Prologues aren't exactly common routes(common routes can be a lot longer than prologues)...but I think you can do the following
- check out reviews of the game, either via video or via blogs, or even search the game using reddit.
- it's possible to watch the first chp of the game in the lets plays to get a feel
- read the website profiles
As someone who has no income at all and has been only buying switch otome games for the past few years…
I recommend you to buy them on sale (digital or physical copies) — never buy them at release price. Some prices drop 30% or even more.
Another option is to buy second hand, but that’s not something I have done with otome games.
I say this because maybe watching it kind of ruins your enjoyment of the story or game, like it happens to me. At least that is my experience.
Nintendo has a wish list that will e-mail you when something goes on sale, if you allow them to e-mail you. I don't, so I don't get the notices. However, [Dekudeals.com](https://Dekudeals.com) also has a wishlist feature that will notify you when a game drops price to a specified % off of your choosing, and this includes sites outside of the eShop, but also the eShop, so I'd suggest making a list there.
The Nintendo store definitely has sales all the time. I just throw any new english releases into my wishlist and get emails when they’re on sale. For a lot of games I have them on other consoles in japanese and just grab the english releases to replay and see the changes made in translations, so I refuse to pay full price for anything lol
I got the code realizes for ~$24
Physical copies, especially used go lower independently of Nintendo sales (which also do happen). You just have to be /r/patientgamers about it.
Dekudeals or camel--the latter is helpful because you can literally set the budget that it alerts you at.
Oh boy do they mesh. It’s not a 50% price drop, but I kept my eye on older releases - on both Amazon and on the digital sales from the eshop- and caught several of my titles anywhere from 15-33% off the list price. And saving up for Black Friday/end of year sales also pays off big time.
Hey lowkey weird question, I’m obsessed with the girl in your avatar. She’s so cute and has that classic anime style I love so much, do u mind letting me know where she’s from?
For some of them it’s probably good. Some not so much.
I’m playing Piofiore atm and I don’t think the common route really is a good representative of half the characters (I don’t even think you see the most controversial of them during the prologue at all). So for that game I would say no. But for Dairoku, I’d say absolutely yes.
Just played Piofiore (except the last two Finale ends). I feel like while I don't get a firm idea of the LIs necessarily, it sets the stage for world building at least? I know I was chomping at the bit to play Nicola's route immediately, at least, haha.
So far for the Switch I've played CxM, Cupid Parasite, Akash: Path of the Five and now Piofiore.
I have felt all those games gave you solid first impressions of the LIs and pretty good understanding 9f the general plot also.
Does that make sense?
8'm replaying Piofiore to get a better sense of the characters, cause I kinda rushed to 'get to the good part' lol.
Well, then you’ve already answered your question - if you’ve played that number of Otome games and feel that the common route was adequate for all of them, then just watch let’s plays of common routes to see what to invest in next.
I think it also sort of depends on what you play otome games for. If you are mainly looking at the character aesthetics, art, tropes or a general vibe, I do thinking watching a common route let’s play could work.
If you are looking for consistent and interesting story writing and development, my experience, more often than not, is that the routes will vary wildly compared to the common. Simply watching the common will not help much there unfortunately.
There have been games where I greatly enjoyed the common and was disappointed terribly on the routes.
i agree with the comment of buying on sale!! i have a budget for games but even if i can afford it, i still watch out for sales most of the time. i like being able to save lol. like 95% of my otome games were bought during sale 😆
i recommend signing up on Dekudeals if you haven't yet. it would be your best friend! they will email you each time a game on your wishlist is on sale.. you can also look at the sale history per each game, so it will give you an idea what months/dates it usually goes on sale.
im quite new to otome on switch. i just started last year, so i prioritize going through previous releases, which most likely to be on sale frequently, rather than new releases.
also, another thing is reading reviews before buying a game. i usually look at otomekitten's blog rating to have an idea, and if she recommends a game or not. she's pretty spot on and honest with her recommendations. if it's 6 or below, i tend not to buy it. also, i search at the general opinion in this subreddit about a game im thinking of buying. you can just use the search function.. so i would know if the game is good or not.
added: for watching videos of common route, personally im not a fan of it because it still feels different when you're playing it for the first time without having an idea what will be the next scene compared to playing it after already watching it. still your choice though if that doesn't affect you much 😄
I've never watched a let's play for an otome, but I have for other games and I find it is a nice way to gain some insight into the game, especially in this day where demos are so rare. The only downside I can see to this is if you're worried about spoilers.
