[Review] Him, the Smile & Bloom on Nintendo Switch

Him, the Smile & Bloom is a fresh entry into the Otome visual novel scene, brought to us by the collaborative efforts of PQube, MintLip, EDIA, and Team Entertainment. Exclusive to Nintendo Switch, this title invites players into a delightful flower shop setting with a unique twist on the typical Otome narrative. Rather than steering the story of a lone heroine navigating love interests, you’re plunged into the lives of four distinct couples. Each love story unfolds with a different flower taking center stage, adding a thematic depth to the experience. So, what will transpire at Fill Flower?

For those new to visual novels, they are immersive storytelling games akin to interactive books. Otome visual novels, in particular, revolve around romance featuring a central female character, often on a quest for love. Yet, in Him, the Smile & Bloom, the format is refreshed with narratives involving four different women, each paired with a male counterpart, creating a quad of love tales to dive into. This iteration comes complete with Japanese voice acting, a staple of titles under PQube’s wing.

If you’re fluent in Japanese, the vocal performance will be fully accessible. Otherwise, prepare for lots of reading! Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con and touchscreen capabilities make navigating through the game a breeze, whether in Portable or Tabletop Mode, or on a Switch Lite.

After a setting-the-stage prologue, you can immediately choose from four charming male leads. There’s no prescribed order to follow, so you can start with whoever piques your interest. Your choices include Wataru Tori, Ginnosuke Sugawa, Tenya Minami, and Hokuto Ichige. Selecting a suitor prompts you to name the female protagonist for that story—or stick with her default name. For Wataru, it’s Serina Aok; for Ginnosuke, it’s Ami Akashi; Miku Yukihira pairs with Tenya, and Fuuka Haruyoshi with Hokuto.

The decisions you make throughout determine the narrative’s path and which of three possible endings you’ll see for each couple, paving the way for replayability—12 different endings in all! Achieving the “good” ending for any couple unlocks an extra side story, granting further insights into their relationship.

Progression through the stories enriches your Flower Book, a charming feature cataloging the flowers mentioned throughout. Each entry includes a splendid image and insights from your male partner, enhancing the thematic connection of flowers to the narrative.

Him, the Smile & Bloom sets a new bar in Otome visual novels on the Switch. Rather than a singular focus, it allows exploration of four relationships, each with a floral theme—Anemone, Tweedia, Mimosa, and Nandina. With numerous endings and unlockables, fans of the genre will find plenty to appreciate. Don’t forget to explore the Gallery for CGs from each narrative, the episode music, and the Flower Book. And for an extra touch, a downloadable scenario, Flower Halloween Night, is available for $2.99, adding a festive spin post-main game, complete with costumes and cozy Halloween ambience among the Fill Flower crew.

In conclusion, Him, the Smile & Bloom is a delightful blend of romance and floral themes, offering a narrative playground for those enamored by the mysteries of love. This review is based on a copy provided by PQube, ensuring an authentic user experience was integral to our analysis.