Suicidal Tendencies

Love Plus+ looks absolutely bizarre to occidental eyes. The second incarnation of Konami’s popular, Japan-centric dating-simulator, Love Plus+ is sort of like Nintendogs, only with the dogs replaced by schoolgirls. Players can go on walks with their schoolgirl, tell them what to wear, train them, speak with them through the DS’s microphone, and even pet them.

Yet even if the context is creepy, the concept of Love Plus+ remains fascinating. Love Plus+ encourages players to go on real-life dates with their virtual girlfriends. Exclusive content for the game is distributed at hotspots across Tokyo, urging players to head to the mall with their schoolgirl, and maybe stop for a bite to eat. Casanovas can even whisk their sweethearts off to the city of Atami, where tourist attractions and hotel rooms are marked with augmented reality sensors that allow players to pose for photographs with their virtual “pet.”