Sucker for Love: First Date

99%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,859 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • gameplay
Sucker for Love: First Date Game Cover
Sucker for Love: First Date is a gut busting romp through relationships with several eldritch abominations. While this visual novel has a few rough edges, it is a must play for fans of comedy games.
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In "Sucker for Love: First Date," you're a ritual-obsessed individual who accidentally summons Ln'eta, a cute eldritch horror. Perform rituals from a pink Necronomicon to win her kiss in this visual novel with significant decision-based gameplay, immersive elements, and three fully-voiced dateable characters.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

99%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,859 reviews
humor245 positive mentions
stability24 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique blend of cosmic horror and dating sim elements, providing a fun and engaging experience.
  • The voice acting and writing are top-notch, with humorous dialogue and well-developed characters.
  • The art style is charming and reminiscent of 90s anime, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the game.
  • The game is relatively short, taking around 3-5 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more content.
  • There are several bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in the later chapters.
  • The mechanics of chanting spells can be frustrating, as players must move their mouse slowly, which can lead to mistakes and restarts.
  • humor245 mentions

    The humor in "Sucker for Love" is widely praised for its clever writing and engaging dialogue, seamlessly blending light-hearted comedy with Lovecraftian horror elements. Players appreciate the game's unique premise, featuring a hilariously awkward protagonist and charming character interactions that evoke both laughter and moments of genuine emotion. Overall, the game is described as a delightful mix of funny, cute, and occasionally unsettling, making it a standout title in the visual novel genre.

    • “I really enjoyed the tone of the narration and dialogue - the game takes itself just seriously enough to feel sincere, while still featuring a relentlessly horny protagonist and deeply funny character archetypes in the two main love interests.”
    • “The unique blend of Lovecraftian horror and dating sim elements is brilliantly executed, making for an experience that’s both thrilling and hilariously charming.”
    • “The humor is just on point, and it has a lot of charm.”
  • story179 mentions

    The game's story is a unique blend of humor, romance, and horror, featuring a quirky narrative about dating eldritch gods, which many players found surprisingly engaging and entertaining. With vibrant art direction and well-developed characters, the storyline offers multiple endings and choices, enhancing replayability. While some critiques mention its linearity and brevity, the overall reception highlights the story as a standout aspect, filled with clever writing and memorable moments.

    • “The story is great and kept me wanting for more.”
    • “This visual novel seamlessly blends horror and humor with a well-written story and lovable main cast.”
    • “It's amazing for what it is, but I would've tried to expand on the concept/incorporate more book users/elder gods into the story.”
    • “I like the art direction, but really the second story sucked, and the first was okay but super short.”
    • “You also have pretty much no choices; the story is almost completely linear.”
    • “I turned the voices off since they didn't add much, and while the dialogue was pretty clever most of the time, the game and story just didn't have much depth.”
  • gameplay109 mentions

    The gameplay of this title is a unique blend of visual novel elements and engaging mechanics, particularly through its ritual-based interactions and point-and-click features. While the game is primarily a visual novel, it introduces creative gameplay twists that keep the experience fresh and entertaining, especially in later chapters where challenges increase. Overall, players appreciate the clever writing, charming characters, and the balance between simplicity and fun, though some desire more depth and variety in gameplay mechanics.

    • “The gameplay is overall pretty easy until chapter 3 where you start to sweat a little, but the jokes are worth it.”
    • “The gameplay is so simple yet so satisfying thanks to each one of the three chapters having an excellent selection of new elements to play with that never let it get exhausting, always trying something new.”
    • “Genuinely great writing, great twists on the typical presentation of 'cosmic horrors,' and the gameplay goes beyond typical visual novel/dating sim type games with the various rituals to complete.”
    • “Sadly, the main gameplay element - performing occult rituals - is basically completely neutered: messing up a ritual has no effect other than the game telling you what you did wrong and to try again.”
    • “For someone with hand tremors like me, the stupid 'highlight the words slowly' mechanic makes the first two chapters frustrating and the final chapter impossible to finish.”
    • “It's very difficult getting all the endings due to the finicky nature of the gameplay and having to redo entire segments of the game to properly get the ending you want.”
  • graphics73 mentions

    The graphics of "Sucker for Love" are widely praised for their vibrant, hand-drawn anime art style that evokes a nostalgic 90s aesthetic, perfectly complementing the quirky and humorous storyline. Players appreciate the detailed character designs and the seamless integration of horror elements, which enhance the overall visual experience. While some minor technical issues were noted, the game's unique art direction and charming visuals contribute significantly to its appeal.

