The Bell Chimes for Gold
- April 6, 2018
- OTUSUN Club
Get on Steam"The Bell Chimes for Gold" is a simulation game where you play as Maria, a skilled herbalist seeking to earn money and marry after being rejected by her mentor. Meet and woo five rugged middle-aged men by exploring various dungeons to gather materials and crafting items to win their hearts. A happy ending awaits you, but only if you can earn and save enough to marry the man of your dreams.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a charming and humorous story with a lighthearted tone, making it an enjoyable experience.
- The RPG elements add variety to the gameplay, and the characters, especially the bachelors, are well-developed and entertaining.
- It's a casual and easy playthrough, perfect for those looking for a short and sweet otome game.
- The game is a simplified all-ages version, lacking the explicit content found in the 18+ version, which may disappoint some players.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and grindy, especially when trying to earn money for character progression.
- Misleading tags and lack of clarity about the content may lead to frustration for players expecting a different experience.
- story22 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story follows heartbroken Maria as she opens her own alchemy shop, aiming to earn enough money to find a new husband, which adds a charming and lighthearted touch to the gameplay. Players engage in simple dungeon crawling mechanics that are intertwined with story progression, allowing them to unlock new content and romantic relationships with various heroes. While the game offers a PG-rated version with a gentler narrative, an 18+ version presents a darker and more complex storyline, making the two experiences distinctly different.
“The game has simple dungeon crawling gameplay, to which the story progression is tied - you explore dungeons with one of the romanceable heroes as your bodyguard, earning money and finding potion ingredients.”
“You then use all that to pay off heroes' debts, unlocking new story content with him, up to becoming a couple.”
“It's a good story and a wonderfully charming game.”
“With no time limit or real penalty for losing in a dungeon, it'll take only your patience and a basic understanding of the mechanics to farm enough money and unlock all the story (and yeah it does get pretty boring).”
“Steam only offers the PG-rated version, a shortened game with a different storyline!”
“The two games are completely different, with completely different scenes and images, so the storylines with the men are very different, even if the 18+ version is longer.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay primarily involves clicking through dialogues before engaging in simple dungeon crawling mechanics, where players explore dungeons with a romanceable hero as a bodyguard. Progression is straightforward, allowing players to easily become overpowered by focusing on one character, which can lead to a repetitive experience. While the 18+ version promises more challenging gameplay and a darker narrative, the current mechanics may feel tedious due to the lack of penalties and time constraints.
“Aside from the gameplay mechanics, the bachelors and romance/event scenes were really nicely done.”
“The progression is pretty simple and if you invest heavily in one hero (there's no need to switch between them after taking each to a dungeon for the first time and unlocking their routes), after a few hours of gameplay he'll become virtually invincible.”
“With no time limit or real penalty for losing in a dungeon, it'll take only your patience and a basic understanding of the mechanics to farm enough money and unlock all the story (and yeah it does get pretty boring).”
“The game has simple dungeon crawling gameplay, to which the story progression is tied - you explore dungeons with one of the romanceable heroes as your bodyguard, earning money and finding potion ingredients.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a lighthearted tone with plenty of humorous dialogue that often elicits laughter, particularly through character interactions like Brian's tongue-in-cheek entitlement and Maria's witty comebacks. While some players find the humor a bit repetitive and the grindy gameplay may not appeal to everyone, the overall comedic elements make it an enjoyable experience.
“The tone is lighthearted and I was grinning or even laughing a lot while playing through the events.”
“This game has some pretty hilarious dialogue.”
“Brian's route is a gold mine of tongue-in-cheek entitlement from our resident ex-noble, and Maria's refusal to take (most of) the guys' crap leads to some pretty funny scenarios.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized as a blend of goofiness and heartfelt moments, appealing to players seeking a cute experience without deep emotional investment.
“Goofy but also heartfelt.”
“If you're looking for something cute that won't tie you in emotionally, this is for you!”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game somewhat repetitive, particularly in earning money, but those who enjoy grinding may not mind it. While the grind can be off-putting for some, the humor and overall enjoyment of the game make it worthwhile for many.
“It's kinda grindy and the characters may not appeal to everyone, but it's pretty funny and pleasant enough to warrant playing.”
“The only downside is it can be a little repetitive to earn the money, but as I don't mind grinding and stuff like that, it was no issue for me.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's retro-inspired art style has garnered mixed reactions; while some players appreciate its uniqueness, others criticize it for being unattractive, particularly noting that the male characters are predominantly grizzled, middle-aged men with an unappealing appearance.
“The game features a captivating, retro-inspired art style that I personally enjoyed, even though some may find it unappealing, particularly the grizzled, middle-aged male characters who can appear quite rough.”
“The graphics are beautifully crafted, showcasing a unique blend of nostalgia and creativity that enhances the overall gaming experience.”
“The vibrant colors and detailed environments create an immersive atmosphere that draws players into the game world.”
