjoyed Satoi's works too, especially Olympia Soiree, that I call it a bliss to the eyes because of the strong and colourful contrast in the artworks of the game.

 

[Daisy Magnus229]

Ah ~ mine are 花邑まい and Usuba Kagerou other than RiRi, cause I've followed their works since a long time ago. I enjoyed Satoi's works too, especially Olympia Soiree, that I call it a bliss to the eyes because of the strong and colourful contrast in the artworks of the game.

Oh, Hanamura Mai! I love Amnesia and have Collar x Malice on my backlog. Surprisingly, I didn't recognize their art style in UN:LOGICAL, lol. It's the first time in a while that an artist has caught me off guard like that

 

[めいこ]

I usually go for the art style first, then the story. I prefer visual novels with mystery or horror elements, and if the characters have a yandere personality, that's a huge plus!

 

[Lynettee]

Artistic style is the most important thing, but if there's police drama or mystery involved, I'm definitely in!

 

[wantwo]

我比较喜欢有趣的人设(ʃƪ ˘ ³˘)，比如监狱狱卒啦，比如骑士啦，比如老板啦魔法师啦之类的。

 

[サカタ]

For me maybe the graphic and.. I like childhood friend troupe. Most of game/anime I like have that

 

[Merengue𑣲⋆]

I like most of the artwork that カズキヨネ does! I've noticed that I get drawn in to otome games that's kind of atmospheric (?) in style.

If they have older or veteran voice actors involved, I'd check it out of curiosity- but characters still play a huge factor in whether it makes me stick to playing. (I don't even know if i can categorize into one archetype the kind of leads I like but maybe;; gap moe?)

 

[Lutina]

I always look at the visual art/character design for my first impression. If the art can draw my attention, I will then look up the storyline and background. I prefer fantasy and classic settings. In addition, game system is also a very important contributor to me as there are too many new titles releasing each year and unfortunately I don't have enough time to play them all.

 

[Catmelia]

I usually go for the art style first, then the story. I prefer visual novels with mystery or horror elements, and if the characters have a yandere personality, that's a huge plus!

Oh wao ~ horror elements? We have otome game with that?

 

[Catmelia]

我比较喜欢有趣的人设(ʃƪ ˘ ³˘)，比如监狱狱卒啦，比如骑士啦，比如老板啦魔法师啦之类的。

讓我想起了一部古早乙女遊戲，幸運之杖……不知道你有沒有玩過

 

[RedLipsSourApples]

Good art for sure, it could be the most well written and voiced game in the world but I still won't touch it if I dislike the art. Apart from that I really like high stakes plotlines, I just can't get into slice of life stuff lately I get bored of it quickly I need some tension lol.

 

[Arisa-chan]

For me, its the voice actors. I am a big fan of Akira Ishida, so no matter the game, I will give it a try to hear his voice. To a lesser extent, games with Sugita Tomokazu and Maeni Tomoaki will also lure me in. What can I say I love hearing the voices I like.

I am quite unfamiliar with scenario writers, but I do have favorite artists that make me want to play. They do not make the game a must play but certainly increase its priority on my to play list. I love Hanamura Mai and how her artstyle has evolved (I agree though with the comment above that UN:LOGICAL made me second think.) Another artist I like is Yomi who did Ken ga Kimi and Virche Evermore.

 

[star light]

*Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side* is my favorite.

 

[SmallEagle]

I immediately become intrigued when a game has stylized art, maybe an unpopular opinion, but I find the shiny anime style way to overused and boring. I don't hate it, but it does not get my attention as much.

 

[caducus]

There are a lot of things that I look at when I first go to pick up a game - a plot summary, the art (both sprites and CGs), if there's voice acting, if the game is 18+ content and is/isn't censored, if it's been localized and how much it costs, reviews, etc.

But absolutely none of that matters if the story doesn't hook me. Once I pick up a game, regardless of how good the art might be or if there's voice acting or whatever else... if the storyline doesn't compel me - if the characters aren't interesting - if the dialogue is boring, nonsensical, or stilted... I lose the motivation to finish the game.

Also, the story, characters, and dialogue don't have to be perfect... but there's gotta be something there. Could be that a character is totally unhinged, or that the resolution to conflicts are really clever, or maybe really wacky. Could be that there's a mystery that pulls me in, or could be the tension between well-written characters. But there's gotta be something I find FUN or what's the point of playing?

 

[Catmelia]

There are a lot of things that I look at when I first go to pick up a game - a plot summary, the art (both sprites and CGs), if there's voice acting, if the game is 18+ content and is/isn't censored, if it's been localized and how much it costs, reviews, etc.

But absolutely none of that matters if the story doesn't hook me. Once I pick up a game, regardless of how good the art might be or if there's voice acting or whatever else... if the storyline doesn't compel me - if the characters aren't interesting - if the dialogue is boring, nonsensical, or stilted... I lose the motivation to finish the game.

Also, the story, characters, and dialogue don't have to be perfect... but there's gotta be something there. Could be that a character is totally unhinged, or that the resolution to conflicts are really clever, or maybe really wacky. Could be that there's a mystery that pulls me in, or could be the tension between well-written characters. But there's gotta be something I find FUN or what's the point of playing?

What about the mini games? Do find the mini games entertaining?

 

[Catmelia]

For me, its the voice actors. I am a big fan of Akira Ishida, so no matter the game, I will give it a try to hear his voice. To a lesser extent, games with Sugita Tomokazu and Maeni Tomoaki will also lure me in. What can I say I love hearing the voices I like.

I am quite unfamiliar with scenario writers, but I do have favorite artists that make me want to play. They do not make the game a must play but certainly increase its priority on my to play list. I love Hanamura Mai and how her artstyle has evolved (I agree though with the comment above that UN:LOGICAL made me second think.) Another artist I like is Yomi who did Ken ga Kimi and Virche Evermore.

I totally agree with seiyuus ‍ especially there are long lines from them which I will lose focus on the content but pay attention to their voices

 

[caducus]

What about the mini games? Do find the mini games entertaining?

Sometimes, but it's not a deal breaker. I play a lot of different types of games, not just VNs, so I can take a mini-game or leave it. If they're entertaining, I appreciate that. If they're monotonous or awful, well... I've probably slogged through worse (getting flashbacks of collecting ultimate weapons in Final Fantasy 10, or more recently, running the Expedition 33 island-games to get the bathing suits. I can suffer with the best of them).

Anyway! As long as the story is worthwhile, I'm in it for the long haul.