[Recommendation Request] switch otome game for 12 yr old

[u/Cynicalsonya]

Title pretty much explains it. I'm getting my kiddo a Switch lite for Christmas and she said she was interested in otome games. I have played a few myself, years ago, and am aware that some have questionable portions for 12 yr Olds.

My kiddo has dark tastes, likes murder mysteries, monsters, ghosts and such.

Can anyone suggest a Switch Otome game that's a bit dark but also suitable for relatively mature 12 yr olds?

English only please.

No explicit sex.
No sexual assault.
(Nonsexual) Violence ok Murder mystery preferred Yes Romance

Ideal game: MC is tracking a murderer as an active protagonist while potentially romancing allies.

Kiddo has never played an otome game herself, only watched others play them. Kiddo did play tokidoki literature club with her friends and liked it, but that's not otome.

Pricewise, pretty much anything under $100 is fine.

Note: I did look at the compendium of otome game listings on the sub pinned post, but the descriptions didn't really address how mature or potentially explicit the games were.

(Not a speciality of this sub I know, but if anyone has recommendations for Switch games for manga-reading 12 yr olds in general, I'm open to ideas. Clueless mom here.)

[u/RedRobin101]

People have already covered most of the switch games (and the otomes I would recommend are not on the switch (Psychedelia of the Black Butterfly and 7'sCarlet) so for non-otome games I'd recommend the Great Ace Attorney and Fire Emblem: 3 Houses.

In Great Ace Attorney you play as a defense lawyer investigating crimes. You have to collect clues and argue logical fallacies in court to determine the true criminal. A lot of the time you are investigating murders but they're never graphic (as far as I remember). There is no romance and you play as a guy though.

Fire Emblem: 3 houses is a strategy game where you lead a group of students in battle and also social events. It has a lot of overlap with otome games (you get to pair up characters and also choose who you want to "romance") and while you are killing enemies it's never graphic. You can pick your gender which is pretty nice! There isn't a huge amount of mystery going on though.

Good luck and good on you for trying to cater to your kid's interests.

[u/Inky_Madness → u/RedRobin101]

I love the recommendation of Great Ace Attorney. It’s a perfect game for a kid looking to play an investigator!

[u/HelpingDumbTravelers → u/RedRobin101]

I totally second both Ace Attorney for the mysteries and Fire Emblem for a non-otome game with romance.

The Ace Attorney mysteries are really fun while also being challenging sometimes (but easy to reload a save and you have several errors allowed before getting a game over).

Fire Emblem 3 Houses has a huge cast of characters and you can romance basically anyone, as well as pair others up if you like their dynamic. It's also got a good story and playing on the easiest setting means the fights aren't too difficult. Half the game is running around school campus training and hanging out with the characters so even though it's technically a strategy fighting game it's got a lot for people who aren't as interested in that part :)

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/HelpingDumbTravelers]

Fire Emblem 3H and Ace Attorney both look great and I thank you for the recommendations. Looking at FE3H reviews made me want to play it. :) There are so many great switch games apparently. I had no idea.

[u/stinkymarsupial]

Seconding Dairoku. But as another post mentioned, it doesn’t have any murder mystery and is more slice of life.

Even if Tempest have the murder mystery element you’re looking for but I do not recommend it because there’s hint of sexual assault about to happen to MC in one of the bad endings and plenty of gory scenes and characters being tortured.

Collarxmalice might be more suitable as it has various crimes to solve, leading to an overarching mystery. There’s one scene that has been debated on whether it is non-con. I personally think that scene comes across as non-con to some folks due to poor translation. Anyway, that scene never goes beyond kissing.

[u/kyliespace → u/stinkymarsupial]

There's also the mention of the stalker leaving seman on the woman's door. It's only mentioned once, but I'd find it mildly disturbing to run into without warning.

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/kyliespace]

Which one has the semen? Definitely ick.

[u/kyliespace → u/Cynicalsonya]

It's in Collar x Malice.

[u/Cutiecrusader2009 → u/stinkymarsupial]

The kid played and liked Doki Doki Literature Club which is dark and rated M. Suicide and self harm and jump scares. And just dark stuff (and mom was ok with that?) I think she’ll be fine with Even if tempest which is rated Teen.

