Him, the Smile & Bloom

Him, the Smile & Bloom is a competent otome game in its concept of exploring adult romantic relationships through four very different couples. The result is a great pick for fans of the genre and those who still don't know it but are interested in exploring a little of what it has to offer.

You won't regret your time with Him, the Smile & bloom, but you also won't get the emotional highs and lows you usually expect from the genre.

Him: the Smile & bloom is a purely narrative-driven experience with occasional dialogue choices that determine the outcome of each storyline. Players can experience four romance archetypes each with multiple endings. The game features anime-inspired visuals, a beautifully crafted opening sequence, and an OST that enhances key emotional moments. However, its limited interactivity and frustrating character writing may not appeal to everyone.

It’s always refreshing to come across a narrative that challenges genre norms, while still respecting the genre it belongs to. Him, The Smile & Bloom doesn’t set out to criticise or undermine the otome visual novel, but it does take expectations in a different direction thanks to the way it has been structured. Thanks to that, this is a vibrant and highly enjoyable, intelligent, and thoughtful experience, well worth the price of admission.

After Genso Manège, I thought PQube had finally put in more effort, but we unfortunately got our first faux pas of 2025. If you intend to get Him, the Smile & bloom, it's more recommended to wait until the publisher's patch is available, as the game's story may be short but has great potential.

Charming flower shop Otome visual novel focusing on four different couples