Written by Jiatong Li
Recently, a new Otome game called Love and Deep Space has been causing a significant discussion on the internet. Curious as I am, I downloaded it from the Apple Store.
Otome game is a minor genre in the mainstream games; it is a story-based video game targeted towards women. Based on the experience that I had before, the goal of these games is to have the desired partner fall in love and have a relationship with the player.
I want to try it because it is the first Otome game with 3D modelling.
Upon entering the game, I must create my female character to gain a fully immersive experience. I can fine-tune aspects like the dimensions of the face, eye colour, makeup intensity and even the pitch of the voice. The process is more detailed than expected; it takes so long that I almost quit.
But when I officially get into the game, it is worth spending time on it. After a week of experience, I realized the difference between it and other games in the same genre.
Initial observations? It has a unique setting. Compared with other Otome games, which take place in a contemporary or historical setting, Love and Deep Space happens in a futuristic space with sci-fi elements. In the world of advanced technology, players’ daily routine includes space exploration and extraterrestrial civilizations. These features make it stand out from the competition.
What draws in the player? It is about the more challenging gameplay. Unlike other games focusing on visual novels, it has a battle system. Players can fight with male characters, and instead of the traditional image of a protected woman, it encourages players to support alongside each other. But occasionally, the character models may get debugged; it’s only been released for nearly a month, and I hope it can be fixed soon.
To top it all up, it has plentiful branching storylines. It allows players to make choices that can impact the game’s outcome. Players also have the opportunity to have meaningful relationships with each character, strengthen their connections to the story and improve their overall immersion.
Last but not least, it has high-quality art and music. The modelling is very detailed and brings the character’s expressions to life. As the player interacts, the character also changes according to the light. But looking at it for a long time may cause a scary valley effect, and that’s why this leads to controversy. As for music, players sing along with Sarah Brightman to unfold the storyline, bringing more immersion to the experience.
Overall, this game has brought me a new and exciting experience, and I will continue to observe it in the future.