How to Date an Entity (and Stay Alive) is a uniquely captivating visual novel that masterfully intertwines elements of dating simulation with analog horror. Developed by SFour over a span of seven days, this game challenges players to navigate a surreal relationship with a mysterious entity, where every choice could be a matter of life or death.
In How to Date an Entity (and Stay Alive), players awaken in their room to find a towering, enigmatic woman—referred to as “Mrs.”—whose intentions are as unclear as her origin. The only apparent path to survival is to engage in a romantic relationship with her. This premise sets the stage for a game that is as much about emotional connection as it is about existential dread.
The game features an Interest Meter, a unique system that tracks the player’s relationship status with the entity. Every dialogue choice influences this meter, leading to one of ten possible endings. Each playthrough lasts approximately 15–20 minutes, encouraging multiple sessions to explore different outcomes.
How to Date an Entity (and Stay Alive) employs a blend of pastel visuals and unsettling horror elements, creating a dissonant yet compelling atmosphere. The game’s design draws inspiration from analog horror, featuring CRT filters and glitch effects that enhance the sense of unease. The soundscape combines ASMR whispers with emergency alerts, further immersing players in its eerie world.
Despite being developed in just a week, How to Date an Entity (and Stay Alive) has garnered a 4.7 out of 5-star rating from over 500 players. The developer, SFour, utilized tools like Ren’Py and received assistance from AI for coding, but all art and dialogue were created independently. The game’s success has led to translations in multiple languages, including English, Russian, Turkish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, and French.
