We know you’re shivering with antici…….pation to go hands-on with DreadXP’s Lovecraftian dating sim, Sucker for Love: First Date, and while we’ve all been patient, the wait is nearly over. 

Sucker for Love: First Date will release on Steam and Itch.io on January 20, 2022. 

Inspired by classic anime and visual novel dating sims, players will lovingly perform all sorts of dangerous rituals to keep one of the three Lovecraftian Eldritch ladies happy. Or you may need to escape from unknown horrors you unknowingly release into the world. But it’s all in the name of love for the pretty demons. 

Publisher DreadXP and indie developer Akabaka aim to make players laugh, scream, and cry in this creative take on the dating sim genre that’s totally not a horror game *cough*. 

Some features of Sucker for Love: First Date Key include:

• Slide Into Her DMs (Daemoniac Manuscripts) — Thanks to the lovely pink Necronomicon you’ve found, you’ve been united with your very own blasphemous beauty. Sucker for Love: First Date features three dateable goddesses who are each fully-voiced and have unique game endings!
• Abnormal Desires — A healthy relationship relies on compromise, so live a little and try out some of your goddess’s fun rituals! Who knows what might happen next?
• Love Everlasting — Explore your budding romance across three chapters!
• Stylish Invocation — Enjoy the game’s charming visuals and music that are reminiscent of old-school anime and dating sims
• Let Your Guard Down — No horror elements or danger whatsoever. This is a dating game! You’d think we’d lie to you?… You do?… O̴̟͂́NE B̸̹̀̀Y ONE̸͖͆ ̴̮̂͂WE ̴̩̖̇WIL̵͈̚L TAKE ̴͇̓ͅYOȖ̴̗̏.

Sucker for Love: First Date cleverly re-imagines the visual novel genre through immersive gameplay mechanics, with each decision significantly impacting how the game plays and the story unfolds. Sucker for Love: First Date kicks off the three-part Sucker for Love series, each featuring unique protagonists and shocking twists.

Review of Trailer:

A stylish visual style similar to that of a true anime intro, this visual novel is said to be a dating simulator. Strange, though, as there seems to be minor hints to something dark, possibly even frightening, lurking in the corners…hm. 

Also, the included song is an absolute bop. If the entire game includes songs this catchy, I know I’m just going to want more. 

In all seriousness though, I’m incredibly intrigued. We can expect to be surprised by what the game will entail, and I’m excited to discover the unexpected. Or you could say, I’m ready to put the “love” in Lovecraftian, and see what this Lady Cthulhu is all about.