Being single can be lonely, but if this newfound period of social distancing has got you feeling even bleaker about your non-existent love life than usual or just desperate for meaningful connections with others, then we’ve got you covered! Here are five great dating simulators to try out if you’re single and social distancing.
5. Dream Daddy
If you’ve ever wanted a chance to date the DILF of your dreams, then you have to check out Dream Daddy, a dating simulator by Game Grumps that gives players to choose between seven dreamy dads. Players assume the role of a newly single father who moves to a new neighborhood with his daughter, only to discover his street is full of some very charming and attractive single fathers.
Since its release in 2017, the visual novel has garnered a ton of positive reviews for its quirky premise, charming writing, and queer representation. Plus, there are tons of mini-games interwoven throughout the story, as well as multiple endings to reach. If you’re bored and tired of the usual dating simulator tropes and are looking for something completely different, then this game is definitely for you!
Dream Daddy is available for Microsoft Windows and Mac devices, as well as the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch.
4. Nameless ~The one thing you must recall~
In Cheritz’s Nameless ~The one thing you must recall~, players assume the role of Eri, a 16-year-old girl with an unusual hobby. She loves collecting beautiful and intricate ball-jointed dolls, though she hides her interests from her friends. After the passing of her grandfather, Eri throws herself into her doll-collecting even further; until one day, she wakes up to discover her dolls have come to life as gorgeous men.
Visually, the game’s anime-style artwork is gorgeous; but don’t let the beautiful graphics fool you into thinking it’s just a typical and cutesy dating simulator - there’s way more to this story than meets the eye. Since its release in 2013, Nameless has been hailed as one of the best otome games on the market, due to its intricate storylines, filled with twists and turns. Plus, with so many different endings - and not all of them happy - the replayability factor is sure to keep you busy until the end of quarantine (whenever that is…).
Nameless is available for Microsoft Windows and Mac devices via Steam.
3. HuniePop
If you’re looking for a dating simulator that involves a little more gameplay than just reading and selecting dialogue options, be sure to check out HuniePop, a Western-developed tile-matching game. Players assume the role of customizable protagonist (whose gender is up to the discretion of the player) who meets a magical love fairy who teaches you all about dating women. After a few lessons, you’re sent into the real world to try and woo the woman of your dreams!
A unique title that incorporates all kinds of gameplay styles - from visual novel features, Candy Crush-esque tile-matching puzzles, RPG elements, and dating simulator tropes - HuniePop has also gained quite a following since its 2015 release. Though it may be in part due to its mature themes (an aspect that ultimately led to its ban on Twitch), the title holds enough merit on its own as an enjoyable and complex game that all dating simulator fans should try out at least once.
HuniePop is available for Microsoft Windows and Mac devices via Steam.
2. Amnesia: Memories
In the gorgeous visual novel Amnesia: Memories, players assume the role of a young heroine who awakens one day and suddenly realizes her memories are gone. As she tries to figure out who she truly is, she soon discovers the key to retaining her memories lies in one of five men who she can romantically pursue.
Beyond its gorgeous anime artwork and intriguing premise, Amnesia: Memories offers a plethora of routes that each takes place in their own parallel world. (Since the protagonist’s memories depend on her actions and which boy she ends up pursuing, the pre-existing relationships she developed before her amnesia will change in each route.) Beyond its high replayability factor, the visual novel was also adapted into an anime, meaning there’s plenty of content to players occupied.
Amnesia: Memories is available for the PlayStation Vita, as well as Microsoft Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
1. Mystic Messenger
Probably one of the most innovative dating simulators out there, Mystic Messenger is a mobile visual novel that pushes the limits of interactive fiction and the otome genre. The game, whose interface takes on the appearance of a messenger app, complete with the ability to chat, text, email, and call other characters (as well as receive messages and calls from them) fully takes place in real-time, blurring the line between fiction and reality.
Developed by Cheritz and released in 2016, the game was originally released with five characters routes (the four male characters all had romantic endings, while the one female character had a platonic ending) but since its release, the developers have increased the number of pursuable characters to seven. Each route takes eleven full days to complete and features a variety of different endings. If you’re looking a game that simulates a romantic relationship as realistically as possible, then this is definitely the dating simulator to try out!
Mystic Messenger is available for Android and iOS devices.