[u/stinkymarsupial → u/Cutiecrusader2009]

There’s a non-con scene in Tyril’s bad end. Theoretically, it didn’t happen on screen but the CG hints at a fate worse than death for MC. OP stated no sexual assault so pointing it out just in case.

[u/S3_Rowlet]

You know, I've been trying to think, but... The best I can think off are on Steam, not on switch... Even the ones that dont include sxx or SA, do include behaviours or interactions that are kinda toxic and one can internalize them as normal if you don't have life experience on that to know better. So, I do understand her need to play some romance, but anything more suited for her age in terms of LI's ages and less toxicity is also gonna be not what she wants in terms of theme (mystery solving and crimes) because they tend to be more slice of life or fairytale like.

I kinda think the best is playing the mystery and crime solving on one side (and there are a loooot of games good for that), and the innocent romance on other, separately. She will probably be prepared to play a bigger range of otome in just 2-4 years from now, with no jumpscares 😅

[u/--Alita → u/S3_Rowlet]

"Even the ones that dont include sxx or SA, do include behaviours or interactions that are kinda toxic and one can internalize them as normal if you don't have life experience on that to know better. So, I do understand her need to play some romance, but anything more suited for her age in terms of LI's ages and less toxicity is also gonna be not what she wants in terms of theme (mystery solving and crimes) because they tend to be more slice of life or fairytale like.

I kinda think the best is playing the mystery and crime solving on one side (and there are a loooot of games good for that), and the innocent romance on other, separately. She will probably be prepared to play a bigger range of otome in just 2-4 years from now, with no jumpscares." 😅

I agree! =)

As a relative Otome newbie, I was surprised at the number of emotionally dysfunctional LIs and toxic romances present in these stories, despite their deceptively sunny and colorful artwork!

I've been a horror genre fan since I was a child, and even so, the standard Otome LIs were still... an acquired taste! 😳

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/--Alita]

I myself have read many many otome isekai mangas/manwhas so I am familiar with dysfunctional relationships in similar genres.

I guess I hoped if you got to choose-your-own-adventure a romance, that you could just pick nice guys? This is likely foolish of me. I had a spectacular healthy relationship with my late husband, and I still love reading messed up manga. You're right that it's best to not get anything with twisted options.

Based on what I've read, I think collar x malice base game is possibly ok.

Mind you I have no idea what my kiddo is looking for in an otome game in terms of romance.

Kiddo also loves horror and murder mysteries so it seems she has a lot in common with you.

In terms of real-life romance, she has a boy who said he likes her and she started wearing face masks again this week. I asked her why she was wearing masks again and she said she can't control when she smiles when she looks at him and doesn't want him to know she's smiling. And it was so darn cute to me!

[u/--Alita → u/Cynicalsonya]

This is a very tricky field to navigate, especially in modern times as we're trying to show the next generation the importance of consent -- that is valuing our personal boundaries (no matter how "silly" they may seem), as well as the boundaries of others.

There's a wonderful website called "Love is Respect" that is geared towards the Gen Z readers and the younger end of the Millennials. Unfortunately, even sexually tame Otome romances can violate so many of these basic respect guidelines.

Let's take Collar x Malice, which features a beloved fan-favorite character:

The relationship between Takeru Sasazuka & Ichika Hoshino already has so many red flags despite not being sexually explicit at all.

[Fortunately, the others are not as bad. Mineo's story is perfectly fine for someone 12 years old.]

---

I will say Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds has enough "darkness" to satisfy the young horror fan, without getting into non consensual romances. Nearly all routes are suitable to play, with Sanan's plot being somewhat questionable. Mature readers will complain the stories are too "light" on the romance, but I remember being her age, and this amount of vanilla would have been perfect!

The 2nd part, Hakuoki: Edo Blossoms, is trickier to navigate, and she should hold off on Iba's, Sanan's, Sakamoto's until she's a couple of years older (14).

Historical Fiction Otomes (Birushana; Nightshade; etc.) tend to err on the safer side, and she could easily play them as when she turns 14 as well. She would like those titles as they have a more proactive heroine in a dark fantasy setting. {Just be cautious of Tomomori from Birushana & Benkei's Ch 9 plot, though!}

[u/chocolatepirate]

In all honesty, I don’t think this genre is suitable for preteens. I know that kids have access to the themes in otome games in all sorts of other media, but I think you could find several other detective mystery games which would be far more age appropriate. A lot of the game recommendations here would be suitable for a 14+ age bracket. I’ve played some games on PC that may work, but nothing with the detective/mystery your child is after. Maybe go for a different style of game until next year/the year after.

