Half-Glass Gaming [Episode 31] : Love Bomb
This week, why is the gang so giddy? Perhaps it’s because the Reverend has bestowed video game-themed gifts upon the other podcasters, or maybe it’s just because the most romantic of holidays is fast approaching. Either way, it’s time to talk about dating sims.
Mandi is the dating sim expert in the group, so she’s got plenty of facts about the early, pornographic days of the genre (which we mentioned a bit way back in our first ever episode). After that, we delve into the evolution of the Fire Emblem series, making “woohoo” happen in The Sims, and Geralt’s sex life in The Witcher 3. We’ve also got some secret info on Final Fantasy VII‘s hidden dating sims mechanics (more on that here), as well as a it on Star Ocean: The Second Story‘s Private Action system (and more on that one here). And no dating sims conversation would be complete without several minutes of chatter about Hatoful Boyfriend.
Put on some headphones and let us romance you in the ears.
Here’s a complete list of games we mention in this episode:
- Nintendogs
- Kirby (series)
- Paper Mario
- Pokémon
- Softporn Adventure
- Mystery Date (board game)
- Dream Phone (board game)
- Girl’s Garden
- Leisure Suit Larry
- Tokimeki Memorial
- Harvest Moon
- Edgar’s Dream
- Shall We Date?
- Final Fantasy VII
- Fire Emblem (series)
- Fire Emblem: Genealogy of the Holy War
- Fire Emblem: Awakening
- Persona/Shin Megami Tensei (series)
- Star Ocean: The Second Story
- Stardew Valley
- The Sims
- Mass Effect
- Mass Effect 2
- Knights of the Old Republic
- Long Live the Queen
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Saints Row IV
- Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Bully
- Hatoful Boyfriend
- Frog Fractions
- Summer Session
- The Witcher 3: The Wild Hunt
- Far Cry 4
- Yakuza
- Yakuza 5
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Sonic Dating Sim RPG
- Sonic Inflation Adventure
- Sonic: Sim Date
- Macro Sonic Dating Sim
- God of War
- Grand Theft Auto V
- Girlfriend Construction Set
Retrovolve Staff
At Retrovolve, we love discussing, studying, and playing retro games, though not necessarily in that order.
What an interesting episode! I never could have imagined you’d think of a Valentines Day topic. I don’t think I’ve ever played a pure dating sim, but based on what Mandi said, I’ve played some titles that were influenced by them. I’ll never cease to be impressed by her knowledge of video game history.
Oh, we’ve got more topics than you could ever imagine! Haha!
Thanks for listening! Glad you loved the episode!
I’ve gotten to the point where I just ask a question, sit back and let the flood gates of Mandi’s mind palace wash over me with a wealth of facts. She is one in a million, and I’m glad she is on the side of good. Thanks for the ear time Jimmy, and Happy V-Day!
Suddenly I want to play Hatoful Boyfriend more than anything.
Yeah. This conversation really sold me on it. I think I’ll probably play it now.
Ever since I played Mass Effect I wanted every game to have romance options. It just doesn’t feel right without them.
I’m on the fence, but I do appreciate when they are offered in the event that I do opt in. I can do without the weird sex cutscenes though, they still look just down right bizarre to me. It’s like watching two action figures go at it.
I will say that I chose to seduce Jack in ME2 and immediately regretted it. Once she shut down after the fact and became closed off and guarded towards me I felt like a jerk. She was definitely my favorite character in that games.
I agree, sex cutscenes in games always look weird. The only good ones I’ve seen fade to black. I don’t know why they bother.
Totally. I don’t know if you’ve played the Witcher 3, but they are painful to watch, and there is a ton of sex to be had in that game. The fade to black is definitely the way to go.
When Mandy says ew in that little voice it sounds so cute I just love to listen to her talking.
I don’t mind romance but I hate how it feels like the fan base treats so many games as dating sims now. People just talk about romance and ignore the rest of the game.
I thought the romance in some games like Final Fantasy 10 was great but in games like Mass Effect where you pick a girlfriend it felt forced.
You guys didn’t mention Katawa Shoujo but that was surprisingly good and memorable. Its free if you’ve never played it.
Some of them dating sims are so funny lol. You should do more episodes with weird games.
Some of them dating sims are so funny lol. You should do more episodes with weird games.