When Sony settled on the slogan “that is dwelling”, we predict it might have had Venus Trip Prism: Useless or Alive Xtreme in thoughts.
This eye-poppingly introduced PS5 courting recreation could look like an oddball outing, however Koei Tecmo has been working in direction of it for eons.
These of you with robust reminiscences could recall Useless or Alive Xtreme on the unique Xbox, a spin-off sports activities recreation that includes the preventing franchise’s buxom beauties in varied states of undress.
A sequel was launched in 2006 on the Xbox 360, which was later ported to the PSP as Useless or Alive Paradise. A 3rd recreation, subtitled in another way relying on the system you performed it on, launched in Japan and Asia solely in 2016 – an indication of the instances.
This new title – which sees you assume the function of an unnamed supervisor of the idyllic Venus Islands – does away with the minigames of more moderen instalments, as a substitute deciding on a courting format not too dissimilar to Chinese language FMV efforts like Love Is All Round.
The narrative is thinner than among the recreation’s unlockable underwear, however the premise is that you simply’re overseeing a volleyball event often called the Venus Competition, and you should woo a bunch of barely legals to your vacation hotspot to be able to assault them together with your eyes.
Whereas it might appear controversial, the content material is essentially fairly tame – assuming you possibly can look past the sheer variety of immaculately rendered pores and skin shaders on show.
With all six of the featured ladies very a lot in Leonardo DiCaprio’s courting vary, they’re principally extra bashful than the sort of consideration seekers you’ll discover effervescent to the highest of each X thread.
Misaki, for instance, is a shy 18-year-old assistant who’s by no means even thought of the likelihood she may very well be a Venus – regardless of her heaving cleavage and crystal-clear pores and skin.
Then there’s Honoka, whose bazookas are so large she makes her aforementioned ally appear to be roadkill. She bristles on the very thought of being thought of attractive, preferring to be complimented with cutesy remarks.
Every forged member fills a distinct trope, with the bossy Tamaki ticking the tsundere field, whereas Fiona is after all a former princess who’s extra Disney than Daddy 4K Dot Com.
The remaining forged members embrace Nanami, together with her intoxicating cat-like eyes, and Elise, probably the most mature character within the recreation. She’s 22-years-old.
Gameplay revolves round deciding on completely different dialogue selections, with every selection influencing every woman’s notion of you. By default, they’re putty, however inform them they’re sizzling and so they could bitter to your advances. Rizzers not often go full perv.
The presentation is extraordinary, with every of the ladies animating in an exaggerated albeit participating means. Whereas that is bigger than life in each sense of the world, the colourful oversaturated graphics and chunky character fashions are undeniably spectacular.
There’s not quite a lot of meat on this launch’s bones, although – extra silicone, we suppose, however that ruins our metaphor. Exterior of selecting dialogue choices, you’ll spend most of your time photographing the ladies, with every chapter outlining some imprecise targets so that you can fulfil.
For instance, it’s possible you’ll have to seize one of many ladies smiling, or in a particular location. Take the proper images and also you’ll be scored accordingly, including “followers” to your topic’s complete, thus unlocking new outfits.
Generally the story branches, so you possibly can select which woman you wish to hang around with. This could result in not possible selections should you’re making an attempt to play the sector, however that serves you proper for making an attempt to have your saccharine candy cake and eat it too. You may replay eventualities to see different pathways by means of the story.
And that’s just about it.
Often the ladies will wish to train with you, triggering some offensively simplistic minigames the place their garments flip clear whereas they sweat. Sometimes, you’ll simply be timing button presses to finish these, though as soon as once more they’re impeccably animated.
We’d be remiss to not point out the soundtrack, which is full of all types of twee 90s bops the place sultry singers croon about their heaving chests. You may’t assist however respect developer Staff Ninja’s dedication to its imaginative and prescient right here.
Conclusion
A visible novel that cares extra about its presentation than its writing, Venus Trip Prism: Useless or Alive Xtreme is about as shallow as a actuality tv present – nevertheless it by no means pretends to be the rest. No matter your private urge for food for underdressed 18-year-olds, that is a powerful wanting recreation, with vivid oversaturated visuals and a few sensible animations. It’s loads tamer than its screenshots could indicate, however with out the minigame hooks of its predecessors, it feels a little bit light-weight as a consequence.