I have been looking forward to play Wales Interactive’s “Five Dates”.
As a person who enjoys Japanese dating sim video games (which are quite popular in Japan), I wanted to see how the experience this would be via FMV, as in Japan, many are just static images but with audio. And the concept is similar, you go on dates and you choose the right/wrong answers.
Granted, this one is focused during the Pandemic, so it is video dating and are shot in a person’s bedroom or kitchen. As opposed to meeting at the park, museum or restaurant.
The game is directed by Paul Raschid and is set during the Pandemic and everyone is in lockdown. Vinny (portrayed by Taheen Modak, “Ruthless”, “The Bay”) is a guy looking to date via video dating (which was a thing at the time) who gets the support of his best friend Carym (portrayed by Demmy Ladipo, “Dreaming Whilst Black”, “The Last Tree”).
And in the dating app, you start video dating with three women, then down to two and then you choose the one to date and if she accepts you, you move to the next date.
Women featured include actress Georgia Hirst (“Vikings”), who plays a no-nonsense corporate lawyer (so don’t lie), Shaina the nurse (portrayed by Mandip Gill, “Doctor Who”) who is a gamer and loves cosplay, Maya (portrayed by Marisa Abela, “COBRA”, “Back to Black”), exercise guru Saffron (portrayed by Georgia Small) and Paige (portrayed by singer/songwriter Sinead Hartnett).
So, like most dating simulators, the goal is to choose the right answers in order to continue the date and to hook up with the woman you wanted to date with. Granted, there is replayability as you wanted to see what it takes to date all women. So, there is replay value.
During the Pandemic, I had my fair share of online video meeting, especially for that first year which was quite rough. But I lived the experience and man, if only in real life, you can go back and answer questions differently like you can do here.
My first playthrough, I actually didn’t answer anything. I let it go and see how they reacted to the default answers and of course, all women were turned off and I didn’t get a date.
But the second playthrough, I was immediately wanting to date the Spanish freebird, Maya. But granted, they do throw some questions in the loop. But there are moments that are funny, such as Maya having to eat pizza without using her hands and Vinny having to sext his friend, Carym.
And sometimes you get some crazy questions about sex (ie. “What’s your favorite sexual position?”) with a character. There is profanity, no nudity. But for the most part, I had fun playing this game and seeing if my answers were good enough. Because again, while everything looks like it’s going great, you may get a question that throws you out of the loop.
Again, I pretty much grew up playing Japanese dating sims and I absolutely loved this game and the whole FMV aspect. FMV has come a long way and Wales Interactive are doing a wonderful job with it! While there are only five women, because you video date numerous times with the women, the dialogue between the two are lengthy. So, you can expect to put in around an hour or more each time you play.
But I really did enjoy this game a lot and FMV games sure have come a long way! “Five Dates” is recommended!
