Five Dates

The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny and relatable, particularly in the interactions between characters, while others criticize it as cringe-worthy and forced. Many appreciate the blend of humor and heart, noting that it captures the awkwardness of online dating effectively, though some moments may fall flat. Overall, the game offers a charming experience with unique characters and humorous dialogue, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate light-hearted dating sims.

The gameplay is largely criticized for its simplicity and lack of interactivity, primarily revolving around clicking through dialogues and making minimal choices, which can quickly become repetitive and unengaging. While some players appreciate the straightforward mechanics typical of visual novels, many find the experience shallow and lacking emotional depth, leading to an overall feeling of boredom and forgettability. Despite a few positive remarks about the decision-making aspect, the gameplay is generally viewed as rigid and lacking significant consequences, making it feel more like a passive experience than an engaging game.

The game's replayability is generally viewed as fair to good, with many players appreciating the numerous choices and multiple endings that encourage exploration of different character storylines. However, some reviewers noted that the need to replay certain sections can feel tedious, and once all endings are achieved, the replay value diminishes significantly. Overall, while it offers a decent amount of replayability, it may not satisfy those seeking a highly replayable experience.

The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some users noting that while the full-motion video (FMV) adds a nice touch, the overall visual quality is basic and lacks vibrancy, scoring around 5/10. Others appreciate the polished look of the video footage and find the graphics lifelike, contributing to a visually appealing experience, despite some technical issues on platforms like Steam Deck. Overall, many players feel that graphics are not a primary focus of the game, with some stating that they don't significantly impact gameplay.

The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many users noting its limited presence and lack of memorable tracks, often describing it as standard background fare. While some players appreciated the occasional background music that enhances specific moments, others felt it lacked continuity and depth, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as competent but not particularly noteworthy, with a few standout moments that some players enjoyed.

The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players find it deeply touching and authentic, leading to genuine connections with the characters, others criticize the performances as stiff and unconvincing, resulting in a lack of emotional investment. The narrative and character depth resonate well with many, creating heartwarming moments, but some players feel the overall emotional impact is shallow and unsatisfying. Overall, the game offers a mix of heartfelt experiences and moments that can evoke strong feelings, making it a memorable, albeit uneven, emotional journey.

The game's optimization is generally solid, with a minimalist design that allows it to run well on less powerful PCs, resulting in no significant performance issues. However, while some performances are praised for their quality, others are criticized as stiff and unconvincing, which detracts from the emotional connection to the characters. Overall, the performance ratings hover around 7/10, indicating a mixed reception.

Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unfulfilling, as multiple playthroughs are required to explore different character paths without significant story changes or character development. While the ability to skip previously seen scenes helps alleviate some monotony, the overall experience is described as boring and lacking depth, making the grind feel more like a chore than a rewarding endeavor.

The atmosphere in the game is praised for effectively capturing the nuances of dating, both in-person and online, with well-rounded characters and engaging interactions. Players appreciate the subtle recreation of first-date nervousness and the charm of awkward moments, which contribute to a relatable and immersive experience. Despite a lack of flashy visuals, the setting and communication scenes are noted for their ability to evoke genuine emotions and scenarios typical of dating.

Overall, the game's stability is generally strong, with no reported crashes or significant graphical or audio issues. However, the innovative video call format does experience occasional technical glitches that can interrupt the immersive experience.

Character development in the game is criticized for its lack of depth and inconsistency, leading to a tedious experience during multiple playthroughs. While there are branching paths, the variations in storytelling quality result in uneven character arcs that fail to provide significant changes or rewards.

Reviews indicate that the monetization strategy is heavily criticized for excessive NHS advertising, which detracts from the overall gaming experience.