An idea hit me when I was browsing a Japanese otome blog I’ve been following. I think this year had been where I’ve went all out on my otome and smartphone games.

Some games I’ve played and enjoyed this year, not in any particular order.

• Harukanaru Toki no naka de 2 (PSP)
  – Part visual novel and part stat-raising game from Koei Tecmo’s Neoromance series, Harukanaru Toki no naka de, Takakura Karin (default name) is summoned to Kyou, an alternate dimension where it resembles the Heian era to save it from destruction. (more info here) She has no clue what the new world is like and (depending on choice, but she is by default) quite positive-minded about doing her best in whatever she can to save Kyou.
• Princess Closet (iOS and Android)
  – An Ameba game and app about an ordinary office worker being chosen as the face and model of a popular fashion brand called Princess Closet. We follow the outcomes of her choice when she chooses/approaches any one of the male characters for advice. Has good amount of dress-up missions and the story can be enjoyed and completed for free. Will have a post detailing the gameplay soon.
• Shirahana no Ori ~Hiiro no Kakera 4~ (PSP/English port on iOS and Android as Shall We Date?: Scarlet Fate)
  – The what-if story of the ancestors for the original Hiiro no Kakera series. I love how mature the subject (sins and guilt) and characters are. Some parts of the story (battles and hidden agendas) are slightly repetitive but from the big picture, it’s as good as it can get. Story-wise, very heavy. The fandisk’s Spring and Autumn stories are absolutely perfect. Winter features Tomonori and Aterui’s route. Summer is where all the characters, ALL of them coming together making noise for the festival. Summer and Winter wasn’t much to my liking but glad that Tomonori has a route because he, along with Akifusa are part of the backbone supporting Shiki as the Tamayori-hime and he deserves a happy end for once.
• Gunjou no Yuki (PC; trial version and fully-voiced, currently in development)
  – Stellatica’s game features Takigawa Nanase, a high school student who was cleaning the -warehouse of sorts but for home- as a favour for her mother, gets sucked into a diary which had been written in the Taishou era. Without properly realising what her situation was, she gets into trouble when Nanase runs into some bad people and a kind boy with Western features saved her.
  She is welcomed to his family’s home and started working in return for letting her stay. Nanase has only a wretched future awaiting her but…
  “Would you be saved if the past is changed? Or would it be…”
  
  The trial version is available for download. A physical release had been decided on top of a free download (but there are route restrictions) The physical release would contain the entire story as well extras.
• Glass Heart Princess (PSP)
  – Himeno Kyouko is a high-school student who finds that she has a rare illness called the Glass Heart Syndrome, where a slight excitement (anything that makes her heart beats faster) would cause her death. Her maid, Satsuki suggests that she falls in love in order to train her heart (along with sports, reading manga and etc) while her multi-talented butler, Shinnosuke aids in her adventures (he is also one of the playable characters ww). A very nice and light-hearted fun.
• Hanayaka nari, Waga Ichizoku (PSP)
  – A PSP game from ichicolumn. The graphics are nice and the system’s refreshing for me who play text-based otome games most of the time |D The fact that there is something happening behind the scenes within the family and extended relations makes me intrigued.
• Enkeltbillet (PSP)
  – The quests part are fu~~~n! I like the graphics and system. The Engrish in the game gives me a bad headache but the skip button comes into good use.
• BAD condition DATE (PC/Android)
  – A voiced situation game. It’s about a couple who has a picnic date but it rains heavily and you both start to chat to pass the time. The protagonist (which is you) has no lines. There are quizzes on the first time playing the game but after that, you can play it on a ‘seamless’ mode like an audio drama. It’s playable on PC and Android.
  An adult-rated continuation is in the works.
• Sh[in]e
  – A short and voiced otome game with very nice music and graphics. You wake up not knowing who and where you are. The story’s male protagonist, Sol who found you, is a toy-maker. After being found out that you both are sharing a room (and bed) by his mother, he proclaims that you are his fiancée in order to keep you and also to restore your memories. (Spoiler: Those who like fairy tales would enjoy this.)
• Aru Kanri’nin no Koi – Ling(‘s) extra episode
  – This was released in conjunction of Ling-kun’s birthday and some additional stories not in the main games are here. Ling-kun’s so lovable and such a dear. I almost had my heart collapsing on me when the story progressed but thankfully, Ling-kun and Jun-chan can be together for always.

That’s a lot! XD Most of the commercial otome game releases in the later half of the year are on Vita which I sadly, don’t have. I’m looking forward to Haruka 6, UtaPri’s All Star After Secret, to name a few. I’m glad there are still PSP releases because I’ve only just bought the console last year! www

Even though it’s a little early, Happy New Year!