Review of “Him, the Smile & Bloom” for Nintendo Switch

PQube, MintLip, EDIA, and Team Entertainment have teamed up to bring us “Him, the Smile & Bloom,” a fresh Otome visual novel set around a cozy flower shop for the Nintendo Switch. Here’s what you can expect from this charming narrative experience.

Unlike the typical setup where you follow a lone female protagonist, this game takes you on a journey through the lives of four different couples. Each pair draws you into their unique narrative where flowers play a significant thematic role. So, what stories will blossom at Fill Flower?

To those unfamiliar, visual novels are all about immersive storytelling rather than action. In the Otome subset, you’re typically guiding a female character as she navigates potential romances. In “Him, the Smile & Bloom,” however, you’re not confined to one narrative. Instead, you dive into the intricate lives of four women and their respective partners, complete with full Japanese voice acting—something PQube aficionados will expect.

For those fluent in Japanese, this means a fully immersive experience. If not, prepare to engage with plenty of reading. The game is easily navigable on the Nintendo Switch, whether you’re using the Joy-Con controllers or the touchscreen in Portable or Tabletop Mode, and it’s perfectly optimized for the Nintendo Switch Lite as well.

Once you get through the introductory prologue, you’re free to choose from any of the four male leads right away. No strict progression paths here—just dive into whichever storyline catches your fancy first. You’re given a choice between Wataru Tori, Ginnosuke Sugawa, Tenya Minami, or Hokuto Ichige. Alongside them are the female leads: Serina Aok, Ami Akashi, Miku Yukihira, and Fuuka Haruyosi.

The choices you make throughout these love stories shape your path and determine which of the three potential endings you’ll experience for each couple, offering the game a fair amount of replayability. Successfully navigating towards the happiest ending even unlocks a special side story for the couple.

As you progress, you’ll enrich the game’s Flower Book—an informative compendium that features each flower highlighted in the stories, accompanied by stunning images. Your male partner reveals more about these flowers, adding an educational twist to your romantic endeavors.

The narrative design of “Him, the Smile & Bloom” weaves each couple’s story with a specific flower, from Anemones to Tweedia, Mimosa, and Nandina. With 12 unique endings spread across the couples, there’s no shortage of content for Otome fans. Don’t forget to frequent the Gallery to revisit CG art and music from each tale, and expand your Flower Book entries. Plus, there’s a downloadable bonus scenario—”Flower Halloween Night”—priced at $2.99, featuring a festive story that picks up post-main game.

“Him, the Smile & Bloom” is an engaging addition to the Otome genre, beautifully crafted for Nintendo Switch. It spins not just a romance but an intricately detailed world that will capture any fan’s heart.

The insight herein is based on a review copy for the Switch, kindly provided by PQube.