The first-ever otome game, Angelique, was released in 1994 by Koei, a video game publisher. Since then, otome games have enjoyed sustained popularity, especially amongst female gamers.
These games usually involve a female protagonist choosing to date one of the many male characters through a series of interactions, story progression, and in-game choices. We’ve come up with a list of 17 otome games with stunning visuals and great characters who will sweep you off your feet – who needs Tinder anyway?
Image credit: IMDb
In Uta no Prince-sama, you play as Haruka Nanami, the female lead and an aspiring composer who has successfully enrolled into Saotome Academy. There, she begins her journey towards becoming a full-fledged composer and writing songs that will touch the hearts of listeners.
In a highly competitive environment, Haruka will have to stand out from her peers and learn how to work with music students who are idols-in-training. Through a series of events, Haruka becomes acquainted with 7 guys who are just as handsome as they are talented.
Haruka will eventually have to choose the one whose voice has touched her, and who has possibly also captured her heart.
Image credit: Shining Live English Wiki
There are 7 main routes: the cheerful Otoya Ittoki, the short but stylish Syo Kurusu, the level-headed Tokiya Ichinose, the charming Ren Jinguji, the air-headed Natsuki Shinomiya, the serious Masato Hijirikawa, and the cheeky Cecil Aijima.
What are our chances of dating an idol in real life? Practically zero. But in Uta no Prince-sama, there are 7 attractive idols-to-be waiting to serenade you and start a heart-throbbing relationship.
Compatibility: Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita, Nintendo Switch
Image credit: Kamigami no Asobi Wiki
Play of Gods follows the story of Yui Kusanagi, a kind-hearted 18-year-old girl who is skilled in swordplay. Yui is chosen by Zeus to help teach a group of male gods about humans and love as they have severely lost touch with the earthly realm.
She mainly interacts with 8 different guys – the Greek gods Apollon and Hades; the Japanese gods Tsukito and Takeru; the Norse gods Balder, Loki, and Thor; and the Egyptian god Anubis.
Each character has their own unique personality and quirks – for instance, the cheeky Loki always has tricks up his sleeves so your days will never be dull, while the sweet Apollon knows how to treat a girl well and pay attention to your needs.
Image credit: Katsuko-Chan
Dating a god is impossible in real life, but in the world of Play of Gods, you can make your wildest dreams come true.
Compatibility: Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita
Image credit: Amazon
Unlike most otome games where there is only one main protagonist, Norn9 has 4 protagonists that the player can choose to play as – Sorata Suzuhara, Koharu, Mikoto Kuga, and Nanami Shiranui.
12-year-old Sorata is mysteriously transported back in time to the Taisho Era, where he encounters a group of individuals with magical powers aboard a flying ship. As Sorata, you will go through a pure friendship route. You’ll also observe and watch as the complicated relationships and romantic interactions between the other characters play out.
Image credit: Bonus Stage
To experience the different love routes, you should play as Koharu, Mikoto, or Nanami. Each heroine comes with her corresponding love interests.
If you play as Koharu, you will get to interact with the intelligent Kakeru, the introverted Senri, and the caring Masamune. As Mikoto, you will learn about the level-headed Natsuhiko, the sweet Sakuya, and Itsuki, who hides behind his jokester facade. Lastly, as Nanami, you will grow close to the fierce-looking Akito, the seemingly lazy Ron, and the friendly Heishi.
Compatibility: Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita, Nintendo Switch
Image credit: Anime-Planet
In Amnesia, the female protagonist gets into an accident which results in memory loss – hence the title. If you compare Amnesia with other otome games, you will realise that it has many fundamentally different aspects. The 5 routes bear little to no resemblance because each one takes place in a parallel universe. No two routes will be the same.
This makes the game much more interesting as you get to experience 5 entirely different lives and relationships.
The male characters in Amnesia each represent a suit from a deck of poker cards. Shin represents Hearts, Ikki represents Spades, Kent represents Clubs, Toma represents Diamonds, and Ukyo represents the Joker. The suit you choose at the start of the game determines who you’ll get to date.
Image credit: Otome Kitten
The only common thing about all 5 routes is the fact that the female lead has to go through different events to piece together her lost memories.
Compatibility: Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Android, and iOS
Image credit: Amazon
You will play as Felicita, the daughter of Mondo – the head of Arcana Famiglia, an organisation located in Regalo. Felicita is a strong-willed and independent lady who refuses to have her life decided for her.
