Date A Live: Ren Dystopia

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 50 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Date A Live: Ren Dystopia Game Cover
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"Date A Live: Ren Dystopia" is a visual novel game based on the popular light novel series, featuring multiple romance options with characters from the DATE A LIVE universe. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes a digital art collection, audio dramas, original soundtrack, and a short novel. The game allows players to experience a next-generation boy-meets-girl story with unique sci-fi elements and immersive storytelling.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 50 reviews
story7 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • Fans of the anime will find the game enjoyable, as it captures the charm and humor of the series.
  • The character design and voice acting are top-notch, with well-developed personalities that resonate with players.
  • The game offers a branching narrative with multiple endings, providing high replayability and engaging storytelling.
  • The game relies heavily on knowledge from the source material, making it less accessible for newcomers to the franchise.
  • Some character routes feel underdeveloped and contain plot holes, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • The gameplay has been simplified compared to previous titles, leading to a less engaging experience for some players.
  • story29 mentions

    The story of "Date a Live" features a shared narrative with branching paths for each heroine, allowing for varied character experiences, though some storylines, like Kotori's, suffer from notable plot holes. While the game does not delve into complex character arcs, it successfully engages players with its charming characters and romantic comedy elements, making it an enjoyable experience. Overall, the storytelling is highlighted as a strong point, with distinct personalities and backstories enriching the narrative.

    • “The real highlight is its storytelling and character development.”
    • “It's a charming experience with a great story, lovable characters, and beautiful presentation, making it a must-play for anyone who enjoys a romantic and entertaining adventure.”
    • “Each character's distinct personality and backstory contribute to the series' rich and engaging narrative, making Date a Live a standout anime with a compelling cast.”
    • “There is a growing tendency in media to create movies, shows, and games that rely on external media to explain several aspects of the story.”
    • “Date a Live isn't a story with complex, multi-layered characters undergoing powerful character arcs, and this game doesn't pretend otherwise.”
    • “I think the strongest storylines, writing-wise, are Kurumi's and Yoshino's, and the weakest is definitely Kotori's, because of a glaring plothole that favors the big payoff of her storyline.”
  • gameplay12 mentions

    The gameplay has been criticized for being overly simplified and lacking depth compared to its predecessor, Rio Reincarnation, with a repetitive loop of answering three questions to progress. Many users feel that the game does not justify its $40 price tag, suggesting it resembles a $10 experience with minimal interactive elements. Overall, the gameplay is seen as lacking engagement, primarily appealing only to those interested in leaderboards or completionist challenges.

    • “The gameplay loop is very similar to Rio Reincarnation: new girl (Ren), new story, new drama.”
    • “This game has seen some downgrades when compared with Rio Reincarnation, especially in the gameplay and fanservice department, but Ren Dystopia overtakes Rio Reincarnation in the character department.”
    • “Long story short, the gameplay, for whatever reason, was simplified.”
    • “This game has seen some downgrades when compared with Rio Reincarnation, especially in the gameplay and fanservice department.”
    • “Visual novel games in general are pretty lame, and the $40 price tag is a crazy asking price; this feels like a $10 thing. There's no gameplay whatsoever; you just get three questions to answer, and if you answer them correctly, you get the good ending.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game features a mix of reused tracks from the first installment alongside some new compositions, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience. While the original opening and ending songs are not included, players can find them online, and the soundtrack is generally praised for enhancing the game's atmosphere. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, though some fans express a desire for more original content.

    • “The amazing soundtrack makes it all a blast.”
    • “Good visual novel like always, though I wish they would create more with new original soundtracks and background music.”
    • “+ excellent graphics, music, and sounds.”
    • “The game reuses a lot of background CGs and most of the soundtrack carries directly from the first game, with some new background CGs and music.”
    • “Although the original opening and ending songs weren't licensed again, sadly, check those out on YouTube, but there are also guides to restore them.”
    • “I wish they would create more content with a new original soundtrack and background music.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    The game is praised for its high-quality artwork and animation, featuring a diverse array of characters and settings that enhance player choice. The impressive visuals, combined with captivating narrative elements, contribute to an engaging overall experience.

    • “It boasts very high-quality artwork and animation, with a huge amount of characters, settings, and choices given to the player.”
    • “The game features impressive visuals and a captivating narrative that kept me engaged from beginning to end.”
    • “Excellent graphics, music, and sounds.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The game excels in character development, effectively exploring the personalities and relationships of its cast, enhanced by impressive animations and stellar voice acting. Users appreciate the thoughtful design and storytelling that bring the characters to life, distinguishing it from other visual novels.

    • “I especially liked the character development, as the game does a great job of exploring the cast's personalities and relationships.”
    • “The real highlight is its storytelling and character development.”
    • “The character designs are very nice, and unlike some visual novel games, the characters have animations, so they do not have fixed images like a PNG; this is my favorite feature.”
    • “Character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “The characters don't evolve in a meaningful way, leaving their arcs feeling flat and unengaging.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the character development is poorly executed and fails to deliver a satisfying experience.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of sitcom and romcom elements, often eliciting strong laughter from players, even to the point of tears. While some fans may feel disappointed with certain character routes, the overall comedic tone remains cute, funny, and slightly spicy, contributing positively to the experience.

    • “As a longtime fan of Date A Live, this left a rather bitter taste in my mouth with how two of my favorite characters' routes were treated, but nonetheless, I still loved it and was even laughing to the point of tears at times.”
    • “That said, the visual novel is basically just more sitcom/romcom humor centered around Ren and her drama.”
    • “Cute, funny, and a little bit spicy.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers high replayability thanks to the numerous choices available to players, allowing them to explore different paths and achieve various endings.

    • “This adds a high level of replayability due to the amount of choice given to the player to reach one of the game's several endings.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highlighted by the captivating performance of Ren, voiced by Rie Takahashi, which effectively draws players' attention and enhances the overall experience.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users rating it a perfect 10/10, indicating an exceptional immersive experience.

    • “The atmosphere is a 10/10.”
    • “The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world that feels alive.”
    • “Every sound and visual detail contributes to an incredibly immersive experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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