After many years of hard-work, sweat and tears, one of the first full-fledged aspiring American-made commercial dating simulator is finally available; or at least a demo of it is. Produced by the San Francisco area-based multimedia company Okashi Studios, Shira Oka hopes to act as a catalyst of sorts for the bishoujo industry in America and was released by fans for fans!
Taking a page out of Tokimeki Memorial’s and Persona’s playbook, Shira Oka has four major categories in which players can distribute points to: intelligence, fitness, creativity and charm. While making their character, players will also have the ability to stylize their character with different sliders that fall underneath the different stats. The only catch? They’re the only things that the players can’t change once they start the game.
Additionally, players may also distribute their points into a ‘my quirks’ system that functions as an amalgamation between ‘my traits’ in Sims 3 along with a skill-building tree in a MMO. Want to get rid of a “lazy” trait? Then save up ten points, but spend them on the feature.
Featuring the voice talents of American voice actors/actresses such as Stephanie Sheh (Mikuru, the Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya), Julie Ann Taylor (Ai Ebihara, Persona 4) and Laura Bailey (Serah, Final Fantasy XIII); this is easily one of the inspired and most impressive visual and audio presentations for an American bishoujo game — although, not every line of dialogue is voiced.
Although this is only a demo, and only covers the first month or so, it’s a good representation of what we’ll be able to expect out of the game whenever it reaches its inevitable ‘Golden Master’ state. I for one am really looking forward to its release and hopefully they’ll have some merchandising to go along with it. A Satsuko Dakimakura anyone?
For more information about the game, or to download the demo, check out www.shira-oka.com.
