Ever wanted a bird for a boyfriend? You can, in a Japanese dating sim

In these simple, highly popular romance simulators, the dating game really is a game, with pitfalls, rewards and unexpected twists...

What are they?

Dating sims are games focused on building a romantic relationship with one of many possible partners and are popular in Japan. Often the protagonist is a male character with several potential female partners, but some titles - called otome games - have a female protagonist with male suitors and others feature same-sex pairings or don't enforce gender restrictions. The game is won by building up enough of a relationship with a chosen partner to fulfil a relationship goal such as dating, sex, or marriage, often within a time limit. The inclusion of multiple available partners adds replay value.