A date with the South Side Skinks
Rummy and Coqui: Valenskink’s Day! is a free interactive fiction role-playing video game wherein you get to hang out with the VTuber duo, Rummy and Coqui. This indie visual novel features the personas of the aforementioned virtual YouTuber personalities themselves as they celebrate Valentine’s Day. The game is fully voiced as it is promotional material for the pair’s YouTube account. However, take note that this VN contains strong language not suitable for children.
Joining the gang
A virtual YouTuber or “VTuber” is an online entertainer who uses a virtual avatar generated using computer graphics. This trend of YouTubers or live-streamers using controllable 3D virtual character models started peaking in 2016 and has now become a popular niche of entertainment on the website. Like regular YouTubers, they may either get fan games made for them or actively develop and publish their own games to support their success. This is what Rummy and Coqui did.
Fully titled as “Valenskink’s Day! A Rummy and Coqui Choose-Your-Own-Adventure!”, Rummy and Coqui: Valenskink’s Day! is a Valentine’s Day game with the static 2D versions of the two VTubers, who happen to be gang members in their character canon story. It’s a pretty short dating sim that barely gives a proper ending but it’s still great for any fans of the two. They’re also joined by their canon gang rival Krimbo, who’s also fully voiced.
The gameplay is pretty straightforward—just progress the story and choose dialogue or action options to explore different paths. There are 7 endings you can achieve: 2 good, 2 bad, and 3 “okay” endings. These are pretty easy to get due to the game’s short length. However, there’s no gallery you can unlock to revisit the ending CGs you win. Additionally, while nearly everything’s voiced, most of Rummy’s lines can sound soft despite the in-game volume maxed out.
A V-day special
Rummy and Coqui: Valenskink’s Day! is a nice little holiday game whether a new or old fan of the two. Getting all endings isn’t too complicated and this actually showcases its voice actors. However, you can’t check out the cool CG art you get. Some voiceovers can sound a bit too quiet, as well. If you’re interested in this art style, however, check out River City Girls since its character designer also created Rummy and Coqui’s models.