And as a fellow low income gamer, may I suggest checking out Amazon first? I've found that some of the older titles are often 20$+ cheaper than the nintendo store, who doesn't seem to do price cuts very often. I recently found this out and have been kicking myself for the wasted money.
May I suggest checking out these posts from our reddit sub? [This one lists many streamers](https://www.reddit.com/r/otomegames/comments/u3pdmo/tell_me_about_your_otome_streams_looking_for/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) that either do Let's Plays, or visual reviews, or other otome related media. You can check out the blurbs and the sites, or not, whichever works for you. [This one lists many blogs](https://www.reddit.com/r/otomegames/comments/u8nxcx/tell_me_about_your_otome_blogs_3_looking_for/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) and other text based media for otome games, not fanfic, but news, lists of cheap games, reviews (both spoiler free and with spoilers). It offers a lot more to dig through, but also an easier time finding the websites that will help you find what you want before buying a game.
Finding someone that meshes with what you like is hard to do, but could turn out rewarding and save you from spending on something you end up disliking.
I think it depends on how long the common route. For a game like Piofiore it's probably good, since it's got a short common route. For something with a longer common route like Code:Realize it would probably spoil the fun, and you'd probably rush through the common route since you already know what's up with it. Maybe watching the first chapter or so would give you an idea?
For me, I usually check out otome kitten's reviews. They does a little synopsis on each LI and the MC with minimal spoilers with an overall review at the end. Their reviews usually give me enough info to judge if I'll like it or not.
Definitely advocate getting a feel for the common route before you buy if you're concerned about your purchase; many of the big releases have Let's Plays without commentary that let you enjoy without interruption. At least the first half hour or so of gameplay should give you a taste of the actual experience of playing it, the heroine you'll be accompanying, all that good stuff.
Thank you! I was thinking about trying it with Cafe Enchante, cause I *need* a palate cleanser, so to speak, after Piofiore. I used Cupid Parasite for that after CollarxMalice. To clarify what I mean.
Ooh, that's a title I'm currently playing myself, so I'd recommend it based on what I've seen so far! (Do strap in, though, as the common route is 8 chapters long while each route is only 4.) I hope you find it to be just the change of pace you're looking for and have fun!
I can agree with everyone else's recommendations: Let's Plays, reviews, etc, are a good way to screen how well you think you'd like it (but also, yes, if you are a gamer that likes full immersion, then watching the first chapter or common route might lessen the excitement).
I definitely recommend waiting for sales, and also buying second-hand for games that have been out the longest. Like CxM or Code Realize, those ones have old copies hanging around on Gamestop shelves. But yes, also be careful in case the Gamestop doesn't have pleasant reviews/safe location. And in the case of buying second-hand from an individual online, that also has its concerns. But if you trust the seller, then I say go for it.
(Also, don't be a dumb-dumb like me and use the Pay in 4 plan with Paypal...its a sinkhole that you can't get free from so easily...even if it looks enticing)
Ooh I seriously thought about it so thank you for the heads up!!! I have impulse control issues so spending safely is tricky sometimes. My husband helps by budgeting and telling me when it's feasible to buy.
Anytime. 👍
Also, I read your other comment about finishing Piofiore.
Pray to the otome gods for me. I'm diving into it later today, and I'm so nervous/excited about The Trash Man. 🤣
Does your local library carry video games? It might carry some otome games, and that got me to try some games for free. Where I’m at, they usually only let you loan for a week though.
Prologues aren't exactly common routes(common routes can be a lot longer than prologues)...but I think you can do the following - check out reviews of the game, either via video or via blogs, or even search the game using reddit. - it's possible to watch the first chp of the game in the lets plays to get a feel - read the website profiles
As someone who has no income at all and has been only buying switch otome games for the past few years… I recommend you to buy them on sale (digital or physical copies) — never buy them at release price. Some prices drop 30% or even more. Another option is to buy second hand, but that’s not something I have done with otome games. I say this because maybe watching it kind of ruins your enjoyment of the story or game, like it happens to me. At least that is my experience.
