Dates & Wires: Augmented Edition

[h1] Overview[/h1] As visual novels go, the setting for [i]Dates & Wires[/i] certainly scores well on the originality front. Our (fully nameable) MC begins the game landing at the arrivals gate of the fictional former Soviet republic of Stradania, having had it recommended as a good location to “get away from it all” following an unhealthy break-up. Whilst there is an easily taken inference that the protagonist is female, and that's how I was happy to take it on and play from this perspective; it is worth noting that at no point does the game make any gender references in respect of this at all, nor offer a visualisation of the character; leaving it open for the player to decide the sex of their lead. The narrative is, happily, also written in first person, so it's just as easy to self-insert, if that is your preference. [h1]Story[/h1] As I played the game as a female character, any gender references made below will reflect this. Having cleared customs – which is achieved merely by entering your preferred character name, our MC has two days in which to explore the, um, dubious delights of Stradania, to let go of her immediate past and unleash any pent up frustrations by way of a no-strings-fling if a suitable partner should happen along. She follows a recommendation to visit a nightclub called “The Icebox” as the hotspot of the area, and it is from here that the story is based. She gets to meet a selection of, frankly, weird freaks – none of whom any girl with a fully functioning brain would want to touch in a million years - and a seemingly “normal”, down to earth bartender. First meetings with any of the patrons ought to be enough to put her off from wanting to see any of them again, yet each of them opens up just enough personal intrigue to pull the reader in to sufficient curiosity to do so anyway. Alternatively, she has the freedom to decide against doing so, and spend the time with the bartender instead – only, don't expect that to be quite as predictable as you might expect, either! If you're brave enough to take a punt on spending the second and final day of the trip with one of the characters met on day one, the story really steps up a level and rewards you for your persistence. We discover that all of the hook-up options have more depth to them than is first apparent, and ultimately it's hard to dislike any of them, irrespective of first impressions. One of the day-one guys is not available as a romance interest, but his girlfriend is. More on that later. [h1]Presentation[/h1] Graphically the game presents its dystopian, ex-Soviet, cyberpunk setting very efficiently, with most sprites sporting a cybernetic add-on of one kind or another in a graphic style which feels entirely the game's own. Not a copy-paste anime boy in sight, and hallelujah to that! https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3411507757 There are also 18 CGs to be found (called “souvenirs” and viewable from a separate menu). Aurally, the game provides 14 different tracks which again, suit the setting; but don't expect these to be jolly dance tunes, oh no.. you might even find one or two of them have you grimacing somewhat. Bad? No. Just appropriate, and these are also available to listen to individually from their own front menu option. The UI meets typical player expectations with all necessary functions, and although accessible via the bog-standard-word-list, at least this is slightly larger than average so you have a fair chance of being able to see the command you want and clicking on it accurately at the first attempt. [h1]Experience[/h1] I had been wavering a little as to whether this game would appeal to me or not, with the dilapidated location choice and a cast of characters who, in real life, would see me cross the road to pass them on the far side. However, sticking with the story beyond day one provides a set of fully engaging individual stories and brings both life and warmth to each of the available romantic options – and you are not obliged to get romantic with them if you don't want to. Naturally (ahem), with no consequences to face for doing so, I went into “full tramp mode” to see how far the MC would be allowed to go with each character, and while one of the guys is just too much of a gentleman to slip into such levels of debauchery, another unexpected one is more than willing to go farther than you might expect. There is nothing explicit in the visuals nor text, but it's made very clear that certain levels of intimacy are achieved. As mentioned earlier, it is the girlfriend of one of the guys met earlier who is also a second day option. As a hetero female, I don't usually enjoy finding a girl/girl route in my otomes, but this is more of a dating sim than an otome, and there is no doubt in my mind that her story in this game is the most entertaining of all of them. So if you're like me and would normally either bypass or rush through the same sex “friendship” route, and this game interests you, then I recommend changing your approach and giving this one your full attention. Great fun. [h1]Verdict[/h1] Apparently this product is based upon a web comic which has been around for a while. I have never set eyes on a web comic in my life, so this review is based entirely upon the game as a standalone product, and I am pleased to say that it surprised me. The cast are nicely fleshed out and surprisingly easy to warm to, the more time you get to spend with them. Each story is entertaining, with none of them disappointing. I've read it said that the game is “short”. Certainly it's not a very long novel, but I feel that a suggestion of short implies that you'll get 1 to 2 hours of gameplay, and there is plenty more than that to be found. It's worth saving at option times, then going back and seeing the alternative results, and searching out those elusive achievements should keep you busy for a good handful of hours. Overall, whether you're a fan of the related web comic or have never heard of it, [i]Dates & Wires[/i] holds up very well in its own right, and offers good entertainment at a fair price. For something a little different to your standard VN dating fare, this is a perfectly viable option. The Butterfly Effects & Otome Lovers wish to thank [i]Team Cryo[/i] for providing a free review copy for this game. [quote]When [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/4680120/]Otome Lovers[/url] encounters [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44686303/]The Butterfly Effects[/url], it's a blend of enchanting love stories and the magical ripples of fate! If you enjoyed the review, please follow us.[/quote]

