Review of “Him, the Smile & Bloom” for Nintendo Switch

PQube, MintLip, EDIA, and Team Entertainment have teamed up to deliver “Him, the Smile & Bloom,” a new Otome visual novel set in a charming flower shop, and it’s now available on Nintendo Switch. Let’s delve into our review and see what this title has to offer!

In this fresh take on the flower shop Otome genre, you won’t find yourself following a single female protagonist navigating through multiple potential romances. Instead, the game weaves the tales of four couples, inviting you to explore their unique dynamics and what makes their bonds strong. Each couple’s storyline centers around a specific flower, tying the narrative back to its floral roots. So, what drama and romance await at Fill Flower?

Visual novels primarily focus on storytelling, ranging from short tales to ones that rival the length of actual novels. Within this genre, Otome games typically cast you in the role of a female protagonist in search of love. However, “Him, the Smile & Bloom” breaks new ground by allowing players to experience the lives of four different female characters, each matched with their own male companions. True to the form, you can expect Japanese voice acting to enhance your experience.

For those fluent in Japanese, the voice acting adds a rich layer, but if not, prepare for some extensive reading. The game can be enjoyed using either the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con or its touchscreen capabilities, perfect for both Portable and Tabletop Modes, as well as on the Nintendo Switch Lite.

After a prologue sets the stage, you’re given free rein to choose from the four charming male leads. With no prescribed order to follow, feel free to dive into whichever story piques your interest. These include Wataru Tori, Ginnosuke Sugawa, Tenya Minami, and Hokuto Ichige. Once chosen, you can personalize the experience by naming the female protagonist or sticking with her default name. For example, with Wataru Tori, you’ll follow Serina Aok, while Ginnosuke Sugawa’s story features Ami Akashi. Tenya Minami’s narrative pairs with Miku Yukihira, and Hokuto Ichige’s with Fuuka Haruyosi.

The decisions you make will navigate you through various narrative paths, culminating in one of three unique endings for each couple. This branching story structure offers a delightful replayability factor, with a total of 12 potential conclusions. Unlocking a “good” ending even opens up a special side story for that couple!

As you immerse yourself in these narratives, you’ll gather detailed entries in the game’s Flower Book. This inventive feature catalogs the flowers mentioned throughout the stories, complemented by vivid images. Each male character adds his knowledge about the highlighted flower, which enriches the storytelling.

The entire experience revolves around the theme of flowers, spotlighting Anemone, Tweedia, Mimosa, and Nandina, and provides much to enjoy for fans of the Otome genre. Additionally, the Gallery offers a treasure trove of CG artwork and music tracks to explore, enhancing each couple’s story. Plus, there’s even an extra scenario available for purchase: “Flower Halloween Night” adds a festive twist to the classic game with new decorations and costumes for the Fill Flower crew, priced at $2.99.

In summary, “Him, the Smile & Bloom” is a captivating Otome visual novel set against the lovely backdrop of a flower shop, focusing on four distinct couples. Within lies abundant content to keep you engaged through its 12 possible endings and colorful, flower-themed tales.

This review of “Him, the Smile & Bloom” is based on a Nintendo Switch review copy graciously provided by PQube.