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

Him, the Smile & bloom, a delightful new Otome visual novel from PQube, MintLip, EDIA, and Team Entertainment, blossoms on the Nintendo Switch by welcoming players into a charming flower shop setting. This unique narrative invites you not to follow just one protagonist, but to explore the intertwined stories of four distinct couples, each with their journey and a special flower that highlights their tale. What stories will unfold within the walls of Fill Flower?

For those unfamiliar with the genre, visual novels are story-driven experiences that range in length from short tales to full-fledged novels. Otome visual novels typically focus on a female protagonist pursuing romantic connections. However, Him, the Smile & bloom deviates from this blueprint by offering four separate narratives, each with its own leading lady and gentleman. As one might expect from a PQube release, the game features Japanese voice acting, enriching the overall experience, especially for those fluent in the language. If you’re not, get ready for some extensive reading to fully dive into this world.

Players can navigate the tales in this visual novel using traditional controls with the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con or by engaging with the touchscreen when playing in Portable or Tabletop Mode, great for those using a Nintendo Switch Lite. After a prologue introduces the central theme, you’ll have the freedom to choose from four intriguing male leads—Wataru Tori, Ginnosuke Sugawa, Tenya Minami, and Hokuto Ichige—without any particular order to follow. Once you’ve chosen your partner, you can either enter a custom name for the female lead or stick with the default. Each story features a unique pairing: Serina Aok with Wataru, Ami Akashi with Ginnosuke, Miku Yukihira with Tenya, and Fuuka Haruyosi with Hokuto.

The paths taken throughout the game will determine the outcome of each couple’s story, leading to one of three possible endings. Thanks to its multiple endings, the game boasts considerable replay value—12 in total—encouraging players to explore each narrative thread and unlock additional side stories if they achieve the best possible ending for any couple.

As you navigate through each couple’s adventure, you’ll also contribute to filling the game’s Flower Book—a delightful feature that catalogues the various flowers mentioned throughout the stories, complete with striking images and accompanying details provided by each male lead. This adds a layer of richness and relevance to each narrative.

Him, the Smile & bloom presents a fresh take on the flower shop Otome visual novel, focusing on multiple perspectives rather than a singular storyline. Each couple’s tale spotlights a different flower, drawing connections between Anemone, Tweedia, Mimosa, and Nandina in a vividly themed narrative. Fans of the genre will find plenty to keep them engaged, with opportunities to revisit the Gallery to savor past episodes’ CG imagery and music, and to delve deeper into the intricate Flower Book.

The game also offers an additional DLC scenario, “Flower Halloween Night,” available for $2.99. This short, yet engaging story introduces new elements as Fill Flower gears up for Halloween, featuring costume changes and celebrations that bring the community together.

In summary, Him, the Smile & bloom blooms with vibrant storytelling, capturing the essence of romance through its unique approach. This review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by PQube.