We are back with more otome game released dates and key info, come and process all these info overload with me!
Cupid Parasite FD release date & key info
✤ Release date & some notable updates
Cupid Parasite -Sweet & Spicy Darling- will be released on September 28, 2023!
Looks like many of you are keen on getting the full tea about this game, so I’ll do a spotlight post soon! But here are key updates regarding the FD:
- They’ve changed the official romaji for the new Parasite – it is now Merenice Levin.
- A bit more on Merenice – he is a famous fortune teller and Lynette “discovers” him through YooQube (CupiPara’s version of Youtube, lol). His route will branch off from the first game’s common route and serve as the bridge between the first game and the FD.
- The scenario writer mentioned that the game will feature a refreshed version of the BGM from the first game to better capture “a soft and immersive world where feelings are fulfilled”.
Here’s a translated synopsis from the official website. Note that I have modified it slightly so it’s spoiler free for those who haven’t played the first game.
This is the continuation of the love story after the goddess of love, Cupid, falls in love and becomes “his” exclusive goddess.
The fulfillment of love is not the end but the start of a new life. What awaits the couple who become lovers or spouses is even more unpredictable and tumultuous events!
A new type of unidentified mysterious creature is captured in Los York! The discovered enigmatic pattern, is it a divine revelation or an unknown civilization?
An overwhelmingly sweet and passionate love, and an exciting rollercoaster love story that involves the world.
It’s a cute, happy, and chaotic journey.
A more sweet and more spicy love comedy, starting once again ―― ♥
✤ Pushing that CERO D limit
CupiPara’s director said they really maximised the sweetness and excitement, particularly around the love scenes. Quoting his interview in B’sLOG – “if we were to compare it to a radar chart, it would be like the lines extending to the outer edge”.
A bit from Yuuya – when drawing the key visual, she said she tried to depict expressions that are completely directed towards a private audience, such as a lover or an intimate partner. Knowing this, I just can’t quite look at the key visual the same way…like, indeed some of their expressions are so erotic and it’s making me shy???
She also said the donut floaty is Lynette’s favourite.
Pre-order Cupid Parasite -Sweet & Spicy Darling-
*Check their official website for shop-specific bonus details (int’l buyers will need to use proxy).
Hana Awase release date & game play order
✤ Hana Awase
Hana Awase New Moon will be released on October 26, 2023. This game will have in-game multi-language selection options including Japanese, English, and Traditional and Simplified Chinese!
Note that you may need to purchase a copy from Japan-based (but int’l buyer friendly) stores like CDJapan, Amazon JP or AmiAmi.
As you may already know, Hana Awase consists of 4 games. You can purchase them separately, but there is also a first-run limited, complete set version available.
Here’s the synopsis for all four games except Iroha-hen (see the official website):
“Kasen,” a card game played with Hanafuda cards.
Only those with certain abilities, “Kaei,” can harness the unique power of the flowers.
They are primarily male, and the five most powerful individuals at the academy are revered as the “Five Brights.”
This game unfolds on the stage of the Kasen National Academy, where uniquely talented individuals are produced.
It is the story of the 五 光, and the maidens devoted to them.
Pre-order Hana Awase New Moon
Int’l – CDJapan | AmiAmi | Amazon JP
*There are bonus items available if you buy from specific shops (recs: Stella Worth & ebten). Int’l buyers will need to use proxy – my go to’s are CDJapan and FromJapan.
If you only want to buy one game at a time, and don’t know which one to get first – here’s a bit of info. Japanese bloggers are consistent in recommending that we follow the order the game was initially released. This is to ensure best story flow and avoid unwanted spoilers (due to the way the plot are intricately connected between games).
Below is the recommended play order (which I will follow as well):
Mizuchi-hen ➸ Himeutsugi-hen ➸ Karakurenai/Utsutsu-hen ➸ Iroha-hen
Himeutsugi (?) doing…things?? I need to know what’s happening here fr
In a past round-up article, I mentioned that a lot of Japanese bloggers said this game was loaded with sugar content. I was browsing through the promo CGs and saw this….
WHERE ARE YOU PUTTING YOUR MOUTH SIR?
Wand of Fortune R2 release date confirmed
Wand of Fortune R2 FD will be released on September 14, 2023! This is the fandisc to the game’s sequel. This release also puts the Switch port of this franchise to an end.
See synopsis about the game, translated from the official website:
One day, something resembling an insect-like creature appeared before Lulu. Calling herself “the fairy who traverses time and space,” Bell knows about Lulu and explains that she has come into Lulu’s dreams to repay her kindness.
Because Bell can freely travel between the past and the future, she proposes showing Lulu fragments of the space-time as a way of repaying her favor.
Lulu’s life holds countless possibilities, but it is uncertain when and with whom she will form various relationships. However, by using Bell’s power, it seems that Lulu can witness a part of the story she will follow.
Bell has carefully selected three periods of time:
- One is the aftermath of Lulu overcoming challenges and winning love and magic in a past world alongside someone dear to her.
- Another is the aftermath of Lulu being colored by the presence of someone precious and gaining attributes.
- The last is the aftermath of Lulu becoming small.
From the three presented timelines, which one will Lulu choose?
Pre-order Wand of Fortune R2 FD
*Check their official website for shop-specific bonus details (int’l buyers will need to use proxy).
even if TEMPEST FD updates
✤ Yet another digital-only release
Voltage has yet to give us an exact release date – I suspect we’ll hear about it soon since it’s scheduled for a Summer release. But note that even if TEMPEST Dawning Connections will only be available digitally, just like the first game.
The game will have a language selection setting for either Japanese or English.
✤ The FD will have three parts
Here’s a brief rundown about the FD’s content:
- Love Stories – after stories of Anastasia and the LIs.
