Variable Barricade
| Variable Barricade | |
|---|---|
| Developers | Otomate, Design Factory |
| Publishers |
|
| Platforms | PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch |
| Release | PlayStation VitaNintendo Switch |
| Genres | Visual novel, otome game |
| Mode | Single-player |
Variable Barricade (stylized in all caps) is a 2019 otome game and visual novel developed by Otomate and Design Factory.
Plot
[edit]Hibari Tojo (first name can be changed) is a teenage girl who is the only heir to her wealthy family. To her dismay, she learns that her grandfather has selected four young men to be her marriage candidates and arranged for her to live with them.
Following the game's "common route", each of Hibari's four love interests has his own route, and the game has an additional "true ending".[2]
Gameplay
[edit]As Variable Barricade is a visual novel, gameplay consists of reading text and making choices.
The choices the player makes increase either romance or reason.[3] Increased romance levels allow the chosen love interest to break through the protagonist's "barricade", determining the ending the player sees.[2]
The player also has access to flowchart-like "boards" that show which scenes lead into or unlock other scenes.[3]
Development and release
[edit]Variable Barricade was announced during the Otomate Party 2016 event.[4][5]
The Nintendo Switch version of the game, titled VARIABLE BARRICADE NS in Japan, includes new scenes and features.[6]
Aksys Games announced in late 2020 that they would release the Nintendo Switch version of Variable Barricade in English in 2021,[7] but this release was delayed until February 2022.[8]
Reception
[edit]| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 79/100[9] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Famitsu | 33/40[10] |
| Nintendo World Report | 6.5/10[2] |
| RPGFan | 94/100[11] |
| Siliconera | 8/10[3] |
Variable Barricade received generally favorable reviews, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[9]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "「VARIABLE BARRICADE」". Otomate.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Theriault, Donald (March 9, 2022). "Variable Barricade Review". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- 1 2 3 Lada, Jenni (February 15, 2022). "Review: Variable Barricade is a Great Romantic Comedy". Siliconera. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Otomate Party Details 9 Upcoming Otome Games". Anime News Network. August 15, 2026. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "『おそ松さん』×オトメイト続報も！ オトメイトが新作9タイトルを一挙発表". Famitsu (in Japanese). August 14, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "「乙女チック4Gamer」第252回：「VARIABLE BARRICADE NS」を特集。アフターストーリーなどの新規要素を追加した移植作". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). May 25, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ "Aksys Games Announces Upcoming Otome Titles for Nintendo Switch". Aksys Games. December 1, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ Romano, Sal (August 6, 2021). "Variable Barricade delayed to February 2022 in the west". Gematsu. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- 1 2 "Variable Barricade Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom Inc. Retrieved June 15, 2026.
- ↑ "VARIABLE BARRICADE（バリアブル バリケード） (PS Vita)のレビュー・評価・感想". Famitsu (in Japanese). Retrieved July 12, 2026.
- ↑ Fakhoori, Niki (March 10, 2022). "Variable Barricade Review". RPGFan. Retrieved July 12, 2026.