Five Dates

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 526 reviews
  • story
  • humor
  • replayability
Five Dates Game Cover
At no more than 90 minutes long, Five Dates isn't the deepest love story you'll ever see, but it has the heart, likeable characters, and great writing that make rom-coms enjoyable. It'll put a smile on your face, and that's all you can ask for.
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In "Five Dates," players navigate the world of virtual dating, making choices that determine the outcome of a romantic evening with five different characters. The game features a branching narrative, where decisions made during conversation can lead to different results. As a realistic portrayal of modern dating, players will explore themes of communication, vulnerability, and connection in the digital age.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 526 reviews
story21 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • The acting is solid and the characters feel authentic, making the interactions engaging and relatable.
  • The game captures the awkwardness and charm of online dating during the pandemic, providing a lighthearted experience.
  • Replayability is high, as players can explore different outcomes and character interactions based on their choices.
  • The game is relatively short, with a playtime of about 1-2 hours, which may leave players wanting more content.
  • Some choices feel limited and can lead to predictable outcomes, reducing the sense of agency in the narrative.
  • Technical issues, such as crashes on certain platforms, can hinder the overall experience.
  • story93 mentions

    The game's story is a lighthearted and interactive exploration of online dating during the pandemic, featuring well-developed characters and engaging performances. However, the narrative depth varies significantly across different storylines, with some players finding the overall plot superficial and lacking in meaningful choices. While the concept is praised for its originality, many reviewers express a desire for a more intricate and cohesive storytelling experience.

    • “The writing, the performances, and the plot are all very good.”
    • “I think that this game is clever in how it weaves the current day conditions from being in lockdown due to the worldwide pandemic and yet still manages to share a unique story about how to navigate the tricky world of online dating during this crazy time.”
    • “The characters are easy to like, and it's hard to not get caught up in their story.”
    • “Uneven storytelling: the quality of writing and character development varies between the different storylines.”
    • “If you are looking for deeper, story-driven intrigue, steer away.”
    • “I enjoyed it while it lasted, but I felt like the story ended at the first act.”
  • humor39 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its charm and authenticity, effectively capturing the awkwardness of online dating while providing genuine laughs. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and unique character interactions, particularly the comedic dynamic between the protagonist and his best friend, which adds to the overall enjoyment. While some moments may be cringeworthy, they often contribute to the humor, making the experience both entertaining and relatable for players.

    • “It's like the developers took all the cringe-worthy parts of online dating and wrapped them in a blanket of charm and humor.”
    • “I had to smile regularly and sometimes even laughed out loud at the funny banter between Vinny and his best mate Callum in between dates.”
    • “Well written, fun, and humorous dating sim with some unexpected twists and turns.”
    • “The problem is that the others aren't just unfunny; they are grating, especially Saffron.”
    • “The humor falls flat and often feels forced, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
    • “I found the jokes to be stale and lacking any real wit or charm.”
  • replayability34 mentions

    The game offers a fair level of replayability, with multiple choices leading to different outcomes and scenes, making it enjoyable for players who want to explore all possible paths and achievements. However, some reviewers noted that once all endings are achieved, the replay value diminishes significantly, and the ability to skip previously seen content can be inconsistent. Overall, it is considered a solid choice for those who appreciate replayable scenarios, particularly in a streaming or social context.

    • “The fact there are choices at several intervals also gives the game good replay value, to both collect missed achievements (you cannot get them all in one playthrough) and to further explore the characters of the dates.”
    • “Those decisions can lead to several different outcomes meaning this FMV has huge replay value.”
    • “If you enjoy a replayable scenario where different choices result in different endings, I think you will like it.”
    • “And other than successfully, or unsuccessfully, meeting all five girls and seeing the endings, there's not much replay value.”
    • “Edit: after you 'get' each of the five girls, the replayability is pretty low and the 'skip what I've seen' function does not always work, sadly.”
    • “Less replayability at this point, once you complete the game.”
  • emotional26 mentions

    The game is praised for its emotional depth, blending humor and heartwarming moments that resonate with players, often evoking strong feelings and even tears. While many appreciate the authentic portrayal of online dating during the pandemic and the well-developed characters, some feel that the emotional impact can occasionally feel hollow. Overall, it offers a touching and wholesome experience that captures the complexities of relationships in a relatable way.

    • “It's the perfect blend of awkward Zoom calls and heartwarming moments, all while you’re in your pajamas eating cereal.”
    • “Sometimes it's the shortest games that provide the most powerful, emotional, and authentic experiences.”
    • “The game manages to capture these cute and touching little moments more often than I expected.”
  • gameplay24 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by a simplistic mechanic primarily focused on dialogue choices and decision points, which can lead to a lack of engagement for players seeking more interactivity. While the three-round structure and decision-making elements align well with the game's tone, the overall experience is hindered by shallow relationships, uneven storytelling, and technical issues, making it feel less impactful compared to similar titles. Despite these drawbacks, some players found enjoyment in the hours spent playing, though many recommend watching gameplay instead of playing it themselves.