- The Fellowship – this is an alternate story branching off after a certain event in the first game, where Anastasia’s story unfolds without choosing a specific person.
- Side Stories – this will focus on the sub-characters, particularly Maya, Evelina, Conrad, and the Witch of Ruin, Ish.
✤ Website and promo CGs released
Here’s the link to the FD’s official website. For those who haven’t played the first game, please be careful as it contains some spoilers. God, this FD is gonna be horny as hell, I can feel it!!!
Tyril please marry me
There’s one promo CG which I saw in B’sLOG but not yet released to the public. THE CG SHOWS TYRIL PASSIONATELY LICKING ANASTASIA’S NECK Y’ALL???? AND ANASTASIA BLUSHING IN RESPONSE?? Tyril is my favourite and I lost my mind for a good while after seeing that.
Also my man in casual fit with his hair down… gahhh he looks so good. Sorry for the endless Tyril spreading agenda.
Personally I’d still like to see a bit of story or world-building in the FD along with the fluff!
More juice on Shuuen no Virche FD
Okay, they’ve shared more info about the FD and I think I have a better understanding of what we’re gonna get into. It’s definitely not free from angst…but there will be some fluff content too so that’s good!
The fandisc will comprise several parts. Here’s a brief rundown:
✤ Interlude
This part will contain around 40 untold stories, including interludes, ‘what if’ scenarios and stories from the past as well as scenarios after Despair (bad) ends.
✤ Side End -Encore-
So basically this is an alternative story which will branch off every LIs’ route, and will lead to another “eternal conclusion”.
✤ Virche de La coda -Émotion-
This part will depict what happens after the Salvation (good) ends in the first game. There is also a story which takes place after the Despair end featured in the first game’s LE booklet.
✤ Tradition -Drifter-
A story about the ‘drifter’ or castaway. I won’t go into details because of spoilers from the first game, but it is a tale set 100 years before the beginning.
✤ Virche de La salut -Ankou-
A full route featuring Ankou. The director said to approach this route with “appropriate determination, prepare to be wounded and to inflict wounds”, but also to “rest assured” because it will focus on the romantic relationship between Ceres and Ankou.
More Ankou angst…I don’t know if my heart is ready honestly. If you’ve read my Virche review, you would know that his story was the one that made me sob like an idiot.
Make sure to watch for updates from the official Twitter account for the full details!
Other updates
✤ Tokimeki Memorial Girl’s Side
If you are a fan of Tokimemo, don’t miss the Hazuki Kei Nendoroid pre-order! Also, Tokimemo just hit their 20 years anniversary…how crazy is that!
✤ What in “HELL” is Bad?
Since my spotlight article, Prettybusy has revealed several additional characters. They also revealed some chapter visuals and they are BOILING HOT! Seriously, Android aside (because there are ways to bend the rules there, LOL)…how is this going to be on the iOS?! I’m not complaining though. 🤣
✤ Radiant Tale
I’ve got a bit of insights into the new LIs’ route if you are interested. Note I haven’t played the first game, so this is going to be purely based on what I read.
Jinnia’s route will tell Tifalia’s struggle in making Jinnia notice her (because he is “an adult who is 10 years older”). It will also reveal his past.
For Liyan, apparently a lot of players said “it’d be cool if he stayed quiet!” and well, in the FD, we’ll get to see his cool side. They said to “look forward to discovering many unexpected sides of Liyan” and that “it’s very likely the way you perceive him will drastically change”.
✤ Utakata no Uchronia
No big updates per se, and just sharing some thoughts I had. In case anyone is unaware, B’sLOG has been doing monthly features of every LI in the game. The final one (Tsuyukusa) was released this month. This led me to wonder whether we’ll hear some news about the development next month? I’d be stoked if we get some kind of release pipeline. Month…year…I don’t care, give us something LicoBiTs! 😫
✤ Touchstarved
A bit of an old news but I haven’t covered this one in my blog. Touchstarved is getting a Switch port! It is an indie OELVN / dating sim by Red Spring Studio. The Steam version will be the first thing due in the release pipeline (target end of 2025) with the Switch port to come after. The theme is gothic romance and horror. Key features include being able to choose your own pronoun and backstory. For more details, visit their official website.
✤ Collar x Malice full movie trailer
In case you missed it, Collar x Malice’s full movie trailer has been released. Watch it below if you haven’t.
It’s actually…decent? Ichika looks damn adorable. I still find the hair work really weird though, and some animation are a little off (like the way Kei ran for example, so goofy 🤣).
Part 1 of the movie is only days away from being screened in Japan (May 26). I am looking forward to hearing people’s impressions of the movie!
✤ From Madness with Love
A new upcoming otome game just came into my radar thanks to r/otomegames. It’s called From Madness with Love from PLAYISM. It will be available in English on Steam and it’s actually coming in 2023! The theme is romance x slapstick comedy. There is a literal slapping CG. 😆
I am not that up to date with PC otome games because I don’t play on PC, but if there is any news that I am aware of (particularly if it’s going to be available in English), I’ll be sure to talk about it.
Here’s an overview of otome game releases this month and next month.
✤ RECALL – games out in May
English (localised) otome games:
- Winter’s Wish: Spirits of Edo – 18 May
Japanese otome games:
- Princess Arthur – May 25
- Bustafellows Season 2 – May 25
✤ HEADS UP – games coming in June
English (localised) otome games:
- Jack Jeanne – 15 June
- Charade Maniacs – 27 June
Japanese otome games:
- Hakuouki SSL – June 15
- Kamisama to Koigokoro – June 15
- 9 R.I.P. – June 29
Thanks for reading! 2023 is truly relentless when it comes to the new releases. I hope to see you in my next post, keep safe lovelies!