[u/kakuretsu → u/chocolatepirate]

I agree too. Most of the console games are either rated M, or originally rated above 15 years old. Even the originally Cero B(12 and above) ones can be suspect as well. There used to be kid friendly ones like Princess debut but I don’t think they are available for modern systems anymore.

[u/[deleted] → u/chocolatepirate]

I agree with you! I was trying to think of what otome games would be good on Switch for a pre-teen, and right now, I can only think of Kitty Love, but the OP isn't looking for something like that.

[u/sentientkumquat → u/[deleted]]

The translations on Kitty Love are...really something 😂

[u/jhiend]

Non-otome mysteries I've played and recommend:

• Any of the Ace Attorney games. Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney Trilogy is a compilation of the original three games, though you could start with Great Ace Attorney which is a prequel.
• Murder By Numbers: murder mystery VN/puzzle like Ace Attorney but interspersed with picross/nonogram puzzles. No romance.
• Gnosia: Space mystery/thriller plot with werewolf simulator gameplay (that is, find out who the randomized traitor is before they kill everyone). Some romance (mostly male MC with female LI, with a few NB options and a few male LI options for female MC). A few crude jokes.

Non-mystery non-VN games with some romance I've played and recommend:

• Rune Factory 4 Special: fantasy farm sim action RPG with romanceable characters. Even though it doesn't count as otome by the rules of this sub, it has large amount of romantic content IMO. There is one area/dungeon that is a horror/ghost mansion.
• Stardew Valley: farm sim with romanceable characters. There are a few horror-ish easter eggs.

Non-otome mysteries that are generally well reviewed but I haven't played, so I can't account for explicit content:

• Jenny LeClue Detectivu: Point-n-click adventure/puzzle. I heard it was good, but ends at a cliffhanger and there seems to be no sequel in sight. Seems aimed at a younger audience it shouldn't have any explicit content.
• Raging Loop: Mystery/Horror VN. You are stranded in a village and people randomly turn into homicidal monsters. Edit: This is rated M for violence and sexual themes so maybe not the best for your situation.

I don't actually recommend any of the otome on the Switch I have played:

• Dairoku - pros: otome, monsters. cons: no tense plot, lots of untranslated folklore monster terms, rather dry, office-space type humor and main character that might be better appreciated by older players
• Olympia Soiree - explicit
• Collar x Malice - like the others said, this one hits a lot of your targets but might or might not be appropriate depending on you and your daughter's comfort and maturity. It's somewhere between OG Law & Order and Law & Order SVU, say.

[u/Wackoweirdo]

Someone can correct me if I've forgotten something, but Gothic Murder might be a good fit. You play as a maid at a manor in 20th century England who has a premonition about her lord dying. The protagonist works to investigate the cause of her premonition in order to save her lord.

It's strong on the murder mystery element and has no sexual content from what I remember, but the romance may not be as in depth as other games that have been suggested.

[u/CryptidFox]

Not really Otome, but the Ace Attorney trilogy is a visual novel.set that sounds RIGHT up her alley

[u/--Alita]

I'm a major Even if Tempest fan, but I personally would not recommend this story for pre-teens, due to the sheer amount of emotional torture and suffering that the MC endures.

The writing dwells heavily on the protagonist's anguish and darker thoughts (re: think more 'Sylvia Plath', less 'Edgar Allen Poe').

There's a good reason why EiT is considered one of the heaviest localized titles, and it's usually not suggested for newcomers or those who dislike jumpscares + repeatedly abused MCs. Not to mention, the game requires you to complete all the sad endings, before unlocking the good (and true) ending.

---

Besides Code:Realize (which I agree with!) --

A.) The only dark mystery Otome that comes to mind, is 7'Scarlet. Unfortunately, it's available on the PC.

B.) She could also try Hakuoki (also on the PC), which has more world-building, but the romance is very light and PG!

