The Crimson Flower: Lunar Coupling Review – Thrust Yourself into the Whirlwind Romance

Visual novels are about relatability, typical protagonists, and pleasant, dreamlike scenarios. The new Switch port of the otome visual novel The Crimson Flower that Divides: Lunar Coupling goes against this trend, unapologetically. The somber, brooding title thrusts the player into an unimaginable scenario: a world where a disease called The Rot has ravaged female populations, and the nation of Nasla has begun capturing females like the player character Naala to make up for these losses.

Dark, and unpredictable, The Crimson Flower: Lunar Coupling follows the strained and complex romances between Naala and various men among her Nasla captors. This title’s older, rougher art and depressing setting may take you some time to get used to but it promises a solid mix of sweet moments coupled with darker developments for players who enjoy otome games that are different from the norm. 

▍An Unusual and Unpredictable Plot

The art of The Crimson Flower offers a good example of the title’s polarizing style. Originally released in 2012, the title features character designs and CGs that feel a bit less smooth than modern visual novels. Some visuals are awkwardly posed or anatomically off, though I largely enjoyed the many emotional pieces of artwork depicting the game’s scenes, and found the detailed background images to evoke the fantasy setting quite strongly. 

The unpredictability of The Crimson Flower is a strength but also the otome title’s biggest weakness. Jumping from a somber scene to a lighthearted interaction, the game often creates a feeling of whiplash, by moving too quickly between moments without fully unpacking the story or character developments.

At the same time, the unique world, with its dark themes centered around the politics of coerced marriages, is interesting exactly because it is very different from otome titles you are used to—The Crimson Flower will often introduce dark, unexpected twists. The game is at its worst when routes feel a bit too predictable, as was my experience with character Suren’s route.   

The main character Naala is a great example of The Crimson Flower differing from the norm, for the better. The decision to fully voice the main female character might detract from player immersion, which is also hurt by Naala’s strong personality and character art, visible during her dialogue. While not for everyone, the central figure’s distinctive character, blending together kindness, careful plotting, and brash action, creates engaging dynamics with the most interesting of the game’s romance options.

▍Touya, the Game’s Main Draw

Touya, the king of Nasla, is the central figure for the game’s story and promotional art, and for good reason. The kind-hearted king displays good intentions and affection for the player character, traits which are sorely appreciated in the game’s somber setting.

But Touya is set apart by a killer character design, kindling a passionate, sensuous personality, and the consistent chemistry he has with the main protagonist. While other characters balance memorable scenes with awkward or dull encounters, Touya matches the main character flawlessly. Both individuals alternate between moments of vulnerability and kindness, as their affection naturally builds over the course of the route.

The pacing in Touya’s route benefits from consistent exposition that keeps the player engaged, as the king’s portion of the visual novel engages directly with The Rot and how the plague might be dealt with. At the same time, the route features some of the visual novel’s best romantic scenes, which are frequent as a player progresses. 

▍Cold Nohl, A Compelling Conundrum 

Advisor to the king and opposite to Touya as can be, Nohl is an enjoyable route for completely different reasons. The cold and distant figure, defined by his lack of interest in marriage, becomes an enigma to tantalize the player. 

Deciphering the most logical dialogue option in order to curry favor with Nohl proves a fun challenge, as a player becomes swept up in his sadistic personality. Nohl mixes sweet and sour, tormenting the player in sensuous scenes while, very rarely, allowing hints of affection to shine through. Though The Crimson Flower features multiple love interests with flawed, aggressive, or womanizing personalities, Nohl is the most fascinating of these imperfect persons, motivating the player to break through his icy exterior.

The voice actors for Touya and Nohl both nail their roles. As Touya, Shinnosuke Tachibana strikes a perfect balance between passionate and melancholy performances. Though not as explosive, Chihiro Suzuki who voices Nohl perfectly embodies the character’s sinister exterior, as well as the more complicated feelings lurking within.

▍Crowded Routes with Dated Design

Yet during The Crimson Flower, you won’t be spending as much time with your favorite characters as you would like. The pacing of the various routes can feel imbalanced, with dull stretches of the narrative taking up far too much time. And because the game features a branching route system, each character’s story is sidetracked and entangled with the narratives of other characters. 

The routes for Touya, Suren, and Nohl can branch into different romance options based on player decisions. Though these branches complicate the narrative and fit the game’s darker tone, I mostly felt distracted and sidetracked by this way of splitting the gameplay paths. The laidback character Cef is generally quite likable and has a fun route, though I did not appreciate its intersections with Nohl’s route, which it branches from.

You will feel the game’s age as you navigate these routes. The menu of The Crimson Flower also feels very dated and lacks useful tools for jumping to branch points or figuring out how to reach the various endings. Being the fourth release of this game, the Switch edition is absolutely packed with appreciated bonus material, like epilogues for the story, that contribute to this title’s lengthy playtime. But the frustrating menus and route navigation will increasingly annoy you, as you play through route upon route. 

▍The Crimson Flower Gives a Unique Otome Experience Even with Rough Edges

A blast from the past, The Crimson Flower is a bit worn from its travels across time. The game’s translation is inconsistent; certain routes feature characters that feel too unlikable or distant, though these personalities play into the game’s grittier tone.

The darker atmosphere can feel overwhelming at times—but also promises a memorable otome title, when compared to other recent releases. The Crimson Flower is not for everyone, but the visual novel’s somber story and uneven pacing do not detract from memorable scenes, where Naala and her lover give the player a glimpse of deep, fascinating characterization and tumultuous, breathtaking drama.

*This review is created based on the Nintendo Switch version. A Steam version of The Crimson Flower: Lunar Coupling is also set to release in 2023.

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