- May 24, 2026
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Which otome studio (e.g. Idea Factory/Otomate, Rejet, Voltage) do you consider to be the benchmark for quality?
Which otome studio do you think is the best?
- Thread starter Cardia31
- Start date
- Aug 30, 2024
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i dunno.. there are way too many landmines in the industry;;
otomate cant stop shooting itself in the foot with silent bl inclusions
rejet barely releases anything game-wise (and their recent ai drama + dl drama are not helping)
voltage is even worse than otomate
broccoli is. broccoli
imo your best bet in these trying times is to look out for doujin projects.. especially chinese ones! but even then, you gotta look out for ai usage in them...... its tough being so picky these days;w;
otomate cant stop shooting itself in the foot with silent bl inclusions
rejet barely releases anything game-wise (and their recent ai drama + dl drama are not helping)
voltage is even worse than otomate
broccoli is. broccoli
imo your best bet in these trying times is to look out for doujin projects.. especially chinese ones! but even then, you gotta look out for ai usage in them...... its tough being so picky these days;w;
- Sep 20, 2022
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i really don't have a preference at all. ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶
publishers are very rarely ever looked at for me to decide if a game is worth trying. there's too many indie games and studios that have created beloved games that a publisher doesn't carry as much weight as it used to, in my opinion.
i used to adore voltage as it was one of the only english otome publishers i could get my hands on, but it has such a wide array of games that it's hard to ignore the issues of one series of games and repetitiveness versus their newer releases trying out "moderately" new formulas.
i'm sorry, it doesn't really answer your question but i think the saturation of independent publishers and issues of others makes it hard to determine one as a be all. (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
publishers are very rarely ever looked at for me to decide if a game is worth trying. there's too many indie games and studios that have created beloved games that a publisher doesn't carry as much weight as it used to, in my opinion.
i used to adore voltage as it was one of the only english otome publishers i could get my hands on, but it has such a wide array of games that it's hard to ignore the issues of one series of games and repetitiveness versus their newer releases trying out "moderately" new formulas.
i'm sorry, it doesn't really answer your question but i think the saturation of independent publishers and issues of others makes it hard to determine one as a be all. (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧
- Apr 16, 2022
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I think Otomate is just the safest bet.
It's also the most flexible company... Honestly, the decrease in games compared to the past plays a part. I think it's good enough that they are maintaining their current lineup. It would be nice if they were a bit more creative, but I think that kind of flexibility is difficult to achieve in the Japanese market.
It's also the most flexible company... Honestly, the decrease in games compared to the past plays a part. I think it's good enough that they are maintaining their current lineup. It would be nice if they were a bit more creative, but I think that kind of flexibility is difficult to achieve in the Japanese market.
- Jun 4, 2026
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AI is such a plague in otome visual novels. I think Red Bell's Lament also had AI generated backgrounds (not as bad as AI generated CGs or sprites like trailer for Dorico's Library, but still pretty bad)
- Aug 30, 2024
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yea.. people were saying that its the outsourced company (or whatever theyre called) thats at fault, but like. how about doing a quality check before selling a game for 60$?
- Jan 24, 2026
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None, the best stuff nowadays is doujin/indie.
- Jun 7, 2026
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Reading this thread made me sad :(
I hate the use of AI not just for art but for writing as well. AI is a plague out of control nowadays and it's ruining mostly everything...
I hate the use of AI not just for art but for writing as well. AI is a plague out of control nowadays and it's ruining mostly everything...
- May 3, 2025
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I actually can't remember many publisher names.
I pay more attention to the artist, the writer, and the voice cast.
Lately, a lot of games feel way too similar — almost like assembly-line products. I'm hoping for more variety and originality.
That said, I really love Live2D art, which is how I ended up remembering LicoBiTs.
I've played both of the games they've released so far and really enjoyed them. I'm really looking forward to their upcoming game, Le Mirage Mystique.
I pay more attention to the artist, the writer, and the voice cast.
Lately, a lot of games feel way too similar — almost like assembly-line products. I'm hoping for more variety and originality.
That said, I really love Live2D art, which is how I ended up remembering LicoBiTs.
I've played both of the games they've released so far and really enjoyed them. I'm really looking forward to their upcoming game, Le Mirage Mystique.
- Aug 30, 2024
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- Jun 7, 2026
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- Sep 1, 2024
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I wouldn't say they're flawless, but Otomate feels like the best option imo. Just my two cents...
I heard the otome market is becoming pretty niche even in Japan, so it's a huge plus that they're still consistently releasing new games in a market like this.
I heard the otome market is becoming pretty niche even in Japan, so it's a huge plus that they're still consistently releasing new games in a market like this.
- Aug 30, 2024
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no problem! unfortunately its very easy to miss the signs.. i remember i followed an artist on twitter and they drew some of my favourite fetishes but then turned out theyre not an artist but an ai generator....... i followed them for months!!!!!! pick up a pencil!!!!D:
- Jun 8, 2026
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I confirm. If they use AI for writing, something that's so simple to achieve if you're creative, it's clear those people don't care about the project (That's what I think)
- Sep 13, 2025
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I also gravitate towards indie circles! Studios are restricted by too many things; you're not making something for the love of it or for the arts, you're making it, primarily, for the profit. Which is fine. Food is food. But when passion and artistry are at the forefront, I can't help but notice and feel even more appreciative that we've got creatives pushing forward like that, it inspires me!
- Jan 18, 2024
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Phew, that's a tough one. When I first started, I was a huge fan of honeybee.
Otomate has certainly built up a bit of a monopoly. But with AmuLit, there's an interesting newcomer that's really making a successful mark now. So far, I've actually liked pretty much all their games—even if it's only been four or five titles; I'm not entirely sure of the exact number right now.
