Do you like Simulation games?

ryuntsai · May 18, 2026

There are different types of simulation games:

Similar to RPG games, simulation games (SLG) usually have stats representing certain values of your character. And to achieve certain goals you try to build up certain stats. On RPG's most of these stats are combat related, while on SLG's they are mostly aspects of our daily lives.
A dating sim is a type of simulation with romance focus. In general, the simulation aspect means that you're setting schedules for the protagonist, who may have stats such as Appearance, Fitness, Studying, etc., and these stats affect which heroes / heroines you have a chance with.

Recently when i was playing Abyss Bistro, i was kinda tired of replaying the preparing meals game (i only wanted to know the residents backstories lol) i didn't search for the sypnosis or any description at all, and then i realized it was a restaurant Romance Simulation game lol

To be honest, i like dating sim games BUT... i dont like it to be TOO LONG or too repetitive...

Please feel free to leave your comment or thoughts about this game genre!

icterine · May 18, 2026

Oh hey fellow Abyss Bistro player!

I myself got a refund of the game after playing it for almost 2 hours because I didn't think I could finish it, but that was also partly because I found the female characters very...unattractive, personality-wise. The other part was because I did also find the restaurant part highly tedious.

So yeah, generally I prefer full-on VNs without much repetitive tasks.

ryuntsai · May 18, 2026

icterine said:
Oh hey fellow Abyss Bistro player!

I myself got a refund of the game after playing it for almost 2 hours because I didn't think I could finish it, but that was also partly because I found the female characters very...unattractive, personality-wise. The other part was because I did also find the restaurant part highly tedious.

So yeah, generally I prefer full-on VNs without much repetitive tasks.

Ah yeahh, the female characters are very ''unique'', the whole game gives a dark fairy tale vibes.
Exactlyyy, the restaurant part in the first run was entertaining, but after repeating too much (to get the different endings) it became highly tedious. And this game has a lot of ENDINGS which surprised me a little bit.

icterine · May 18, 2026

ryuntsai said:
Ah yeahh, the female characters are very ''unique'', the whole game gives a dark fairy tale vibes.
Exactlyyy, the restaurant part in the first run was entertaining, but after repeating too much (to get the different endings) it became highly tedious. And this game has a lot of ENDINGS which surprised me a little bit.

How were the male characters' routes and endings actually? I never did finish the game but I recall liking most of them so I'm curious bout how the experience was haha.

Altorese · May 18, 2026

They're interesting at first, but after hours of playing, the repetitive gameplay gets tiresome and frustrating. i have mixed feelings… but it's fun to try anyway! I also like it when there's a good balance and such games aren't too long and repetitive

virtua1 · May 18, 2026

Simulation otome games can feel like a chore sometimes. When I was playing Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side, I was looking up guides, saving and loading repeatedly, trying to get the best ending. It requires a lot of work, so I only play it when I have a lot of free time.

Aerith · May 18, 2026

I don't dislike them, but I'm not really good at them, and they might end up feeling like a chore instead of something fun, especially when the guides aren't step-by-step.

superfriedchicken · May 18, 2026

I like them, but, I agree with some comments here about how repetitive it can be as you progress. What I dislike is sometimes the raising stats aspect takes a long time to do and the actual content or romance time with the LIs is so short.

LapisWhale · May 18, 2026

I may like them, but will never finish even a single playthrough due to the mindless, grind and repetitive loop, or I'll just drop the game after one route without ever completing the rest of the content. Sometimes, the work required is not worth the actual content and romance scenes. That being said, I would like a good balance and an easy mode in those types of games, or for the game loop to be good and well make even for the second, third playthrough.

O cha · May 21, 2026

Games like Long Live the Queen, Volcano Princess, and TMGS are totally my jam. Volcano Princess especially got me hooked on collecting all the different stat-based endings alongside the romance. Honestly, since I actually enjoy repetitive grinding, this genre is just perfect for me haha.

Arisara · May 21, 2026

Not fun of otomes with stat raisings except TMGS 1-3 . I also tried Abyss Bistro but get boring. Better play Stardew Valley insted.

fr4pp3cinn · May 21, 2026

I like them! Some of the first otoge I played were dating sims (like Dandelion, LoveRevo and Storm Lover)

I really like TMGS and stats raising as a whole, but it's true that it can get pretty repetitive! I don't play them too often, so it's not a problem to me though!

okita-so-go · May 21, 2026

I enjoy playing various simulation games, such as those involving romance, shops, and farms.
However, I sometimes find accepting requests, like in "Hanayaka Nari, Waga Ichizoku," to be a hassle.

Shelia · May 22, 2026

I enjoyed Tokimeki Memorial: Girl's Side, and I really like games with extra features, including stat-raising. I've played through Princess Maker many times and spent plenty of fun hours with Volcano Princess and Lullaby Days. I have to take breaks every now and then because the game can get repetitive, but I always come back to unlock more achievements.

totallyamanda · May 23, 2026

I'm also in the TMGS fan club. The "grind" goes by quick for me as a fan of many years so I've never really disliked its mechanics. (⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)

I will say burn-out is very easy to achieve if you're trying to rush through multiple routes all at one time which is in perfect alignment with my play style of taking a long break between routes, haha.

I think this thread is finally convincing me to give Volcano Princess or Princess Maker a try. (⁠◍⁠•⁠ᴗ⁠•⁠◍⁠)

lambdadelta · May 23, 2026

i like tmgs too much to speak ill of them (tmgs in particular can feel so rewarding once you start reaping the fruits of your efforts) but maybe they are best enjoyed in moderation! i can agree with abyss bistro getting repetitive though, i think i finished two routes only and kind of.. forgot about it </3 maybe i missed the interesting stuff by doing that...? i'd love to hear from somebody who actually completed it unlike me (lol)

Pizizi · May 23, 2026

I only play dating sims, so........ I really like them! But I agree that when it's too repetitive or too long, it gets boring, I end up disengaging and not paying attention, and then I close the game and only come back to play another day. (ᵕ—ᴗ—)

ysn0 · May 23, 2026

I like dating simulation games. However, I often get bored with the monotonous tasks.

tete · May 23, 2026

I do enjoy the grind for a little while but after a couple of routes I lose interest.

sergylort · May 23, 2026

I like them but some of them get repetitive so I only end up finishing a couple of the routes.
I generally like coming back to them after a couple of months / years to finish the remaining routes or to replay my favourite one

dzccc · May 23, 2026

Simulation games is my favorite!
I even prefer it to dating simulation games :) I like management simulation games like opening shops, restocking shelves, cooking, running coffee shops, and more.

Marrychan · May 24, 2026

I generally enjoy simulation games; I even discovered the genre playing one of the Princess Maker games. When I say simulation, I mean everything from dating sims to manager games like Harvest Moon/Story of the Seasons. I really like the genre and always pick it up when I want to relax.

quawi · May 24, 2026

I hate them

my last straw was the Blood Code. This type of games just isn't for me lol

Do you like Simulation games?

Active member

Member

Active member

Member

Member

New member

Member

New member

Member

Member

Active member

Active member

New member

New member

New member

Member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

Trusted Member

New member