The resurgence of full-motion video video games, notably from writer Wales Interactive, has been numerous enjoyable to see over the previous decade. Not solely have these video games retained the signature attraction of the style, however they’ve additionally been strong gaming expertise somewhat than falling into “so unhealthy it’s good” territory. The pandemic relationship sport 5 Dates grew to become a shock hit for the studio and now serves as an intriguing time capsule of digital relationship through the instances of COVID. Now the writer is again with a extra formidable successor referred to as Ten Dates, which options two protagonists, same-sex relationship paths, and extra selection due to the transfer to in-person relationship.
Director Paul Rachid, who beforehand helmed 5 Dates and The Complicated, returns for the sequel, which largely retains the format of the unique sport. Taking part in as both Misha or Ryan, you go on a sequence of pace dates, make connections with potential suitors, after which decide who to pursue. It makes the sport fairly replayable as there are ten relationships that may both go effectively or awry relying in your selections.
Each Rosie Day’s Misha and Charlie Maher’s Ryan are extremely charming and likable, which is a key part within the participant really wanting them to search out the suitable match. There are many methods to play Ten Dates, whether or not you utilize the protagonists as a self-insert and go after your individual kind, need to role-play as a jerk, or are simply there to see all the many interactions. But regardless of the way you play, it’s all pleasant because of the well-framed pictures and charming dialogue.
Whereas it’s stuffed with entertaining moments, it’s the extra emotional and harder-hitting story beats that make Ten Dates an attention-grabbing and rewarding expertise. Every of the dates sometimes fall right into a trope — there are feminine athletes, jocks, tech geeks, and so on. — however every character is correctly fleshed out. Because the dates progress, you’re capable of be taught extra about every individual’s backstory together with some shocking revelations, such because the crude Bash having handled extra heartbreak than most might think about. Uncovering the layers to every character is among the actual joys of the sport and serves as a reminder to not place folks into handy classes since everybody is exclusive.
Ten Dates additionally fortunately has many quality-of-life upgrades when in comparison with 5 Dates that make getting via the sport and seeing all of its content material a lot simpler. For instance, scenes you’ve already seen earlier than can merely be skipped with the press of a button and you may simply keep away from pointless dates in case you simply need to go down a selected individual’s path on a subsequent playthrough. These are all considerate additions that make Ten Dates a greater sport than its predecessor, even when exploring post-pandemic relationship isn’t fairly as distinctive as what got here earlier than.
Whereas Ten Dates loses a few of the novelty of the unique because of it escaping the confines of pandemic romance, it nonetheless manages to be a worthwhile exploration of relationship via the lens of an FMV sport. The performing is nice all-around with Day and Maher actually pulling their weight as charismatic protagonists with entertaining banter. Wales Interactive has as soon as once more delivered a strong interactive film with loads of replay worth, which helps increase its ever-growing library of FMV gems.
SCORE: 7.5/10
As ComingSoon’s assessment coverage explains, a rating of seven.5 equates to “Good.” A profitable piece of leisure that’s price testing, however it might not enchantment to everybody.
Disclosure: The writer offered a PS4 copy for our Ten Dates assessment. Reviewed on model 1.01.