This otome has a lovely plot that gets expanded on with each route you choose. Every character has a different piece of the puzzle you need to solve in order to get the "true" or "final" ending in Cupid's chapter. Additionally, the characters themselves will call Cupid by her canon name "Lynette Mirror" if you choose to keep her name in your routes.
The selling point for this game is not to date the men, but to enjoy a hilariously written narrative that never truly takes itself too seriously (I say this in the best way possible!) and I can tell you that even if you don't generally enjoy Otomes, this one may spark your interest in playing more of them.
Lynette is not a silent protagonist (though she is not voiced) and her chemistry with every character is natural yet different.
Gill: He learns what it means to be independent and not compromise his own beliefs to fit the one he loves because of Lynette. And Lynette in turn realizes she actually enjoys being dotted and waited on at times when those benefits are stripped away.
Shelby: The most equal dynamic in the sense that they are both workaholics with a common goal. They agree to keep their relationship professional (something they both prefer) until they realize it's not what they want anymore. This is the slowest damn burning route I have ever played in my entire existence. I hate this man.
Raul: Though Cupid is the God of Love, she has never really had any intimate relationships that are physical. Raul challenges her to separate pleasure from love, and she in turn teaches him about what it means to fall in love. If you think Shelby's route was slow burn, then I'm happy to announce this will be the equivalent of dowsing yourself in gasoline and setting yourself on fire within the first 2 events.
Ryuki: The youngest and yet, boldest of the group. Unlike Shelby, Gill, or even Allan, he does not flip-flop when it comes to what he feels or believes, and proudly takes what he wants. Lynette shows him a kindness he never sees from others because of his personality, and his worldview shifts dramatically the moment he realizes he's in love. A touching and brave relationship.
Allan: The easiest person to dislike and skip in terms of a route, but an essential part to understanding both him, Lynette, and the Gods in Celestia. Though he seems dismissive of love at first, it is because he has a greater goal in mind that allows no mistakes, and falling in love would no doubt be a mistake for him. Easily the most heart-wrenching and touching route with the most beautiful CG in the whole game, along with some lovely lore that adds a whole new layer of depth to his character when compared to the other routes. In my opinion, it is best to save his route for last to get the full scope of how much he goes through just for Lynette.
Overall, the Parasite 5 (or 6, if you unlock the final chapter) are all both frustrating, annoying, and lovely in their own ways. Not all routes were for me, and I can genuinely say that I had my preferences, but I can also confirm every route has something wholly enjoyable to look forward to. The dynamic of the men when they speak together feels so natural and smooth that it's hard not to enjoy it even if you end up disliking some of them at first glance. By the end of the game, I was fond of every character to some degree and happy with how most of their routes concluded.
I can't say there was a part I disliked, was left unanswered or didn't get expanded on in a satisfying way. I never thought I'd give an Otome 5/5, but the way each character is written shows that the writers considered each of them with love and care to appeal to more than just a niche. What really seals the deal on this Otome is how consistent everyone's characters are even in each-other's routes, and how beautifully the story comes together and wraps up in the "final" chapter. When I realized this is one of those games I'd love to play "blind" again, I couldn't help but keep it up there as one of my favorites.
The selling point for this game is not to date the men, but to enjoy a hilariously written narrative that never truly takes itself too seriously (I say this in the best way possible!) and I can tell you that even if you don't generally enjoy Otomes, this one may spark your interest in playing more of them.
Lynette is not a silent protagonist (though she is not voiced) and her chemistry with every character is natural yet different.
Gill: He learns what it means to be independent and not compromise his own beliefs to fit the one he loves because of Lynette. And Lynette in turn realizes she actually enjoys being dotted and waited on at times when those benefits are stripped away.
Shelby: The most equal dynamic in the sense that they are both workaholics with a common goal. They agree to keep their relationship professional (something they both prefer) until they realize it's not what they want anymore. This is the slowest damn burning route I have ever played in my entire existence. I hate this man.
Raul: Though Cupid is the God of Love, she has never really had any intimate relationships that are physical. Raul challenges her to separate pleasure from love, and she in turn teaches him about what it means to fall in love. If you think Shelby's route was slow burn, then I'm happy to announce this will be the equivalent of dowsing yourself in gasoline and setting yourself on fire within the first 2 events.
Ryuki: The youngest and yet, boldest of the group. Unlike Shelby, Gill, or even Allan, he does not flip-flop when it comes to what he feels or believes, and proudly takes what he wants. Lynette shows him a kindness he never sees from others because of his personality, and his worldview shifts dramatically the moment he realizes he's in love. A touching and brave relationship.
Allan: The easiest person to dislike and skip in terms of a route, but an essential part to understanding both him, Lynette, and the Gods in Celestia. Though he seems dismissive of love at first, it is because he has a greater goal in mind that allows no mistakes, and falling in love would no doubt be a mistake for him. Easily the most heart-wrenching and touching route with the most beautiful CG in the whole game, along with some lovely lore that adds a whole new layer of depth to his character when compared to the other routes. In my opinion, it is best to save his route for last to get the full scope of how much he goes through just for Lynette.
Overall, the Parasite 5 (or 6, if you unlock the final chapter) are all both frustrating, annoying, and lovely in their own ways. Not all routes were for me, and I can genuinely say that I had my preferences, but I can also confirm every route has something wholly enjoyable to look forward to. The dynamic of the men when they speak together feels so natural and smooth that it's hard not to enjoy it even if you end up disliking some of them at first glance. By the end of the game, I was fond of every character to some degree and happy with how most of their routes concluded.
I can't say there was a part I disliked, was left unanswered or didn't get expanded on in a satisfying way. I never thought I'd give an Otome 5/5, but the way each character is written shows that the writers considered each of them with love and care to appeal to more than just a niche. What really seals the deal on this Otome is how consistent everyone's characters are even in each-other's routes, and how beautifully the story comes together and wraps up in the "final" chapter. When I realized this is one of those games I'd love to play "blind" again, I couldn't help but keep it up there as one of my favorites.