Here we go – that FMV/dating sim itch, which follows multiple playthroughs of The Fame Game. I’m now experimenting with other titles that are coming up through recommendations, such as the Korean Five Hearts Under One Roof demo. Christ, yeah, let’s not be under any illusions why I gave this the time of day.
But the complete and utter truth was to simply give it a try. On the surface, this interactive fiction from Storytaco looks like absolute trash and something I’d assume to be of the same calibre as Korean dramas (a.k.a tosh), though that’s coming from the perspective of someone who’s never watched one.
Five Hearts Under One Roof is from the perspective of Yuman, a 30-something deadbeat who lives with his parents, yet somehow finds himself surrounded by clunge when his folks clear off on a 2-month business trip. Surely, this is all a dream, and he’s imagining it? After the intro sequence, yes, he is; however, he gets to interact with the girlies through a series of encounters.
I’ll admit, I saw a bit of leg in the trailer and thought, “Phwoar!”. There’s a demo, so maybe I have a little chuckle at some obscenely dumb interactions that will further corrupt the minds of NEETs who think this is how you’ll land a lovely lady. What actually happened was a genuinely funny experience, and I admit, I’m very tempted to purchase the game (though I will discreetly play away from wifey before the scowls kick in).
After Five Hearts Under One Roof gets through the intro sequence, you’re off to an interview and need to print off your resume at an internet cafe you’ve been banned from. The first love interest is relatively natural and uninspiring, then her boss shows up, and you’re given some choices that include hiding, punching him (accompanied by a ‘shoryuken!’), and a hilarious ‘kiss him’. The last one was so out of place (it’s about the women, right?), I went for that, which had very funny consequences, with the chap later offering me a sausage. Read into that how you will.
And that’s what’s massively appealing about it: the humour. That’s always subjective, of course, but being able to get in a taxi and share with a busty boss or throw her out was genuinely entertaining as it’s so silly. More so is her cleavage and the fact that she’s an office manager who tucks her lanyard into her tits. Yep… Seriously, though, I can’t stress how surprisingly funny and entertaining this is.
As an FMV experience, it is on rails, though you have multiple choices, and each one has a natural transition. The format is exactly the same as The Fame Game, as there are multiple paths that you can return to and experience without being completely penalised – meaning you get to see everything. Sorry, no tits, but there isn’t much left to the imagination with Gran. And, just to confirm, that isn’t a GILF, but the name of the juggular femme fatale you may or may not commute with.
