In visual novels with dating sim elements, there can sometimes be some uncertainties. Are you making the right choices? Does the character you’re pursuing actually like you? Have you happened upon the correct route? Date a Live: Rio Reincarnation helps alleviate those concerns by putting players in a different sort of situation. The various heroines in the games in this compilation all definitely are involve with Shido Itsuka, your avatar. Rather, the uncertainty comes from ensuring the Spirits do not go berserk and whether or not you can solve the mysteries present within Rinne Utopia and Arusu Install.
Think of it as part of the convenience of the Date a Live world. Both Rinne Utopia and Arusu Install are stand-alone stories featuring these characters. While the idea might seem intimidating and like they could require some background, things are handled in a way where players are quickly brought up to speed. Spirits inhabit the world and can be accidentally or purposefully dangerous to human life. Shido is a young man with the ability to seal their powers with a kiss. He works with his adopted sister, Kotori, and her organization, Ratatoskr, to save the Spirits on their side. His goal them stable so they don’t cause Spacequakes or go berserk. Which means getting them to love him and have stable mental states.
While the Ratatoskr do emphasize exercising some caution and trying to pick the “correct” answers that will keep Spirit girlfriends from feeling angry, anxious, terrified, and upset, people get to have a rather relaxed atmosphere while getting to know the characters and play the game. Every character likes you. None of them are going to suddenly hate you. As for the decision-making, this is a game where it is relatively easy to pick the “right” answer the women would like to hear.
You don’t have to worry about whether or not you are on the right “routes” in Date a Live: Rio Reincarnation. The town maps show who is at each location. If it is one of the major heroines that is romanceable, time will advance when you enter a space where they are. You will automatically go on a “date” with them, which means picking choices to direct the course of the activities and perhaps even getting a CG with them. If you have a story segment where multiple heroines are there, the possible response may very likely have the name of the heroine whose affection would be boosted by the decision, so there’s less guesswork when getting to know people.
This also means you can better appreciate the actual mysteries happening in each game and focus on understanding what is going on. In both the Rinne Utopia and Arusu Install games, something suspicious is afoot. The former begins with Tohka going berserk, Shido being bedridden for a few days as a result, and an odd barrier appearing around the town. The latter has something go awry when Shido enters a VR training simulation “game,” forcing the Spirits and women interested in him to also enter the simulation to show a mysterious figure what “love” is.
Which people might appreciate quite a bit. Otome visual novels aren’t uncommon on consoles and handhelds now. But, we don’t necessarily see traditional romantic visual novels on consoles as often yet. Date a Live: Rio Reincarnation remedies that by giving people two full games and the Rio Reincarnation supplement. Knowing you have that and you won’t have too much trouble finding and enjoying what could be a good virtual love story might prove to be quite a boon.
Date a Live: Rio Reincarnation will come to the PlayStation 4 in North America and PC worldwide on July 23, 2019. It will arrive on the PlayStation 4 in Europe on July 26, 2019.
