Games You Might Have Missed: Don’t Make Love

Don’t Make Love is a conversation sim by Maggese, released October 26th, 2017. You play as either the male or female half of a praying mantis couple who are faced with a very difficult decision: whether or not to have sex. Both are concerned about if it’s the right choice, since there’s a high probability that the male mantis will die afterwards.

The conversation is steered by your partner, and you type responses to their statements, react using emoticons, or provide physical affection like hugs and caresses. You can enter whatever you want into the text box, which provides a variety of reactions across playthroughs. Some phrases will get more direct responses than others, so it’s fun to play around with. Your partner will also notice if you’re only giving one word answers.

Most games, even those that are about love, don’t approach the subject of balancing relationships as honestly as Don’t Make Love. I liked that it was framed as a conversation where both parties get to weigh in and reach a decision together, and it really does ask you what it means to love someone and to make sacrifices for them. There are multiple different endings, so you’re given room to come to whatever answers you like.

If you’re looking for a romance game that’s a different from the norm, I would definitely recommend giving Don’t Make Love a shot. It’s available on Steam and itch.io for $6.99.

Image courtesy of Maggese’s itch page.