#because we're here

[becausewerehere]

Wowee. It's been a while since I updated this devlog! I'm just writing to let you know that the Steam store page for Acts III and IV of WW1-themed otome VN Because We're Here is now live! Wishlists are appreciated. You can find it here!

I wrote a general state-of-the-union blog post on Steam a little while ago, which also covered how Acts III and IV are being combined into one release - here's the relevant section:

I also want to say that I've decided to combine Acts III and IV into one release - primarily because they felt like very much a two-parter, and I didn't want to risk another long pause between them! But also, Act II was always going to be the longest act, so if people had been expecting something that rivalled or exceeded Act II in length then they may have been disappointed when a solo Act III came out. So 'Act III and Act IV' is going to be a single game, of comparable length to Act II! The story's still four acts - just now told via three releases.

And some cool news is that it's going to be a 2026 release!

(It'll be for sale on Itch too, as per, but the gamepage for that one won't be live until the game's out.)

In other news, Because We're Here Acts I and II are each 40% off for the next few days, as part of the Steam Otome Games Celebration organised by Crystal Game Works.

I hope you're all doing well. I'll be back onto this devlog with much more regularity in the coming months. ^^

In the meantime, did you know BWH has a mailing list? I'm about to send out the very first newsletter, ha. That's a pretty good way to have all major developments appear spontaneously and conveniently in your inbox, if you're worried about missing stuff on social media~

[iamapoopmuffin]

I love when we sit down to play an otome game and manage to pick the choices that get our character horribly killed. 

Our stupidity becomes power of the worst kind.

[wonderfulwonderland]

Free and/or cheap indie otome games

Here’s a list of free and/or cheap indie otome games. They’re great to check out if you’re curious about otome games and don’t want to pay money to do so, and of course if you already know you like otome games, here are some recommendations!

These ones are still demos/uncompleted, but good:

7 Kingdoms: The Princess Problem: the MC is female, very customizable, and there are male and female romance options. Can also be played without romance. The premise is that delegates from 7 kingdoms come together on an island and over the course of 7 weeks make alliances, which can be romantic in nature or not. You take a quiz in the beginning which determines your country of origin, which then affects your stats. Conversations with others are vital for your reputation and also affect your stats, and you won’t be able to do certain things or pass events without sufficient stats. The romance is pretty solid too, and the cast of characters overall is fantastic. It’s a strategy and political game as much as it is a romance. It reminds me of Long Live the Queen, if you’ve played that. The demo is the first 3 weeks of the game, and I’m completely floored by how good it is. I can’t wait for the full game!

Andromeda Six: sci-fi visual novel. MC can be male/female/nonbinary and the love interests are male and female. Very fun adventure story set in space with a great cast of characters. Only about half of the episodes have been released so far (5 of I believe 10 episodes) and they’ve been really good! Romance is also optional. 

Some completed free games: 

Our Life: MC can be male/female/non-binary, love interest is one guy (though more to be added via DLC). Very heartwarming, slice of life story. Revolves around the MC growing up with the boy next door, and the game takes place over three summers at various stages in their lives. The MC is insanely customizable, and things you’ve said and done at various stages are remembered and often referenced or can affect certain things. Really just a lovely game that brings a smile to your face. Romance is optional too.

Cinderella Phenomenon: female MC with 5 male love interests (romance is mandatory, unless you feel like getting a bad ending). This is one of my fave games, I’ll try not to gush about it too much. The story take place in a kingdom where people are being cursed with fairytale curses, which are inversions of fairytale stories. The MC is a princess who gets cursed with the “Cinderella curse,” going from riches to rags. The other love interests all have a fairytale curse of some sort which you learn about in their routes. The MC is not customizable because she is a straight up jerk and some of the correct dialogue choices are being mean to people. This story has amazing character growth of the MC (and some of the love interests too). It has a fantastic cast of characters, who are memorable and lovable. It’s a great story and how things change in each of the routes is so interesting and well-executed. You should definitely play the routes in the recommended order!!!

