Though pretty popular over in Japan, text adventures and dating sims are still a rarity here in the States -- but DSiWare seems like the appropriate place for them to appear, if they're going to make a move on this market. Electronic Arts has checked in a contender in the uncontested space this week, called Surviving High School. And while it might be a fair first step into the dialogue-heavy, gameplay-lite genre for DSi owners, its subject matter leaves a little something to be desired -- because, well, most all of us have had enough high school drama in our real lives to need a second dose of it virtually.
Surviving High School places you in the role of a new student at Centerscore High.
You choose your name and appearance, then step into a sequence of text-based interactions with different students and teachers at the school -- your dialogue choices in these interactions then direct which of several possible paths your character will take through life. Will you pursue popularity, trying to become the Homecoming King? Will you hit the gym every day, seeking to buff up and become a football star? Or will you focus on your studies, aligning yourself with Centerscore's nerd corps?
You choose your name and appearance, then step into a sequence of text-based interactions with different students and teachers at the school -- your dialogue choices in these interactions then direct which of several possible paths your character will take through life. Will you pursue popularity, trying to become the Homecoming King? Will you hit the gym every day, seeking to buff up and become a football star? Or will you focus on your studies, aligning yourself with Centerscore's nerd corps?
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