Newsletter
  • Guides
  • Previews
    • Indie Games
    • PS4
    • PC
    • Xbox One
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo 3DS
    • PS Vita
    • PS3
    • Xbox 360
    • Wii U
  • Site Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Staff Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Privacy Policy
      • Cookies Policy
    • RSS Feeds
    • Social Media
      • Youtube
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Twitch
      • Instagram
      • Tumblr
      • Linkedin
      • Pinterest
      • Discord
  • Discord
  • Store
  • Logitech G
  • green man gaming
  • Affiliates
    • GAMIVO.com
    • Logitech
    • Astro Gaming
    • Nord VPN
    • Best Buy
    • Namecheap Hosting
    • Blue Mic
    • Ultimate Ears
    • Jaybird
Friday, February 3, 2023
BG
  • News
    • All
    • Esports
    • Interviews

    8 Minutes of New Atomic Heart Gameplay

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    Amazon Luna Games Coming in February

    Wanted: Dead Finishers Explained Video

    Current CS:GO Team Rankings! What’s the Best Team at the Moment?

    Wanted: Dead Shows New Combat Gameplay For A Bloody Valentines Day

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces 8-Bit Adventure Gam Hime’s Quest

    Atelier Ryza

    UDON Entertainment Announces Atelier Ryza Official Visual Collections

    Trending Tags

    • Top Stories
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • Nintendo
    • Retro Games
    • Mobile Games
    • Indie Games
    • Square Enix
    • Sony
    • Microsoft
    • PAX
    • EGX
    • Gamescom
    • Rockstar Games
    • Electronic Arts
    • Activision Blizzard
    • E3 Expo
  • Reviews
    • All
    • Flash Game Reviews
    • Google Stadia
    • Indie Game Reviews
    • Mobile Game Reviews
    • Nintendo 3DS Reviews
    • Nintendo Switch Reviews
    • PC Reviews
    • PS Vita Reviews
    • PS3 Reviews
    • PS4 Reviews
    • PS5 Reviews
    • Retro Game Reviews
    • Reviews RoundUP
    • Xbox 360 Reviews
    • Xbox One Reviews
    The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

    Amnesia: Memories + Later x Crowd Review

    Dusk Diver 2 PS5 Review

    Yurukill: The Culmination Games

    Yurukill: The Calumniation Games Nintendo Switch Review

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II Nintendo Switch Review

    Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei Nintendo Switch Review

    Evil Dead: The Game

    Evil Dead: The Game Review

    Crystar Nintendo Switch Review

    Trending Tags

    • Resident Evil
    • Call of Duty
    • Final Fantasy
    • Destiny
    • Borderlands
    • Halo
    • The Elder Scrolls
    • Fortnite
    • PUBG
    • Bioshock
    • The Witcher
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Second Opinion
    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    megaways vs regular slot machines

    Are Megaways Better Than Regular Slots?

    Current CS:GO Team Rankings! What’s the Best Team at the Moment?

    game night with friends tips for success

    Top Tips for Games Night Success

    10 benefits of online gaming

    10 Benefits of Online Gaming

    The 5 Most Popular Video Games that Feature Casinos and Gambling to Play

    Is There a Casino in the Metaverse?

    Technologies That Changed the iGaming Industry

    Even Sims 3 players can play at a casino in game

    Top 6 Video Games with Casino Mini-Games

    Trending Tags

    • Is It A Classic?
    • Remember When
    • Do We Even Care Anymore?
    • Humpday Haikus
    • Top Series
    • Thirsty Thursday
    • Aging Gamer
    • On The Way To E3
  • Podcasts
    • All
    • The BagoCast
    • TSR BagoCast

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Politics in Video Games Games

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist 2

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Titan Fall and Apex: Legends Hacked

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist

    BagoCast EP: 12 – Code Vein and the DLC

    Debate/Discussion: Bad Video Games That We Love

    Discussion/Debate: Is Bioware Gone?

    Trending Tags

    • Film Fallout
    • 8Bit Proof
    • Gaming Historia
    • Bago Anime Cast
    • Gamers In Beta
    • Gamers Unscripted
  • Videos

    So, You Wanna Play Junker Queen?

