The new burst of Otome games we are getting from Idea Factory is a welcome boom to gaming. I was very interested in seeing the newest one in the pipeline, Sympathy Kiss. Most popular Otome games generally deal with high school-age characters, so it is a good change of pace to see Sympathy Kiss take on an older demographic of characters.
Game Name: Sympathy Kiss
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch (Reviewed)
Developer(s): Idea Factory, Design Factory
Publisher(s): Idea Factory International
Release Date: February 27th, 2024
Price: $49.99
In Sympathy Kiss, you step into the shoes of the main protagonist, Akari Amasawa, as she approaches her first work anniversary as a designer at the mobile app company Estario. Her journey takes a significant turn when she receives a special call to join a new team tasked with spearheading the company’s next phase of growth, which is especially crucial as their current app, Estarci, lags behind competitors. Unlike her previous experience, this new team operates on a smaller scale, fostering a close-knit working environment. It presents Akari with opportunities for professional growth as a designer while also hinting at the potential for romantic entanglements within the team’s dynamic.
Being A Designer
Sympathy Kiss boasts an intriguing gameplay loop akin to most Otome games, where choices wield significant influence over the route you traverse, sometimes even leading you onto unexpected paths. Each route corresponds to the character you’re currently pursuing, adding layers of complexity to decision-making. It’s wise to save your progress regularly, especially if you’re intent on pursuing a specific character’s storyline.
Setting itself apart, Sympathy Kiss introduces mechanics divergent from traditional Otome games. Throughout the game, you’ll encounter instances where characters directly address you, accompanied by emoticons that mirror Akari’s emotional responses. These interactions dynamically shape the feelings of the characters you engage with, potentially deepening their affection towards you or fostering hesitation in divulging new information.
A standout feature is the Love/Work dynamic, allowing you to prioritize either your career as a designer and your work on the Estarci app, or delve into the romantic aspect of the game. While many romantic endings lead to the closure of the Estarci app after experimental changes, the work-focused endings result in greater success and emphasize the career aspect. Personally, I found the love routes to be the most fulfilling. The game excels in portraying romance, enhanced by captivating CG artwork with a hint of spice. However, if the protagonist’s lack of facial features bothers you, that aspect remains unchanged.
One of the delightful features of Sympathy Kiss is the inclusion of side stories. These moments shift the focus away from the protagonist, offering the option to explore a side story instead. Typically, these narratives provide insight into the perspective of one of the love interests. By delving into their thoughts and reflections on Akari and their relationship, players gain a deeper understanding of their desires and aspirations. It’s a compelling way to gauge the impact of your choices and how they’ve resonated emotionally and mentally with the characters. This approach sidesteps the need for overt dialogue that explicitly reveals their innermost thoughts, enhancing immersion by allowing their internal monologues to unfold naturally within the story and dialogue.
Sympathy Kiss caters to players seeking a more mature gaming experience. Not only does the game tackle adult themes such as widowhood, career choices, workplace issues, poverty, and more, but it also navigates the complexities of adult relationships. What sets it apart is its inclusion of older characters facing issues relevant to their age group. The interactions between characters reflect the nuances of mature relationships, making it particularly compelling. One standout aspect is its portrayal of single-parent lifestyles and the struggle to balance career ambitions with parental responsibilities in a system that demands unwavering dedication to both. I highly recommend exploring several of these routes to fully appreciate the depth of the storytelling.
However, a notable drawback is the brevity of the routes. It often feels like routes begin and end within the same play session. Expanding the routes to encompass multiple endings for each romance could address this issue, providing players with a more fulfilling experience.
Falling In The Art
Sympathy Kiss boasts a considerable amount of artwork, with many pieces featuring unique and dynamic poses. However, some of the framing choices in the artwork are aimed at concealing the face of the protagonist, which can detract from the overall impact of the dynamic images. While having Akari portrayed as faceless isn’t necessarily a negative aspect, structuring the artwork to obscure the face may diminish the effectiveness of the poses or the dynamic framing of the images.
One aspect I particularly appreciate is the character designs and the variety of outfits showcased throughout the game. Most of the cast members have distinct work attire and home attire, providing insights into their personalities and lifestyles. Observing their attire at home offers valuable glimpses into their individuality and can assist players in deciding whether to prioritize their careers or pursue romantic endeavors. This attention to detail in character design and wardrobe adds depth to the gaming experience and enhances the immersion within the game world.
The Value Of Sympathy Kiss
Overall, when it comes to flat Otome games, Sympathy Kiss stands out as one of my favorites in recent memory. Akari, the protagonist, exudes vitality, ambition, and a strong assertiveness uncommon in many other games where the protagonist often serves as a doormat. While the cast of characters may not always appear unique, they possess a relatable charm that makes them endearing. The portrayal of romance and the subtle nuances of falling in love are executed with finesse, hitting all the right notes. What sets Sympathy Kiss apart is its ability to tackle issues typically untouched by cozy games, adding depth to an already engaging experience. Overall, it’s a remarkable achievement in the world of Otome gaming.
Sympathy Kiss will be released on February 27th, 2024, on Nintendo Switch.
Review Disclosure Statement: Sympathy Kiss was provided to us by Idea Factory International for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy.
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Summary
Sympathy Kiss has a premise that asks you what is more important. Is it having a good career or a good love life? Great artwork that has a small blemish on it due to posing the main character without their face in all shots. It also has short bite-sized routes that let you play through a lot of the routes.
Pros
- Older characters with themes that relate to people who are older in life.
- A great relatable cast of characters.
- An assertive and unique protagonist in Akari Amasawa.
Cons
- Short routes
- Poses that purposefully cut off the main character’s face
- Some choices changing the route you are on come out of left field.