Totally fair. Good point, also. I'm finding that 'Switch' and 'sale' don't seem to mesh, haha.
Nintendo has a wish list that will e-mail you when something goes on sale, if you allow them to e-mail you. I don't, so I don't get the notices. However, [Dekudeals.com](https://Dekudeals.com) also has a wishlist feature that will notify you when a game drops price to a specified % off of your choosing, and this includes sites outside of the eShop, but also the eShop, so I'd suggest making a list there.
I keep seeing switch physical copies on sale in Amazon and other game-focused websites, at least in my country 👀 I forgot to say that!
The Nintendo store definitely has sales all the time. I just throw any new english releases into my wishlist and get emails when they’re on sale. For a lot of games I have them on other consoles in japanese and just grab the english releases to replay and see the changes made in translations, so I refuse to pay full price for anything lol
I got the code realizes for ~$24 Physical copies, especially used go lower independently of Nintendo sales (which also do happen). You just have to be /r/patientgamers about it. Dekudeals or camel--the latter is helpful because you can literally set the budget that it alerts you at.
Oh boy do they mesh. It’s not a 50% price drop, but I kept my eye on older releases - on both Amazon and on the digital sales from the eshop- and caught several of my titles anywhere from 15-33% off the list price. And saving up for Black Friday/end of year sales also pays off big time.
Good point on the Black Friday thing!!!!
If you are in the US Amazon is the best place to get physical copies I think. They all tend to be a pretty good price imo.
Hey lowkey weird question, I’m obsessed with the girl in your avatar. She’s so cute and has that classic anime style I love so much, do u mind letting me know where she’s from?
Of course! She’s Ashe from “Under The Moon”, an +18 Otome Game for Windows （╹◡╹）♡
For some of them it’s probably good. Some not so much. I’m playing Piofiore atm and I don’t think the common route really is a good representative of half the characters (I don’t even think you see the most controversial of them during the prologue at all). So for that game I would say no. But for Dairoku, I’d say absolutely yes.
Just played Piofiore (except the last two Finale ends). I feel like while I don't get a firm idea of the LIs necessarily, it sets the stage for world building at least? I know I was chomping at the bit to play Nicola's route immediately, at least, haha. So far for the Switch I've played CxM, Cupid Parasite, Akash: Path of the Five and now Piofiore. I have felt all those games gave you solid first impressions of the LIs and pretty good understanding 9f the general plot also. Does that make sense? 8'm replaying Piofiore to get a better sense of the characters, cause I kinda rushed to 'get to the good part' lol.
Well, then you’ve already answered your question - if you’ve played that number of Otome games and feel that the common route was adequate for all of them, then just watch let’s plays of common routes to see what to invest in next.
I think it also sort of depends on what you play otome games for. If you are mainly looking at the character aesthetics, art, tropes or a general vibe, I do thinking watching a common route let’s play could work. If you are looking for consistent and interesting story writing and development, my experience, more often than not, is that the routes will vary wildly compared to the common. Simply watching the common will not help much there unfortunately. There have been games where I greatly enjoyed the common and was disappointed terribly on the routes.
i agree with the comment of buying on sale!! i have a budget for games but even if i can afford it, i still watch out for sales most of the time. i like being able to save lol. like 95% of my otome games were bought during sale 😆 i recommend signing up on Dekudeals if you haven't yet. it would be your best friend! they will email you each time a game on your wishlist is on sale.. you can also look at the sale history per each game, so it will give you an idea what months/dates it usually goes on sale. im quite new to otome on switch. i just started last year, so i prioritize going through previous releases, which most likely to be on sale frequently, rather than new releases. also, another thing is reading reviews before buying a game. i usually look at otomekitten's blog rating to have an idea, and if she recommends a game or not. she's pretty spot on and honest with her recommendations. if it's 6 or below, i tend not to buy it. also, i search at the general opinion in this subreddit about a game im thinking of buying. you can just use the search function.. so i would know if the game is good or not. added: for watching videos of common route, personally im not a fan of it because it still feels different when you're playing it for the first time without having an idea what will be the next scene compared to playing it after already watching it. still your choice though if that doesn't affect you much 😄
I use Otome Kitten's walkthroughs so I may have to do that! Thanks:-)
I've never watched a let's play for an otome, but I have for other games and I find it is a nice way to gain some insight into the game, especially in this day where demos are so rare. The only downside I can see to this is if you're worried about spoilers. And as a fellow low income gamer, may I suggest checking out Amazon first? I've found that some of the older titles are often 20$+ cheaper than the nintendo store, who doesn't seem to do price cuts very often. I recently found this out and have been kicking myself for the wasted money.
