6 min read

Tiny Bytes: XOXO #1

Here's our first issue of Tiny Bytes: XOXO! Check out all these romance visual novels and adjacent games, and see our husbando and waifu of the week!
Tiny Bytes: XOXO #1
Alfy wearing a suit and bowtie. He's sitting behind a news desk. Next to the desk is a piece of text saying "News and Announcements"

On December 1st, renowned game publisher Aksys Games released the English-localized version of Lover Pretend.

Following in the footsteps of her late mother, a screenwriter for a film drama, Chiyuki dreams of writing for big productions. Her career begins, and she's hired on set as an assistant screenwriter for a new TV show. Lights, camera, action, and more! Romance quickly unfolds as Chiyuki is surrounded by actors, models, and other crew members who take a special interest in her. Lover Pretend is a tale of generations, as Chiyuki's production crew includes the sons of crew members that worked on her mother's film.

Lover Pretend is now available on the Nintendo Switch for US $49.99. You can also purchase the limited Online Exclusive Edition which features special character cards and the Lover Pretend soundtrack.

A Kickstarter for Zeta Wolf Chronicles is coming in late Q1 of 2023.

Zeta Wolf Chronicles is a BxG slice-of-life game made by Ani Clash Studios. The story follows a male protagonist, Rayen Lycon, a teen desperate for a romantic relationship; luckily, he's surrounded by beautiful she-wolf girls in the fantasy world of Lunian.

The demo for Zeta Wolf Chronicles is currently available to download on itch.io.

The creators of Zeta Wolf have shared a preview of what some of the campaign merch will look like. See the image below for a sneak peek of Siona's keychain!

Note that the final version's shape and design are subject to change.

Get notified when Zeta Wolf Chronicles campaign goes live by following the pre-launch page.

Out now: Sariel's route for Ikémen Prince and special "His POV" stories titled "Memories of Christmas."

Ikémen Prince has released new "His POV" stories with a Christmas theme. Chevalier, Nokto, Jin, Luke, and Rio all feel a certain way about Christmas, and these chapters will reveal what those feelings are.

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Doki Doki House dropped on Steam on December 2nd.

The developer of Detective Kobayashi and Fateful End: True Case Files, Genuine Studio, has switched gears and released a slice-of-life otome game. In Doki Doki House, the heroine inherits a guest house, where she eventually crosses paths with four love interests. The best part about this game is that it takes place in Gold Coast, a coastal city in Queensland, Australia, a unique setting for visual novels.

Doki Doki House is available on Steam for US $12.99.

Hexed Pet Adventures by ChaniMK was released on November 30th.

ChaniMK seems to be unstoppable when it comes to BL games, dropping new releases one after another. On October 13th, they released Be My Loyal Subject, and just one month prior, on September 8th, they released a farming romance, Odd Guy Meets Odd Farmers. Now ChaniMK has dropped their latest work, Hexed Pet Adventures, a BL game made in RPG Maker. You play a Micah, a new student in a town where some of the townsfolk are transformed into animals thanks to a wicked and mysterious curse. All of these boys are counting on you to help lift their curses so they can return to normal.

You can play Hexed Pet Adventures for free on itch.io.

Plenty of Fish in the Sea released on itch.io on December 1st.

An isekai adventure with a splash of comedy, Plenty of Fish in the Sea is a romance starring Shellby. Facing rejection and then being tragically hit by a bus, Shellby wakes up in a world under the sea and discovers that she's turned into a fish. She crosses paths with her fellow sea creatures, including a clam named Clamantha, Dr. Shrimp, and even an axolotl! Shellby is determined to find true love in this new life.

Plenty of Fish in the Sea is free on itch.io.

Alfy with a chat bubble and hearts with decorative pink text next to them. The text reads "Romance Games in Development"

Darling Duality

Darling Duality is a dark romance game about encountering the real-life version of a character in your dating sim called Winter Wish. Tread carefully, as this is a yandere-themed game with a list of content warnings. If romance with a dash of psychological horror is up your alley, this game is for you, because the love interest has a sweet side and a sinister side to them. The developers note that the full game is expected to have more characters, so perhaps that means we can expect more yandere-crazed love interests in the future.

Darling Duality is currently in development, but you can play the demo for free on itch.io.

Under Pretense of Death

Under Pretense of Death is a fantasy visual novel that takes place in a fantasy island where creatures such as faeries, elves, and gnomes are all commonplace. The game features a female half-elf as the protagonist and four love interests. The game is currently in development with no set release date on the horizon, but steady progress is being made on things such as full character animations.

You can play the demo for Under Pretense of Death on Steam or itch.io.

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Espionage

Teisatsu

In Teisatsu, you are suddenly recruited into a spy agency, and as a new recruit, you're assigned a mentor. Whoever you choose to show you the ways of the spy world could also end up as your romantic partner. Teisatsu is a romance game with the option to play as male or female. The game has a fast-paced storyline and a lively soundtrack that keeps you engaged. Some Teisatsu fans even went as far as saying the game has similar vibes to Persona 5. The game was created for NaNoRenO 2022 and has about an hour's runtime.  

You can play Teisatsu for free on itch.io.

Blind Men

Blind Men follows the story of a budding supervillain and his newfound spy comrades as he works to carry out his first big heist. Everything must go according to plan, or else this aspiring supervillain might not win the title. The game pursues an enemies-to-lovers romance as the love interests work for opposing agencies. One of them is a Russian spy with kuudere vibes, and the other is a bowtie- and tuxedo-wearing American with a James Bond demeanor. Blind Men is a comedic boy's love packed with action, espionage, and romance.

Blind Men is available on Steam, itch.io, JAST USA, Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

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Husbando of the Week

Taiga Isurugi

Taiga is a motorcycle-riding daredevil and a gambling addict who says all the wrong things. But underneath that rough exterior, you'll find that Taiga is that rare someone you can be your true self with. When he falls in love with you, it feels pure and genuine. Taiga is from Variable Barricade, a romcom where the MC must choose a husband out of four unconventional love interests.

Variable Barricade is available for the Nintendo Switch for US $49.99.

Waifu of the Week

Juliet

Vampires are typically associated with more malevolent acts, but Juliet is of a gentler nature. Her kindness knows no bounds, as she makes it her life goal to devote herself to others by means of providing shelter to those in need, as well as sharing her library with the world. Juliet is from Please Be Happy, Studio Élan's latest yuri game about a fox girl named Miho who seeks love and companionship as she discovers what it means to be happy.

Please Be Happy is available on Steam and itch.io for US $19.99.

Supporters

Nai (Community Manager of Dev Talk)
Miracle Moon