Note: This game deals with content that is not suitable for all ages. If you are under 18 or do not want to read about a game dealing with matters of a sexual nature please click back immediately.
I am normally a guy who enjoys first person shooters as well as some strategy here and there. While browsing Wired.com I stumbled upon a very interesting article about how a computer game could revive someone’s sex life, or make having a romantic evening relatively easy. Take note guys, this will not make up for missing anniversaries, birthdays, being late, etc. but after reading this review you most likely will want to pick this game up.
Before you get any preconceived notions about sex games you should note this game does not involve orgies, would never work at frat houses, and is really meant for more mature, intimate couples. This game is designed to make having a romantic evening/night easier and more convenient from the comfort of your own home.
What Is Bliss?
Bliss is complete happiness. Bliss is also the name of a game developed by Don and Suzanne designed to help couples stay together by adding the romantic spice that is sometimes forgotten in the high speed life we currently live in. Bliss takes some of its design from the board game Monopoly and then takes it to a whole new level. With nearly limitless customizability including, custom soundtracks, custom skins, custom actions and more Bliss will never get repetitive.
The game is relatively simple. You roll the dice and end up at a square. The squares that always exist are Payday, Lucky Encounter, Court, Lovers Lane, Free Kiss, The Vortex, the question mark (chance), Broadway, Jail, and Take It Off. This leaves 10 squares that are waiting to be landed on and then developed. First we’ll go into some the features that come from those standard squares then into available customizations.
The standard squares are a really good starting place. Landing on places such as Lucky Encounter and Lovers Lane result in actions that could occur if you met your significant other for a date. Of course, these actions are
"try to bribe your way out"
|
related to your current passion level (discussed in detail later). These actions could be anything from telling the other person how beautiful they are to passionate making out to any action you create. The Vortex transports you to a random square on the board and then you have to do whatever action that spawns. One of my favorite squares on the board is Jail. To be released from jail you need to roll doubles. Of course, if you don’t want to wait for doubles to pop up you could always try to bribe your way out. Bribery could be anything from hugs, to kisses, to massages. When your partner is in jail it’s a very good time for you. Of course, you can’t just sit in jail and be safe either. If you decide not to bribe and don’t roll doubles you’re going to have to do something to please your jailer (your partner). Bribery can sometimes backfire, if you land on the Court and they figure out you bribed your way out of jail back to jail you shall go. If your partner is a nice person they can pay for you to get out; if not he/she gets a nice message telling them they are a cold hearted person. And yes, I am a cold hearted person, its more fun that way. Enough about the squares that are always there, what about the ones I get to build?
Building squares is where this game is very similar to monopoly. Each square has a value that it costs to buy it, and then it also has a cost to develop it. These costs vary depending on which square you land on. I always try to buy and build so things exist on the board that I want; of course I do that in monopoly and it always seems to backfire. There are many options for the types of builds you can build and some depend on what items you say are available (see more about this in the next paragraph). Many of the buildings are pretty self explanatory such as the Strip Club, Massage Studio, and Photo Studio. Some of the other buildings spawn activities that you and your partner may have never tried or never though of; that is the greatest part of this game, trying new things. Buildings such as the Art Studio or Photo Studio put more of an art spin on a romantic evening by having you pose your partner and take pictures or attempt to sketch them (yes, stick figures do count, I will argue that to death!). The custom buildings are fun because you can repeat them, so most of the time I try to build lots of what I like and so does my partner. These buildings though do have a catch. It doesn’t always work out the best for you. When your partner lands on a building you own they can either pay to have you do something for them or work and then they do something to you. On the other hand, when you land on one of your own buildings you normally get some money but you definitely have to do something for the other person. This is very anti-Monopoly but quite conducive to a romantic evening.
How does the game know me?
Each time you start Bliss its going to ask you what toys you have available (see screenshots) and then actions and buildings will be available or unavailable according to your answers. The game will also ask you what each person is wearing and then compensate accordingly. Don did a very good job with the programming of this section by providing two ways to select clothes. The first allows you to just pick and choose from a simple list of clothes and the second is an advanced editor allowing you to add specialty items and enter a more complex wardrobe. The game also knows what order things have to be taken off so never will you have to take off an undergarment unless the article of clothing that was on over it is gone. Some couples may be uncomfortable with certain actions; not only does the game know what you have and what you’re wearing but it can also learn your comfort level.
"the game knows how much “foreplay” you need"
|
You set your comfort level in two ways. The first is a very simple way where you just select your current passion level and maximum passion level. The options are anywhere from ice cold to nuclear. In this way the game knows how much "foreplay" you need and how far you’re willing to go. For ice cold you’ll get tasks like looking into your partners eyes and saying loving things whereas for nuclear all time delimited tasks will disappear and all physical activities can occur until you and your partner decide to stop. The second way to limit the game is to go into the player profiles and unselect the actions you don’t want to have occur. I did this for a few actions that I considered lame or knew my partner and I weren’t too comfortable with. This customizability makes the game work well for experienced couples as well as new/novice couples.
The last level of customizability is the action editor. By using the action editor you can add any action you’d like to the game. Of course, its not that simple. You have to think about which squares/buildings should have the possibility of spawning that action. Also, what passion level do you and your partner have to be at, what clothes can you be wearing or not wearing. It gets very complicated but once you get the hang of it the game has limitless options. Also, on the Games for Lovers forums people have the ability to post action packs they have created. This last bit of customizability puts Bliss well above and beyond other sex oriented games.
Why buy it?
Why buy it, that’s a simple question with a simple answer, because it’s an amazing, well thought out, unique game that’s sure to add some fun to your life. That isn’t the only reason though, this game works really well if you (or
"it’ll make for many great evenings for less than the cost of going out "
|
your partner) is shy. Just leave some actions that you wouldn’t want to suggest and wait for the game to tell you to them. If the game says it you have to do it. Also, this game is sure to give you some ideas that you haven’t thought of doing before. Also, the game only costs $29.95 so it’ll make for many great evenings for less than the cost of going out for just one night.
Bliss!
Bliss is the perfect game to help couples get themselves out of a romantic rut or to help couples experience things they never would have thought of. Bliss is a simple game so not too much thought is involved that is sure to help add some spice to any relationship. This is the ultimate foreplay elongator as well. You can have foreplay for hours at a time because well, the game just keeps coming up with ideas. In that way it is a lot of fun for both men and women. If you’re a member of a couple who wants to experience more or really surprise your significant other Bliss might just be the way to do it. Don’t forget Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, what a perfect addition to your current plans and this gift will just keep giving.
Buy the game online from Games for Loving or go there to download the free trial. Try it out and see what you think, no risk at all.
