Selecting love over retaliation
Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling
Platform:Â Switch
Developer:Â Otomate, Idea Factory
Publisher:Â Idea Factory International
Release date:Â May 28th, 2024
Price: $49.99 via Nintendo eShop
Power fantasy often follows when a game allows you to transform into a deity. Button mashing butt-kicking is widespread, from Kratos’s quest for vengeance in the God of War series to his raiding of the Underworld as Zagreus in Hades. However, 2021’s Cupid Parasite presented an alternative understanding of the divine.
In one instance, participants took on the role of Cupid Corporation’s top bridal counselor, Lynette Mirror. Lynette’s ability to arrange weddings and serve as a matchmaker makes her particularly successful at uniting lonely singles. Her talent is also not shocking. It’s not a spoiler to reveal that she’s Cupid, the literal goddess of love, as it is revealed in the first few minutes of the visual novel. The narrative of Parasite revolved around her being brought to Earth to stop the decline in marriages and birth rates after upsetting her father, Mars.
In love, the God of love
Otomate’s read was notable because of its quirky group of flawed characters, known as “the parasite six.” They were all plagued by a problem that kept them from falling in love. Without getting into specifics, Cupid Parasite offered an intriguing set of solutions, with Lynette attempting to see things from each prospective partner’s point of view rather than just trying to cure them.
The protagonist lacked expertise in actively participating in relationships, despite her skill at bringing people together. Because of this strategy, the original Cupid Parasite was a very entertaining book to read, and it stood out from its contemporaries thanks to its colorful graphics and thought-provoking soundtrack.
Taking a honeymoon with Los Angeles’s “Love Queen”
Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling deftly avoids the wooing and absurd misunderstandings that are described in most otome. You can choose from six distinct character routes in the aptly named After Drama mode, which carry on the connections established in the first game. Naturally, Lynette and her husband find a great deal of post-marriage fulfillment in every new chapter of their lives. It doesn’t feel like indulgent fluff because some of the pathways, of course, offer some mild conflict. The lack of a lot of “spicy” content in the book may be the only letdown. Apart from a small amount of French kissing, the book is sadly mild.
A seventh route in Sweet and Spicy Darling imagines Lynette not being married to any of the guys in the first book. The tale of Merenice Levin, a psychic who can see into the future with the help of a magic doughnut, is incredibly bizarre. Yes, it upsets the delicate equilibrium of Cupid Parasite’s color wheel of love, but your moments with Merenice are among the highlights of Sweet and Spicy Darling, even surpassing your romance with a certain sinister lead.
Through the Coronary Artery Like an Arrow
Sweet and Spicy Darling, unlike the majority of fan-disks and the first edition, is not a dynamic novel. You will occasionally see dialog options that correspond to the tastes mentioned in the subtitle. These choices usually influence conversational replies rather than bringing about significant modifications to the story. They do, however, have the ability to affect which of the two outcomes you view for each route. Thankfully, the creators provide a flowchart so you can see every outcome in the book.
Cupid Parasite was a visual pleasure thanks to its brilliant color scheme and Yuuya’s superb character pictures. The visual extravaganza is maintained by Sweet and Spicy Darling, which presents newlyweds lustfully intertwined in a range of settings. The rockabilly aesthetic of The Biscats also reappears in two tracks that correspond with the culinary themes of the book. The soundtrack veers erratically in other places, alternating between jazz and romantic pop.
In summary
Be sure to fully enjoy Cupid Parasite before indulging in Sweet and Spicy Darling. You’ll want to see the entire path, like in most romantic depictions, where flawed men succeed because of the positive aspects of romance. You’ll see a number of interesting codas here, which are equally as amusing as the courting.
Sweet & Spicy Darling was played on Cupid Parasite.
on Switch using a review code that the publisher sent.
Review Overview
Story – 85%
Interface – 85%
Aesthetics – 85%
Content – 80%
Accessibility – 75%
Value – 75%
81%
VERY GOOD
Summary : A large portion of Sweet and Spicy Darling is an extension of Cupid Parasite’s delicious narrative, featuring epilogues featuring the six men in the game as well as the endearing protagonist. As with most fan-disks, it is imperative to read the original graphic novel first, as it lays the groundwork for what is assiduously developed here. Cupid Parasite’s wit and whimsy could be an arrow to the heart if you enjoy eccentricity.