Boyfriend Dungeon Review (VitaminNinja)
So I loved this game but I feel expectations need to be set in order for people to enjoy it:
Difficulty is low so if you're someone that enjoys games like Elden Ring and Dark Souls this will maybe be boring for you.
The sickly sweetest and earnestness of the games writing may also alienate people that don't go in expecting it, or just don't enjoy that kind of writing.
Its also very very short, which the free-DLC should fix by adding an extra dungeon, but even then the free-DLC is only going to bump it up from 13 to maybe 17 hours of content.
I do not care about this cause I have barely any free time to play games and 20 hour games pretty much suit the time I have available, but if you expect or enjoy long-ass games then this will disappoint you.
The game also likes to have its cake and eat it to.
There is the escapism of having 7 (soon to be 10) ultra-hot, ultra-charming, gender-diverse, polyamorous bisexuals (including a K-pop and a SPOILER) all romantically pursuing consistently and respectfully, initiating dates with you so you don't have to do that labour or try gage whether its okay or appropriate for you to initiate with them.
And then also your being stalked and harassed. And then also you have one random date where the person isn't interested you just to remind you how 99% of your dates go in your real life. And then one character breaks up with you on reaching "Max Love".
I'm not against any of this, it just feels really dissonant as it breaks the escapist vibe. The underlying message the game carries regarding relationships needing to be built on trust and vulnerability is important and it requires the stalker plot-line and instances of rejection to hit home. I just think the writers maaaaaybe needed to polish the scripts a bit more as there are tonal shifts in the game that (while do not justify the outrage and harassment that has been generated from it) are genuinely very upsetting.
BUT - if you understand all these things going into it and still are interested in playing it then most likely you will also love this game. Great characters, great story, great art and designs, great game play. It basically succeeds at all the core things it attempts to be.
FYI - Rowan is the best character in the game, make sure to visit the mansion in the top-right corner of the map after the 4th of July barbacue or you'll miss them.