There is also often a pure dating aspect of gameplay in simulations. The potential partners usually require a certain parameter or parameters to be at a certain level for them to fall in love with the main character. The main character often has several parameters, such as looks, style, intelligence, talent, etc., that can be raised through various activities in normal gameplay. In simulation otome games, there is also other gameplay which affects the plot, either by playing minigames or by raising stats. In the visual novel examples of the genre, the player proceeds in the story by selecting dialogue or action choices which affect their relationships in a decision tree format. Gameplay occasionally does not particularly focus on romance, even if there are several characters whose "routes" can be followed. While the plots of otome games differ greatly, there is usually a single female main character, and several good-looking males of varying "types". Traditionally, the goal of these games is to have the desired partner fall in love and have a relationship with the player character, but the requirements for gaining a "good end" differ from game to game. Other common elements in otome games are the importance of voice acting, CG stills, and a small epilogue or set scene at the end of the game when a character is successfully finished.
Some games were originally released for the PC with pornographic content, and were later toned down and re-released for the PS2. There are games released on a PC platform which are rated 18+ for their sexual content. Otome games that are released on console and handheld platforms contain no pornographic content, as companies such as Sony and Nintendo do not allow it. There are also games targeted towards women that are focused on romance between men, called boys' love games ( ボーイズラブゲーム, bōizu rabu gēmu), and sometimes there are yaoi (boys' love) elements in otome games, but the two genres are usually kept separate. The genre has many style elements in common with shōjo manga and josei manga, and plotwise they are often similar to harem manga. Some publications that regularly cover otome games include B's LOG and Dengeki Girl's Style.
Since then there have been a small handful of releases increasing each year, including Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom for the PSP and 3DS. The first Japanese otome game to be officially translated and sold in English was the visual novel Yo-Jin-Bo in 2006 for the PC. McKenzie & Co (1995) from American Laser Games and Girl's Club (1992) from Philips Interactive were simulation games for girls developed and released in the US in the past. Early games borrowed heavily from the iconography and story conventions of "retro shoujo manga", "the archetypical girly heroines, the emphasis on pure, sexless, tranquil romance and on a peaceful, stable setting", but as the category expanded, other narrative and gameplay elements were introduced, including action, adventure, combat and plots in which "the heroine can 'save the world' and 'get the guy' at the same time". In 2006, Famitsu's listings for the Top 20 selling love games included seven otome games. In 2002, Konami released its very successful Tokimeki Memorial Girl's Side, which brought many new fans to the still-new genre. The game has a very similar dynamic to its predecessor Angelique, with the protagonist Ashanty, a young woman who will have to choose between being the new sacred protector of a kingdom, or falling in love and living happily with one of her knights who will help her during the game. Angelique is credited with "set up the specifics and conventions of women's games: a focus on romance, easy controls and utilizing other multimedia." After Angelique came in 1997 the second otome game, Albaria no Otome which was created by Gimmick House and Magical Craft for PC-FX and later for PlayStation.
In 2021, the series continues with Angelique Luminarise, in which the protagonist is a 25-year-old office worker.
The game was originally targeted to pre-teen and younger teenage girls, but became unexpectedly popular with older teenagers and women in their 20s. The first otome game is generally acknowledged to be Angelique, released in 1994 by Koei in Japan for the Super Famicom, and created by an all-woman team.