Written by Dating sim games are a top-rated genre of interactive entertainment that combines romance, storytelling, and player choice. These games usually consist of players playing the role of a protagonist who moves through a story.
The best dating sim games usually have interesting storylines, developed characters, and engaging gameplay mechanics that provide players with opportunities to pursue different romantic avenues.
A good example is Killing Kiss, a visual-novel romantic simulator game that takes place in a city known as Grey City, which is depicted as a hazardous place.
Players will control Ryu, a teenage pickpocket who gets involved with three men and a childhood friend, as they go through an adventure filled with romance and danger.
Another common genre is Otome games, which are tailored for women and usually include cute boys and anime graphics. These games, like Shall We Date?, provide a range of romantic situations and endings depending on player decisions.
Dating sim games also differ in their settings and themes. There are some that are more traditional, such as Amagami, which deals with developing a relationship in high school, but others can introduce fantasy or science fiction elements.
Top 5 Best Dating Sim Games to Play in 2025
1. Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance
Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance is a dating sim game that combines aspects of ’90s teen drama with a satirical take on cryptid romance.
Game Info:
- Publisher: Rocket Adrift (PC version), eastasiasoft (console versions)
- Release Date: July 15, 2021 (PC), December 14, 2022 (consoles)
- Consoles: PC (Windows, macOS, Linux), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre: Dating sim, Visual novel
- Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
Based in 1997, the game tells the tale of Stella Starosta, a shy 17-year-old girl who relocates to a small fictional Ontario town named Ladle for her final year of high school.
She learns, to her surprise, that the town is a hidden community of cryptids, and it is the beginning of an untraditional romantic quest.
The game’s story is told through a system of choices, where the player directs Stella’s choices and interactions during her senior year of high school. Rather than typical dialogue choices, players choose where Stella goes, and the direction of her relationships and the story.
Raptor Boyfriend breaks away from the dating sim category by allowing players to romance three cryptid characters: Robert, a snowboarding and dirt-biking velociraptor; Day, an enchanted fairy painter; and Taylor, a sasquatch who plays guitar and is also Stella’s childhood friend.
The game features several interactive elements including phone calls, sleepovers, and collectibles such as tapes, poems, and comics. These elements not only increase the player’s involvement but also help create the nostalgic ’90s vibe.
With several endings and bonus scenes to unlock, Raptor Boyfriend has a lot of replay value, players can try out different choices and romantic paths.
2. Cupid Parasite
Cupid Parasite is an adorable dating simulation game specifically created for female players, classifying as an otome game.
Game Info:
- Publisher: Idea Factory
- Release Date: October 28, 2021 (Japan), November 2, 2021 (North America), November 5, 2021 (Europe)
- Consoles: Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Dating sim, Visual novel
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
From Idea Factory, the game is around Lynette Mirror, a clumsy yet endearing cupid tasked with matchmaking five bumbling men called the Parasite 5. These men have reputations for being unable to find women, thus the ideal candidates for Lynette’s match-making abilities.
The game is humorous and lighthearted as Lynette navigates through various challenges and obstacles in helping the Parasite 5 find love.
Player interactions and decisions play a role in guiding Lynette’s relationships with the five eligible bachelors. With each character having a unique personality and their respective backstory,.
Cupid Parasite has colorful anime-style visuals and an interface, so it is easily accessible to new and veteran players of the genre. The game has multiple endings depending on player choice, which provides a lot of replay value since players can try different choices to get different results.
One of the highlights of Cupid Parasite is its success in balancing comedy with sentimental scenes, producing a story that is both fun and emotionally appealing.
The game’s emphasis on matchmaking and building relationships gives the formulaic dating sim a new twist.
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3. Romancelvania
Romancelvania is a game that combines the exploration and action aspects of a Metroidvania with the romance and character-building nature of a dating sim.
