Ten Dates | Xbox Review

It’s no secret by now that I’m a huge fan of both FMV games and of dating sims. Good Gate Media’s Ten Dates combines both of these genres to great success. It genuinely felt like I was watching an interactive romantic comedy TV show. Will this appeal to a wider audience, though?

The Dating Pool

Ten Dates is the sequel to Five Dates, which I admittedly haven’t played. You don’t need to have knowledge of the first game to enjoy Ten Dates, though, as this title features two unique campaigns and a different cast of characters than its predecessor.

Set in London after the pandemic, you play as either Misha or Ryan. You create a dating profile for the individual you choose, selecting a profile picture, three interests of theirs, a career option, and their star sign. These choices do have an impact on your character and their dates, adding a unique twist to the proceedings. After setting up your profile, you go with the other character to a speed dating event, where each of you has five different dates. From these initial candidates, your potential matches are listed and you select two to go on second dates with. Then, the final date occurs with the suitor you have the most interest in.

Choices and Consequences

Ten Dates asks you to make choices at certain points during your encounters. These either negatively or positively affect the chemistry between you and your potential partner. I honestly found it easier to play as Misha. Even being a tad dismissive or rude didn’t cause any of my five matches to be put off. Ryan, on the other hand… I made him as nice as he could be and he ended up alone. Sorry, Ryan.

You do have the ability to press the Options button to pull up a screen to show your chemistry rankings with each match, but it also explains each choice you need to make to successfully land that partner. This was immersion breaking for me and reminded me I was playing a game. I wouldn’t recommend utilizing this tool unless you’re on repeat playthroughs. It just feels more natural to go with the decisions that feel the best to you and seeing how things play out.

There is a streamer mode that allows you to pause the game if you’re streaming to allow your audience to help you make the decisions. This is also a helpful addition if you don’t like being pressured to make a choice within a time limit or if you’re playing locally with a partner or friend. Another welcome gameplay addition is the ability to skip previously-watched scenes by tapping RB. Each campaign takes roughly an hour to complete, but this tool allows you to play through again without becoming tired of hearing the same dialogue over and over again.

Take the Good With the Bad

The cast is excellent, with each performance feeling authentic and flowing effortlessly. Not a single actor delivered a less-than-stellar turn. The editing and sound design are also top-notch and add to the feeling of watching a rom-com. Just be aware that there is some British slang used in the dialogue. If you don’t understand what a certain word or phrase means, it can leave you scratching your head.

My biggest issue with Ten Dates was with its subtitles. There were so many typos and grammatical errors that it was distracting. Of course, this won’t be an issue for some players and you can always turn them off, but it just felt like the polish that was extended to the rest of the game wasn’t prioritized in this regard.

The Final Verdict

Ten Dates is a wonderful FMV game/dating sim that immerses you in a romantic comedy film/TV episode. The acting is wonderful, the sound design and editing are fantastic, and each character is distinct and feels fleshed out. Your choices matter and affect your outcome with each match, adding a nice layer of tension. I do wish that the subtitles had been checked more thoroughly, and the fact that pressing the Options button tells you the exact choices you need to make breaks the immersion. If you’re looking for a fresh experience with a unique perspective, though, Ten Dates is a good time.

To hear me talk more about Ten Dates, be sure to listen to the February 23rd episode of The Gaming Outsider Podcast.

This review is based on an Xbox copy of Ten Dates provided by HomeRun PR for coverage purposes. It is also available on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Google Play, Mac, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.