Do Men Play Otome Games?

Right, which is why I started the topic here, under visual novels, instead of just "videogames"

Fans (myself included) are always saying that they play visual novels because of the story and not necessarily because of the hentai scenes. In the example I use, Norn9, it deals with Time Travel, very similar to Stein's Gate, or Ever 17, both of which are geared towards men (all 3 of which are not hentai games though).

Which brings up another interesting question - do you think that it's mostly girls as opposed to guys who play "Non H" Visual novel games regardless of the gender of the characters? Do guys ONLY play a visual novel for the H scenes?

What would then happen if there was an English H Otome game? - There are in fact several already in Japan - just none have been brought over yet -- Would men play those for the H scenes - I mean even in porn, they show the male bits too lol, so it's not like seeing a D is going to send a guy screaming and he'd still be seeing naked girls and sex scenes and stuff too similar to any other visual novel.

GeekySweetie wrote

Right, which is why I started the topic here, under visual novels, instead of just "videogames"

Fans (myself included) are always saying that they play visual novels because of the story and not necessarily because of the hentai scenes. In the example I use, Norn9, it deals with Time Travel, very similar to Stein's Gate, or Ever 17, both of which are geared towards men (all 3 of which are not hentai games though).

Which brings up another interesting question - do you think that it's mostly girls as opposed to guys who play "Non H"  Visual novel games regardless of the gender of the characters? Do guys ONLY play a visual novel for the H scenes?

What would then happen if there was an English H Otome game? - There are in fact several already in Japan - just none have been brought over yet -- Would men play those for the H scenes - I mean even in porn, they show the male bits too lol, so it's not like seeing a D is going to send a guy screaming and he'd still be seeing naked girls and sex scenes and stuff too similar to any other visual novel.

Sorry I was looking in the recent side bar when I saw the thread I didn't notice. :tehe:

The few visual novels I have played wasn't for the h scenes, I liked just experiencing the story. But I am just one guy.

@[deleted] The majority of my friends who do play Visual Novels don't really care all to much whether you play as a male or female. As a Life is Strange fan I had no opposition to Maxine ("Max never Maxine") being the main character played. I personally love playing Otome games although usually of the Yuri genre. And in regards to your question about "do you think that it's mostly girls as opposed to guys who play "Non H" Visual novel games regardless of the gender of the characters" I'd have to say possibly as I can't tell outside of my own social group but the girls who I do speak with on a near constant basis rather like the Hentai content of Visual Novels/Hentai Visual Novels regardless of main lead gender. And again not really too sure on "Do guys ONLY play a visual novel for the H scenes?" but I don't really care if there are any Hentai scenes. If there are good for the people who like that sort of thing, otherwise it doesn't particularly affect me in general.

Actually to think of it no I haven't. I just haven't found a good one for me. Each time I tried looking for some I would see those gory/rape bs and I really dislike those genres. ;x
If you have some that you can recommend to me that will be awesome. 🙂

Stash wrote

Actually to think of it no I haven't. I just haven't found a good one for me. Each time I tried looking for some I would see those gory/rape bs and I really dislike those genres. ;x
If you have some that you can recommend to me that will be awesome. 🙂

I'd recommend Norn 9 Var Commons - it is probably the most "interesting" story (at least that's readily available in English). If you've ever played Stein's Gate, Ever 17, or other "scifi" themed visual novels, and enjoyed any of those, you'd probably like Norn 9. You also start the first 2-3 hours of the game as a dude, which can help "ease" people into the whole Otome thing.

It's an "all ages" title so there's no rape or anything like that 🙂

If you like Historical dramas and learning about Japanese culture, you may like Hakouki - personally I find this game super boring! I much prefer Yo-Jin-Bo which blends the historical stuff with more fantasy/magical elements. It had a pretty adventurous/exciting and at times sad story too which is well written.

Personally though, my favorites, are Princess Maker (well you don't actually play AS a girl I guess but it's a very "girly" game) and Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side 1-3 (all 3 of them have been fan translated) However, I don't believe these (especially Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side) would appeal to a male audience, because it lacks any kinda of "Conflict" in the story, its just a silly slice of life.

I also absolutely love ANYTHING by Cheritz, a korean company who is working now on their third title. Their production values are sky high in their games. Artwork, voice acting, story, writing, etc. My favorite is Dandelion Wishes Brought to You - in it you wake up to find 5 pets in your room and later discover they are actually men from another world and are vying for your affection as part of some sick twisted game set up by a wizard who wants you for his own. The animals have agreed to play along because the wizard can grant any wish for the one who captures your heart. For example, one of them wants to help his sick sister. However, as they play along, they fall in love for real, complicating things.

The other game by Cheritz is about Asian Balljointed dolls, based actually on a company who makes the dolls in real life, about the dolls coming to life. I haven't gotten too far in it (my computer died so I'm without games at all at the moment). 

Their newest game looks good. the trailer can be seen below:

Lastly, I've not played it yet, but Code Realize looks really really good - It's rated Teen so I think it will be pretty dark and mature. Deals with death as the main theme I think in a steampunk setting.

EnglishOtomeGames.net is the best place to read reviews and keep abreast on new Otome releases.

Especially the following 3 pages:

Upcoming Releases: http://www.englishotomegames.net/upcoming

Potential Releases (Kickstarter, etc): http://www.englishotomegames.net/tagged/support

Current Releases: http://www.englishotomegames.net/list

PunishedKom wrote

If they're gay, yeah.

I know several who aren't, yet they still enjoy these kind of games.

10 months later

I don't play things for the H-scenes, although that's a nice reward. It's easier and takes less effort to just look up some porn.

a year later

I hate most of the otome/harem genre, but I secretly loved Mystic messanger quite a bit.
I made only one route with Yoosung, and man he's a crybaby.
Jumin is the best one and i kinda like 707, even if he can be annoying.
If you have some suggestions i'm open

>tfw you love the history of the Heian period and medieval Japan but the only VNs set in that time period are otome games (and ones without any story deep enough to make them worth it for a hetero male)

I mean, it's not too surprising considering most of the literary classics of the Heian period like The Tale of Genji were basically written by a bunch of medieval fujoshis fantasizing about having romantic escapades with handsome men... but fuck it, I want a galge where I can romance a THICC 11th century hikikomori with black teeth, godddamit!!!

GlassMoon wrote

>tfw you love the history of the Heian period and medieval Japan but the only VNs set in that time period are otome games (and ones without any story deep enough to make them worth it for a hetero male)

I mean, it's not too surprising considering most of the literary classics of the Heian period like The Tale of Genji were basically written by a bunch of medieval fujoshis fantasizing about having romantic escapades with handsome men... but fuck it, I want a galge where I can romance a THICC 11th century hikikomori with black teeth, godddamit!!!

Ahh, the many merits of swingin' both ways. At least the Sengoku Period gets lotsa love.