Game Info:
- Publisher: The Deep End Games
- Release Date: October 11, 2022
- Consoles: PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
- Genre: Dating sim, Metroidvania
- Platforms: PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Developed by The Deep End Games and told the tale of Drac, a charming, yet awkwardly handsome vampire competing on a monster dating show.
The twist? He’s not only seeking love; he’s also attempting to survive the show’s obstacles while dealing with his relationships between a group of supernatural characters.
The game’s story is laced with humor and wit, as Drac deals with his potential mates, each with his own personality and history. Players control Drac through dates and obstacles.
The Metroidvania aspects bring a sense of complexity to the gameplay, as players navigate through a large, interconnected world full of secrets and upgrades. The combination of genres provides an experience for fans of action-adventure games and dating sims alike.
Romancelvania has colorful, gothic-style visuals and an upbeat soundtrack that match its dark humor and dark tone. The emphasis on character development and romance gives the classic Metroidvania formula an emotional depth.
With multiple endings and several romantic paths to follow, Romancelvania has high replay value, inviting players to try different choices and see where the story goes.
One of the things about Romancelvania is that it perfectly balances action and romance. It allows players to easily switch between wandering around the world, fighting monsters, and flirting with NPCs.
4. The Hungry Lamb: Traveling In The Late Ming Dynasty
The Hungry Lamb: Traveling In The Late Ming Dynasty is a dating simulation game that is known for its historical context and dark subject matter.
Game Info:
- Publisher: Not specifically noted, but developed by an independent studio
- Release Date: Not widely released; available on platforms like itch.io
- Consoles: PC (Windows)
- Genre: Dating sim, Visual novel
- Platforms: PC (Windows)
It is set in China during the late Ming Dynasty, and the game is around the life of a protagonist who has to lead four girls to safety in the midst of war, famine, and social unrest. This environment offers a departure from the usual lighthearted tone of most dating sims.
The story of the game is embedded in historical background, dealing with survival, revenge, and human nature at a time of chaos.
Players take the lead character through a series of interactions and choices, which determine the bonds with the four girls and the storyline. Every character possesses a unique personality and history.
The Hungry Lamb has a creepy soundtrack and atmospheric graphics that suit its dark and historical theme. The game’s emphasis on storytelling and character-building provides an immersive experience.
With several endings and various romantic paths to follow, the game provides replay value, inviting players to try different choices and observe how the story progresses.
The Hungry Lamb stands out in that it can be both as accurate historically and romantic in elements as possible while still maintaining a strong blend of genres that fans of historical fiction and dating sims alike will enjoy.
The dark tone and mature content of the game mean that it will appeal to those who prefer a more serious and developed story.
5. Sucker for Love: First Date
Sucker for Love: First Date is a lighthearted and satirical dating sim that satirizes the genre while still being a fun and enjoyable experience.
Game Info:
- Publisher: Akupara Games
- Release Date: February 8, 2022
- Consoles: PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch
- Genre: Dating sim, Visual novel
- Platforms: PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch
By Akupara Games, the game tracks the path of a protagonist who gets mixed up with a supernatural and somewhat disturbing presence called “The Eldritch Horror.” This presence is brought in via a dating app, and it signals the beginning of a string of strange and humorous encounters.
The game’s story is full of irony and humor, as the protagonist goes through a series of dates and battles with the Eldritch Horror.
Players control the protagonist’s choices, affecting the relationships and the story as a whole. The game has a strange mix of horror and romance elements.
Sucker for Love has colorful, cartoon-like graphics and an offbeat soundtrack that match the game’s humorous tone. The emphasis on satire and humor in the game provides a new take on the dating sim genre that is appealing to players who want something new.
The game has several endings and plenty of possible romantic storylines, providing plenty of replay value as players try out different options and watch how the game develops.
One of the aspects of Sucker for Love is how it manages to find a balance of humor and darkness, blending genres in a way that will make both comedy and horror fans happy.
The light tone and comedic nature of the game make it an enjoyable experience for visual novel and dating sim fans.
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