Nicole

Dating simulator... What's not in my library

Nicole is a mixed bag that ultimately wins you over despite its flaws — the romance routes are genuinely charming, with well-written characters whose relationships with Nicole develop naturally and feel earned, even if they lean hard into familiar tropes like the jock, the shy guy, and the bookworm. The artwork is lovely and the writing quality is surprisingly strong for an OELVN, with minimal typos and distinct character voices. That said, the stat-raising gameplay is brutally tedious: you'll spend long stretches clicking through the same activities day after day with no flavor text to break the monotony, and the mystery is so transparent you'll likely identify the culprit the moment you meet all four guys. If you can stomach the grind and go in expecting a romance game first and a mystery game never, there's genuine warmth here — just wait for a sale before picking it up.

that's my cousin's name

This is the very first Visual Novel I've played (is play even the right word?). A college mystery suspense story with multiple endings depending on which guy you fall for. The music can be very engaging depending on the situation. Recommended for people who like to read of course.

Nicole, developed and published by Winter Wolves, is an otome-style visual novel that blends the cozy rhythm of college life with the tension of a campus mystery. The story follows Nicole Graves, an ambitious and upbeat freshman who has just begun her dream life at university. However, what should have been an ordinary semester of lectures, friendships, and budding romance quickly takes a dark turn when she learns that several female students have mysteriously disappeared. From that point on, the game’s tone weaves between lighthearted slice-of-life interactions and the looming shadow of danger that pervades the campus. It establishes an intriguing premise: a young woman balancing studies, relationships, and personal safety, all while trying to uncover a hidden threat lurking behind the school’s cheerful façade. At its core, Nicole functions as both a life simulation and a visual novel. The player’s day-to-day actions determine Nicole’s growth, relationships, and investigative progress. Time is divided into manageable chunks, allowing players to choose from a list of activities—studying, working part-time, socializing, or pursuing hobbies—that raise specific stats like Diligence, …

I enjoyed this little mystery game, even though I got the bad ending.