When Sony settled on the slogan “that is residing”, we predict it could have had Venus Trip Prism: Useless or Alive Xtreme in thoughts.
This eye-poppingly introduced PS5 courting recreation could look like an oddball outing, however Koei Tecmo has been working in the direction of it for eons.
These of you with robust recollections could recall Useless or Alive Xtreme on the unique Xbox, a spin-off sports activities recreation that includes the combating franchise’s buxom beauties in varied states of undress.
A sequel was launched in 2006 on the Xbox 360, which was later ported to the PSP as Useless or Alive Paradise. A 3rd recreation, subtitled otherwise relying on the system you performed it on, launched in Japan and Asia solely in 2016 – an indication of the occasions.
This new title – which sees you assume the position of an unnamed supervisor of the idyllic Venus Islands – does away with the minigames of more moderen instalments, as an alternative deciding on a courting format not too dissimilar to Chinese language FMV efforts like Love Is All Round.
The narrative is thinner than a number of the recreation’s unlockable underwear, however the premise is that you just’re overseeing a volleyball event often called the Venus Competition, and you could woo a bunch of barely legals to your vacation hotspot with a purpose to assault them together with your eyes.
Whereas it could appear controversial, the content material is essentially fairly tame – assuming you may look past the sheer variety of immaculately rendered pores and skin shaders on show.
With all six of the featured ladies very a lot in Leonardo DiCaprio’s courting vary, they’re principally extra bashful than the type of consideration seekers you’ll discover effervescent to the highest of each X thread.
Misaki, for instance, is a shy 18-year-old assistant who’s by no means even thought-about the likelihood she might be a Venus – regardless of her heaving cleavage and crystal-clear pores and skin.
Then there’s Honoka, whose bazookas are so huge she makes her aforementioned ally seem like roadkill. She bristles on the very concept of being thought-about horny, preferring to be complimented with cutesy remarks.
Every solid member fills a distinct trope, with the bossy Tamaki ticking the tsundere field, whereas Fiona is in fact a former princess who’s extra Disney than Daddy 4K Dot Com.
The remaining solid members embody Nanami, along with her intoxicating cat-like eyes, and Elise, essentially the most mature character within the recreation. She’s 22-years-old.
Gameplay revolves round deciding on totally different dialogue choices, with every selection influencing every lady’s notion of you. By default, they’re putty, however inform them they’re sizzling they usually could bitter to your advances. Rizzers not often go full perv.
The presentation is extraordinary, with every of the ladies animating in an exaggerated albeit partaking approach. Whereas that is bigger than life in each sense of the world, the colourful oversaturated graphics and chunky character fashions are undeniably spectacular.
There’s not numerous meat on this launch’s bones, although – extra silicone, we suppose, however that ruins our metaphor. Outdoors of selecting dialogue choices, you’ll spend most of your time photographing the ladies, with every chapter outlining some imprecise targets so that you can fulfil.
For instance, chances are you’ll must seize one of many ladies smiling, or in a particular location. Take the proper photographs and also you’ll be scored accordingly, including “followers” to your topic’s whole, thus unlocking new outfits.
Generally the story branches, so you may select which lady you wish to hang around with. This will result in unimaginable choices for those who’re attempting to play the sector, however that serves you proper for attempting to have your saccharine candy cake and eat it too. You possibly can replay situations to see different pathways via the story.
And that’s just about it.
Sometimes the ladies will wish to train with you, triggering some offensively simplistic minigames the place their garments flip clear whereas they sweat. Usually, you’ll simply be timing button presses to finish these, though as soon as once more they’re impeccably animated.
We’d be remiss to not point out the soundtrack, which is crammed with every kind of twee 90s bops the place sultry singers croon about their heaving chests. You possibly can’t assist however respect developer Group Ninja’s dedication to its imaginative and prescient right here.
Conclusion
A visible novel that cares extra about its presentation than its writing, Venus Trip Prism: Useless or Alive Xtreme is about as shallow as a actuality tv present – nevertheless it by no means pretends to be the rest. Regardless of your private urge for food for underdressed 18-year-olds, that is a powerful trying recreation, with vivid oversaturated visuals and a few sensible animations. It’s so much tamer than its screenshots could suggest, however with out the minigame hooks of its predecessors, it feels somewhat light-weight as a consequence.
