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Matchmaker Agency Review | Tinder but Better

70
Story
9
Gameplay
7
Visuals
7
Audio
5
Value for Money
7
Price:
$ 20
Clear Time:
8 Hours
Reviewed on:
PC
Matchmaker Agency invites players to step into the shoes of a modern-day cupid, offering a fresh perspective on the dating sim genre. With its charming mix of addictive matchmaking puzzle-like and strategic business management gameplay, the game unfolds a wholesome narrative of aspiring to be the top matchmaking agency. While it may lack complexity in the art and music departments and encounter a few minor glitches, it still delivers an overall enjoyable experience, especially fitting for the season of romance.

Matchmaker Agency is a romance matchmaking sim game developed by Niji Games and MelonCat. Read on to learn more about this immersive simulation game, and see if the game is the perfect match for you.

Matchmaker Agency Pros & Cons

Pros Cons
Checkmark Simple Story That is Heartfelt and Charming
Checkmark Playing Cupid is Fun
Checkmark Feels Like a Guessing Game at Times
Checkmark Heartbreaking (Love)Bugs

Matchmaker Agency Overall Score - 70/100

Matchmaker Agency invites players to step into the shoes of a modern-day cupid, offering a fresh perspective on the dating sim genre. With its charming mix of addictive matchmaking puzzle-like and strategic business management gameplay, the game unfolds a wholesome narrative of aspiring to be the top matchmaking agency. While it may lack complexity in the art and music departments and encounter a few minor glitches, it still delivers an overall enjoyable experience, especially fitting for the season of romance.

Matchmaker Agency Story - 9/10

The game's story is refreshingly straightforward yet undeniably heartwarming. While the characters may not be overly complex, they each possess their own charm and quirks that make finding a match for them all that more rewarding. Playing the game is bound to bring a smile to your face, thanks to its overall wholesome nature.

Matchmaker Agency Gameplay - 7/10

Matchmaker Agency offers an addicting and rewarding gameplay of what it's like to be a modern-day cupid. At its core, the gameplay revolves around matchmaking, presenting players with a puzzle-like challenge of pairing individuals based on their likes and dislikes. As you progress through the game, this mechanic becomes increasingly challenging yet rewarding as you navigate the intricacies of managing your growing matchmaking enterprise.

Matchmaker Agency Visuals - 7/10

Although Matchmaker Agency's visuals may not be the most jaw-dropping, there's an undeniable charm to its visuals, especially when it comes to the character sprites. The key characters you encounter really stand out with their distinct and memorable appearances. However, I wish this attention to detail extended to the other NPCs, as their sprites tend to look more generic. Additionally, there are instances where the same character sprites are reused for NPCs, which, while not a major concern, could benefit from more variety. Fortunately, the character customization feature offers a plethora of options, showcasing the game's potential for creativity and personal expression. It would be fantastic to see this level of diversity reflected in the NPC characters in future updates.

Matchmaker Agency Audio - 5/10

The game's audio doesn't leave much of an impression on me; while the music is decent, it's not particularly memorable. However, I did find the music during the date mode quite enjoyable. Looking ahead, I think adding voice acting would greatly enhance the game's appeal. It doesn't need to be present in every scene, but having voice acting would certainly make the story more immersive and engaging.

Matchmaker Agency Value for Money - 7/10

Priced at $20, Matchmaker Agency offers good value for its content. It's currently on sale this February, so if you're looking for a fun short game to enjoy during the month of love, this is definitely worth considering. However, if sim games aren't your thing, this one might not be for you.

Matchmaker Agency Review | Tinder but Better

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Imagine Tinder the Game – that's how I'd sum up Matchmaker Agency. For those unfamiliar with the dating site, it's like having that friend in your group who's always poking into your love life and offering to set you up on dates. In this game, your main goal is to manage and expand your matchmaking business by attracting new clients, promoting your services, and keeping up with expenses.

Now, this might not sound like the most thrilling premise, but the game's calendar-based gameplay loop is surprisingly addictive. At the heart of it all is the matchmaking mechanic, which is more challenging than it seems.

Your task is to become the ultimate matchmaker by interviewing clients, understanding their personalities and preferences, and then pairing them up effectively.

But there's more to it than just making matches. Unlike Tinder, you're also responsible for planning the perfect dates, from selecting the right venue to choosing thoughtful gifts. This adds a layer of complexity that tests your multitasking and communication skills.

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Succeeding in making great matches and orchestrating memorable dates earns you both reputation and revenue, essential for growing your business and covering your expenses.

While the gameplay can hook you, there are times when it feels a bit repetitive. Yet, this doesn't really spoil the overall experience. The gameplay serves as the backbone for a touching story about a boy aiming to honor his deceased grandparents by reviving their business to its former glory. This narrative kept me engaged and driven to expand the matchmaking enterprise.

I don’t expect this game to break new ground, but that's not its aim. Instead, it's a sweet and straightforward romance sim that won me over with its adorable graphics, heartwarming tale, and captivating matchmaking challenges.

