With nine new games out in 2022, it certainly has been a fruitful year for otome gamers. Let’s do a quick recap of 2022 releases. Then we will be ready to embrace 2023 with at least another seven games to come!
Variable Barricade
✤ Release date: 24 February (US) / 25 February 2022 (EU)
✤ Publisher: Idea Factory (Otomate) x Aksys Games
“Hibari is the sole heir to her family’s fortune.
Her grandfather is determined to find her a husband. He houses her in a luxurious home with handsome bachelors. As the men try to win her hand, Hibari endures endless trials and temptations.
Has Grandpa chosen poorly, or is there more to these men than meets the eye? Hibari decides NOT to fall in love.”
[from: Aksys Games]
Personal thoughts. 
This game started off rocky for me because of how “wacky” the love interests were. But I kept going anyway and now I freaking love them, all the good and bad. 
The plot has some very shoujo manga-esque clichés, which I personally loved. The art is straight out of this world and really unique. Both Radiant Tale and Reine des Fleurs are on my soon-to-buys, and I am super excited to play them as they are illustrated by the same person (Usuba Kageroo).
My favourite route was Ichiya – his route hit me the hardest and made me rethink what it means to be vulnerable. I also came to really like Hibari! I love feisty heroines. 💖
Taisho x Alice ~All in One~ (Switch Port)
✤ Release date: 14 April 2022
✤ Publisher: Prototype
“Taisho x Alice ~All in One~ includes all four episodes. Find yourself in a topsy-turvy fairytale world beyond the Looking Glass and encounter gender-flipped characters inspired by Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, and more! Join this colorful cast and unravel their twisted tales!
Enjoy the dynamic, stand-alone character paths, each set in an alternate universe in which the characters’ relationships and roles vary. Play as the heroine of each story, make choices to heal your love interest’s heart, and navigate through the fairytale world to reach your happy ending!”
[from: Prototype]
Personal thoughts. Taisho x Alice was SO GOOD! This game has arguably some of the most insane love interests in any otome games, and I love them all to bits! I also cannot say enough good things about Yurika. She has such a warm and stubbornly positive personality, which directly contrasts the infamous attitudes of the love interests 😂 and she handles them so well! The dialogues in this game are incredibly hilarious and entertaining – I don’t think I’ve ever laughed SO HARD from an otome game. Red Riding Hood’s route literally had me rolling on the floor, I am forever his slut. 🤣 Every Episode, they just keep taking it to the next level. Top tier otome game for sure, play it if you haven’t!!
even if TEMPEST
✤ Release date: 9 June 2022
✤ Publisher: Voltage
“Though born the daughter of a marquess, Anastasia suffers physical and spiritual violence at the hands of her stepmother day in and day out. The joy she had found at suffering’s end is also ultimately robbed from her by someone she trusts. As she burns at the stake, Anastasia obtains the grotesque “Fatal Rewind” ability.
“This time, I will transform into the ideal version of myself.”
With this oath branded in her heart, Anastasia begins her life anew. But this resolve will only lead to further misfortune. The curtain rises on the Carnival, and this witch trial shall herald the end.”
[from: Voltage]
Personal thoughts. I regret taking so long to finally play this game. The story is so intricate, and the plot twists are endless. I don’t think I have ever hated any villains as much as the villains in this game – they are textbook EVIL! I also love Anastasia, her tomboy-ish attitude is so attractive (although probably shapen by her trauma..my girl has been through a lot).
If I had to complain..the game is light on romance and very high on suffering, but I guess that’s the whole premise. I really hope the fandisc will be more romance heavy! Also, is it just me or does the audio sound a bit grainy when the characters talk? Though this is resolved when I use my headphone, I usually prefer playing on TV so it’s a bit of a bummer.
Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei
✤ Release date: 28 June (US) / 1 July 2022 (EU)
✤ Publisher: Idea Factory (Otomate) x RED x Idea Factory Int’l
“Fifteen years after the Heiji Rebellion, the Heike clan has reached the height of its power, while the Genji clan remains devastated by defeat. Hidden deep within the mountains of Kurama lives Shanao, the youngest surviving male heir to the Genji name. However, Shanao harbors a deep secret known by very few.
The youngest heir to the Genji name is no man.
Her adventure leads her to find new cherished relationships, as well as something deeper than the feud between the rivaling clans.”
[from: Idea Factory International]
Personal thoughts. I really enjoyed this game, and this is coming from someone who is not a big fan of battle-heavy stories. The main and sub characters were easy to love (Shana’s vassals ftw!). I got so attached to them and it genuinely took me a while to get over the brainrot! 😩 The variations in tropes are cliché (childhood friends, rivals to lovers, etc.), but actually make it quite an attractive game. The CGs are also quite breathtaking! I hope to see many more otome from Haneda Koji as I really love the character designs. The overarching plot is the same for all the routes though, so expect some repeated scenes. Personally I don’t mind stories with linear plot.
My favourite route in Birushana was Yoritomo’s – solid plot, some angst, and to top it all off, handsome as hell! I’m also a sucker for Furukawa Makoto’s voice acting. AND he is a kuudere, I’m a simp. 🥰
Amnesia: Memories & Later x Crowd (Switch Port)
✤ Release date: 20 September 2022
✤ Publisher: Idea Factory (Otomate) x Idea Factory Int’l
“You awaken on the first of August with no memory of your relationships or your past. A friendly spirit named Orion appears, somehow trapped within your consciousness.
With his help, you must unravel the mystery of who you are while hiding your amnesia from those seemingly closest to you – or risk oblivion. Can you regain your memories and find your true love before it’s too late?”
