Publisher Aksys Games has announced the launch of three otome visual novel games next year. The titles will be released for the Nintendo Switch.
The games include Dairoku: Ayakashimori (English name pending), Olympia Soireé, Variable Barricade. All three titles were previously released in Japan but will soon be available for otome fans across the world.
Otome games are visual novels that usually star a female heroine. The female lead has to solve an issue in the main quest but also chooses one of the multiple characters to romance. The games are usually narrative-driven with no action and complete focus on the story.
The player guides the heroine through the story by selecting the right choice at specific times. The otome genre has become so popular that there are several platforms to choose from, from console to mobile. However, Aksys Games is choosing to bring its new titles to the Nintendo Switch next year.
Dairoku: Ayakashimori from Idea Factory was initially released in May but only in Japan. From a young age, the protagonist is able to see youkai and spirits that most people can’t see. This ability leads her to work at the Governmental Controlled Special Agency – Sixth Special Task Force, which is nicknamed the “Ayakashimori.”
The heroine works in another world called Sakuratani filled with the dead, where she is tasked with supervising and controlling the Ayakashi. The game contains multiple endings, a battle system, and artwork by Suou. Aksys Games will change the game’s name when it launches next year.
Olympia Soireé from Idea Factory stars Olympia, who is the last one of her clan, who have the “white” color theme. For years, Olympia refused to interact with the outside world but decides to follow her late mother’s advice. If the heroine wants to continue the color of her clan, she must choose a partner and find her other “half.”
Now 18-year-old, Olympia lives on Tenguu Island, where other clans of color reside. It’s up to players to choose her romantic interest while helping to resolve the other issues of the island.
Variable Barricade from Idea Factory was first launched on the PS Vita. The heroine, Hibari, is the only daughter of the well-known Touhou family. Mysterious men sent by her cruel grandfather and knew about her lineage appeared before her and proposed. Hibari immediately suspects the men’s real motives.
Hibari refused to marry any of them, but her grandfather forced her into choosing one of the men. Now all living together inside of a grand villa, Hibari is told she must choose one of the men, even though she has made it clear she refuses to fall for any of the men. However, once alone with the men, Hibari begins to fall for one.
Dairoku: Ayakashimori, Olympia Soireé, and Variable Barricade are scheduled to launch on the Nintendo Switch sometime in 2021.
