XOXO Droplets

So I have like 3 otome games waiting for me to finish them, and I thought maybe I was just going off the genre. But then I thought maybe I just need a game with no tragedy or consent issues, and looks like I was right! Because this has been a lot of fun.

(I absolutely intend to finish the other games eventually, I just needed a break)

So! XOXO Droplets is a humourous game about dating The Douchiest Guys In School. The premise put me off for a long time, since I wasn't sure if it would take the romances seriously, and it isn't as feels heavy as my favourite otome games. But under the humour are some genuine characters and sincere feelings, I spend a lot of time thinking "Haha, aww, you assholes really do deserve each other <3". Also, unlike most "humourous" VNs, it's actually funny.

Here's the itchio page, the trailer gives a run down of all the dudes, I'll also describe them under the cut. I started with the free/demo version then switched to the paid one, and kind of wish I'd done it earlier, since I missed some early content for my chosen boy ;_;

I just finished the path for Shiloh, a boyishly charming manipulator, and it was great. The MC pegs him as a liar right off the bat, which creates a fascinating dynamic: he swoons and blushes about how amazing she is and she wallows in the attention then laughs at what a skeeze he is, and they both know it's mostly an act but they're also both having fun. He's one of the free love interests, but definitely not everyone's cup of tea.

Under the cut is just a bunch more rambling about the game. It's hard to spoil: so far there's little plot, and the characters are basically who they appear to be on the surface. They're just not only that. EDIT: I've now finished the full game, and mostly still agree with this review, but have added a few extra remarks.
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XOXO Droplets: Shiloh path reactions

Masterlist

So this route is summed up by the main character telling someone who doesn't understand why she's dating such a fake guy, "I like him because he's a cute little skeezeball, not in spite of it".

From my previous post: Shiloh is always """nice""" and obedient/helpful/complimentary, enjoys manipulating people to get his own way or hurt those he doesn't like, and will stab you in the back in a heartbeat.

I found the dynamic absolutely fascinating. Here's some general thoughts and some scenes I squeed about to a friend, there's no big twists or anything to spoil but it's probably more fun to play without reading this first.
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