Mondo, however, has decided to retire and hand his position over to someone he deems worthy through a battle called Arcana Duello, where potential candidates fight against one another to emerge victorious. The winner of Arcana Duello will have 3 things granted to them – the highest rank in the organisation, a special request, and Felicita as a wife.
Felicita joins the tournament with the intention to win so that she can shape her own future. Through the events that lead up to Arcana Duello, Felicita will grow closer to 7 candidates – the kind Liberta, the cool Nova, the flirtatious Debito, the protective Luca, the warm and dependable Dante, the crafty Jolly, and Pace, who has superhuman strength.
The tenacity of Felicita and her courage to take charge of her own life will resonate with girls who do not like to have their paths selfishly decided for them.
Compatibility: Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita
Image credit: Play-Asia
Meiji Tokyo Renka is a popular otome game that started out as a mobile game before being ported over to PlayStation Portable (PSP) and Playstation Vita by game developer Broccoli. This historical romance game features suave male characters from the Meiji Era as possible love interests.
You will play as young Mei Ayazuki, who time travels back to the Meiji Period one fateful night, during a lunar eclipse. She suffers from amnesia after the sudden time travel but is made aware of her special ability to interact with the supernatural. This ability comes in handy when she tries to assist the different guys in various situations.
Image credit: Fantasy Violet
As Mei, you get the chance to be up close and personal 6 possible love interests – the mysterious Ougai Mori, the artistic Shunsou Hishida, the performer Otojirou Kawakami, the writer Kyouka Izumi, the katana-wielding Gorou Fujita, and Yakumo Koizumi, who does supernatural research.
As she grows attached to the people in the Meiji Era, she will be forced to make a decision – permanently stay in Meiji or go back to her actual timeline. Through this game, you can dive into the past and experience what it’s like to interact with the historical figures you’ve read about in books.
Compatibility: Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita, iOS, Android
Image credit: Amazon
Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time was adapted from the manga of the same name by Tohko Mizunois. It’s the oldest otome game, so the visuals may look a little dated.
In the game, you assume the role of Akane Motomiya, the female protagonist. She’s believed to be the Priestess of the Dragon God, who will bring about salvation.
At the beginning of the game, Akane and her friends, Tenma Morimura, and Shimon Nagereyama, are suddenly teleported to a place called Kyo, in the Heian Era. There, they are informed by the Star Clan of their destiny as the Priestess and members of the Hachiyo – selected men who fight to protect Kyo from evil forces – respectively.
Akane will meet with 6 powerful and unique men who are part of the Hachiyo – the loyal samurai Yorihisa, the righteous Takamichi, the observant Tomomasa, the peace-loving Eisen, the cold-blooded Yasuaki, and the family-oriented yet impulsive Inori.
The gameplay for Haruka: Beyond the Stream of Time differs from usual otome games because it combines 3 styles: visual storytelling, RPG battles, and board games. If you like RPG battles and a good love story, then this is the perfect game to play.
Compatibility: Playstation, Playstation 2, Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita, Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Switch
Image credit: Hikaru’s Canvas
Hakuoki is one of the many romance games produced by Idea Factory, a video game production company. After its release in 2008, Hakuoki’s popularity skyrocketed and its franchise soon expanded into the realm of manga and anime.
In the game, you get to interact with 5 legendary and handsome Shinsengumi captains. Each character has a well-thought-out backstory and the plot easily reels you in.
Image credit: JPRG.moe
You play as Chizuru Yukimura, the heroine with a complicated and mysterious past. She gets involved with the Shinsengumi’s investigations, which is somehow linked to her father, Dr. Yukimura.
As time passes, Chizuru’s identity and background gradually become clearer, but her relationships with the 5 different captains get more confusing as each one grows more attached and protective of her.
Compatibility: Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Playstation Vita, Nintendo DS, Nintendo 3DS, Android, and iOS
Image credit: Amazon
If you’ve ever fantasised about a forbidden romance with a devilishly handsome vampire, then you will certainly enjoy playing Dance with Devils.
Image credit: Anime God
Dance with Devils tells the tale of Ritsuka Tachibana, who is pursued by 2 groups – vampires and devils – as they seek a forbidden grimoire that will grant the holder immense power. They believe Ritsuka will lead them to the forbidden grimoire, not knowing that Ritsuka herself is, in fact, the grimoire.