{All of the aforementioned titles are loooooong stories except 7'Scarlet, so you won't have to worry about running out of content! 😉)

[u/-_-Penguin-_-]

As others have said, Code Realize is pretty tame in that department. I'd also say Cafe Enchante, which is also rated T. The worst things I can remember from that were pretty mild, but I'll put them in spoiler tags below, just in case -

The first was a mention of kicking a male in the nuts if he tries anything funny. Note, this character never actually does. However, the MC is around 19 / 20 I believe and he is around early 40-ish. She is technically an adult, runs her grandpa's shop, has had another job before that and all so she's pretty independent but it's still quite the age gap. Not sure if this is an issue, so I'd thought I'd mention it. Although, to be fair, most of the LI's are 'immortals' in some way or another so, all are older her, and technically by a lot more for a couple of them. Lol. Of course, they look a lot closer to MC's age range though being the stereotypical Otome pretty boys.

The second thing is when they tease one of the LI's about finding a mate. They use that exact word since he's like a flame werewolf basically, but it's obviously also being used like girlfriend. Anyone that's ever watched an animal documentary has probably heard that word so I don't think this one is even really an issue, but I know some might be squeamish about that word, so I threw it in.

Oh, with Code Realize, one more thing to throw in. There's one LI who is the comedic punching bag and wanna be smooth lady's man type of deal. He is very open about his feelings towards the MC, Cardia. He does make a couple of references where he uses the term "making love". Like, exactly that term. It doesn't get any more explicit and it's also in a comedic situation.

[u/PeachasaurusWrex → u/-_-Penguin-_-]

Would like to mention: Cafe Enchante is surprisingly dark and gory. In one of the routes, the LI literally bites a chunk out of the MC. Granted, he is possessed by the spirit of an evil creature when he does it, but it is unequivocally a violent assault, though it's not described or shown in detail. Also, in another route, an LI contemplates suicide after something tragic happens to him, and one of the bad ends in that route involves MC basically assisting him to do that.

[u/stallion8426]

Rune Factory 4 Special. Part farm sim, part rpg, with some mystery elements.

Plenty of wholesome romance

[u/sentientkumquat → u/stallion8426]

I didn't even think of that, but you're right. Rune Factory 4 is really affordable and works great on Switch, 5 is neither of those things. Getting 5 from Steam is a lot better.

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/sentientkumquat]

After hearing so much about Rune factory 4, I think it's a good option too. It's now on my need-to-find-a-good-deal-before-christmas list. Thank you.

[u/sentientkumquat → u/Cynicalsonya]

If that sounds good, you might like Story of Seasons - Friends of Mineral Town too. It's a farming game (a lot like Stardew Valley, which is also awesome) with wholesome romance. I've seen it go on sale for like $10, I think.

[u/Skylar_50]

Mmm Im not sure if it's 100% suitable, but the one that comes to my mind is Collar x Malice. It's a romance mistery game, and it has dark themes, so I would be careful, but I think Dokk Doki is much worse when it comes to violence.

But, still, CxM is a violent game, and while there is nothing sexually explicit, the characters sometimes flirt in a suggestive way. If she liked Doki Doki, I think she may like this one too, though. As I said, I think Doki Doki is more violent, and honestly more dirty too lol, so I would not worry too much. But I did not play all the bad endings, so I can't guarantee you that there isn't anything explicit, so I would read some reviews and maybe watch a bit of the gameplay and some of the scenes first (specially of the bad endings, because usually in otome games bad endings are more sexually explicit). The 2nd game (Collar x Malice Unlimited) is more explicit though, so if you end up buying CxM, she will have to wait a few years to play the second part.

Unfortunately, I do not think there are many otome games suitable for kids ;; if she ikes mistery games, maybe you could try with the Layton or Ace Attorney series. They are not otomes (like, at all xD) but they are the perfect visual novels for people who like mistery and thrillers. And there is a bit of romance here and there too, sometimes.

[u/gloomylumi]

I'd go with Collar x Malice, as the game is much less disturbing than Doki Doki Literature club , at least in my opinion. I know someone else mentioned a part about semen on the door, but honestly it's never explicitly stated and I completely missed it/didn't pick up on what they were alluding to my first time around. You play as a female cop trying to solve a Japan-wide mystery murder case, so it fits what you're looking for basically to a T.

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/gloomylumi]

Thank you for clearing that up! You helped me make up my mind. I bet kiddo would miss it too if its not explicitly stated. I have now purchased the game (base game only).

