Immersive work-life otome game Sympathy Kiss is coming west, physically and digitally, for the Nintendo Switch early next year. It first launched in Japan last year, so we haven’t had to wait too long for this localization. Play as a new designer at an app development company, tasked with breaking new life into its flagship app. Otherwise, it may shut down within six months. Good thing there are some pretty hunky colleagues given the same task.
Akari Amasawa doesn’t hate their job, but they doesn’t really love it either. Her life is about to get a new update, though. Management has decided to give news app Estarci one last chance before shitting it down for good; it originally made a big splash but has fallen behind rival apps (including those also by its developer, Estario). Akari and her new co-worker will have to give the app their all if it has any chance to succeed.
Will she find true love? What about what she wants to do in life? Will the app succeed or be shut down for good? Has she been given this task entirely so the company has a good reason to fire her?
Explore Akari’s career opportunity’s and work with up to six love interests. Experience full immersion in a contemporary workplace setting, where fantasy can maybe be found in the break room. (Hey, don’t knock it, I met my spouse in a work break room back in 2006.) Increase productivity, or maybe dabble in some (harmless?) office banter by maintaining contact with love interests through the RiNG system. Respond to texts and take fully-voiced calls.
Some decisions require players to choose how Akari feels through the Emotion Select system. Pick two of five emotions: happy, angry, troubled, sad, and indifferent. (Why so many negative ones?!) These emotions can influence future conversations, and your love interests will always consider what you’ve told them. Use the Love/Work system when making decisions to balance work life and social life. Increase either by choosing to prioritize it. This will ultimately impact the outcome of the route and the ending.
Developed by Idea Factory and Design Factory, and published by Idea Factory International, Sympathy Kiss will be released for Nintendo Switch in early 2024. Physically, it will be available in both standard and limited editions via the IFI stores (North America, Europe); limited edition contents haven not been announced yet.
