Dating Sims are odd. Though not nearly as popular in the United States as in Japan, they still manage to capture the hearts of many girls and guys across the nation. But those are usually the overly melodramatic and stereotypical types that leave you either heartbroken or thoroughly upset, and nobody wants that. So why not go for a lighthearted experience that is sure to leave you either warm and fuzzy or laughing on the ground:
Hatoful Boyfriend– Who wouldn’t like to have a birdie boyfriend? Well, pigeons actually, but still birds. In “Hatoful Boyfriend,” you are a human girl going to a prestigious high school for pigeons, and it is your quest to romance anyone of your fine birdie boyfriend candidates. The beauty of this game is that it never once takes its self too seriously; it knows exactly what kind of game it is, and runs with it full force. “Hatoful Boyfriend” can be completed in a few hours and even has a separate story upon completion called “Hurtful Boyfriend” which isn’t fun or lighthearted in the slightest, so approach with caution.
Jurassic Heart- Perfect for any dino lover, “Jurassic Heart” follows the same style of “Hatoful Boyfriend,” putting you in the position of a teenage girl trying to romance a dino boy. The comedy, again, comes from the hilarity of a talking dinosaur with a human, and that it takes itself just a little bit seriously for comedic effect. Not as long as “Hatoful Boyfriend” and more like a linear visual novel, it is still great for a smile and a laugh.
Magical Diary– A little more like an actual dating sim, “Magical Diary” is like if you were put into the world of “Harry Potter,” and could romance practically anyone. It most certainly does not take itself seriously, and gives a lot of personality to the heroin, something rarely seen in most dating sims. So if you are looking for a silly but weirdly addicting sim, “Magical Diary” is the one for you, though do be prepared for a rather campy experience.
Swimming Anime Dating Sim– This one is mostly hilarious if you have the context. For a while before its release, the anime “Free: Iwatobi Swim Club” was referred to as “Swimming Anime” by most, and this led to the independent creation of the “Swimming Anime Dating Sim.” It is free and playable on the authors Deviant Art page, and it is probably the funniest entry on this list. With little more to go on than an animated trailer, it is hilarious to see what the author comes up with and is too good to spoil.
