Date Warp

About

Date Warp is a single player puzzle game. It was developed by Hanako Games and was released on September 2, 2014. It received positive reviews from players.

In the horror-themed visual novel Date Warp , Janet, a socially awkward college freshman, finds herself trapped in a mansion with five mysterious men and a ticking time bomb. As you navigate through the game's multiple branching narratives, your choices will determine the fates of Janet and her companions, leading to one of eleven possible endings. The characters, including a hostile young man, a cheerful jock, a lecherous scientist, a polite gentleman, and a soft-spoken young man, each have their own secrets and motives, adding to the game's suspenseful atmosphere.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 148 reviews

story62 positive mentions

character development3 negative mentions

Engaging story with multiple endings that encourages replayability.
Interesting characters with depth and unique personalities.
Fun puzzle mechanic for making choices that adds a unique twist to the gameplay.

Art style is inconsistent, with some character designs appearing amateurish.
The romance elements can feel rushed and not fully developed.
Some plot points may leave players with unanswered questions or feel cliché.

story
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The story of the game is generally well-received, featuring intriguing plots, multiple endings, and a mix of mystery and sci-fi elements that keep players engaged. However, some reviewers noted that the pacing can feel rushed, with character development and plot depth sometimes lacking, leading to abrupt endings. Overall, while the narrative has its flaws, it is considered enjoyable and worth exploring, especially for fans of visual novels and otome games.
- “This is a relatively old game which promises intrigue, an incomplete story which unpacks itself through achieving multiple endings (one of my favorite tropes!), and a mystery to be solved.”
- “The story makes you stay curious and impatient to find out what is going on, you want to find out more about the characters, especially their past since they seem so mysterious... and even if you don't get to know all of them (unless you replay the game a few times) you still hope with all your heart that everything will be alright.”
- “I really enjoyed playing each route to unravel the larger overall story.”
- “I was able to 100% the game in under 2 hours, and even after viewing all endings, the story still seemed rushed and disconnected.”
- “By the time the characters warm up enough to give you their backstory/explain their motivations, the game timeline is basically done - just as we can truly become interested and invested in the characters.”
- “The storylines and endings don't really dramatically differ, so if you're looking for something with several different plots, this isn't it; it's basically the same plot, with slightly different endings.”
graphics
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
73%
8%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the art style is dated and occasionally clunky, it possesses a certain charm that can be endearing. Some users find the character designs inconsistent and amateurish, detracting from the overall experience, while others appreciate the visuals as a nostalgic reflection of its era. Overall, the artwork is seen as a weak point, but the engaging story and gameplay can compensate for its shortcomings.
- “The art style is crisp and cute, though you can see differences between it and Hanako Games' later titles.”
- “Fantastic artwork, tons of branching story paths, good sound design & a very intriguing story thus far!”
- “While the artwork can be a bit rough at times, I wouldn't say it's terrible.”
- “And the graphics could be a deal breaker for those who value pretty artwork.”
- “I usually do not care much for graphic quality but most of the pictures felt like they were taken from amateur DeviantArt pages, with odd disproportions and an obvious lack of care for the coloring.”
- “The graphics are sharp and have plenty of detail most of the time, and the surroundings/areas are created with accurate details, but the characters themselves have, well, let’s say not-so-good designs (that’s one way to put it gently).”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
41%
13%
The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to enhance the emotional depth and tension of the story, with standout tracks like the catchy intro song and atmospheric incidental music. While some players found certain pieces less appealing, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack effectively complements the gameplay and narrative, creating a thoughtful and immersive experience. However, a few reviews noted that the music could occasionally detract from the game's engagement.
- “The amount of mystery in this game thrilled me and the soundtrack was just perfect for each scenario.”
- “The music is outstanding and really adds to the tension and moments in the game itself.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing, and the storyline is just genius!”
- “I guess it's just my musical taste kicking in, but I didn't really care for it.”
- “Music/audio 6/10.”
- “Regardless of the music, art, or writing, everything comes together very well and creates a nice thoughtful mood.”
gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
62%
14%
The gameplay is generally described as typical and somewhat generic, primarily revolving around a choice-based mechanic that includes puzzles, which some players found interesting and unique. While the puzzles are not particularly challenging, they enhance player engagement with the story. Overall, the gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its replayability and integration of mechanics, while others feel it lacks depth and is more akin to a visual novel than a traditional game.
- “I really enjoyed the puzzle mechanic; it made the choices seem far more significant and made me feel more involved in the story.”
- “The choice puzzle mechanic is quite interesting and unique to this game; the puzzles aren't too hard to complete but make for an interesting mechanic.”
- “Overall, I liked Date Warp for the actual gameplay; the text UI and the controller support made the replayability of the game well worth it for me.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it's also fairly boring.”
- “Gameplay is pretty generic, with descriptions to read and choices to make to follow one of the character paths.”
