It has been months (yes, plural) since Ten Dates was announced, so it’s about time we finally get a proper announcement trailer for it! It’s properly timed to really hype up players, though, so the wait was absolutely worth it. I was obsessed with its predecessor, Five Dates, when it launched in late 2020; I’m even more excited for Ten Dates, as it promises to be more of what I love while also featuring more representation across the board.
In Five Dates, one man dated five women while all were in quarantine. He gradually whittles it down to his one favourite. This time, there are two protagonists: Misha and Ryan. They’re searching for love at a speed dating event. The trailer showcases how the player’s choices can change blooming relationships with potential love matches. Misha and Ryan each have five people they can romance, and each of their suitors have very distinct personalities. There are ice-breaker challenges, shocking revelations, and of course, loads of awkward moments. Long conversations lead to deep questions, with a variety of different outcomes.
Ten Dates stars Rosie Day (Outlander), Kaine Zajaz (The Witcher), Charlie Maher (Conversations with Friends), Meaghan Martin (Camp Rock), Ellie James (I May Destroy You), and Rhiannon Clements (Death On The Nile). It is written and directed by one of my gaming heroes (seriously, he’s brilliant), Paul Raschid (The Complex, Five Dates).
In a press release, Raschid touches upon why Five/Ten Dates resonate with so many, saying, “Attraction, dating and love are universal experiences we can all identify with.” He goes on to explain how Ten Dates is different that its predecessor: “Our ambition for Ten Dates was to expand the world of Five Dates into a richer and more authentic range of dating options. The writing team included LGBTQ+ consultants who we worked with closely across the interactive storylines. We hope the result is a more inclusive experience which encourages people to try a variety of suitors. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved and hope the audience will feel the same way.”
Developed by Good Gate Media and published by Wales Interactive, ten Dates will be released for iOS/Android, PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on February 14. That’s right: Valentine’s Day!
