A free demo of otome visual novel The Crimson Flower That Divides: Lunar Coupling has been released on the Nintendo Switch today via the eShop in all regions, as revealed in a tweet by publisher HuneX. Developed by Japanese studio Operetta Due, The Crimson Flower That Divides: Lunar Coupling will launch for Nintendo Switch on February 23, with a PC release via Steam to follow later this year.
The demo is currently exclusive to the Nintendo Switch version of the game. Publisher HuneX has not stated whether it will later be made available for PC, and the publisher has yet to add a listing for the game on the Steam storefront.
The Crimson Flower That Divides: Lunar Coupling takes place on a continent where a fatal disease with no known cure runs rampant. Its protagonist, a young woman by name of Naala, lives in the country of Rus in the south of the continent. Shortly after her mother is kidnapped by an army from the north, Naala is taken in by her childhood best friend Auri’s royal family, who provide for her with every intention of her one day becoming Auri’s bride.
According to its official eShop page, The Crimson Flower That Divides: Lunar Coupling is just as rich in adventure as it is romance. The game weaves international conflict with political passion across its several character routes, with players uncovering a different branch of the overall narrative with each romance they pursue, as per otome tradition.
The Crimson Flower That Divides: Lunar Coupling is to be an updated version of the original otome visual novel Koezaru wa Akai Hana, which was first released for Japanese PC systems in 2012. The version of the game coming to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam this year will include bonus character stories not seen in the original PC release, as well as series of epilogues specially written for this version. However, these stories will be added to the game via a future update.
At the time of writing, the free demo of The Crimson Flower That Divides: Lunar Coupling includes Japanese, English, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) language options. Fans can preorder the game for Nintendo Switch either via the eShop or as a physical edition available through select third-party retailers.