- “The gameplay isn't much more than a choose your own adventure.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players found it deeply moving and thought-provoking, with certain endings eliciting strong feelings of joy and sadness, others noted inconsistencies in character emotions and abrupt topic shifts in conversations. Overall, the game offers significant emotional catharsis, especially for long-time fans, but may not resonate as strongly with newcomers.
- “The true ending was so heartwarming and I was overjoyed (this was of course after playing all the pathways)! ”
- “It's very thought-provoking and deep, and reaches you on an emotional level.”
- “Some endings made me dance, some made me cry inside.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
14%
29%
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed level of replayability; while some players find it entertaining due to its multiple endings and engaging story, others feel it lacks depth outside of achievements. The combination of good writing, interesting scenarios, and controller support enhances the replay experience for many, making it worthwhile despite its perceived short length.
- “That being said, this game has high replay value.”
- “I have to say I'm quite fond of stories (scenarios) that build upon a larger picture... makes the replay value a lot more interesting.”
- “This game feels a little short for the 10 euros you have to spend in order to buy it, but at least there are multiple endings, so it has some replay value.”
- “Date Warp might not be the prettiest visual novel you’ll ever play, but it’s definitely one with a lot of replay value.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
Character development in the game is mixed, with some reviewers noting a lack of depth and a short playtime that limits character growth and plot expansion. However, others appreciate the believable complexity of the characters, suggesting that the game excels in creating nuanced personalities. Overall, while character designs vary in quality, the effectiveness of character development seems to depend on individual perspectives.
- “For visual novels, characters are of utmost importance, and I'd say this game scores pretty high on character development with not one person being too much of a saint or devil to be believable.”
- “While the story is rather unique in terms of otome, the playtime one will get from this game is fairly short and there's not much room for character development or plot expansion.”
- “The story is shallow and there is very little character development.”
- “The character designs are on the generic side and the CGs aren't the prettiest things I've ever seen.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when it comes to repetitive puzzles and excessive text that can detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the challenge and feel it's worth the effort to unlock story details and endings, many express a desire to skip through parts of the game due to the grindy nature of the content.
- “When I was a kid, the puzzle you had to do to unlock different options seemed so cool and fun, but playing it now just feels kind of tedious.”
- “Personally, I wasn't a fan of it; I found it tedious to have to do every single time you make a new choice, but luckily it's not too hard, even for someone who is terrible at puzzles like me.”
- “Almost tedious to play to get all the endings.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as unintentional and often derived from poor design choices, with players finding amusement in the absurdity of certain moments, such as character interactions and visual flaws. Despite the game's overall shortcomings, some characters, like Alben, provide a lighthearted charm that adds to the comedic experience.
- “The main problem was it was rushed, and I started laughing like a madwoman when Brad got shot and he's gonna fix things.”
- “I was laughing for 3 minutes at how bad Bradley’s design looks in the CG.”
- “This is a bad game, but Alben is a funny little handsome man, and we kiss sometimes.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Reviewers praise the game's atmosphere, highlighting the fitting and atmospheric music that enhances the overall experience. Specific scenes, such as one involving a character named Bradley, effectively create suspense and contribute to a cohesive and engaging environment.
- “The music in the game was very good; it was fitting and atmospheric throughout.”
- “One scene involving Bradley was designed to create a shocking and suspenseful atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere and the overall product create a cohesive experience that makes perfect sense.”
- “The atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, failing to immerse me in the game's world.”
- “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere was dull and lacked any real tension or excitement.”
- “I expected a gripping atmosphere, but instead, it felt lifeless and disconnected from the narrative.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy is generally well-received, with users appreciating the balance between advertising and gameplay, suggesting that it does not detract from the overall experience. Some players, who may not typically engage with visual novels, find the approach appealing and accessible.
- “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- “I feel like I'm constantly being pushed to buy in-game currency just to keep up with the content.”
- “It's frustrating that so many features are locked behind paywalls, which ruins the overall experience.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been criticized due to bugs that can lead to unsolvable puzzles, causing frustration for players. While some aspects are charming, the presence of these issues detracts from the overall experience.
- “There's a game to play when you get to choices, which was cute at first, but it's also buggy. I spent 10 minutes on a puzzle because I was convinced that this game wouldn't include an unsolvable puzzle, but a quick search proved that it had happened before, so... meh.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The optimization in Lltq is praised for its balance between min-maxing and allowing diverse gameplay approaches, while md is noted for its strong narrative as a dating sim, though its optimization is not specifically highlighted.
- “Lltq is amazing in its optimization for min-maxing while also providing enough room to successfully complete the game in multiple ways.”