Tender: Creature Comforts | iOS Review

June 25, 2021 Alyssa White

Dating apps are prevalent in society today. It seems like every individual who is single is swiping through their online options to try to find a match. So why can’t aliens and anthropomorphic animals also join in on the quest for romance? Tender: Creature Comforts from Kenny Sun brings them into the fold with a humorous and emotional aspect.

Swipe Right

You are a human who has recently broken up with their partner and has decided to travel to the planet Comfortix to try to find a new love. On this planet, the residents use an app called Tender to talk to matches and see if they gel with anyone. As soon as you boot up the game, you’re instructed to select from one of four photos to set as your profile picture and are given a handful of funny lines to create your bio. After these steps, you’re free to start swiping on potential love interests. It feels exactly like an actual dating app, with the game having you swipe right on anyone you’re interested in and left on those who aren’t your cup of tea. I really loved this aspect and highly recommend playing on mobile if possible for the best experience.

Unique Qualities

There are many different life forms to choose from and I had a blast chatting with everyone that I matched with. Sure, some of them were rude or tried to get me to join a pyramid scheme, but others felt like genuine people who you would encounter in real life (besides being an alien, of course). I was surprised at how emotionally invested I became and how each character made me feel. Dates are scheduled in real time, and you select the day and time for each one. You’re limited to ten dates before the game ends, so be careful with your choices. If you miss a date, your match may be forgiving and allow you to reschedule or they might become upset and completely block you.

There are plenty of pop culture references scattered throughout the dialogue, and the messaging system feels natural. You select a response and tap the screen to write it out and send it to the other person. They may reply right away, in a few minutes or hours, or they may even ghost you. Just like real life! I adored how much detail was placed in each potential partner, and the profile pictures and bios are hilarious and somewhat realistic. I had a blast with Tender: Creature Comforts and was invested in finding fictional love, but this is going to be a niche title that won’t be for everyone.

The Last Date

Tender: Creature Comforts is a realistic take on dating apps such as Tinder and is a genuinely interesting experience. The hilarious dialogue options, emotional investment, and the real-time mechanics kept me hooked and swiping. Playing on my phone felt natural and there is replay value once you go on all ten dates or find love. If you’re not into dating sims or visual novels though, then this game probably won’t be for you. If they’re your jam, then this deserves your attention.

This review is based on an iOS copy of Tender: Creature Comforts provided by SuperIndie.Games for coverage purposes. It is also available on Android and PC via Steam.