Date Warp

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 128 reviews

story57 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

The game features a compelling story with intriguing sci-fi elements and well-developed characters, making it engaging to play through multiple times.
The unique puzzle mechanic for making choices adds an interesting twist to the gameplay, enhancing player involvement in the narrative.
Despite its age, the game has a charming art style and a catchy soundtrack that complements the overall experience.

The character art and some CGs can be inconsistent in quality, which may detract from the overall visual appeal.
The romance routes can feel rushed and forced, lacking the depth and development that players might expect.
The game is relatively short, with some players feeling that the endings are abrupt and not fully satisfying.

story
144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
58%
2%
The story of the game is generally well-received, featuring intriguing plots, unique characters, and a mix of mystery and sci-fi elements that keep players engaged. However, some reviewers noted that the narrative can feel rushed or disconnected, with limited character development and abrupt endings. Overall, while the game offers a solid and enjoyable story experience, it may not satisfy those seeking deep romantic elements or extensive plot variations.
- “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.”
- “The whole story is just amazingly well-written and presented to the player and the true ending is amazing.”
- “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 storyline made it easy to stay interested and finish all of the endings.”
graphics
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
67%
11%
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the art style feels dated and occasionally clunky, it possesses a certain charm that can be endearing. Some users find the character art inconsistent and amateurish, which may deter those who prioritize visual quality, yet others appreciate the overall aesthetic and believe it complements the game's narrative. Overall, while the visuals may not be polished by modern standards, they do not detract significantly from the enjoyment of the game.
- “While the artwork can be a bit rough at times, I wouldn't say it's terrible.”
- “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!”
- “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.”
- “My only complaint on the art style is that there are few drawn scenes and the ones that are drawn aren't the best and are sometimes reused.”
music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
32%
16%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to enhance the emotional depth and tension of the story, with many highlighting the catchy intro and well-fitting soundtrack. While some players found certain tracks less appealing, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's atmosphere and enjoyment. The combination of an engaging soundtrack and thematic compositions has been noted as a standout feature, elevating the overall experience.
- “The soundtrack slaps unnecessarily hard and adds a lot of fun to the experience.”
- “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.”
- “I guess it's just my musical taste kicking in, but I didn't really care for it.”
- “The incidental music is fine; the theme song is actually pretty catchy.”
- “The puzzles were rather fun to play, the art style is decent (just like the background and background music), but the ending song was cute!”
gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The gameplay is generally described as typical and somewhat boring, with a focus on a choice-based mechanic that adds a unique twist to the experience. While some players appreciate the puzzle aspect and its impact on the story, others find it too simplistic and feel that the overall gameplay lacks depth. The game is primarily a choose-your-own-adventure style, with mixed opinions on the effectiveness of its mini-games.
- “It's a cute game with an interesting story and game mechanics.”
- “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 engaging mechanic.”
- “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
7 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 a heartwarming true ending and impactful moments, others noted inconsistencies in character emotions and abrupt topic shifts in conversations. Overall, the emotional engagement varies, with some players feeling a strong connection to the story, especially after a long wait, while others suggest waiting for a sale if they don't share that personal investment.
- “It was worth it for me, for the emotional catharsis of being able to play this after wanting it for 11 years, but unless you've had a similar experience, I'd say wait for it to go on sale.”
- “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.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly when unlocking options through puzzles and navigating excessive text. While some appreciate the effort required to reach the game's endings, many express a desire to skip through parts of the experience due to its monotonous nature. Overall, the grind is seen as a mixed bag—challenging yet rewarding for those invested in the story.
- “When I was a kid, the puzzle you had to do to unlock different options seemed so cool and fun, but playing it now 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.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
60%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it entertaining due to its multiple endings and engaging story, others feel it lacks high replay value outside of achievements and is somewhat short for its price. Overall, the intriguing narratives and character development contribute positively to the replay experience.
- “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.”
- “Replayability, good writing, fleshed out story and characters, interesting mystery and inoffensive art.”
- “This game feels a little short for the 10 euros you have to spend to buy it, but at least there are multiple endings, so it has some replay value.”
- “After completing the game once, I found little incentive to play it again. The lack of meaningful choices and variations in gameplay made it feel repetitive.”
- “While the game offers different paths, the core experience remains largely the same, diminishing its overall replayability.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as unintentional, with players finding amusement in poorly executed elements, such as character designs and absurd situations. While the game itself is criticized, certain characters, like Alben, provide a lighthearted charm that adds to the comedic experience. Overall, the humor seems to stem from the game's flaws rather than intentional comedic writing.
- “This is a bad game, but Alben is a funny little handsome man, and we kiss sometimes.”
- “The main problem was that it was rushed, and I started laughing like a madwoman when Brad got shot and he's going to fix things.”
- “I was laughing for 3 minutes at how bad Bradley’s design looks in the CG.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in this game is limited, with a short playtime that restricts plot expansion and depth. The characters are described as generic, contributing to an overall shallow narrative experience.
- “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 character designs are on the generic side and the CGs aren't the prettiest things I've ever seen.”
- “The story is shallow and there is very little character development.”
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 a sense of shock and suspense, contributing 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 story.”
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 elements 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 specifics are less emphasized.
- “Lltq is amazing in its optimization for min-maxing while also providing enough room to successfully complete the game in multiple ways.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization in the game is generally well-received, with users appreciating the balance between advertising and gameplay, suggesting that it enhances rather than detracts from the experience. Some players, who typically avoid visual novels, found the monetization approach appealing enough to engage with the genre.
- “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending money.”
- “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, which ruins the experience.”
- “It's frustrating that the game constantly pushes in-game purchases, detracting from the overall enjoyment.”