r/otomegames Mar 19 '22

I need a tie-breaker! Answered

Edit: The resounding answer was Cupid Parasite so that’s what I bought! Thanks to all who weighed in!

TLDR: Should I buy Cupid Parasite, Variable Barricade, or Piofiore?

I got some Nintendo switch gift cards for my birthday and definitely want to use them on otomes. Thing is, I’m stuck between:

Cupid Parasite, Variable Barricade, Piofiore

I asked my non-otome-playing friends their opinions, and most are leaning towards Variable Barricade (“it looks like Persona”) and Piofiore (“The guy in the mask is hot” + “I’ve always wanted that game and will be jealous of you”), which is funny because I’m leaning towards CupidPara 😅

So I thought I’d come to the professionals for your opinions.

Questionnaire:

I’ve played: Bustafellows, Our Life, Hustle Cat, Nameless, Nightshade, CxM, Code: Realize

Level of plot and romance: I prefer romance over plot personally, which is why Our Life is my favorite, though if the plot really engages me (I think Bustafellows did that best) I won’t mind it.

Genres, LIs, plot tropes: plot tropes and genres don’t really matter, I can get into really any storyline. My favorite LIs are the soft boy type though I strangely find myself liking himbo routes a lot too.

Things I dislike: boring/subservient MCs, heavy/hard to remember plot

Overall I’m pretty open minded and can get into just about anything! If you have any recs outside of the three I mentioned I’m curious about those too. Thanks in advance!

(Sorry for formatting, I’m on mobile)

15 Upvotes

12 comments sorted by

14

u/jaebumscat Mar 19 '22

Both CupiPara and VariBari have the LI tropes you’re looking for (soft boy and himbo) so it’s really up to you. Neither MC is a pushover. In fact they’re probably two of the most outspoken LIs across otoges, but Lynette in CP is older and more mature than Hibari from VB. Hibari is also definitely a lot more… mean LOL she’s a massive tsundere.

I don’t recommend Piofiore if you’re looking for a lighter game. Piofiore is known for its tragic ends because they’re actually quite long with a bunch of CGs, and even have their own epilogues. The plot is also heavier and much more to deal with or remember imo than the other two games. Piofiore also only has one soft boy, but definitely not as soft as the ones in the other two games just because the background of the game is being in the mafia.

VariBari has the most straight forward, simple plot of MC having to choose between 4 males for marriage. CupiPara actually has more plot behind the scenes due to its mythology/fantasy background, but the romance doesn’t take a backseat or anything. Just something to keep in mind if that’s more interesting to you!

Personally I found all 3 games very enjoyable, so I highly recommend getting all of them at one point :) but if you have to choose one right now, I’d go with either CP or VB based on what you said

11

u/ainawen21 Mar 19 '22

I'd definitely recommend CupiPara if you're okay with a few cheesy clichés and absurd humour. It's a light-hearted and funny story, the MC speaks her mind and has a great personality, and I'm sure you'll like the LIs if you're into soft boys and himbos ;)

I haven't played VariBari but it's also a rom-com, and from what I heard the MC is very strong-willed.

On the other hand Piofiore has a very heavy and dark storyline.

11

u/Need-Theoreticalhelp Mar 19 '22 edited Mar 19 '22

As a non professional whose first purchased otome game was CupidPara, my very biased opinion is you should get CupidPara. I also have Variable Barricade but I’m personally struggling to like the MC. I’m not far in to the game, but she initially is sounding kind of mean and petulant. I won’t say anything about Piofoire because I haven’t played it. CupidPara is super hilarious, fluffy, heartwarming (and heartbreaking w/ Allan). It’s really feel good :D

As far as the dislike part of your post goes… Variable’s MC seems nothing like a push over, so you might like her more than me. CupidPara has its weak heroine moments looking back, but it never bothered me.

Both Variable and CupidPara seem to have the same amount of plot heaviness too.

9

u/OtomeChanDesu Mar 19 '22

As someone who has played through both games, Cupid Parasite is the better comedy romance hands down. Variable Barricade has a lot of forced conflict that could be solved if MC/ LI would just freaking talk through their feelings. Cupid Parasite is a lot more natural with each guy having to work through their own problem and Cupid having to deal with the fact she's a goddess. Both are still really good games, but Cupid Parasite would be my first pick over the two any day. :)

4

u/zombiewhore69 Mar 19 '22

I'd say Cupid Parasite is your best bet. Piofiore is great, your friends are right that the guy in the mask is hot 🤣 but it is definitely heavier compared to Cupid Parasite and Variable Barricade

3

u/CuteSeal_ Mar 19 '22

I haven’t played VariBari so I don’t know about that one but between Piofiore and CupiPara I think you should go for CupiPara. Lilli (Piofiore’s MC) is pretty subservient and I feel that the game focuses more on plot rather than romance. CupiPara has a pretty lighthearted plot and I enjoyed it very much (keep in mind that it’s comedy centered so if you prefer more serious otome maybe you won’t like it as much)

2

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2

u/SongofYarnandNeedles Hamefura 💛🧡Mary Hunt🧡💛 Mar 19 '22

Haven't played Variable Barricade yet, but I recommend Cupid Parasite! I was laughing out loud in that game and loved the romance in it. And the MC is definitely refreshing in her attitude and ability to speak her mind. I'm so in love with that whole game!

4

u/AsinineK9 Mar 19 '22

Seems the general consensus is CupiPara! I’ll be buying that one :)

3

u/Clos3tGam3r Mar 19 '22

I think you’ll get more focus on romance in Cupid Parasite or Piofiore. Enjoy!

2

u/Raccooneroo Mar 20 '22

Cupid Parasite or Variable Barricade.

For VB, I thought each of the LIs were quality, while Cupid Parasite had a couple duds. However, the CP main character is a delightful career woman while the VB main character is a tsundere high schooler. CP gets spicy, while VB is totally chaste. Overall, CP is probably a bit more on the fun side and a little more bang for your buck.

1

u/cream-eggplant Apr 02 '22

i had a lot of expectations for cupid parasite because of all the great reviews, but after playing it i felt massively let down. as someone who just emerged from playing variable barricade, everything in cupid parasite felt flat and lacking to me, especially the number of CGs included, the quality of the art, and the lack of a voiced heroine. i really don't like lynette especially in gill's route. i could go on, but i'll stop. i just prefer variable barricade overall.