

It’s body horror done the best I’ve ever seen, with its brutally horrifying writing layered with metaphorical puberty and fertility themes. It also is one of my favourite final endings in any visual novel ever, providing one of the most tragic romances in any media I have consumed.įrom its 3 very unique love interests with each route playing out in very different, horrifying conclusions, to the truly bizarre plot, body horror element and overarching mystery, sweet pool is filled with plenty of twists those who are familiar with nitro+’s other works can expect from them. Not only will it have you drowning in your own tears, but its finale offers a glimmer of hope that feels deserved after hours of players feeling the same excruciating pain and sadness its protagonist feels throughout the game.

However, what it does have is an appropriately themed bittersweet factor throughout its story. This is especially evident in the company’s staple of grotesque and depressing bad endings, something sweet pool does not shy away from. So, what can I recommend? sweet poolĪfter saying what I said about the exceptionally despair filled Enzai, sweet pool is just as dark and depressing (just see my other favourite visual novel, Song of Saya, I have particular tastes!). But there are still plenty to enjoy with this genre, from hidden gems on Steam, to independent projects, and the few localised heavy hitters. With how niche this sub-genre is for Western fans, beloved titles such as nitrochiral’s Dramatical Murder and Lamento, and even the stunning, mafia themed LuckyDog1 are unfortunately only available through fan translations.

After stating my more disliked entries of the genre, I will suggest 5 of my favourites for your viewing pleasure and hopeful nudge to any gamers who have yet to experience one of these masterpieces. These games are becoming increasingly sought after, and becoming better with every release. In today’s climate, the genre has amassed a following from LGBTQ+ audiences. In fact I draw parallels of Enzai to the infamously disturbing and distasteful Hadaka Butler, the censored version being purchasable from Steam but not a personal recommendation of mine.
#Bl otome games free Pc
Enzai -Falsely Accused- and Absolute Obediance for PC were localised that year by JAST USA, with fans criticising the choice as the first ever localised title of Enzai specifically being too harsh and gritty in tone and setting. Love Plus), a genre of gaming which is already a selling point in another category aimed at female gamers called otomes.įor European audiences, our first exposure to this was as late as in 2006. Considering that the majority of BL media consumers are aimed and purchased by young girls, localized options now available by means of Steam are censored, allowing these stories to be experienced without the issue of sometimes extremely explicit R18+ material.Īfter the success of the manga subgenres concerning such relationships, this focus on developing romantic relationships would become a implemented in video games, specifically dating sims (eg.
#Bl otome games free series
Female artists created the subgenre of girls manga (shoujo) for female readers, with one of the first notable works created by Keiko Takemiya, famed for her Kaze to Ki no Uta as the influence for other series to follow in its footsteps for its combination of homosexual romance and sexual content. A little bit of historyīL in video games may not have even occurred unless its first creation in the form of a subgenre of manga to surface in the 1970s. Today we venture into this criminally underrated sub-genre of BL visual novels. Because underneath the focus on BL being not only greatly appreciated representation for many, there are plots concerning deeper themes and meanings every gamer can enjoy and learn from. Whatever the case, BL in video games provides some of the best visual novel stories that are now accessible to Western audiences.