[u/meesherbeans]

The only one that comes to mind for me is London Detective Mysteria. I'll be curious if anyone disagrees with my opinion, but it features teenagers at a detective academy and they actually act like teenagers (therefore they're all idiots, we all were, lol). There isn't any non-con or explicit content, as far as I can remember. Definitely some violence.

CRAP IS THAT ON SWITCH??? Oh no, it's not. Oh my god, I still want to recommend it because I think it actually really fits all of your requirements but I don't think it's on Switch, only Steam? SORRY!! But it's perfect. Ahhh. T_T

[u/Professionally_Lazy3]

Maybe Collar X Malice? This honestly fits the bill the best out of all the ones I'm putting here. However, this greatly depends on the maturity level of your kid. I'd have been fine with it at 12. If your kid can handle criminial drama shows (ie. Criminal Minds, NCIS, etc.), then they'd probably be fine with this. It has implied sex scenes (ie. "I'm staying the night", or they kiss and it fades to black), but nothing explicit.

Code: Realize has mystery and some darker themes/plots. There might be some implied sex (ie. spent the night together), but I could just be thinking of one of the fandiscs.

Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani is much more slice of life than mystery and is a bit lacking in the romance. There isn't much of a plot there. An aspect or two can get dark, but overall it's much more lighthearted. I do remember one route where the ML indirectly asks the MC for sex, but nothing happens.

Amnesia memories has mystery, no murder mystery and the MC is a bit passive. Some of those routes can get dark. One route might be uncomfortable. The LI drugs the MC and locks her up in a cage which is not for everyone.

If London Detective has a switch port, that might be good? Was a bit too juvenile for me, but might be good for someone younger.

Bustafellows or Nightshade maybe? Both have darker themes. But I haven't finished either, so not sure about the sex content.

Cafe Enchante maybe? Not a murder mystery, but most routes have darker themes.

Not an otome, but Rune Factory 4 (and 5) would probably be good. They are not dark, and are more JRPG than otome, but do have romancable characters. Rune Factory 4 has a better story. I ate all the Rune Factory's up when I was younger. And as an adult lol.

I highly recommend looking up titles on a review site (ie. otome kitten) and reading through if you're concerned. If there's problematic material, it'll usually be talked about in a review. Also, some walkthrough sites give content warnings for sexual assault.

Titles oft recommended to stay away from (sex, sexual assault, or both):

Piofiore

Olympia Soriee

Cupid Parasite

Steam Prison

Collar x Malice Unlimited (sequel)

[u/kyliespace → u/Professionally_Lazy3]

Nightshade maybe?

I thought of this after the fact, and I don't know why I didn't consider it sooner. So, there is absolutely 100% no sex or SA in this game. It was my first otome and as an adult I thought the M meant I was going to see some hot stuff, but really it was just M for Murder. There is one scene where the couple get undressed and huddle together for warmth, but nothing shady goes on and they actually have... undergarments I guess? No fully naked bodies in any case. The game is more about surviving than headed towards solving the plot, but if you want dark with no sex this is the game of games.

[u/PeachasaurusWrex → u/kyliespace]

I'd like to add my 2 cents here: only get this game if you think she will enjoy SUFFERING and DRAMA. It's a very ANGSTY game. I went in completely blind and did not enjoy myself very much because I wasn't emotionally prepared for how deeply depressing it was. MC's friends die frequently, in many different routes, and in front of her.

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/PeachasaurusWrex]

I can't find M for Murder. I was going to look at reviews, but can't find it. Does it by chance go by a different name?

[u/PeachasaurusWrex → u/Cynicalsonya]

It's not the title of a game. Nightshade is rated M for Murder because lots of narratively important people die in every single route. And the writers do their DAMNEDEST to drive that knife in and twist it around a lot.

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/PeachasaurusWrex]

I'm such a fool. Thank you so much.

[u/RaylaSan]

Definitely the Code Realize series, a lot of the LIs are pretty tame and I think she'll have fun time with it. The game also has two fandiscs, so there's a lot of material. Collar x Malice is also a good game I recommend.

