Another Story - an otome’s path would never have been born in my mind in 2016 if I hadn’t played Amnesia: memories (https://vndb.org/v7803), a Japanese otome game developed by Idea Factory/Otomate.
While I had played visual novels before (Fate/Stay Night, Umineko - When the seagulls cry, Narcissu), Amnesia was my first commercial Japanese otome game that I fell for because of its aesthetic.
Even though love stories weren’t my cup of tea at the time, I enjoyed this foray… except for one thing that traumatized me.

[insert cage image,
caption: “Those who know, know.”]

While the goal was to achieve a happy end with the chosen one of your heart, the means to get there made me raise an eyebrow more than once as the choices were drastically opposed to what is commonly called common sense.

It was from this frustration that the beginnings of Another Story were laid.
I didn’t want a story where the heroine had to make totally stupid choices to be happy! In any case, I wanted to offer her an alternative, another story.

Since then, I’ve played many Japanese but also Western otome games for inspiration and to develop my knowledge of the genre. If you’re curious, my favorites are (in no particular order):

• Jack Jeanne
• Even if Tempest
• Cupid Parasite
• Taisho x Alice
• Bustafellows 2
• Collar x Malice

For my part, I wanted to pay tribute to this genre which is not just a simple dating game.
Even though Another Story respects the standards of otome games of the time, I hope I managed to put my own personal touch in it.
What you are going to read is an otome game that I would have wanted to read, while offering an accessible and meaningful experience for different types of players. There will be romantic, humorous, dramatic moments and a good dose of reflection on otome games themselves.

If your heart goes doki-doki (Japanese onomatopoeia for heart beating) during your reading, then my mission is successful!