Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling

Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling lures in new fans to the adorable Lynette's love life through balanced backstory telling in this full-length sequel, each route taking a few hours of play depending on reading speed. Returning fans will be ecstatic to see what happens during the happy ever after version of the original tale. The sole difficulty of the game lies in choosing which bachelor story to start with as they are all so interesting. The eye-catching colour palette pairs perfectly with easy-to-use menus and wildly different plot routes. Lynette's married life is not perfect but addresses relatable issues that get solved with humour and make a perfect bedtime read on Nintendo Switch.

There’s not much else I can say, given that any commentary on the story would be a spoiler to the first game, and as much as I can breathlessly enthuse about the aesthetics and presentation, that’s something you’re going to have to see to get a feel for just how well it works despite being so eclectic. Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling is a sequel to a game you should play before it. But it’s also a game you really should play, because it is the most artfully unique and downright entertaining otome visual novel out there. Sweet and Spicy Darling is more of the same, and that’s all it needed to be.

Before relishing Sweet and Spicy Darling, making you’ve thoroughly savored Cupid Parasite. Like most representations of romance, you’ll want to witness the full journey, where flawed bachelors flourish thanks to the virtues of romance. Here, you’ll witness a collection of compelling codas, that are just as entertaining as the courtship.

Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling is a wonderful take on the Otome genre, but it's hard to get into for people who skipped the original.

Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling should’ve been a DLC. I don’t think it’s a bad game by any means, but unfortunately, it doesn’t have enough world-building and character development to stand on its own.

Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling is all over the place, mixing some touching slice-of-life storytelling and interesting character arcs with endings that explicitly juxtapose this for some exciting set piece. Playing this game without the original was a fun experience as parts of the other stories were slowly revealed to me, and I never felt as if I needed to play the first game. The choice to include only good endings, sweet, spicy, or balanced flavors, is a great addition and something I’ve noticed otome games trending towards. However, whether it is mixing up the genres, or using Greek and Roman god names interchangeably, something feels confused and lost. The truth is I don’t like chocolate, and while there are definitely parts I enjoyed about Sweet and Spicy Darling, there was a lot left to be desired. However, if you like to feel surprised rather than comforted, this is the selection box for you.

Cupid Parasite: Sweet and Spicy Darling ends up being rather unfocused, with both its difficult-to-read UI and the character routes that struggle to find purpose now that the leads are already in committed relationships. It does have its positive moments, with the main character Lynette being one of them, but in the end, it’s messy enough that it can be hard to find something to latch onto.