[from: Idea Factory International]
Personal thoughts. Amnesia: Memories is not the best otome game out there (imo), but it’s a classic for a reason. The mystery plot is intriguing enough to keep you wanting more. I actually first played this game on mobile! The system was glitchy and I did not have a great experience, so I’m glad it’s now on Switch because I prefer playing games on console (and I don’t own a Vita).
I have started Amnesia: Later, which is one of Amnesia: Memories’ fandiscs embedded within the Later x Crowd title. It’s a light and very cute read! But I am putting it off for now because I am simply distracted by a lot of other games. 😅
Piofiore: Episodio 1926
✤ Release date: 22 September (US) / 23 September 2022 (EU)
✤ Publisher: Idea Factory (Otomate) x Aksys Games
“Return to the city of Burlone, Italy – home to three powerful mafia families vying for control. Liliana Adornato is an orphan with a hidden past tied to fate of the city. But when a new threat appears, the Falzone, Visconti, and Lao-Shu families must come together in a temporary truce to retrieve a stolen relic and restore the balance of power.”
[from: Aksys Games]
Personal thoughts. I enjoyed Piofiore: Fated Memories – so I was really looking forward to playing the sequel. Boy, it did not disappoint. Dare I say it’s waaay better than the first one! Since the story takes place after each main character’s best ending, they are happily in love, and things are SPICY! 
All the routes were really good, but Dante’s and Yang’s were my personal favourites. I also found the plot more gripping than the first game (the lowkey ridiculous truth behind Key Maiden still baffles me though, LOL). The new characters are super cool, even the villains…except for Eugene, grr.
Personally, Piofiore: Episodio 1926 is one of the best of 2022 English releases. If you haven’t bought it – or it’s still in your backlog, this is your sign!
Butterfly’s Poison; Blood Chains (Switch Port)
✤ Release date: 27 October 2022
✤ Publisher: Prototype
“Tokyo. The year is 1918, a dark age for the world. In this tale of love and hate, five young men pursue the daughter of an aristocratic family on the verge of ruin.
“Butterfly’s Poison; Blood Chains” (Chou no Doku), the beloved visual novel conquering people’s hearts with its mature love story, is now available in English and Japanese on Nintendo Switch™ system!”
[from: Prototype]
Personal thoughts. This one is definitely not for the faint hearted! I really enjoyed all the routes, but I must say the *trashfire* routes, ie. Mizuhito & Majima, were my favourites. I am ashamed to admit to being an onisama/aniue route enjoyer (lord forgive me) and let’s say this game…provided. 🚩The game has excellent balance between drama, angst and saucy plot. Do read the trigger warnings if you plan on getting into this game!
Beyond the plot, I also found the gameplay really smooth and highly customisable (eg. changeable fonts). Plus, the ability to switch between English & Japanese is just fantastic imo, especially for those who want to use otome games to learn Japanese. I wish Otomate would follow Prototype in this, but I don’t see that ever happening tbh.
Paradigm Paradox
✤ Release date: 27 October (US) / 28 October 2022 (EU)
✤ Publisher: Idea Factory (Otomate) x Aksys Games
“High schooler Yuuki is as average as they come. She enjoys a mundane life of school, friendships, and generally being uninterested in boys, until one day she finds herself outside after curfew and face to face with a horrific monster. Just as all seems lost, Yuuki is saved by four female superheroes… and is invited to join their cause and protect the colony from the Vector threat!”
[from: Aksys Games]
Personal thoughts. This game had me interested because of the gender bender aspect. The fact that the love interests can transform into girls with magical powers is fascinating! I did find the plot to be a little predictable though. The character designs are also a bit plain for my taste, and personally I needed more romance. The background music is nice – they sound a little futuristic / industrial with hints of pop!
Overall, ParaPara is probably one of the weaker titles of 2022 releases for me. But this game might still suit those looking for a quick read with sci-fi x monster themes, and great voice acting casts (the game is essentially a promo for 8P anyway!).
Lover Pretend
✤ Release date: 1 December (US) / 2 December 2022 (EU)
✤ Publisher: Idea Factory (Otomate) x Aksys Games
“Chiyuki is a college student with dreams: One, to become a scriptwriter like her late mother, and two, to find her father, whom she’s never met. In a stroke of luck, Chiyuki lands a job as an assistant for an upcoming film, but things take a surprising turn when she’s cast as the film’s female love interest! Will she be able to find her father and pretend to be in love, despite not knowing anything about love herself?”
[from: Aksys Games]
Personal thoughts. I kind of expected more out of this game. It had such an exciting premise (“pretending to be in love”), but some of the dialogues felt rather flat. Also, for an Otomate game, the music is mid at best (but the OP song is a bop!). I thought the game UI was super cute, but that font was absolutely criminal 
it was not easy on my eyes! There are plenty of positives though. All the love interests have adorable personalities, the main character is easy to empathise with, and the art is very clean. Riku ended up being my favourite, which I did not see coming! 
Although the game wasn’t for me, I would still recommend it for those looking for something with a modern-setting and little angst. It does have a lot of cute, shoujo manga-esque moments, and if you are also interested in filming related stuff, then even better.
…and that’s it! Nine English otome game releases in 2022 from four major English publishers. Unsurprisingly, Aksys Games was the publisher with the highest otome count this year. I hope we will hear more localisation news from other publishers in 2023 – Rejet, sir, the entire Western otome community is BEGGING.
Which of these games have you played? And did you enjoy them?
