A-Z game debrief 6/25: Five Dates (2020)
Developed by: Good Gate Media, Wales Interactive Published by: Wales Interactive
"Five Dates is an interactive rom-com about the unpredictable world of digital dating. With five potential female matches, Vinny explores whether compatibility, chemistry and connection is still possible in a world where physical touch is no longer an option." Steam tags: FMV, Dating Sim, Choose Your Own Adventure, Choices Matter, Adventure, Interactive Fiction, Visual Novel, Point & Click, Simulation
Estimated time to 100% (according to hltb): 5.5hrs How long steam logged me playing to 100%: 5hrs How long I actually spent 100%ing (not just with the game running while I recorded stuff): 4.5hrs
# of achievements I started with: 0/15 # of achievements I ended with:
Rarest achievement (according to steam):
Toughest achievement: N/A, imo
Favorite thing about the game: Some pretty solid acting! Some scenes were a little forced, sure, but there were also some really nice genuine moments that played out. I really liked Shaina's and Paige's negging tbh, they had good chemistry with the lead guy. And a few great moments with Callum, too.
[all my blog posts about it]
Thoughts after the fact: I actually found the acting in this particular project a lot better than some I've seen from other Wales Interactive pieces. With the setting being the initial 2020 lockdown, it felt very down to earth and it made me curious if these actors were legitimately filming from their homes during lockdown. I was curious a lot about the filming, actually.
Also: I really liked Paige's "successful" ending still being a breakup, and I'm glad it was the last ending I unlocked. I also am really disappointed that Shaina's ending is the least common, cause I really liked her as a character. I may go back and play through some more of the options I didn't take.
The only part I didn't like, really, was Saffron's panic attack. Maybe because I've never experienced that kind of panic attack, because any attack I've had has come in direct response to a certain kind of trigger or pressure, and has been less "on/off" than she portrayed, it just felt kind of cringey and forced compared to, for instance, Paige's reaction to revealing her daughter. I still liked Saffron though, despite myself. For a fairly flat character, as written, the actress made a cute MPDG.
Honestly, I wish it was a longer game! I wish the dates were longer and we got even more background on both the girls and Vinny. Maya and Grace weren't that interesting to me, but I was surprised how much Paige grew on me after a horrible first few lines to really enjoying her second date, and Shaina's third date was really good as well.
Personal rating: 7/10 (short and sweet, with some solid chemistry between characters)
The F game poll results:
Next poll up is for G!