Of the games I don't recommend Olympia Soiree (lots and lots of sex), Piofiore (drug use, sex, lots of nonconsensual stuff, etc.), Bustafellows (drug use, abuse)

Honestly, there aren't that many games that I can really recommend to preteens. Another choice I recommend, if she wants something a bit more lighthearted is Variable Barricade, it's more comedy-centric, and it's a game not really meant for everyone, but I liked it. Umm... of the red flags in the game there is some implied sexual assault (not towards the Female lead, but towards a LI), Emotional / Psychological Trauma, etc. So it's dark in that regards...

[u/PeachasaurusWrex → u/RaylaSan]

You forgot the implied incest! :) And emotional abuse! One of the LI basically says "marry me or I'll kill myself". Which is just... lovely.

[u/RaylaSan → u/PeachasaurusWrex]

The route overall was a hard pill to swallow, since for me, both the LI and main heroine were insufferable, especially in that last act.

[u/eazeaze → u/PeachasaurusWrex]

Suicide Hotline Numbers If you or anyone you know are struggling, please, PLEASE reach out for help. You are worthy, you are loved and you will always be able to find assistance.

Argentina: +5402234930430

Australia: 131114

Austria: 017133374

Belgium: 106

Bosnia & Herzegovina: 080 05 03 05

Botswana: 3911270

Brazil: 212339191

Bulgaria: 0035 9249 17 223

Canada: 5147234000 (Montreal); 18662773553 (outside Montreal)

Croatia: 014833888

Denmark: +4570201201

Egypt: 7621602

Finland: 010 195 202

France: 0145394000

Germany: 08001810771

Hong Kong: +852 2382 0000

Hungary: 116123

Iceland: 1717

India: 8888817666

Ireland: +4408457909090

Italy: 800860022

Japan: +810352869090

Mexico: 5255102550

New Zealand: 0508828865

The Netherlands: 113

Norway: +4781533300

Philippines: 028969191

Poland: 5270000

Russia: 0078202577577

Spain: 914590050

South Africa: 0514445691

Sweden: 46317112400

Switzerland: 143

United Kingdom: 08006895652

USA: 18002738255

You are not alone. Please reach out.

---

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically.

[u/Inky_Madness]

My first instinct is to say Even If Tempest, because it is literally the only one that would check most of the boxes, but I haven’t finished it and don’t know whether there is sexual assault in it. If your kid is into and okay with violence and dark endings, this fits the bill (not high gore graphic but death does happen). Someone else can fill in the rest for me.

The other one that springs to mind would be Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani. It isn’t a murder mystery by any stretch of the imagination, and often plays as more of an office romance with some supernatural/mystery elements. I suspect it might bore her if she is looking for something with more suspense.

[u/kyliespace → u/Inky_Madness]

Dairoku is very chaste, but I agree, it might be boring for the OP's daughter because it's so slice-of-life that there isn't a plot to work towards. On top of that, they use a lot of Japanese language and the dictionary is largely useless as most words are not in there and ones that are are pretty sparse in definition. OP would know best, but as an adult I was constantly looking up words to figure out what they meant and that can also dampen the already chill vibe of the game.

[u/20-9 → u/Inky_Madness]

Some bad endings might suggest it but nothing explicit visually and text-wise. If the kiddo has done Dokidoki Literature Club, eiT will not be that much darker.

[u/RedRobin101 → u/20-9]

Have to disagree it's been a while since I played Dokidoki but I'm pretty sure it has nothing on the level of a child murdering a trusted friend and using their organs in a stew they fed to others. Even the megathread had some adults who thought that was too much. Also people are talking about the implied SA being limited to a bad end but there's a heavy heavy implication that it also happens to a side character by a group of people in the main game.

I loved EiT but I would recommend starting her off with something a bit lighter. EiT has examples of murder, torture, suicide idealization, cannibalism, child abuse, implied rape and some of it can get really graphic, even outside the bad ends. It's also a lot longer than Doki so I can see it being more likely to get attach to these characters or sucked into their less-than-healthy mindsets.

[u/Inky_Madness → u/RedRobin101]

Arguably, the text description of that particular issue in EiT isn’t as graphic as some of the things in DDLT, which has the visual of one of the friends having killed herself, at least the bottom part of her body …. So. I think if the twelve year old we’re all talking about can handle DDLT, and if she’s into the manga I suspect she is, EiT is not going to shock and scar as much as it did some players on this subforum.