[i]Dates & Wires: Augmented Edition[/i] is a romance, cyberpunk visual novel developed by Cryo & Io Black and published by Team Cryo. It is the official spin-off to the [i]Drugs & Wires[/i] webcomic although you don't need to have read it before playing this game. The year is 1995, and you're an American (whose gender is undefined although the game hints at and the store page states that the MC is female) who has just landed in the fictional former Soviet country of Stradania. Having recently broken up with your ex, you're looking to have some fun and possibly find romance (or at least, have a unforgettable one-night stand). After arriving in the country, you head to the Icebox, the hottest nightclub in town, where you meet some eligible bachelors. How will your stay in Stradania turn out? Only time will tell... As for the gameplay, several choices are presented throughout the story. Choices early on in the story will acquaint the MC (whose default name is Ashley, but the name can be customized) with the eligible bachelors and they'll either get closer to them or completely turned off. Assuming that the MC gets through their first night, they can choose to spend more time with one of the romance options before heading back to the US. There are several endings, with most of them involving the romance options. Although most of them are guys, there is one female option, albeit a hidden one. Also, there is a bad ending in which it's implied that the MC dies. Several CGs are shown, and there's a varied soundtrack as well as partial English voice acting. Steam achievements are present, but they won't count towards a user's global total until the game is out of "Steam is learning about this game". After reading the store page description for this visual novel, I was intrigued by the concept of an alternate 1995 in which there are language translation implants, the Internet being the norm, etc., and also, I enjoy stories in a cyberpunk setting although I don't play nearly enough of them. :o Thus, [i]Dates & Wires[/i] caught my attention, and thanks to the publisher for sending over a review key, I had the chance to try it out and share my thoughts. ^^ With the story, I like how it starts off, with the MC fresh off the plane and narrating that her friends insisted that she visit Stradania. Stradania definitely has a different vibe in which there are knock-off US brands and run-down buildings. It gives off that feeling that the MC is in a whole different world, but thankfully, she can communicate with the people because of her universal translator. (I wish it were actually a real thing. :o) The story doesn't waste any time as Ashley (I'll use her default name from here on out) goes to the Icebox to have a good time and hopefully, hook up with guys. As Ashley meets various eligible bachelors, she discovers their dark secrets and some crazy shenanigans ensue. Although the story does touch on sensitive topics, such as drinking, drug abuse, and suicide, I think it does so in a realistic but careful manner. Assuming that you don't get a bad ending that results in the MC's abrupt death, the romances can vary from platonic to full-on BDSM. Regarding the romance options, I like that there is quite a variety. Dan suffers from depression and deals with it by using drugs (although he's trying to quit). Fixer is the repair person who has very strong opinions and is guarded around people, while Sandman is the hacker who watches over the town with the help of his dogs. Another male option (whose name I probably can't post here due to censorship :o) is into the VR world, while another male option ends up not being one (but his on-and-off girlfriend could be). Finally, Jack is the bartender who looks young but acts way older than his age (with very good reason). All of their routes were enjoyable to play, and as for my personal favorites, they would have to be Jack's and Sandman's, despite that Jack's route is very hot and kinky while Sandman's is more sweet and cute. As for the MC, it is implied that she is supposed to be a female even though the game never explicitly states it, so you can play as a male or whatnot. With the art, it totally has that cyberpunk feel along with that 1990's vibe. I like how well-drawn and colored the sprites and backgrounds are. The colors can feel a bit bright when Ashley is in the Icebox, but that is intentional. Of course, the CGs (unlocked ones can be viewed in the Souvenirs area in the main menu) are especially done well, and I had to take screenshots of my favorites. ^^ https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3374540701 https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3374541088 https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3374542490 In regards to the music, I enjoyed listening to the tracks, giving off that cyberpunk feel. There's a good variety, from the steady beat to the slower and more emotional. You can listen to all the tracks in the Music area in the game's main menu. Also, it was a treat to listen to the English voice acting. Although the MC isn't voiced, all of the romance options are, and the voices fit well with their respective characters and personalities. Overall, would I recommend [i]Dates & Wires: Augmented Edition[/i]? If you enjoy visual novels, want to play a short one but with plenty of romance options, and/or want to get all of those Steam achievements, then I think this is worth checking out. For the asking price, I think it's just right, despite that my playtime is on the shorter side. To be fair, though, I did consult a Steam user guide (many thanks for it :D). Because voice acting is present, I think the price point is justified. However, you can always wait for a sale. Finally, I want to thank Team Cryo for the review key. I had a lot of fun playing and experiencing the story and romances and friendships, and I definitely want to check out the webcomic that this visual novel is based on. ^^ [quote][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/44702020/]The Introverted Gamer[/url] and [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/7593237/]Otome Rakuen[/url] team up to give readers highly detailed, thorough reviews of hot romance games.[/quote]