Pros of Matchmaker Agency

Things Matchmaker Agency Got Right
Checkmark Simple Story That is Heartfelt and Charming
Checkmark Playing Cupid is Fun

Simple Story That is Heartfelt and Charming

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Who doesn't adore an underdog tale? Or, should I say, under-cat? That's right, your companion on this matchmaking adventure is a talking feline, supposedly an old friend of your grandparents, now aiding you in resurrecting their business. The game maintains a mostly lighthearted tone, peppered with delightful, heartwarming moments that make reading through a bunch of text worthwhile.

What captivates me about this narrative of reviving a defunct matchmaking enterprise is its exploration of love in its myriad forms. Love, after all, takes many forms. The story beautifully portrays familial love as the protagonist endeavors to honor his grandparents out of affection and it also delves into the realm of romantic love, where the objective is to help individuals find their perfect match. It's a heartwarming, feel-good tale that has quite a few character surprises and twists that I didn’t expect.

Playing Cupid is Fun

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I’ve always been a fan of dating sim games and business management so I’m so glad to see how the game managed to combine these elements seamlessly. The gameplay loop is reminiscent of the Persona system, with its calendar-based mechanics restricting your actions each day. This adds a layer of strategy, requiring careful planning and foresight to make the most of your limited opportunities.

The standout feature of this game for me is its matchmaking system. There's a real sense of accomplishment in pairing up the perfect couple, although it can be quite challenging. First, you need to find clients, usually through promotion. Then, you have to consider their needs and preferences. It doesn’t have to be a perfect match, but you need to take into account factors like sexual preference, personality types, likes, dislikes, and more. Luckily, you're not under immediate pressure to find a partner for your clients; you have a certain number of days before they become upset and leave.

To make things easier, I recommend having as many clients as possible and ensuring they have at least one or two things in common. If you're feeling stuck with a client's bio, you can always choose to interview them. This is a crucial tool where choosing the right words can unlock more information, helping you make better matches. However, the job isn’t finished once you've found a match; you also have to plan their date.

Date Mode is a fun addition to the game, where you get to plan the location of the date and assist the couple with dialogue choices throughout their outing. These choices can make or break the date, so choose wisely. While it's a crucial part of ensuring the date's success in the game, I highly doubt this level of assistance would work in real life.

I understand that this task can be daunting for some, so my recommendation is to opt for the easiest mode. This mode makes your dates almost always successful, even if you make incorrect choices. It's perfect for beginners who struggle with multitasking and management.

Cons of Matchmaker Agency

Things That Matchmaker Agency Can Improve
Checkmark Feels Like a Guessing Game at Times
Checkmark Heartbreaking (Love)Bugs

Feels Like a Guessing Game at Times

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I find the dialogue options generally okay, but during interviews and date mode, it sometimes feels like a guessing game. There are moments when it's unclear what the NPCs want, leading to mixed signals and vague options. Navigating through these situations can be vexing, as there are often no clear hints to discern what the characters truly seek.

Heartbreaking (Love)Bugs

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Regrettably, I've encountered quite a few bugs, though most are minor glitches. The create your own character mode seems to be the most problematic, as the characters I customize tend to change their design after I save them. It's a bit frustrating, and I hope this issue gets fixed soon. I'm eager to see my creations properly represented in the game.

Is Matchmaker Agency Worth It?

Worth it but Reconsider if You Aren’t a Sims Fan

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This game is worth a look, especially considering its reasonable price tag of $20 and the ample enjoyment it offers. I must commend the developers, particularly MelonCat, especially considering this is reportedly their debut title. Supporting indie studios like this is always a commendable choice. However, if you're more inclined towards high-octane games and not a fan of relaxing simulators, Matchmaker Agency might not sway you.

Matchmaker Agency Overview & Premise

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In the cozy town of Amoraville, where love fills the air, Matchmaker Agency is the go-to spot for folks seeking romance. People come from far and wide hoping to find their perfect match here. Matchmaker Agency used to be the place everyone talked about for bringing couples together, but it shut down when its owners passed away.

Now, you're the one who inherits this special place. Your job? Bring it back to life and make it famous once more. But there's a twist—you've got just one year to pay off the debts owed to the landlord. With time running out, you set off to restore Matchmaker Agency to its former greatness.

Thankfully, you've got a wise-talking cat named Charles to lend a paw. Together, you'll dive into the world of matchmaking, making people smile by finding them their perfect partners. Your goal is clear: restore Matchmaker Agency's reputation as the top spot for love connections in town.

Matchmaker Agency FAQ

Question: Who are the developers of this game?

Matchmaker Agency is the result of a collaboration between Niji Games, an indie developer known for titles like Grandma Gacha Shop and Chef Story, and MelonCat Studios, an indie studio which was only recently established.

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Matchmaker Agency Product Information

Matchmaker Agency Banner
Title Matchmaker Agency
Release Date February 14, 2024
Developer Niji Games, MelonCat
Publisher Soft Source Pte. Ltd.
Supported Platforms Steam (February 14, 2024)
Genre Romance, Immersive Sim
Number of Players 1
ESRB Rating Rating Pending
Official Website MelonCat Official Website

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