Video Game Review: Raptor Boyfriend – A High School Romance

Developers: Rocket Adrift, EastAsiaSoft

Publishers: Rocket Adrift, Ratalaika Games

Reviewed For: Nintendo Switch

Also Available On: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One

Do you ever wish to go back in time and relive your senior year of high school? Personally, I had an uneventful high school life, but Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance makes me nostalgic for a simpler time.

In this dating sim visual novel, you play as Stella, a teenager about to embark on her last year of high school in a remote town. The year is 1997 and Stella and her dad have just moved to the quiet town of Ladle, Ontario after the passing of her grandma. She makes a goal to make her senior year the best year of high school. Determined to find new friends and a love interest, she meets three cryptids in Ladle High. Robert Raptorson, the skateboarding velociraptor, is the uber cool jock and school prankster. Taylor Tall-Toe, the brooding bigfoot, is a reclusive musician and Stella’s childhood camp friend. Day Lilly, a magical fairy, is a talented artist and honour student.

Who will Stella choose to romance and win over? The choice is yours!

I found Stella to be a likeable, relatable character. She suffers from social anxiety due to trouble making friends from the city she moved from. I think we all suffered from some form of social anxiety during our school days as it was a turbulent time. Stella’s plans never work out, but they always lead to hilarious and sometimes awkward moments with her crushes.

Taylor the bigfoot was the first character I romanced. I was drawn to his brooding, yet warm, personality as it reminded me of myself when I was a teenager. He and Stella used to write to each other, and they both attended the same summer camp in Ladle. But he has become a troubled teen, and it was a bit of a mystery uncovering his secrets. It was rewarding to watch his character grow and open up as he got closer to Stella.

In my second playthrough of the game, I romanced Robert. The raptor has a dark past of his own, despite being so positive and hyped up all the time. His relationship with Jessica, a side character, plays a large role in the story. Robert is definitely a fun, outgoing character that reminds me of the jocks from my high school.

I haven’t romanced Day yet, but I’m excited to see how her relationship with Stella will progress. The artistic fae is a brain who seems to have some trouble with her creepy ghost ex-girlfriend, Ingrid. I’m interested to see how the dynamics between Day, Stella, and Ingrid will play out through Day’s storyline.

The art in Raptor Boyfriend is amazing; it is hand drawn in a comic style and is quite unique. The animations also flow seamlessly and there are no loading screens. In addition, having a 90’s style acoustic soundtrack adds to the mood and ambience of the game. If I could go back in time and relive my senior year like the way Stella did, I certainly would!

Without a doubt, Raptor Boyfriend: A High School Romance is one of the best visual novels I have played in a while. I practically played each storyline non-stop until the ending and wished for more. There is great diversity and queer representation. Even though the love interests are cryptids, their human personalities and backstories make this game an emotional rollercoaster. I hope to play more of Rocket Adrift’s games and will definitely support the Canadian indie company’s future endeavors.