Ritsuka will be chased by 6 guys who are either devils or vampires – Rem Kaginuki, Urie Sogami, Mage Nanashiro, Roen, Shiki Natsumezaka, and Lindo Tachibana. Your every decision in the game will affect the story’s progression, determine the interactions between Ritsuka and the 6 guys, and will help steer Ritsuka into starting a forbidden romance with one of them.
Compatibility: Playstation Vita
Image credit: Hinano’s Game Babbles
Just like Dance with Devils, you will be able to experience a forbidden romance when you play Diabolik Lovers. But this time, it will only involve vampires.
Developed by Rejet, Diabolik Lovers is an otome game with routes that are split into 3 types: Dark, Maniac and Ecstasy. The events and intensity of the interactions between Yui Komori, the heroine, and the 6 vampire brothers will differ based on the type of route chosen.
The story begins with Yui moving into a mysterious and eerie mansion where she encounters 6 young and attractive men. These men are the Sakamaki brothers, who are all vampires and half-siblings.
Diabolik Lovers is so popular that it spawned a franchise that includes anime, manga, artbooks, drama CDs, and 6 other games.
Compatibility: Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch
Image credit: ROMS GAMES
Brothers Conflict is a classic but taboo love story between stepsiblings, turned up to eleven. Instead of just 1 stepbrother, you get 13 guys. After her father remarries, 17-year-old Ema suddenly gains 13 stepbrothers. She later moves in with her stepbrothers and is properly introduced to them.
All Ema wishes for is to get along with her stepbrothers, but this proves to be difficult as each one becomes romantically attracted. They compete amongst each other to get her attention and win her heart. As Ema, the player decides her fate by choosing one route to focus on.
Image credit: Brothers Conflict Wiki
The 1st game, Brothers Conflict: Passion Pink, includes 7 different routes: the doctor Masaomi, Buddhist monk Kaname, author Hikaru, voice actor Tsubaki, 20-year-old college student Subaru, high schooler Yusuke, and the 15-year-old idol Fuuto.
The 2nd game, Brothers Conflict: Brilliant Blue, has 6 routes: voice actor Azusa, game developer Natsume, hairstylist Louis, lawyer Ukyo, 18-year-old Iori who has a tragic past, and Wataru, the youngest child who can seem like a spoilt brat at times.
Compatibility: Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita, Nintendo Switch
Image credit: La Corda d’Oro Wiki
La Corda d’Oro follows Kahoko Hino, a General Education student who is suddenly forced to become a violinist after a fateful encounter with Lili, a musical fairy who possesses a special violin that he later gifts Kahoko.
Initially reluctant to compete with other Music Education students, Kahoko relents after falling in love with the violin. As she learns more about music, she befriends the various talented musicians in Seiso Academy.
Image credit: Wallpaper Cave
Kahoko grows closer to expert violinist Len Tsukimori, flautist Azuma Yunoki, the cello angel Keiichi Shimizu, the friendly trumpeter Kazuki Hihara, and the pianist Ryotaro Tsuchiura.
As the game progresses, the player will have to clear various mini-events and boost their intimacy points with the guy they wish to end up with. The more intimacy points you get, the higher the chance of unlocking the happy end with the music student you are fond of.
Compatibility: Windows, Playstation 2, Playstation Portable (PSP), Playstation Vita, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Image credit: ROMSFOREVER
Scarlet Fragments was developed by Idea Factory, and it was released in 2006 for the Japanese audience. The game is centred on Tamaki Kasuga, who is destined to become the next Tamayori Princess.
As the Tamayori Princess, Tamaki is expected to seal the mighty sword Onikirimaru in order to prevent it from ending up in the wrong hands and causing mass destruction.
Of course, she won’t be doing this alone. She will be accompanied by 5 Guardians: the powerful Takuma Onizaki, the wind user Mahiro Atori, the fire specialist Yuuichi Komura, water bender Suguru Oomi, and Shinji Inukai, who uses words as his weapon.
Image credit: 4shiki
More often than not, otome games that become popular end up getting an anime adaptation. Scarlet Fragments is one of them. 6 years after the game’s release, the franchise expanded to include 2 anime seasons. Those who have played the game and are loyal supporters of the Tamaki-Takuma ship will enjoy the anime series very much.
Compatibility: Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Playstation Portable (PSP), Nintendo DS
Image credit: English Otome Games
Based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Alice in the Country of Hearts follows the story of Alice Liddell, who is literally swept off her feet by a rabbit-eared man called Peter White. She’s then whisked away to Wonderland after drinking a potion.
