Sakura Stars (2020)

Overall, I think Sakura Wars just isn’t for me. If you like a game that’s framed as a long anime TV show with the occasion interactive section, this game is 100% for you. If you like dating sims for their depiction of ‘healthy’ relationship building, this game is 100% for you. If you’re more interested in a game’s aesthetic theming, art style and soundtrack than the gameplay, this game is 100% for you. Unfortunately, I’m none of those people so the appeal of Sakura Wars passes me by. If you’re a veteran of the genre, I’m sure Sakura Wars is a great example of an action role-playing dating sim. However, as a layman with no history with the franchise, Sakura Wars looks to me to have very little going on and what is going on is slow, drawn-out and low-key misogynistic.

I really recommend fans of Sakura Wars or people who are into anime and visual novels to check this one out!

Sakura Wars will take you to a steampunk version of Tokyo to protect the city from danger and demons.

Bottom line, surprisingly, I really enjoyed the game to the point where I cried while playing, and even changed the wallpaper on my computer. The mix of well-developed characters and perverted jokes works great, thanks to which you will fall in love with this dating simulator. Even though I was a fan of anime, I've never been such a weeb as I was after playing the game. And I'm not ashamed at all, because this game takes a recommendation of 7 points out of 10. Will I play dating simulators from now on? Definitely not. But if you want a unique gaming experience, Sakura Wars will definitely bring it to you.

Sakura Wars represents a great starting point for newcomers, and veterans of the series are sure to enjoy the throwbacks to prior entries, even if the shift to musuo-style combat is a drastic departure from what they are used to.