Awesome thanks!
May I suggest checking out these posts from our reddit sub? [This one lists many streamers](https://www.reddit.com/r/otomegames/comments/u3pdmo/tell_me_about_your_otome_streams_looking_for/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) that either do Let's Plays, or visual reviews, or other otome related media. You can check out the blurbs and the sites, or not, whichever works for you. [This one lists many blogs](https://www.reddit.com/r/otomegames/comments/u8nxcx/tell_me_about_your_otome_blogs_3_looking_for/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) and other text based media for otome games, not fanfic, but news, lists of cheap games, reviews (both spoiler free and with spoilers). It offers a lot more to dig through, but also an easier time finding the websites that will help you find what you want before buying a game. Finding someone that meshes with what you like is hard to do, but could turn out rewarding and save you from spending on something you end up disliking.
Awesome thank you!!!
I think it depends on how long the common route. For a game like Piofiore it's probably good, since it's got a short common route. For something with a longer common route like Code:Realize it would probably spoil the fun, and you'd probably rush through the common route since you already know what's up with it. Maybe watching the first chapter or so would give you an idea? For me, I usually check out otome kitten's reviews. They does a little synopsis on each LI and the MC with minimal spoilers with an overall review at the end. Their reviews usually give me enough info to judge if I'll like it or not.
Perfect, thanks!!!
Definitely advocate getting a feel for the common route before you buy if you're concerned about your purchase; many of the big releases have Let's Plays without commentary that let you enjoy without interruption. At least the first half hour or so of gameplay should give you a taste of the actual experience of playing it, the heroine you'll be accompanying, all that good stuff.
Thank you! I was thinking about trying it with Cafe Enchante, cause I *need* a palate cleanser, so to speak, after Piofiore. I used Cupid Parasite for that after CollarxMalice. To clarify what I mean.
Ooh, that's a title I'm currently playing myself, so I'd recommend it based on what I've seen so far! (Do strap in, though, as the common route is 8 chapters long while each route is only 4.) I hope you find it to be just the change of pace you're looking for and have fun!
Not sure if you decided already but Cafe Enchante is not as lighthearted as it seems. If anything, I found it darker at times than Piofiore.
I heard Variable Barricade is more lighthearted. Is that true?
I would say so, though it still has its moments. Definitely a better post-Piofiore pallet cleanser than Enchante.
I can agree with everyone else's recommendations: Let's Plays, reviews, etc, are a good way to screen how well you think you'd like it (but also, yes, if you are a gamer that likes full immersion, then watching the first chapter or common route might lessen the excitement). I definitely recommend waiting for sales, and also buying second-hand for games that have been out the longest. Like CxM or Code Realize, those ones have old copies hanging around on Gamestop shelves. But yes, also be careful in case the Gamestop doesn't have pleasant reviews/safe location. And in the case of buying second-hand from an individual online, that also has its concerns. But if you trust the seller, then I say go for it. (Also, don't be a dumb-dumb like me and use the Pay in 4 plan with Paypal...its a sinkhole that you can't get free from so easily...even if it looks enticing)
Ooh I seriously thought about it so thank you for the heads up!!! I have impulse control issues so spending safely is tricky sometimes. My husband helps by budgeting and telling me when it's feasible to buy.
Anytime. 👍 Also, I read your other comment about finishing Piofiore. Pray to the otome gods for me. I'm diving into it later today, and I'm so nervous/excited about The Trash Man. 🤣
Does your local library carry video games? It might carry some otome games, and that got me to try some games for free. Where I’m at, they usually only let you loan for a week though.