My Lovely Wife is a premium simulation experience from GameChanger Studio and Toge Productions, offering an interesting take on the grief surrounding the loss of a loved one. This Neon Doctrine-published title combines elements of dating sim and inventory management. You play as a man who has lost his wife, and doing everything to get her back–including alchemy.

With art styles similar to Salt and Sanctuary or Inscryption, My Lovely Wife fits perfectly with its dark fantasy themes and its gothic love story. It can be a challenge for completionists, though, with its surprisingly large volume of content.

Get your wife back from the dead

My Lovely Wife has a straightforward yet relatable story. Jake, a researcher assigned to a neighboring town, receives news that his wife has passed away. The catch, however, is that she explicitly asks you in her final letter to perform otherworldly rituals that will bring her back to the world of the living. This puts you in the sights of about two dozen succubi who can help or harm you.

In terms of visuals, it adapts a visual novel-like design to its interface. Controls are mostly clicking with the mouse, making it a half-idle gaming experience. This, however, works to the game’s advantage, considering the number of things you can do. Farm and manage resources, build relationships with people and monsters, and perform a wide range of rituals to try and bring your wife back.

The soundtrack perfectly complements the visuals and the gameplay, rounding up the dark fantasy experience. There are over 40 endings available, too. The only catch in this game is that it contains mature topics, such as making tough decisions and the need to sacrifice characters to achieve your own goals. Also, the sheer volume of storylines available makes it a challenge for completionists.

An enjoyable goth love story

My Lovely Wife has a great premise matched by its replayability value. There are a lot of things for you to do, and while there’s a clear objective to the game, you can explore one of its over 40 endings–or play the game over and over again until you find the right one. The graphics, interface design, and even the soundtrack, all work together to create this addictive dating sim.