On a whim, I decided to try out Netflixs Too Hot to Handle mobile game, based on the streaming services raunchy reality dating show. And now I cant stop playing it. Ive spent many late nights curled up in bed, watching my little character make terrible romantic choices, befriend people in the luxury villa, and cost the contestants a lot of money.
The game is filling a void in my heart thats reserved for choice-heavy, romance-forward visual novel mobile games. And its probably one of the best ones Ive played, especially in recent years. Romantic mobile visual novels were once some of my favorite games; but over time, the average writing quality in them has diminished, all while microtransactions and terrible ads ramped up to a distressing degree. I once played one where in order to do anything, I had to watch a janky minute-long ad first. It was exhausting, and I only made it to the end because I was invested in the narrative.
But in-game purchases and shitty ad-to-gameplay ratios took a toll on me. So while Ive occasionally tried to download a new game, most of them havent held my attention. Till now.
Graphic: Petrana Radulovic/Polygon Source images: Netflix/NanobitIm sure its at least partially because Im already paying for Netflix, but its just a miracle that Too Hot to Handle isnt overloaded with ads and microtransactions. Yes, there are extra bonus scenes and cute outfits to unlock, but theyre all done through in-game achievements, so theyre pretty easy to get. Also, they are purely extra fluff. Yes, I have an extra bracelet to choose from, but its not like some terrible experiences Ive had in other similar games, where the dress choices I had were some ugly plain black dress that would get my character mocked, or one that cost real life money.
Im also pleasantly surprised with just how engaging the writing and gameplay are. Currently there are three Too Hot to Handle games out, each one following a different in-game season. You create a character, who assumes theyve been invited to some partying reality show, before they realize theyre in Netflixs Too Hot to Handle. Like the real life show, the in-game one follows the same rules: in order to help break some horny, shallow singles out of their routines, they must not kiss or engage in any sort of sexual actions for the whole summer. Each action costs the group money from the $200,000 prize pool. The point is to foster emotional growth and get those singles to reflect on whats stopping them from finding love.
I started with the first season, since that seemed like the natural thing to do, and made one of my usual characters: a flirtatious scallywag named Phillip (when you play a lot of games like this, its handy to have a rotation of characters to pop in, like different Barbie dolls trying on new careers). In Phils run, he broke a ton of the rules and cost the group a lot of money before he became smitten with a confident foodie named Dakota. But before he committed, he danced around and no one really cared, because that was just Phil! Everyone was in love with him. I enjoyed playing him as a scamp who eventually found the One — and still didnt give up his flirtatious, horny ways.
She risked it all for this bloke, but can you blame her?Image: Netflix/NanobitI was expecting similar mechanics in the second season, but I was surprised to find this time there was a more limited pool of singles. In season 2, I played free-spirited artist Madeleine, who, despite her kind heart, had problems committing. The limited singles pool meant that there were actually more intense plotlines with other characters romantic relationships — and way more jealousy. Madeleines flirting with other contestants while she was coupled up did eventually take a toll. And she almost blew everything when she decided to take a chance on a tattooed Australian bad boy instead of sticking with the steady tech CEO shed initially taken a liking to. Characters got vicious, confronting her and plotting to take her down. I was on the edge of my seat, unsure if bad boy Ryder was actually into Madeleine, or just stringing her along. It was honestly one of the most intense video game romances Ive played; and lemme tell you, Ive played a lot of them.
Im in the midst of season 3 right now, and I cant stop playing. Ive been singing the praises of this game to the friends I know who also have been burnt out by freemium, ad-filled mobile romance games. Its everything I used to love about these games before I got too jaded. I get to dress up my character with cute clothes and fun hairstyles. I get to make choices and build relationships with different characters, eventually culminating in a romance. And now Im seeing my friends share their own experiences, as we gush about which singles we pursued and what was different in our playthroughs. Its making me a little nostalgic for the mobile games I used to play, before they broke my heart. But in true Too Hot to Handle fashion, Ive done some soul-searching, and Im not settling for anything less than what I deserve: namely, an engaging game with some surprisingly magnificent character moments that lets me play through without asking for more money or wasting my time.
Netflixs Too Hot to Handle games are available on mobile devices, if you have a Netflix account.
