I’ve probably spent more time thinking about cryptids that your average person; I’m obsessed with Mothman (and was very excited to play Mothmen 1966, a new take on the infamous legend), and I’ve seen numerous shows on things like Bigfoot, faeries, etc. I’m no expert by any means, but curious enough about them to take note when a game is announced (for consoles, in this case) that involves dating cryptids. I’ve thought about all the weird paranormal stuff, but never romance. I’m intrigued. Enter Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance.
The game is described as having an identifiable narrative layered with a satirical mix of otherworldly fantasies. Stella is a teenage girl who has moved to a small town that is actually a secret community of cryptids. Regardless, she’s determined to fit in during her final year of high school. She wants to make new friends and, with any luck, find romance. The player guides her decisions and interactions, while earning collectibles by remembering key details from conversations. The game is hand-drawn, and filled with drama and comedy.
There are three possible love interests for Stella. The first is Day, a magical fairy and self-deprecating artist with a spooky ghost ex-girlfriend. The second love interest in Taylor, a childhood friend who plays guitar while avoiding his band’s drama. Finally, there’s Robert, a fun dirt biking dinosaur who is also a bit of a prankster.
Players will make choices like who to call after school, who to drop off last, who to cheer up during the holidays, and more. These decisions all add up to which cryptid Stella ends up with.
Developed by Rocket Adrift (shoutout to my fellow Canadians!) and ported for consoles by Ratalaika Games in close partnership with eastasiasoft, Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance will be released digitally for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on December 14.