    • “The 90s anime sheen infused into every aspect of the visuals is well-considered and hits the perfect nostalgia spot, and paired with cute cosmic horrors, the game is just beautiful to look at.”
    • “The game's art style is vibrant and captivating, perfectly complementing the quirky, offbeat storyline.”
    • “Beautiful hand-drawn anime art style, banger soundtrack, unique twist on its genre with the premise, adequately delivered horror elements, charmful characters, and meta game mechanics that really kicked me in the balls when I tried to 100% the game.”
    • “The art style is rather amateurish, and some of the drawings look very sketchy, in the sense of being literally colored sketches.”
    • “From not reflecting the status of your inventory on the stuff in the room, desyncing of visuals to the effects in the room, sprites being off from where they should be, the counter on secrets not being accurate, etc.”
    • “There's currently a lack of graphical settings, so the resolution was a bit low for my monitor, but running in fullscreen was fine.”
  • music57 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and memorable tracks, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience. Players particularly enjoyed the anime-inspired themes and standout songs, including a notable credits track that many found themselves humming long after playing. The combination of excellent voice acting and a well-crafted soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's charm and emotional impact.

    • “The art is amazing, the story (while a little silly) is fantastic, the soundtrack is perfection; I have that credits song stuck in my head now.”
    • “Kudos to the dev for making a very touching OST at the end of the game, absolutely satisfying ending :)”
    • “The music creates a good ambiance, and one or two tracks actually stand out as fairly decent.”
    • “The music was cute and the characters were also cute, and the main character jeez lol.”
    • “From overlapping UI, character voice lines not playing for no reason, to the game-breaking one that played two theme songs over each other.”
    • “Also no audio settings, but the balance of audio was fine, minus this random white noise that goes on anytime there's not music playing.”
  • emotional45 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its unexpected blend of humor, horror, and heartfelt moments, leaving players feeling a range of emotions from joy to sadness. Many reviews praise its ability to create touching scenes, particularly in character interactions, while maintaining a whimsical and wholesome tone. Overall, players find the game to be a unique emotional experience that balances lightheartedness with deeper, sometimes poignant themes.

    • “This game made me feel things I wasn’t emotionally or cosmically prepared for.”
    • “Thank you dev team for providing such a unique, heartwarming, and emotional experience <3”
    • “If you suspend your disbelief to go along for the ride and get engaged with the characters, then this game can deliver some emotional damage that leaves you asking for more.”
  • stability24 mentions

    The game has been reported to have numerous stability issues, including visual glitches, soft locks, and bugs that affect gameplay, particularly in the later chapters. While some players found the experience enjoyable despite these problems, many expressed frustration over the game's lack of basic features and persistent bugs, suggesting that the developers may not prioritize addressing these issues. Overall, the game's stability is a significant concern for many users, impacting their overall enjoyment.

    • “I really wanted to give this game a good review, but due to how buggy the game is, I just can't.”
    • “Looking at how buggy the game is a year after release, how it's missing basic features like achievements or the ability to regularly save instead of a stupid checkpoint system, and how the sequel goes in a completely different direction, it's blatantly obvious the devs don't give a shit about their audience.”
    • “Right now, on release, there's a ton of bugs and glitches that makes progress a little wonky.”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game is highly praised for its stunning character designs, engaging lore, and effective voice acting, which together create a memorable and immersive experience. Reviewers appreciate the unique spins on character archetypes and the blend of cute aesthetics with horror elements, enhancing the overall narrative. The writing effectively captures the nuances of its themes, contributing to a rich atmosphere that balances humor and tension.