The bewildered Alice just wants to get back home in one piece but the civil war in Wonderland prevents her from doing so. To escape Wonderland, Alice has to fill up a vial with the potion she drank at the beginning of the game. To do this, she has to meet with the various characters in Wonderland.
Interacting with the residents of Wonderland may sound like an easy feat, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. The people from Castle of Hearts, Hatter Mansion, and the Amusement Park are warring with one another, and one wrong move – or interaction with the characters – will cost Alice her head.
Image credit: Hinano’s Game Babbles
Not only is Alice’s life on the line, but her heart is also at stake. She has to guard her heart or risk falling in love with one of the 9 possible romantic interests – Peter White, Ace, Blood Dupre, Elliot March, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Mary Gowland, Boris Airay, and Julius Monrey.
There are 10 titles in the Alice game series, including remakes and fan discs. Alice in the Country of Spades – Wonderful White World and Alice in the Country of Spades – Wonderful Black World, scheduled to be released in 2020, will be playable on Nintendo Switch.
Compatibility: Windows, Playstation 2, Playstation Portable (PSP)
Image credit: Giant Bomb
Arabians Lost: The Engagement on Desert tells the courageous tale of Aileen Olazabal, the only daughter and princess of Gilkhatar. She stands up to her parents in a bid to take charge of her own life. Aileen does not want to be tied down to a random man for the rest of her life and live meaninglessly as a member of royalty.
Out of desperation, Aileen puts her freedom on the line with a final showdown with her parents: she would follow their plans for her life if she loses, but if she wins, they will have to let her lead her free-spirited lifestyle.
To win, Aileen has to raise 10,000,000 gils in 25 days with the help of 6 unique men – crafty assassin Curtis Nile, wealthy owner Roberto Cromwell, manipulative trader Shark Brandon, handsome observer Stuart Sink, the intelligent Lille Sluman, and the short-tempered Tyrone Bale, who has known Aileen since they were kids.
Image credit: Chocolate Mix
As Aileen works with these 6 different men to fight for her freedom, she will ironically find herself getting tied down to one of them after becoming attracted by their charms. Originally a PC game, it was later ported over to PS2 and Nintendo DS with bonus scenes and endings for each route.
Compatibility: Windows, Playstation 2, Playstation Portable (PSP), Nintendo DS
Image credit: Games Home Singapore
17 years ago, the Iga and Kouga clans constantly clashed. But, thanks to Oda Nobunaga’s efforts in the Tenshou Iga War, the 2 divided clans became united as one, thereby ending their long-lasting feud.
Enju Ueno, the female protagonist of Nightshade, is the daughter of the Kouga clan head. Enju diligently trains to become an expert shinobi and wishes to be recognised for her skills. Little does she know that her very first mission will be full of trials and tribulation.
Image credit: Visual Novel Reviews
Something unexpected and dangerous occurs during Enju’s mission. In order to nip the problem in the bud, she befriends 5 other shinobi who will be part of her story.
Nightshade has a great and well-developed storyline that takes into account possible loopholes. The game aptly portrays the struggles of the shinobi and it’s easy to immerse yourself into the game world and understand the dilemmas of each character.
Compatibility: Windows, Nintendo Switch
Image credit: English Otome Games Wiki
Yo-Jin-Bo: The Bodyguards was the first otome game to have an official English translation. It is a historical romance with themes of time travelling, body-swapping, and reversing fates. During an archaeological excavation, Sayori picks up a green pendant but thinks nothing of it. Shortly after, she finds herself mysteriously swapping bodies with Hatsuhime, a historical princess.
Sayori knows how Hatsuhime ends up tragically killed due to a coup, and so it’s up to her and the 6 bodyguards – Yozaburo Shiranui, Jinnosuke Murasame, Tainojo Tsubaki, Muneshige Tsukuba, Monzan Kadokura, and Ittousai Tatsunami – to prevent her imminent death. Each bodyguard has his own unique personality, strengths, and weaknesses.
Compatibility: Windows, Playstation 2
If you’re bored at home or just want to experience love without the trouble of making small talk on dating apps, give these virtual boys and otome games a chance. However, do note that they are fictional and purely for entertainment purposes only.
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Cover image adapted from: Nianely Carter, Zerochan, Zerochan
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