Later Daters
- April 16, 2020
- Bloom Digital Media
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam"Later Daters" is a visual novel game where you play as a senior citizen living in a retirement community, looking for love and friendship in your golden years. Make choices that affect your relationships and reputation, and explore various storylines with fully voiced characters. The game features humor, romance, and thoughtful exploration of aging and relationships.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features a diverse cast of characters and inclusive options for gender and sexual preferences, making it very welcoming for LGBTQ+ players.
- It combines humor and heartfelt moments, tackling serious themes like aging, illness, and relationships in a respectful and engaging way.
- The gameplay is enjoyable and lighthearted, with fun mini-games like cribbage that enhance the overall experience.
- The game feels incomplete, as it only covers a short portion of the story and leaves players wanting more content.
- Some players found the narrative frustrating, particularly when choices were limited towards the end, leading to a feeling of lack of agency.
- There are concerns about the game's brevity, with some reviews noting that it can be completed in just a couple of hours, which may not justify the purchase for some.
- emotional22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartfelt moments and humor, creating a feel-good experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers appreciate the sweet and wholesome romance, as well as the representation and validation offered through customizable character options. While some feel certain emotional events may lack depth, the overall sentiment is that the game effectively balances lightheartedness with heavier themes, making it both charming and soothing.
“Cheaper than therapy and yet made me feel so soothed about someday being a gay elder living it up with a community of found family!”
“It's such a feel-good game, while at the same time being very heartfelt and bringing up heavy themes like death and illness.”
“With the release of part two, I can now confirm with enthusiasm: Later Daters is heartfelt, good-humored, and extremely charming.”
- story18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its engaging characters, who feel like real friends, and offers multiple narrative paths based on player choices. While maintaining a goofy tone, it also addresses serious themes relevant to the characters, making it a heartfelt experience. Players appreciate the connection fostered through gameplay elements like cribbage, enhancing the overall narrative enjoyment.
“The characters feel like real friends, and there are many different ways the story can go depending on your choices.”
“Not what I was expecting, and I was so happy to have been a part of the story.”
“Not what I was expecting and I was so happy to have been a part of the story.”
“Its overall tone and presentation is goofy, but its storyline deals with serious subject matter befitting its characters and their concerns.”
“I wished I could've been my polyamorous self in 'Long Story', but now I can in 'Later Daters'!”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a blend of silliness and heartfelt moments, effectively balancing funny and sad elements as characters navigate their struggles. Players appreciate the unique and charming characters, along with the ability to make humorous choices, such as portraying a cranky elder. Overall, the game is celebrated for its wit, emotional depth, and lightheartedness without reducing characters to mere jokes.
“Light and funny, but it never turns its characters into a joke.”
“With the release of part two, I can now confirm with enthusiasm: Later Daters is heartfelt, good-humored, and extremely charming.”
“It's incredibly funny, witty, and emotional!”
- music12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game, particularly Jax's songs, is described as catchy and deeply thought-provoking, leaving players reflecting on life. Many users express admiration for the standout track "Super Love," which captivates listeners with its lyrics. However, some note a downside in the absence of additional music or ambient sounds to enhance the overall experience.
“The song 'Super Love' by Jax had me unable to click; I found myself waiting and listening to every word.”
“Oh my god, this music, these songs are magnificent!”
“Music: it's catchy, and Jax's songs are deep; it made me think about everything in life and I ended up with a good mess in my head, lol.”
“Only minus I'd say is the lack of overall music, ambiance, and background noises.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their unique and cute art style, which is described as polished and complemented by a diverse range of love interests.
“The love interests are diverse, and the art style is polished.”
“I find the art style to be so unique and cute.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is notably brief, lasting around 1.5 hours over the course of three in-game days, which may deter players who prefer longer experiences unless they are inclined to replay the game.
“If you don't want to replay, it is quite short (3 in-game days at the time of writing, i.e., 1.5 hours of gameplay).”