    • “The character design is absolutely fantastic, the writing manages to capture the nuances of Lovecraftian storytelling and have it flow perfectly with the romantic setting in dialogue.”
    • “The art direction is absolutely phenomenal, from outstanding character designs to otherworldly sights; it was truly a treat.”
    • “The writing is great, the character designs are memorable, and the music creates that perfect atmosphere where, while you're trying to get that smooch, you still have to remember that you're toying with gods that can end your life whenever they want.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with anyone in the story.”
    • “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way.”
    • “The characters seem to be stuck in one-dimensional roles, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when replaying chapters to achieve different endings, which can feel punishing rather than challenging. While some appreciate the checkpoint system that facilitates hunting for endings, the repetitive dialogue and the need to chant slowly in certain sections can detract from the overall enjoyment. However, the inclusion of a fast-forward option helps mitigate some of the tedium, making the experience more manageable.

    • “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It can be tedious to have to chant things slow enough to count, especially during chapter 2 where going too fast or having something wrong means death and lost progress.”
    • “The only complaints I have is that while it's rewarding to try different paths to get the different endings, it can be rather tedious to hear through the same dialogue over and over again.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    The game offers moderate replayability typical of the visual novel genre, featuring multiple endings and branching routes that encourage exploration of different outcomes. While some players find the replay value limited due to its short length and certain chapters being less engaging, others appreciate the opportunity to uncover alternate scenes and endings, making it enjoyable for completionists and those who want to share the experience with friends. Overall, it strikes a balance between fun and replayability, though expectations should be tempered regarding extensive playtime.

    • “The replayability value is also pretty good with the usual multiple ending mechanic of the visual novel genre.”
    • “The horror, the 'loves' are all interesting and makes this game very replayable even after you finish the game.”
    • “Also once you get past the first chapter the game breaks off into more routes which gives it decent replay value.”
    • “There isn't really replay value and it's fairly short, so don't expect to get 100 hours out of it.”
    • “Also, once you get past the first chapter, the game breaks off into more routes which gives it decent replay value.”
    • “Which is where trying to discover the different permutations to get each ending, as well as some alternate scenes, adds some light replay value.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users experiencing significant lag and crashes even on high-end PCs, while others report smooth performance despite the game's small file size. There are indications that the CPU power requirements are unexpectedly high for the game's design, leading to performance issues for some players.

    • “The game is less than 1GB (as of right now) and runs smoothly all the time.”
    • “I expected to not like it with the game having English voiceovers, but Estir and Nyarlathotep hit it out of the park with amazing performances.”
    • “There are definitely some optimization problems; the CPU power requirement is higher than you'd expect from this kind of game. I know my PC is a relic potato from the old times, but it yells louder running this game than when I play AOE2 DE.”
    • “I believe there is some poor optimization; I have a $2000 PC and somehow I'm still lagging at the menu. Sometimes I even crash mid-game.”
    • “There are definitely some optimization problems. The CPU power requirement is higher than you'd expect from this kind of game. I know my PC is a relic potato from the old times, but it yells louder running this game than when I play AOE2 DE.”
  • atmosphere5 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a blend of horror and charm, featuring fantastic voice acting and memorable character designs that enhance the experience. While it may not be as tense as its successor, it effectively balances cutesy elements with a creepy undertone, creating moments of genuine fear amidst its playful narrative. Overall, the art style and music contribute significantly to an engaging and immersive atmosphere.

    • “I love the characters, the atmosphere, the core mechanics, the general art style, the voice acting, and... just about everything in this game.”
    • “The writing is great, the character designs are memorable, and the music creates that perfect atmosphere where, while you're trying to get that smooch, you still have to remember that you're toying with gods that can end your life whenever they want.”
    • “There's always a bit of a creepy and horrifying atmosphere, but there are some truly scary moments.”
    • “While it lacks the tenser atmosphere of its successor, this game contains as much horror as the amount of cutesy jabs at the mythos that you would expect.”
    • “There's always a bit of a creepy and horrifying atmosphere, but there's some truly scary moments.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
5-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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