Japanese otome game publisher to pursue English releases, following commercial success overseas

Voltage recently announced that its otome game Even if Tempest has sold over 30,000 copies worldwide. The Japanese developer and publisher, who specializes in visual novels and interactive story apps, is currently working on at least three new otome titles that will also receive English language releases. 

Otome games are story-based romance titles that are targeted towards a female audience. Players usually take on the role of a female protagonist. Regardless of story or setting, one of the goals in otome games is to romance one or more of the secondary characters- often handsome young men drawn in a bishonen anime style.  

Even if Tempest takes the otome genre in a dark fantasy direction, set in a world where witchcraft trials and witch burnings are commonplace. You play as Anastasia, a young noble girl who is betrayed by someone she loves and burned at the stake. However, through this harrowing experience she develops a “Fatal Rewind” ability that allows her to go back in time. During the game, she must team up with various partners (read: possible love interests) to investigate corrupt witchcraft trials to take down the culprit and gain justice and revenge.  

The fully-voiced game has a looping structure in which Anastasia can repeatedly return from death to replay chapters if you fail to find the culprit. Even if Tempest also has multiple endings that vary depending on your decisions and actions. The game’s compelling and detailed story by Ayane Ushio, known for the Norn9 PSP/PSVita otome game series, has drawn praise, as has the game’s level of interactivity and fleshed-out characters. 

Even if Tempest was originally released back in June 2022 as a downloadable title on the Nintendo Store. Voltage announced on May 29 this year that the game has since sold over 30,000 copies worldwide (excluding the Traditional Chinese version). Considering the game is a new IP in the relatively niche otome genre and is (at the time of writing) only available on the Switch, it is fair to say that Even if TEMPEST has sold rather well. 

It seems that Voltage also considers Even if Tempest’s performance to be a success. According to the company, international sales are “not quite half the total but it is selling quite well overseas, especially in English-speaking countries.” Last October, Even if Tempest received a sequel in the form of a fan disc that continues the story. Voltage also has plans to release English versions of at least three more games that are in development. These upcoming otome games are currently known by their project titles- Neon Mafia, Kaleido Tower and Vampire Hunter- hinting at what kind of stories and settings we can expect (more info here). Voltage previously had a US subsidiary, which it closed in 2022 to allocate its resources more efficiently. However, it seems that the company is still focusing on expanding the audience for otome games overseas, especially in light of Even if Tempest’s success.  

Even if TEMPEST is available now on Nintendo Switch. 

Written by. Verity Townsend based on the original Japanese article (original article’s publication date: 2024-05-31 19:10 JST)