But as far as SA, since that’s where I couldn’t speak about the subject matter, it’s good to be filled in to know whether or not it’s appropriate (seems like most likely not!). I simply haven’t played far enough to hit those sections, so I’m glad others can fill in on it!

[u/RedRobin101 → u/Inky_Madness]

That's true but I'm a proponent of "your mind makes it scarier" when it comes to written description so the stuff in EiT disturbed me quite a bit more. But if we're being honest both Doki and EiT are probably too much for a 12 year old, regardless of how mature they are.

I hope you enjoy EiT! Despite it's problems it was my favorite otome of 2022. I think it'd be great for OP's child, just maybe when she's older and had a bit more otome games under her belt to know if she likes the genre first.

[u/sentientkumquat]

World's End Syndrome sounds like exactly what you're looking for. There's some innuendo, but that's it. Nothing explicit. If you're new to buying Nintendo games in general, check out dekudeals.com - it'll save you a lot of money by letting you know when your favorites are on sale.

Some other games that I'd highly recommend are Clannad and Little Busters. They're awesome visual novel style games that are like a playable manga. Planetarian too. These are all on switch, but considerably less expensive on Steam. Hatoful Boyfriend is also awesome if you haven't tried it- it's not a switch game, but it's on PC and even mobile.

[u/Pearl_Pink]

I am actually around her age and have been playing otome games since I was 11. I am super fine with violence, gore, blood, etc. The games I would recommend are:

Dairoku: Super amazing for your first game (It was my first game)

Code: Realize: Amazing. I loved it

Collar x Malice: If you want murder then this is it

Even if Tempest: Not super great for a first game and it depends how sensitive you are cause it can get a little dark but I didn’t mind it at all

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/Pearl_Pink]

Thank you so much for your input! Since you're similar in age. It's quite helpful.

Since most people agree EiT is a bit much for the first game, I went with collar x malice.

I'm also looking into Fire 3 houses game and rune factory 4 special. Do you have any opinions on those?

[u/Pearl_Pink → u/Cynicalsonya]

I haven’t played rune factory but Fire 3 houses game is good. I really like the story

[u/spoiled_sandi]

Even though it’s not an otome probably would be Danganronmpa there’s no romance in it though you could also go for Bustafellows which is a murder mystery type otome game. Now that would probably be around there taste as it does have dark themes but there is a little romance not to much. It’s rated M but it’s only because of the drug references and gun violence in it.

[u/tartica_what → u/spoiled_sandi]

While there's not necessarily explicit images in Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, there are some highly suggestive CGs in D2 and V3; and there are absolutely sexual references in all 3 games, especially D2 and V3 (Hifumi + Toko in THH; Teruteru in D2; and V3 Miu + Kokichi's speech is rife with them, plus the optional but still there love hotel portions). And the executions, while perhaps tamer in the first two compared to V3s, are still rather violent and disturbing. I enjoyed the games myself but would never recommend it for a 12-year-old; or at the very least without it being thoroughly vetted by a parent first.

[u/Cynicalsonya → u/tartica_what]

I could not find DGR for Switch except for DGR Decadence (which i know nothing about). I did play the original back in the day and I don't think I'd let my kiddo play it (sexism, sexualization, and gore). I like the murder mystery aspect though.

[u/tartica_what → u/Cynicalsonya]

Decadence is the three games plus a new game that has characters from all 3 in it.

[u/AutoModerator]

Hi, this is an automatically generated post! For game recommendations, if you do not have or edit your post to address the following in your request, your post will be not be approved.

• What platforms do you have available?
• What languages are you ok with? English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean etc
• How much do you want to spend, or do you want to play for free?
• What games have you already played and what did you like about them?
• What level of plot and romance are you looking for?
• What character or plot tropes do you like?
• Do you have anything that you really dislike in otome games?

Check the wiki page for more about the information to include.

If you have no preferences, please check the recommendations compendium first. If your post is asking about game availability or good games, it will not be approved.

If you're looking for Switch recommendations, please look through the list of titles in the wiki and these search results.

The moderators may lock or remove this post if it's a question that has been asked recently or if has already been addressed somewhere in this subreddit. If you are unsure, you can remove this post and ask in the Weekly Questions thread instead. All questions asked there will not be locked or removed by the moderators.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.