Review: Venus Vacation Prism: Dead or Alive Xtreme (PS5) – Splashy Dating Sim Barely Gets Its Feet Wet

When Sony settled on the slogan “that is dwelling”, we predict it might have had Venus Trip Prism: Lifeless or Alive Xtreme in thoughts.
This eye-poppingly offered PS5 relationship recreation might seem to be an oddball outing, however Koei Tecmo has been working in the direction of it for eons.
These of you with robust recollections might recall Lifeless or Alive Xtreme on the unique Xbox, a spin-off sports activities recreation that includes the combating franchise’s buxom beauties in numerous states of undress.
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A sequel was launched in 2006 on the Xbox 360, which was later ported to the PSP as Lifeless or Alive Paradise. A 3rd recreation, subtitled otherwise relying on the system you performed it on, launched in Japan and Asia solely in 2016 – an indication of the occasions.
This new title – which sees you assume the position of an unnamed supervisor of the idyllic Venus Islands – does away with the minigames of more moderen instalments, as an alternative selecting a relationship format not too dissimilar to Chinese language FMV efforts like Love Is All Round.

The narrative is thinner than among the recreation’s unlockable underwear, however the premise is that you simply’re overseeing a volleyball event generally known as the Venus Competition, and you need to woo a bunch of barely legals to your vacation hotspot so as to assault them together with your eyes.
Whereas it might appear controversial, the content material is basically fairly tame – assuming you possibly can look past the sheer variety of immaculately rendered pores and skin shaders on show.
With all six of the featured ladies very a lot in Leonardo DiCaprio’s relationship vary, they’re largely extra bashful than the sort of consideration seekers you’ll discover effervescent to the highest of each X thread.
Misaki, for instance, is a shy 18-year-old assistant who’s by no means even thought-about the likelihood she may very well be a Venus – regardless of her heaving cleavage and crystal-clear pores and skin.
Then there’s Honoka, whose bazookas are so large she makes her aforementioned ally appear to be roadkill. She bristles on the very thought of being thought-about attractive, preferring to be complimented with cutesy remarks.

Every forged member fills a distinct trope, with the bossy Tamaki ticking the tsundere field, whereas Fiona is in fact a former princess who’s extra Disney than Daddy 4K Dot Com.
The remaining forged members embody Nanami, together with her intoxicating cat-like eyes, and Elise, probably the most mature character within the recreation. She’s 22-years-old.
Gameplay revolves round deciding on totally different dialogue choices, with every selection influencing every lady’s notion of you. By default, they’re putty, however inform them they’re sizzling and so they might bitter to your advances. Rizzers hardly ever go full perv.
The presentation is extraordinary, with every of the ladies animating in an exaggerated albeit participating means. Whereas that is bigger than life in each sense of the world, the colourful oversaturated graphics and chunky character fashions are undeniably spectacular.

There’s not a whole lot of meat on this launch’s bones, although – extra silicone, we suppose, however that ruins our metaphor. Exterior of choosing dialogue choices, you’ll spend most of your time photographing the ladies, with every chapter outlining some imprecise targets so that you can fulfil.
For instance, you could must seize one of many ladies smiling, or in a particular location. Take the correct photographs and also you’ll be scored accordingly, including “followers” to your topic’s whole, thus unlocking new outfits.
Generally the story branches, so you possibly can select which lady you need to hang around with. This may result in inconceivable choices in the event you’re attempting to play the sector, however that serves you proper for attempting to have your saccharine candy cake and eat it too. You’ll be able to replay eventualities to see different pathways by means of the story.
And that’s just about it.

Sometimes the ladies will need to train with you, triggering some offensively simplistic minigames the place their garments flip clear whereas they sweat. Usually, you’ll simply be timing button presses to finish these, though as soon as once more they’re impeccably animated.
We’d be remiss to not point out the soundtrack, which is stuffed with all types of twee 90s bops the place sultry singers croon about their heaving chests. You’ll be able to’t assist however respect developer Workforce Ninja’s dedication to its imaginative and prescient right here.
Conclusion
A visible novel that cares extra about its presentation than its writing, Venus Trip Prism: Lifeless or Alive Xtreme is about as shallow as a actuality tv present – nevertheless it by no means pretends to be anything. Regardless of your private urge for food for underdressed 18-year-olds, that is a formidable wanting recreation, with vivid oversaturated visuals and a few good animations. It’s lots tamer than its screenshots might indicate, however with out the minigame hooks of its predecessors, it feels a bit light-weight as a consequence.



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