Digital graphic novels have progressed a lot in recent years. While classically having been the realm of spookfests and Japanese high school shenanigans, they have become more intricate in the storylines they deliver. This Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance review will tell you why Rocket Adrift’s latest title pushing further than most would dare. And why that’s entirely a good thing.
Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance plays very similarly to Crime Opera: The Butterfly Effect. Thankfully however, there’s far more intrigue. This begins with the art style reminiscent of a 1980’s comic book, and continues through the teen drama of Saturday morning shows such as Dawson’s Creek and The O.C..
Stella has recently moved to a new town. Her father and grandmother had some kind of falling out, and shortly after her grandmother died. Her dad decided that a change would be good for everyone, but Stella isn’t so sure. The game begins as she’s talking openly about the pain she’s feeling. To a teddy bear.
The themes Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance covers are much more meaningful than many graphic novels. This isn’t some flight of fantasy about ghosts or mafia bosses. This is about real life. Issues that everyone experiences at some point in their life. And then, it throws dinosaurs into the mix.
Robert. His name is Robert, and he’s cool. A cool, skateboarding velociraptor. Why? Why not. Robert likes pizza. Robert thinks Stella is pretty. Oh, and there’s a ghost, too. And Big Foot.
The game plays out through your interactions with these key characters, and a few others. It tackles subjects like relationships, sexuality, emotional maturity, alcohol consumption and more in a very open ended manner. It’s as if the game has been consciously designed to avoid judgement, and instead lead to pathways for teenagers to form their own opinions.
The game plays out through multiple paths, though many of the decisions you make have no impact on what path is taken. What is important is who you choose to become closest too. Stella is presented as a fairly average teenage girl in a whimsical world; an almost blank canvas for you to paint your own personality over.
In terms of gameplay, Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance doesn’t stray too far from the beaten path. However, with the considered handling of subject matter, it’s elevated above much of the genre. This Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance review has been gushing over the thoughtful delivery of important, potentially life-changing questions teenagers will encounter. And for that, it’s most certainly a digital graphic novel that carries more weight than most.
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