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Void Slayer – Review

    The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

    Crunchyroll Panel Full Video @ Anime Frontier

    BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

    She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

  • Geek Culture
    • All
    • Anime and Manga
    • Anime/Manga Review
    • Collectibles
    • Comic Books
    • Cosplay
    • Movies
    • Tech
    • TV Shows

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces Anime Frontier Panels and Premieres

    Crunchyroll Announces Hell’s Paradise, The Ancient Magus’ Bride S2, and More Upcoming Anime

    The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie Gets New Key Visual, Tickets Now on Sale

    Crunchyroll Rich Presence Now Available on Discord

    Udon Entertainment Announces Persona 4 Arena & Ultimax Manga Coming 2023

    Steve Aoki Releases All-New Remix for the “One Piece Film Red” Original Soundtrack

    Milan Records Releases CHAINSAW MAN Soundtrack Vol 1

    Quintessential Quintuplet

    Crunchyroll Releases New Trailer and Details For Quintessential Quintuplets Movie

    Trending Tags

    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie News
    • TV News
    • TV Episode Review
    • Episode Guide
    • Competitive Gaming
    • Tech News
    • Tech Review
    • Anime and Manga News
    • Anime and Manga Review
    • Comic Book News
    • Comic Book Review
  • Forum
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Esports
    • Interviews

    8 Minutes of New Atomic Heart Gameplay

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    Amazon Luna Games Coming in February

    Wanted: Dead Finishers Explained Video

    Current CS:GO Team Rankings! What’s the Best Team at the Moment?

    Wanted: Dead Shows New Combat Gameplay For A Bloody Valentines Day

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces 8-Bit Adventure Gam Hime’s Quest

    Atelier Ryza

    UDON Entertainment Announces Atelier Ryza Official Visual Collections

    Trending Tags

    • Top Stories
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • Nintendo
    • Retro Games
    • Mobile Games
    • Indie Games
    • Square Enix
    • Sony
    • Microsoft
    • PAX
    • EGX
    • Gamescom
    • Rockstar Games
    • Electronic Arts
    • Activision Blizzard
    • E3 Expo
  • Reviews
    • All
    • Flash Game Reviews
    • Google Stadia
    • Indie Game Reviews
    • Mobile Game Reviews
    • Nintendo 3DS Reviews
    • Nintendo Switch Reviews
    • PC Reviews
    • PS Vita Reviews
    • PS3 Reviews
    • PS4 Reviews
    • PS5 Reviews
    • Retro Game Reviews
    • Reviews RoundUP
    • Xbox 360 Reviews
    • Xbox One Reviews
    The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

    Amnesia: Memories + Later x Crowd Review

    Dusk Diver 2 PS5 Review

    Yurukill: The Culmination Games

    Yurukill: The Calumniation Games Nintendo Switch Review

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic II Nintendo Switch Review

    Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei Nintendo Switch Review

    Evil Dead: The Game

    Evil Dead: The Game Review

    Crystar Nintendo Switch Review

    Trending Tags

    • Resident Evil
    • Call of Duty
    • Final Fantasy
    • Destiny
    • Borderlands
    • Halo
    • The Elder Scrolls
    • Fortnite
    • PUBG
    • Bioshock
    • The Witcher
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Second Opinion
    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    megaways vs regular slot machines

    Are Megaways Better Than Regular Slots?

    Current CS:GO Team Rankings! What’s the Best Team at the Moment?

    game night with friends tips for success

    Top Tips for Games Night Success

    10 benefits of online gaming

    10 Benefits of Online Gaming

    The 5 Most Popular Video Games that Feature Casinos and Gambling to Play

    Is There a Casino in the Metaverse?

    Technologies That Changed the iGaming Industry

    Even Sims 3 players can play at a casino in game

    Top 6 Video Games with Casino Mini-Games

    Trending Tags

    • Is It A Classic?
    • Remember When
    • Do We Even Care Anymore?
    • Humpday Haikus
    • Top Series
    • Thirsty Thursday
    • Aging Gamer
    • On The Way To E3
  • Podcasts
    • All
    • The BagoCast
    • TSR BagoCast

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Politics in Video Games Games

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist 2

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Titan Fall and Apex: Legends Hacked

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist

    BagoCast EP: 12 – Code Vein and the DLC

    Debate/Discussion: Bad Video Games That We Love

    Discussion/Debate: Is Bioware Gone?

    Trending Tags

    • Film Fallout
    • 8Bit Proof
    • Gaming Historia
    • Bago Anime Cast
    • Gamers In Beta
    • Gamers Unscripted
  • Videos

    So, You Wanna Play Junker Queen?

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Void Slayer – Review

    The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

    Crunchyroll Panel Full Video @ Anime Frontier

    BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

    She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

  • Geek Culture
    • All
    • Anime and Manga
    • Anime/Manga Review
    • Collectibles
    • Comic Books
    • Cosplay
    • Movies
    • Tech
    • TV Shows

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces Anime Frontier Panels and Premieres

    Crunchyroll Announces Hell’s Paradise, The Ancient Magus’ Bride S2, and More Upcoming Anime

    The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie Gets New Key Visual, Tickets Now on Sale

    Crunchyroll Rich Presence Now Available on Discord

    Udon Entertainment Announces Persona 4 Arena & Ultimax Manga Coming 2023

    Steve Aoki Releases All-New Remix for the “One Piece Film Red” Original Soundtrack