The game’s storytelling is a real highlight. The characters are rich and complex, with detailed backstories that make the world interesting, is also very different from our own, but it's very well explained through the game so you don't feel lost while playing or when the characters talk about something that only exist in the story. This makes for a story that’s not just easy to follow but genuinely interesting. The universe is unique, and it kept me hooked, curious about what was around every corner. There is also voice acting in the game, which was unexpected but nice. It brings the characters to life in a way that feels natural, with none of the robotic stiffness you sometimes expect in smaller games. The voice actors seem to match their characters well, which helps with the immersion. You get to know each character’s personality and history as you progress, and that just keeps you wanting to dig deeper. Each choice you make actually impacts how the story unfolds, so it's entertaining to replay and see what else you can uncover. There’s a lot of content here, too, even the order in which you make the decisions change the story. Each playthrough is about an hour and a half, and with many paths to explore, I still haven’t hit every achievement so I will update the review once I know how long it would take. If I had to nitpick, the font can be a bit tiring on the eyes over longer play sessions, so that’s something to be aware of. Overall, it’s a captivating game with lots of depth and replayability. [quote=][b] For more reviews, check my[url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45284670/] Curator's Page [/url][/b][/quote] https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3365027904

3/5。买了之后才发现是一个类似于同人游戏的作品。 总感觉后苏联时代赛博朋克风格的设定在游戏里没什么深刻的体现，换到其他地方而不是后苏联也一样成立，明明这款风味可以写得更有特色一点的。游戏主线其实就是主角想get laid然后在酒吧的六个ro里找人约会，内容很短，角色也写得很浅。两天一夜之后主角就要离开，所以我觉得这个设定略显走肾不走心吧。 攻略了dan和jack。dan和我对他在漫画里的印象有点不太一样，游戏里显得更温和善良了，是一款有创伤的腼腆doomer男；而漫画里更阴郁冷淡，如果沿用漫画设定感觉会更好吃。jack也和漫画里超级不一样，漫画里很屌丝（不过我也没看完），结果游戏里居然是[spoiler]很美型的高岭之花感的冬兵+黑手党dom[/spoiler]设定，好吧！ dan的结尾的离别风味会让我想到我很喜欢的《六号车厢》，也是那种发达国家（女）主角遇上不太聪明的毛子男的带有忧郁和遗憾和注定的分别的故事。游戏里提到的“adult friendship”用来描述这种情绪蛮好品的。

Love the artstyle and was surprised that you could check out every route during day 1! If you play lots of dating-sims, this is definitely different from the usual fare. BTW, Sh!tparade is best boy!! Also a small tip: If you have trouble reading the pixel-font, you can open the accessibility menu via shift+A and change it to DejaVu Sans or OpenDyslexic! I recommend decreasing the textscaling to about a third if you do 👍

Have you ever read any "Drugs and Wires"? It's a webcomic. I haven't, which might have been helpful. Have you wanted to date any of the characters in it? Here you can. I discovered, during the time I spent streaming this, that dating games aren't really in my wheelhouse. Dating men also isn't in my wheelhouse. I didn't let that stop me, but it was a challenge to be sure. I had some advisors along to help me navigate the difficult decisions such as "which one of these men do I want to approach?" What I can say is the main characters seem to have voiced some lines so that might help with the immersion a bit, and there may well be more going on with the plot than you'd normally expect. It's set in a post-Soviet 1990's cyberpunk dystopia, and... listen, I don't know if that matters to you if you're thirsty. Is this game going to quench that thirst? There's no overt sexy times on display, so if you need that you're going to be left wanting. The player character is never explicitly made clear, so if you can fill in your own blanks, if you can project yourself into the game's space, then you're set. If you want [i]romance[/i] instead of speedrunning to the part where it gets put in and wiggled, then you are more likely to find that here. And therefore this is for you. Still, I want to thank Cryo for letting me take a crack at this game, who graciously supplied me with a key. It upends what I expected, which is a huge plus. If I had the internal wiring to appreciate a dating sim more, if I were interested in men, I'd be back for a whole lot more in a hurry. This is one of those few times where "It's not you, it's me," is really true.

This game is absolutely charming! Such clever and witty dialogue set in a cyberpunk alternative reality where you get to smooch and/or cuddle up with some intersting characteres! This is one of the more creative dating sims I've played, with varying ways to get to know different characters that lead to suprising and silly outcomes. Including some platonic ends! This game is incredibly whomesome please give it a go!

Stumbled upon Dates & Wires trying to find a new Otome game that's actually well written and engaging. Could not have been more impressed. The art is fantastic and each character is endearing in their own way. I've fallen in love with most of the characters, and dying for more content I even binged all of Drugs & Wires. Definitely will be doing multiple playthroughs to find all the dialogue quirks. Thank you for making this!

dan,,, oh dan..... i could fix him but he'd probably just make me worse. 10/10, would trauma bond with these six lovely people again.

Love the world this is set in, it's very atmospheric and the characters are so rich and interesting that I'm left with something resembling a "book hangover". I want to dive right in and become a tourist myself!