Lightbulb Crew, the developer behind 2020’sOthercide,have announcedtheir next game,Nova Hearts. A departure from their last game,Nova Heartsis a “turn-based combat dating adventure game.” The first episode,Nova Hearts: The Sparkwill be out on June 23, 2025.
I know what you’re thinking, but if I understand correctly, the combat and the dating are separate. It’s not like you invite someone to a date onAmerican Gladiators. You don’t pummel the affection out of them.
Instead, a “mysterious cosmic force” gives a number of people in town superpowers, which inevitably leads some to use their powers for good and others for evil. That’s fertile ground for the seeds of love to be planted. In Nova Hearts, you “text, chat, and date” your friends and enemies, with your relationship choices affecting the course of the narrative. Hopefully, this means that I can just seduce everyone and have them fight for my affections.
When you’re not trying to get into the tights of those around you, you also fight against monstrosities from another dimension. This takes place in turn-based battles where you “use your strategic know-how, stylish combos, and the tactical timeline” to win the day.
Crossing anything with a dating sim is a great way to get my attention. Why do I likeMass Effect? Dating. What doesBaldur’s Gate 3have that makes it so engrossing? Dating. It isn’talways a formulafor success, but it’s basically the soy sauce of game design. Add a dash of it to any game to reallybring out the umami.
Nova Hearts: The Sparkwill be released on PC on August 07, 2025. It will be available for free with the rest of the tale planned for release in Summer 2024.