Otomate has certainly built up a bit of a monopoly. But with AmuLit, there's an interesting newcomer that's really making a successful mark now. So far, I've actually liked pretty much all their games—even if it's only been four or five titles; I'm not entirely sure of the exact number right now.
- Mar 27, 2020
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The following are the game companies I often contact with and like.
Idea Factory/Otomate: The painting style, characters and CG are beautiful. There will also be small games in the system, and you will not keep clicking on the text to move for Ward.
In a big company, the painter and voice actor are famous, and I like it very much.
Rejet: At first, it made Otome CDs, and later became very popular (such as Diabolik Lovers, Dance With Devils,) to launch games, FD, etc., and follow-up products. The BGM is good, and the male actor will have his own background music. The melody of OP and ED is also good.
Works often have dark styles (such as devils, demons, monsters, beast ears, etc.)
There is also a Japanese ancient background (Ken ga Kimi) game: I think it's good to play this one.
Idea Factory/Otomate: The painting style, characters and CG are beautiful. There will also be small games in the system, and you will not keep clicking on the text to move for Ward.
In a big company, the painter and voice actor are famous, and I like it very much.
Rejet: At first, it made Otome CDs, and later became very popular (such as Diabolik Lovers, Dance With Devils,) to launch games, FD, etc., and follow-up products. The BGM is good, and the male actor will have his own background music. The melody of OP and ED is also good.
Works often have dark styles (such as devils, demons, monsters, beast ears, etc.)
There is also a Japanese ancient background (Ken ga Kimi) game: I think it's good to play this one.
- Nov 15, 2025
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Otomate, because they understand the basics of what makes a good otome game, and they have a consistent level of quality across their titles. Also, recently, Licobits. I love their implementation of Live2D. Though some of their writing is a little loose, overall they deliver a really enjoyable product.
I don't really follow circles or indie developers, but my first introduction was Folie Fatale, and I think they're considered indie? I'm not sure, but they're already on their third title. As far as I've seen, they implement some niche ideas in their stories, so it's nice to see that kind of variety. Their overall quality also seems consistent, from the sprites and the game itself to the merch and everything else.
I don't really follow circles or indie developers, but my first introduction was Folie Fatale, and I think they're considered indie? I'm not sure, but they're already on their third title. As far as I've seen, they implement some niche ideas in their stories, so it's nice to see that kind of variety. Their overall quality also seems consistent, from the sprites and the game itself to the merch and everything else.
- Nov 15, 2025
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- Aug 30, 2024
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theres also tengoku struggle with sharaku stating he slept with both women and men, instead of a more neutral language like "slept with anyone", plus i heard homura has two lis acting like fated mates to each other. varibari with their "bromance" talks is pretty weird too. also i heard that an event for charamani allowed bl fanart, but im not sure on this part. even with crazy chain, they used weirdly vague language like "this is a love story between a woman and men", so they clearly saw theyre being suspected for delaying the game (it was before release), but they still chose such vague wording instead of what they did with wakudeki. i also have some questions regarding sullyland nursery rhyme, but thats besides the point
all of that is just my personal paranoia however, so you should always make your own decisions and come to your own conclusions
- Nov 15, 2025
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It's an interesting topic. So far, I only know about the case of Tengoku Struggle. From my perspective, since I prefer GxB in those kinds of stories, it was quite surprising. It wasn't really relevant to the overall story, but honestly, it bugged me a little.
As for the rest, I haven't played those games, but I understand your point. Though I'm not sure about the Crazy Chain case. I do know about all the discussion surrounding Wakudoki, though.
I'd like to hear your questions about Sullyland Nursery Rhyme. So far, I haven't seen anything that struck me as unusual
I'm not sure why Otomate is investing in this direction. Personally, I think they could spend those resources improving other aspects of their stories instead.
- Aug 30, 2024
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people were wary of it because of virche staff, and we all know what happened with virche LOL. this vague ass tweet didnt help their case at all. though i havent heard anything problematic about the game so far, so id like to believe its fine
as for this one, so far they seem to put an emphasis on a specific love interest interacting with others. they even have a childhood friend who praises him a lot. you could argue that all of them are trying to pull this love interest out of his shell (since he looks like a loner), but with otomates previous history, its always good to keep your eyes peeled. but once again, im not denying that i might just be giga paranoidI'd like to hear your questions about Sullyland Nursery Rhyme. So far, I haven't seen anything that struck me as unusual
i guess its because yumejoshi (and other otaku really) have been coddling/ignoring fujoshi for far too long, which resulted in all this shitstorm (otomate, animate, grmn etc). theres a situation currently going on with fujoshi sending bl fanfiction to a manga author who explicitly stated she doesnt want to see bl fanfiction of her work, but for whatever reason they forced her to apologize for her "homophobia"(???), which ended up with her deleting her twitter account
sad how there are no safe spaces/companies for gxb enjoyers lately
- Nov 15, 2025
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I get your point. Though, seeing the writers behind it, I doubt they'd include that kind of content. Still, it could cause problems with shippers lmao, so it's kind of the same thing haha
That's really a shame. I wish people wouldn't try to force others. Also, choosing to implement it or not doesn't automatically make someone homophobic or anything like that, because if you do it the other way around by adding het relationships, people say you're erasing their representation, and such
I hope Otomate stays loyal to its core, since it's the most visible face of the genre in commercial terms
- Aug 30, 2024
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yep, beautifully said to everything! it would be wonderful if people knew how to behave and respect original authors/works (to audiences)/audiences (to authors), but alas, guess im asking for too much as a filthy woman and a hetslop enjoyer LMAO. too much negativity will fry your brain, so lets try to focus on good stuffs instead.....!!