    • “I loved this game, unlike its sequel, but overall, this game brought me joy and sucked me into hours of gameplay and fun.”
    • “The gameplay is easy to follow since it's all just making choices, and if you struggle with that you can even pause the choices so the game doesn't carry on without your input.”
    • “The mechanic of choice is important for that, which is why we make the decisions we do that reflect our own reactions in practically all FMV games.”
    • “This simplicity can lead to a lack of engagement, especially for those seeking more interactive gameplay.”
    • “Limited gameplay mechanics, shallow relationships, uneven storytelling, and occasional technical hiccups hinder its potential.”
    • “Mechanically, the game is rigid and it doesn't feel like there are huge consequences to anything you say.”
  • music18 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise the soundtrack as stellar and immersive, others feel it lacks continuity and transitions, leading to moments where the music abruptly fades. Overall, the audio enhances the experience during dramatic moments, but there are calls for improvements in its integration throughout the gameplay.

    • “The music is good, the acting is good, and I find myself completely lost in the storylines.”
    • “Also, the music is stellar.”
    • “Soothing and situation-adapting music, loved the way it enhances the gameplay.”
    • “The music could be better, and you should be able to 'choose' the next path after you have finished the game once.”
    • “The music also needs some work; there should have been some continuation or transition that could have helped with the continuation issue, but instead, the music just dies down after each option is chosen.”
    • “You will have to search for the soundtrack on YouTube.”
  • graphics17 mentions

    The graphics in the game are described as lifelike and of next-gen quality, with some reviews highlighting the importance of video footage quality. However, several users also note that graphics are not a significant factor in the overall experience of the game.

    • “Graphics are lifelike.”
    • “It's next-gen graphics or an art.”
    • “I bought this on a whim because reviews were positive and FMV games have been a rarity after the 90s with graphics becoming more and more realistic.”
    • “The graphics in this game come down to the quality of the video footage.”
    • “Graphics don't matter in this game.”
    • “Graphics doesn't matter.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users noting performance-related issues and bugs that detract from the experience. However, the strong performances and engaging writing often overshadow these weaknesses, contributing to an overall positive reception despite the optimization concerns.

    • “The writing, the performances, and the plot are all very good.”
    • “Compelling performances, refreshing twist on formulaic dating sims.”
    • “Likeable characters, great, believable performances across the board, and your choices are important to the story.”
    • “Performance and bug-related incidents significantly hinder the overall experience.”
    • “While there are some well-written and acted moments, the questionable writing and weaker performances detract from the game's optimization.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Ten Dates" is praised for its engaging and immersive portrayal of face-to-face interactions in a bar setting, offering a more authentic dating experience compared to online alternatives. While the visuals may be understated, the game effectively captures the essence of dating through well-rounded characters and diverse scenes, enhancing the overall ambiance of the narrative.

    • “The whole online dating thing just didn't work for me (I'm aware of the irony); Ten Dates has a much better atmosphere in the bar, talking face to face with more well-rounded characters.”
    • “There’s nothing flashy to look at, but it sets the scene well, and some date scenes actually had a lot of atmosphere despite this.”
    • “The whole online dating thing just didn't work in my opinion (I'm aware of the irony). Ten Dates has a much better atmosphere in the bar, talking face to face with more well-rounded characters.”
    • “I did like all the storylines; you get to experience various scenes, atmospheres, and personalities through all of the characters' oral interactions.”
    • “The atmosphere of dating from home is captured well.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players initially enjoy the grinding aspect of the game, but it quickly becomes tedious and repetitive, leading some to feel that it requires excessive time investment.

    • “Great at first but then it gets tedious.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is noted to be uneven, with significant variations in the quality of writing and depth across different storylines. This inconsistency affects the overall engagement and emotional investment in the characters.

    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character as their stories unfold.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making choices feel impactful and personal.”
    • “Each character has a unique backstory that adds layers to their personality, making the overall experience more immersive.”
    • “Uneven storytelling: the quality of writing and character development varies between the different storylines.”
    • “The characters feel one-dimensional and lack meaningful growth throughout the game.”
    • “Character arcs are predictable and fail to provide any real emotional impact.”
  • stability1 mentions

    Users report that the innovative video call format experiences occasional technical glitches, which can disrupt immersion and affect overall stability.

    • “The video call format, while innovative, occasionally suffers from technical glitches that can disrupt the immersion.”
    • “I frequently experience crashes during gameplay, which makes it hard to enjoy the experience.”
    • “The game often freezes at critical moments, leading to frustrating interruptions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

67% average critic score

Buy Five Dates

Play time

9hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
2hMain story
6hCompletionist
8-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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