Hello Steemians, good morning, good afternoon and good evening.
Judging from the title, if you don't know, I presume you're curious about what "Otome" means. In short, it means "maiden" in Japanese. Otome games are basically visual novels that are focused on a female main character, that you, the player control, who romances one of many male characters. Since they're interactive novels, they all revolve around a story and diverge on different paths to different endings, depending on which choice you make and which character to interact. "What's a visual novel?" you inquire, it's a interactive novel that's read through a console, computer or any electronic device. Pertaining to the word "visual", these novels will always contain still, environmental, background images, with character portraits in the foreground, various background music that suits the mood in the story and in most games, contains voice acting to bring life to the characters.Also, like a game, these novels will always have "save" function, like any video game that serves as a bookmark for your journey through the story. (Pro-tip: Always make multiple saves. You might encounter a "BAD END", which is basically a "game over" for making the wrong choice in the story). Since visual novels and even Otome games differ in genre and story, they also contain divergent gameplay elements that don't involve reading, but the player's skill such as, mini-games. Examples such as these are DanganRonpa, Huniepop, and Ace Attorney. Even though visual novels, Otome games and other derivative sub-genres originated from Japan, there are western ones being created and published by international fans who adore them. Therefore, visual novels aren't inherently Japanese. They're regular novels that need to have an impressive story, characters,music and voice acting, which can be optional, and the fans will adore them.
Rewrite (made in Japan by Key)- An example of a vn layout.
Katawa Shoujo, A Hentai visual novel. (made by international 4channers from /a/. I'm not joking.)- An example of a vn's branching path through choices.
Examples of Otome Games
Hakuoki:Demon of the Fleeting Blossom, English release by Aksys (PSP, DS, PS vita, PS4)
Kamigami no Asobi(Playground of the Gods), untranslated as of now
OZMAFIA!!, English release by mangagamer for PC and Steam
Returning to Otome games, they, like all visual novels, starting getting a western fanbase when they were translated from Japanese to English or other languages, by vn fans. It wasn't until recent years that they were getting official releases. From my own experience, I have been playing three otome games:Hakuoki, Norn9:Var Commons, and a bit of The Second Reproduction. I have to say, I love Otome games...only for the story and characters though. I, for the life of me, cannot form a romantic bond with 2D anime characters, like those "2D-no-3D trash" idolaters. But, that's a different story for another time.
As expected, Otome games are suited for a female audience. In terms of romantic structure, Otome games do differ from their male, harem, dating sims(where you play a guy and you pursue one of multiple females) in which the intimate scenes are more palatable. By palatable, I mean, I rather read how the heroine's first kiss with her lover makes her heart skip a beat at first, but then fills her with elation, than read how the hero can't stop riding the girl and that his semen will burst like a faucet(except in cruder terms). I'm not saying that every male-oriented, harem vn, has mindless sex scenes or boob/panty shots for fanservice, and that Otoges are superior; but that is a prevalent problem in the harem/dating sim genre and I'm pretty sure there's some stupid Otome shlock out there. It just makes me want to roll my eyes in cringe. From my perspective, Otoges tend to focus on the emotional and romantic aspects of interacting with male characters.
If you don't believe me, ask any Fate/Stay Night vn fan if the sex scenes are out of place or watch them yourself.
When it comes to searching for visual novels or otoges, they come in all genres and diverse characters. Here are some sub genres within them:
Eroge/Hentai: games that feature sexual content and any of all of the disgusting fetishes. NSFW, obviously.
Science Fiction: Self-explanatory.
Nakige(crying game): Games that feature sad scenes and make your heart burst into feels.
Utsuge(depressing game): Games that are very somber in nature.
Horror:Self-explanatory.
Dojin(fan-made game): Self-explanatory.
In conclusion, if you like to read novels, especially romance ones...give Otome games a chance. You'll be filled with intrigue and curiosity as you play each love interest's route and be given a new experience each time. To all Steemians, I wish you well and have a good day, forever and always.
UPDATE: I took it upon myself to review one of the Otome games I have, it's Norn9:Var Commons.