Date Everything!: Love in the Time of Bugs
A hundred dates, a thousand laughs, and a few technical hiccups
Launch Day Larry
Welcome to the world of “Date Everything!”, where your romantic options are as limitless as the bugs you’ll encounter. This game promises a whirlwind of emotions, from love to frustration, as you navigate through a sea of potential partners and technical challenges. Let’s dive into the heart of this ambitious dating sim and see if it can win over your heart—or at least your gaming hours.
Gameplay: Love at First Glitch
“Date Everything!” offers a unique blend of creativity and challenge, inviting players to explore a vast array of characters and storylines. The game shines with its engaging content and the sheer variety of characters, each with their own quirks and narratives. The New Game+ feature adds a layer of replayability, allowing you to dive back into the dating pool with new insights and strategies.
However, the path to love is not without its obstacles. Players often find themselves wrestling with clunky mechanics, like doors that seem to have a personal vendetta against you, opening in the most inconvenient directions. The mouse sensitivity feels like it’s on a rollercoaster, and the menu controls could use a lesson in user-friendliness. The absence of an auto-advance feature for dialogue means you’ll be mashing buttons like a caffeinated squirrel just to get through conversations.
Bugs are the uninvited guests at this dating party, with some even causing softlocks that halt your romantic progress. The specs system, intended to add an RPG flair, ends up being more confusing than charming. Yet, despite these hiccups, the game’s unique concept and well-crafted dialogue keep players coming back for more.
Graphics: A Charming Canvas
Visually, “Date Everything!” is a mixed bag. While the graphics won’t win any awards for realism, they do offer a charming and engaging aesthetic that fits the game’s whimsical tone. The character design is a standout feature, with each potential partner boasting a distinct and appealing look that adds to the game’s allure.
The artistic design is praised for its polish and visual appeal, making the game a feast for the eyes despite its technical limitations. Accessibility features, such as thoughtful font choices and the absence of harsh visual effects, ensure that a wider audience can enjoy the game without straining their eyes.
Story: A Hundred Tales, One Heart
The narrative of “Date Everything!” is as ambitious as it is varied, offering players the chance to date 100 different characters. This plethora of storylines provides a rich tapestry of interactions, from romance to rivalry. The humor and creativity in these interactions are often highlighted as the game’s strong points, making each encounter a potential source of laughter or intrigue.
Yet, the sheer number of characters means that some storylines lack depth, with narratives that can feel repetitive or shallow. Technical issues further mar the storytelling experience, with glitches that prevent the completion of certain character arcs. The realization mechanic, while intriguing, is seen as overly complex and can detract from the overall enjoyment.
Despite these challenges, the game’s writing and character interactions are generally well-received, offering a range of emotional connections that keep players engaged. For those who enjoy exploring diverse storylines, “Date Everything!” provides a unique and entertaining experience.
Final Verdict
“Date Everything!” is a game that wears its heart on its sleeve, offering a delightful mix of humor, creativity, and romance. While technical issues and shallow storylines can detract from the experience, the game’s charm and unique concept make it worth exploring. With a little polish and some bug fixes, this dating sim could truly shine.
Score: 6.5/10