Red-handed Robin: female MC, two male love interests (I don’t think romance is optional). Robin (the MC) has stolen some diamonds and is on a train out of town with her friend/bodyguard and encounters her friend from childhood who is now a detective. Will he catch on to her? Fun little story with some puzzles in each chapter (of which there are three). The main trio are great. 

Lake of Voices: female MC with male/female love interests, romance optional. A horror-ish game. Can you get across this spooky lake alive? Good luck with that. Once you manage to get across the lake, definitely replay it and see how else the story unfolds. It’s a cool story with intriguing characters and an interesting setting. It has absolutely beautiful art.

Dark Nights: female MC with four male love interests. Also horror-lite. Some of the people in your town have been disappearing. You encounter 4 strange men and wonder whether any of them might have answers as to what’s going on. Quite a fun game with pretty art! Very funny titles for the achievements, the creators definitely have a good sense of humor. 

A few cheap ones: 

Rose of Segunda ($8.99):  female MC with male and female love interests, romance is optional. Charming little story set in a kingdom whose prince is of the age to be married and everyone’s invited over for his birthday. Will you try to go after him (romantically or otherwise) or will you be interested in some of the other guests? The MC is somewhat customizable and can be quite funny. The characters are charming as well.  

Because We’re Here ($5.99 per act): female MC, male love interests (romance not really optional). Set in an WW1-era fictional universe. Seems like a bad idea to have romance during a war, huh? Prepare to for ALL the emotions. This one is only half completed (Act 1 and 2 of 4 planned). I’m looking forward to the other acts!!

Have fun! I checked out some of the free/indie ones before starting to actually buy some of the more popular/mainstream (but also more expensive) games. All of these games are great.

[skele-queen]

A little sketch because why not make myself suffer I GUESS.

I half considered trying to draw him with a slightly less anime/more historical haircut but mehhhhhh it’s technically not set on our Earth anyway.

[pedes1ayer]

bwh dood(le)s

[shakehandswithdevils]

Because We’re Here

Tommy/Alfie/Lizzie OT3. Complete, 30k words. 

WWI AU.

When Lizzie is shipped across the Channel to nurse wounded soldiers in France, there's nothing holding her back. Her mother is gone, her job at the BSA is gone, and every trick chips away at a little more of her dignity. In the VAD she'll have a chance to earn her place; to find the belonging she seeks- except she doesn't find it in the field hospitals of the Western Front. She finds it hidden in the shadows with a furious sergeant-major and a blustery artillery captain.

[noriko-neko-xion]

I finished “Because we’re here-Mohnblume und Blauerose act II” some days ago and really enjoyed it! So here some Elfriede and Wolf! The sentence is not said in this scene but I like it so I don’t care XD

[benichi]

Favorite Otome Games 2018

It’s that time of the year again! Same as with last year we got lot of good games during 2018. I had a hard time choosing, but these are my personal favorites. I’ve divided the games in categories (and as always I cheated a little lol)

PS Vita

It’s probably no surprise that Psychedelica of the Black Butterfly ended up as my favorite Vita Otome title this year. For me it’s one of those games where you wish that you could erase your memory of it simply to experience the story once more because it was just that good. I also wrote a more detailed review that you can find on my blog

Mobile

While I certainly enjoyed Mystic Messenger most people know that it’s actually not my favorite Cheritz game. However I was deeply impressed by Ray’s Route, which was released earlier this year. I love the dark and complex story that always had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously await what will happen next

PC

Hakuoki Edo Blossoms is and oldie but a goodie as they say. The game has great atmosphere, characters and is an all-time favorite of mine. I never get tired of experiencing the original stories and the new ones were great as well

Indie

One of the few indie games I played this year. I think that Because We're Here ~Mohnblume und Blauerose~ Act I might certainly not be a game for everyone due to it’s themes, but I thoroughly enjoyed this bittersweet story and am very much looking forward to the next act

-

That’s it for 2018! While 2019 doesn’t have too much to offer yet (at least compared to the last two years) we’ve still got some titles to look forward to. Steam Prison and Fxxx me Royally! which will be released by MangaGamer and the last Otoge release for the Vita Code Realize: Wintertide Miracles.  & as per usual thanks for sticking with me (ﾉ･_-)☆