Dating sims (short for dating simulations) are a genre of game that generally gets a bad rap. There’s a lot of discussion about the nature of our relationships with games and whether those relationships are helpful or harmful. However, I’d like to skip over that for today and jump right into why we actually need more of this controversial type of game in America.
5. You can find them on all platforms.
Dating sims are available on almost every device you can think of. The App Store and Google Play both have some, as does Playstation, NIntendo, and X-Box. Also, many games are available both untranslated and in English.
4. There’s something for everyone.
Seriously. Everyone. It can honestly get a bit crazy looking around and seeing what’s out there, especially when you get into the eroge genre. But this is also a good thing. Games sensitive to differently-abled people like Katawa Shoujo (literally Disability Girl) people are few and far between. Dating sims also tend to overlap with visual and kinetic novels, as well as strategy elements. The sheer variety of topics and gameplay styles means there’s quite literally something for everyone.
3. Companionship.
Okay, so I’m getting into the controversy a bit here, to be honest. In my completely unprofessional opinion, I see nothing wrong with getting companionship from a virtual SO. A man in Japan actually married his girlfriend from the game "Love Plus," Anegasaki Nene (top right in the photo). At least in the short term, he’s a happy guy, and I think that’s what matters. It can also be helpful for people with social anxiety to have an outlet during an episode (and yes, I speak from experience).
2. It’s a valuable way to learn about the culture.
I’m not dumb enough to say that you can get by with learning everything about Japan from dating sims (or anime or manga for that matter)—it’s not nearly that simple. But it is a good introduction. Plus, dating sims have the added aspect of trying to pull you into the game completely, which is extra good if you’re trying to get used to some of the cultural differences.
1. It’s FUN!
You had to know this was coming as number one, right? There’s something about these games that makes them addicting a ton of fun to play. With most you get the gameplay aspects of traditional video games right alongside all the character development and plot you’d get from a book. As I said in number four, these games tend to overlap greatly between genres, which adds to the fun as well.
