Still, above all, the story within otome games is key, and because of that, many otome games are visual novels.
Romancing is optional, but heavily implied at the least. In fact, some prefer to refer to otome games as bishounen games. The main signifier of an otome game is that they contain a cast of handsome men ( bishounen)-and, for some, gorgeous women as well. However, not all otome games are dating sims. Sometimes called “otoge” for short, these games share genre conventions with bishoujo or gal games, dating simulation games meant for a heterosexual male audience, which began to gain prominence in the late 1980s. These games are narrative-based over gameplay-based, can be any genre, and are primarily made by female teams with a female audience in mind.
Otome games (乙女ゲーム), literally translated to “Maiden’s Games,” are a unique subgenre that buck male-oriented trends found throughout gaming culture at large.