    Milan Records Releases CHAINSAW MAN Soundtrack Vol 1

    Quintessential Quintuplet

    Crunchyroll Releases New Trailer and Details For Quintessential Quintuplets Movie

    Trending Tags

    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie News
    • TV News
    • TV Episode Review
    • Episode Guide
    • Competitive Gaming
    • Tech News
    • Tech Review
    • Anime and Manga News
    • Anime and Manga Review
    • Comic Book News
    • Comic Book Review
  • Forum
No Result
View All Result
BagoGames
No Result
View All Result

BagoGames > Articles > Game Reviews > Indie Game Reviews > Raptor Boyfriend is a Heartfelt Dating Sim that Delivers

Raptor Boyfriend is a Heartfelt Dating Sim that Delivers

Sam by Sam
2 years ago
in Game Reviews, Indie Game Reviews
Reading Time: 5 mins read
0
Raptor Boyfriend is a new dating sim
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In the last decade, quirky dating sims have become a cultural mainstay. From Hatoful Boyfriend to I Love You, Colonel Sanders!, so many developers are creating off-beat dating sims to various levels of success. The execution of these vary wildly, starting at “cheap gimmick” and ending at “surprisingly heartfelt”. The trio at Rocket Adrift took a shot at this niche genre with Raptor Boyfriend. On this scale, Raptor Boyfriend delivers as a thoughtful and meaningful dating sim.

Raptor Boyfriend lets you date a Raptor!

What’s this about dating raptors? 

The story of Raptor Boyfriend follows a high-school senior, Stella, who has just transferred to Ladle High School. Despite anxieties about making a good impression on her first day, she quickly becomes friends with a trio of cryptids; Bigfoot, a raptor, and a fairy all become close friends with Stella as she navigates her last year of high-school in a town where no one bats an eye at unusual creatures.

RelatedStories

The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

Amnesia: Memories + Later x Crowd Review

As Stella gets closer to this unusual trio, the player helps Stella choose who she is going to romance. Will it be the seemingly too-cool skateboarding raptor with a soft side named Robert Raptorson? What about the Bigfoot named Taylor – a mysterious loner with a talent for music? Or, what about Day, a high-achieving fairy who also happens to be an artist?

One of the romancable options in Raptor Boyfriend

If you’re laughing – good! The dialogue and plot options regularly poke fun at the absurdity of a young teenager dating and befriending a group of cryptids. That said, it also masterfully uses the absurdity of the situation to disarm the player. You start the game expecting a light-hearted and surreal experience while romancing a collection of eligible cryptids and, as you progress, you become emotionally invested in the lives of these characters.

It’s good, actually

I often feel that a game that takes itself too seriously is hard to get fully invested in. Therefore, the way Raptor Boyfriend uses a silly premise to tackle real issues in a way to get the player fully invested is worth praise. Much like Dream Daddy uses their offbeat premise to present a game that explores single parenthood and navigating life as a queer man in a meaningful way, Raptor Boyfriend does the same.

Personally, I loved the wide-range of characters; each of them has their own unique personality. Beyond that, the game does not shy away from queer representation and gives players the chance for a queer romance option. This was delightful. Beyond that, each character in Raptor Boyfriend feels like a real person navigating their own coming-of-age story and all the difficulties that come along with that. This means touching on some delicate subjects.

Stella, our main character, struggles with social anxiety. The players are able to watch her grow and navigate life with anxiety, all the while never playing down how scary and disorienting the experience of a panic attack can be. Beyond that, Stella’s insecurities and fears ring true for almost anyone who went through the high-school experience. The game manages to express the experience of a panic attack creatively through the use of distorted sound and strange visuals.

Raptor Boyfriend uses interesting visuals to represent anxiety

The game isn’t scared to touch on difficult subjects in regards to the rest of the cast either. Without delving too deeply into it for fear of spoilers, our romance options deal with a wide-range of challenges. These ranges from abusive relationships to absentee parents. Despite being sensitive subjects, they are broached gently. These characters’ journeys are clearly a product of love from the Rocket Adrift team.

90s Aesthetics

The love that has been poured into these characters goes beyond the writing. Everything about this work is dripping with a nostalgic mid-90s aesthetic. The art style is loud and cartoonish, playing on a fun palette of fluorescents, teals, and fuchsias. Anyone alive in the 1990s is sure to delight in the pure aesthetic of the game.

The aesthetic carries on through the character design. Regardless of the 90s subculture being depicted – jock, grunge, punk, and more – the outfits chosen for our main cast of characters all screams retro fashion in the best way possible. Depending on the seasons, the character’s outfits change! This subtle detail makes the world being built in Raptor Boyfriend feel dynamic and real.

