I’m glad I went into Boyfriend Dungeon blind. Judging from the name and some of the random screenshots I’ve seen on social media since its reveal, I expected something very similar to Dream Daddy in terms of tone and execution. And it definitely is, but it features a far more malleable exploration of sexuality that extends beyond adorable daddies waiting to be swept off their feet. Kitfox Games has created a dungeon crawler with the framing of a dating simulator, featuring a number of diverse, inclusive characters that both understand the importance of intimacy, and aren’t afraid to have the player encounter important issues surrounding consent and sexual attraction.
While I’m only a couple of hours into Boyfriend Dungeon, it already understands something that a number of dating simulators don’t always manage. Boyfriend Dungeon allows the player to craft a character that represents them in terms of gender and sexuality, but doesn’t hold up any barriers when it comes to which characters they wish to pursue and how they view their own identity in this fictional world. I created an avatar that represented me – well, as much as a cutesy avatar sprinting about a pixelated world ever could. Despite these visuals being purposely minimal, I could project myself onto this avatar so seamlessly, with traditional visual novel-esque dialogue sequences and in-game text messaging allowing me to select options with a biting, sarcastic tone tinged with a need for romantic connection.
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To those unfamiliar with Boyfriend Dungeon, you play as a young adult who plans to spend their summer living in an idyllic seaside town. Your mission is to find love, and your cousin is here to act as wingman as he introduces a number of potential suitors with each passing day. However, there’s a small catch, some of these people are weapons. I don’t mean they’re complete wankers or anything – I’ve dated plenty of those – I mean they are actual weapons. This is a universe where certain people are both people and weapons, whether it be swords, daggers, whips, or something else. Each weapon you meet can be used to battle through procedurally generated dungeons, with your emotional bond growing stronger as you progress through each floor, exchange gifts, and find moments to relax and exchange words after each skirmish. It’s such a cute idea, and manages to pull off its initial outlandishness because the writing and worldbuilding surrounding it is so charming.
As you first encounter these weapons, some will ask you to grasp them with supreme force, while others will scream in protest that a stranger believes it’s okay to simply walk up to someone and grab them without permission. It’s not the traditional definition of consent we’re accustomed to in the real world, but in this fictional place it remains equally as important. I apologised immediately, and was met with receptive banter as I befriended a rebellious dagger called Valeria. She was smoking hot, and also provided a handful of awesome buffs that could confuse enemies as I dodged out of the way. So we battled through dungeons together, and by ranking up this relationship I was able to unlock dates and story moments outside of the dungeons that propelled our bond even further.
In real life I identify as pansexual, although I’m still figuring out exactly what that means as I go through my gender transition. It’s a messy process, but also a beautiful one that invites continuous experimentation. Boyfriend Dungeon does an excellent job of mirroring this experience, allowing me to jump between cute girls and mysterious hunks within a matter of moments. I wouldn’t be surprised if some consequences arise if I continue to lead on several people at the same time, or if the game has multiple endings and locks out progress with certain characters once you pass a certain threshold. I honestly don’t mind, since I’m happy to go through this adventure again if the few hours I’ve enjoyed so far are any indication.
Boyfriend Dungeon doesn’t care about labels. Aside from the character you create in the opening moments and the way in which you’re addressed in the game itself, it appears that the majority of romantic pursuits aren’t defined by gender or sexuality. You are you, and whoever you are attracted to is perfectly valid in the grand scheme of things. Triple-A titles like Mass Effect and Dragon Age remain drenched in heteronormativity, with straight and queer romance options being segregated in a way that feels awfully old fashioned. This is such a nice change, and more and more games are taking a modern approach to sexuality that understands the audience they’re catering to is no longer black and white. Romance in the real world is changing, so it makes sense for virtual renditions to go through a similar evolution.
Discussions of sexual attraction, consent, and how best to approach the formation of a deeper relationship are things we need to have and are having in reality, but seeing it explored with considerable honesty in games like Boyfriend Dungeon is so refreshing, and a good sign of things to come given its massive platform on Xbox Game Pass.. Exploring your sexuality is a perfectly healthy and valid thing to do, and it’s wonderful to see a game encouraging that behaviour and letting people know that whoever they choose to be, there is value in that perspective.
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