The Power Of A Good Book
A Villain’s Twisted Heart is a dating sim by Genius Inc. Play as a young woman with the ability to bring to life anything she reads aloud. One evening you’re kidnapped by a mysterious robbed stranger, known as the Unraveller. The Unraveller forces you to read aloud specific passages from Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan, and The Snow Queen. Fortunately for you, you can’t control what you summon forth when you read aloud and instead of bringing forth the items your capture demands you summon forth three handsome villains. Now you must team up with these literary lawbreakers to stop the evil Unraveller from destroying your world.
Bad Boys
Most dating sims offer at least one potential romantic partner who embodies the bad boy cliché’. A Villain’s Twisted Heart, however, only gives players bad boys to romance. First, we have Captain Hook, as charming as he is dangerous. Next, there’s Grim, the big bad wolf. Luckily for players, Grimm is only half wolf and able to hide is wolf ears on a whim. Grim is hotheaded and is driven by hunger. Lastly, we have Hisame, the snow King whose personality is as cold and regal as his title. Apparently, the author of the Snow Queen was confused by his golden mane of hair and feminine features. I get that the bad boy trope is a trope for a reason. People love a bad boy with a heart of gold. But these love interests are far too self-centered and arrogant for me to wish to pursue.
While the guys themselves aren’t anything to brag about the storyline sure is engaging. What avid fiction reader hasn’t wished they could bring something—or someone—from their favorite books into reality? Thrusting classic villains into heroic roles is also a fun twist. It wasn’t long before I’d given up on romance and was just playing to watch the story unfold.
Who Says Love Don’t Cost A Thing?
My main gripe with Genius Inc.’s dating sims, in general, are the annoying paywalls and A Villain’s Twisted Heart is no exception. Any choice you come across that can improve a relationship is a premium choice. Each premium choice costs a good twenty to thirty rubies. You can earn points which can be converted to rubies by watching videos. However, this takes forever. You can only watch one video every five hours and the points you’ll earn don’t come anywhere close to being enough to convert to the rubies needed for even one premium choice. Rubies can also be purchased in packs costing anywhere from $2.49 to $39.99. Buying rubies adds up quickly since you’ll need to choose plenty of premium choices to succeed at a romance.
Ultimately A Villain’s Twisted Heart is an underwhelming experience. Yes, the storyline is enjoyable but games’ are more than plot alone. And unfortunately, that’s really all this title has going for it. The potential romantic partners while visually appealing are too self-absorbed to catch my interests and the cost of premium choices is far too steep. If you’re just looking for an entertaining story, you may enjoy this title. However, if you’re looking for a compelling dating sim offering intriguing romantic partners you’d best look elsewhere.
Is It Hardcore?
No.
With obnoxious love interests and annoying paywalls A Villain’s Twisted Heart is a dating sim you’re better off skipping.