Raptor Boyfriend has 90s nostalgia

The original soundtrack by Pat Smith also helps to bring Raptor Boyfriend and its sentimental 90s vision to life. You can hear a hint of the evocative tunes in the official trailer, but it would be a lie to say that I’m not eagerly awaiting for the soundtrack to drop on Steam or Spotify. It’s just that good. For the brief five hours it took me to romance one character, the music enveloped me totally in the world Rocket Adrift built.

Quality VN Gameplay

As is typical with visual novels and dating sims, it isn’t as if any of the gameplay presented in Raptor Boyfriend is particularly genre-changing. You click through dialogue and make choices to woo your cryptid-of-choice. There are a few quality-of-life inclusions that are worth making note of.

One thing I was particularly fond of was the “call” system. In the middle of every chapter of the game, you will get the chance to call one of your crushes. This conversation is always heartwarming and gives you insight on both Stella and whomever you are romancing.

Raptor Boyfriend lets you choose your route

These conversations also reward players with key information about your crush, allowing you to make the ideal choice when interacting with them later. Key information is especially presented well, as it is always in a different font. This is especially great for players who are interested in getting the best-route-possible with their character as well as for those players who, like me, love collection in-game items.

As a child of the 90s, I’m always particularly fond of “collect-a-thons”. The game includes a “collection” system based on whichever character you are romancing. If you make the correct choice at some opportune moments, you will be rewarded with a poem, mix-tape, or drawing depending on which character you are interacting with.

Raptor Boyfriend and Romance

Beyond that, Raptor Boyfriend includes many standard quality-of-life items any seasoned visual novel player expects. The option to save before choices is easy. This makes your ability to go back and see other dialogue options accessible without any sort of headache. Additionally, you can optimize the music and sound volume, as well as dialogue speed, to best suit your needs. Though these are very baseline expectations from a game in the genre, it is great to see it included.

It’s really that good, huh?

Altogether, Raptor Boyfriend delivers. This game likely won’t appeal to folks that absolutely loathe visual novels and dating sims. However to those that are inclined to play them or are neutral, I would highly recommend giving it a play. The mixture of lovable characters, 90s aesthetics, and meaningful stories combines to create an absolutely lovely game.

If you’re wanting to hear more of our opinions on dating sims and VNs, Chris has written a lovely piece about three dating-centric games worth checking out! 

The Review

Raptor Boyfriend

10 Score

Raptor Boyfriend is a surprisingly thoughtful dating sim about dating cryptids. Steeped in 90s nostalgia, it's a coming-of-age story worth experiencing. Though folks who loathe dating sims aren't likely to love it, it is a game full of heart.

PROS

  • Full of 90s Nostalgia
  • Great art and music
  • Heartwarming coming-of-age story
  • Tackles sensitive subjects with love and empathy

CONS

  • Likely not to win over someone who loathes dating sims

Review Breakdown

  • Final Score 0
Tags: Dating SimIndie DeveloperRaptor BoyfriendRocket AdriftVisual Novel
ShareTweetShare


Previous Post

Anime Expo Announces Live Convention’s Return for 2022

Next Post

Anime Impressions: The Aquatope on White Sand

Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us to keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser cookies for the next time I comment.

I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us to keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser cookies for the next time I comment.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

BAGOGAMES WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Get this week's top news, reviews, guides, videos and opinion for your favorite games, movies, TV and tech in your email every Friday.

Don't worry, we don't spam.

NEW ON BAGOGAMES

Game News

8 Minutes of New Atomic Heart Gameplay

by Michael Mosley
2 days ago
Chance to make money with valorant?
Esports

Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

by Trevor Kincaid
3 days ago
Game News

Amazon Luna Games Coming in February

by Michael Mosley
1 week ago

LATEST PODCASTS & VIDEOS

Currently Playing

Void Slayer – Review

Void Slayer – Review

Game Reviews

The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

Opinion

BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

Game Reviews

She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

Game Reviews

Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

Opinion

FOLLOW US

  • 5.3k Followers
  • 679 Followers
BagoGames

BagoGames.com © 2020 BagoGames LLC. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Staff Directory
  • Join Our Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • RSS Feeds
  • Discord Server
  • BG Store
  • OpenCritic
  • green man gaming
  • Logitech G
  • GAMIVO.com
  • ASTRO Gaming
  • Logitech
  • Namecheap Hosting
  • Nord VPN
  • Best Buy
  • Blue Mic
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Guides

Follow Us

  • Login
  • Sign Up
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Geek Culture
  • Previews
  • Guides
  • Short Videos
  • Forum
  • Site Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Join Our Team
    • Staff Directory
    • Privacy Policy
    • Newsletter
    • RSS Feeds

BagoGames.com © 2020 BagoGames LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
wpDiscuz