Jack Jeanne is a rather strange but intriguing mash-up of gameplay genres. At its core, Jack Jeanne follows the tried and true otome formula, starring a young woman surrounded by sexy bachelors who will seduce her. Yet, when you aren’t reading text and seeing beautiful still art of characters in intriguing poses, you’ll be engaging in a rhythm game to prove your star’s worth by hitting notes across the screen or to match the tempo of movements. We really were taken aback by these rhythm game portions as the music was catchy and the gameplay elements themselves make you want to master it. And, although we started with the easiest difficulty at first, it didn’t take long for us to start hitting expert levels to see if we could go for perfect sessions! Yes, it is an otome game, so you can definitely expect a lot of reading while trying to romance one of several men, but the rhythm elements can hook even those not into otome-themed titles. The music and voice acting add to the overall appeal, with stellar performances and catchy tunes that enhance the rhythm game experience. Jack Jeanne's rhythm game component is complemented by its visually stunning art and well-executed music, making it a joy to play repeatedly. Whether in docked mode or on the go, Jack Jeanne looks incredible, making it a visual treat for players. As an otome visual novel, Jack Jeanne features a substantial amount of text, most of which is voiced in Japanese. Players can shape Kisa's story by choosing where to spend her weekends, affecting her relationships with other characters. Speaking of the characters, each is associated with specific lesson types, offering diverse scenes and interactions. Players can choose from various routes, each providing a different perspective on the romance aspect.

Honestly, otome visual novels can be hit or miss. Most are either super campy love stories or dark tales that make you wonder if they are based on true stories. Luckily, Jack Jeanne, while infused with some adult themes, is pretty light-hearted and a very engaging otome visual novel, largely due to its gameplay. Your goal is to rise through the ranks at Univeil school by becoming the Jack Ace and/or Al Jeanne, titles reserved for the top-performing students. These designations reflect the fact that students at Univeil are not restricted to male roles during performances but can also take on female characters, with varying degrees of success. To achieve the highest rank, you'll need to attend different classes while also managing your stamina and social life. At the heart of Jack Jeanne is the commitment to daily lessons, covering areas such as vocal training, agility, drama, and more. Each lesson enhances specific skills, and while their immediate impact may not be clear, they play a crucial role in your overall progress. Firstly, each lesson learned enhances Kisa’s skills, influencing who assists you during the rhythm game parts at the theatre. Secondly, and as you can probably guess, lessons also play a role in charming the various boys of Jack Jeanne. As the game progresses, romance becomes a part of Kisa’s story, but honestly, it feels like more of a side theme compared to the central focus on rhythm games and visual novel lessons. Not to say the romance is bad, but it's somewhat underwhelming. Despite some routes being more engaging than others, the overall experience remains captivating, contributing to the game's appeal. In our first playthrough, we chose Sarafumi Takashina, but we can easily envision exploring other routes to determine if the romance is stronger or more engaging.