Super Seducer 2: Advanced Seduction Tactics

I know what you're thinking: "Didn't you just review a Super Seducer game a few months ago?" And you're right, because the so-called "most controversial game of the year" came out in March and it's already getting a sequel. And we're not even close to being done with this series, because there's already a Steam page for Super Seducer 3, which is described as the "follow-up to the massive hit game Super Seducer 2." The same Super Seducer 2 that wasn't even on sale when they wrote that. I guess it shouldn't surprise anybody that a game primarily about lying to get laid sees no problem with being dishonest with their audience. That's not cool.

There's a glimmer of hope at the beginning of Super Seducer 2 that suggests that maybe Richard La Ruina and the developers had listened to the criticism and worked hard to create a less loathsome product. The introduction video promises a game that is bigger, better, has more diversity, offers the ability to play levels from a woman's point of view and even has a Scottish guy. It's true that this is a better and more inclusive game, but don't take that to mean that it's a good game, because it's not. We have a lot to talk about.

The subtitle here is "Advanced Seduction Tactics," which kind of makes it sound like a Metal Gear Solid game. The gimmick is to throw us into more complicated scenarios, such as trying to date a stripper, courting a girl half your age or finding a gentle way to exit a date in order to hit on a super model. These are not the typical situations you'll run into when navigating the dating scene, but they are at least potentially more interesting than what we saw in the first game.

The setup and gameplay remains largely the same. You'll watch a full-motion video clip that sets up some sort of dilemma and then choose the correct response. Whether you chose right or wrong, Richard will pop up afterwards and offer advice. And new to this game is a female co-host named Charlotte, who, in theory, will provide a woman's perspective to each choice. This is a good idea on paper, but Richard and Charlotte have zero chemistry. At times it feels like they actively hate each other, and not in a fun way.

Unfortunately, this is the least of the game's problems. Probably the most troubling thing is that Super Seducer 2 is constantly sending mixed messages. There are points where it seems like maybe Richard understands how icky some of these tactics are, especially given where we are in 2018. But don't be fooled, because there's no softening here. A good example of that comes early in the game when the mission is to seduce a co-worker at your pharmaceutical company. Wait, did I say "co-worker"? What I meant to say was secretary; the mission is to try to sleep with your secretary.

At first, Richard scolds the player for making the attractive young woman bend over to gather up papers in order to get a better look at her assets. He reminds you that there's a power dynamic difference here and that you may gain a bad reputation for this kind of sexual harassment. But then we get a shot of her lusting over her new boss and co-workers surprised the two haven't hooked up. Richard suggests that if you let some time pass and maybe promote her a couple of times, then you've completed the imaginary checklist and are free to ask her on a date. Does this approach work? Maybe, I don't know. But it doesn't solve the problem that he's still her boss and saying no to his sexual advances could have real ramifications to her job.

Click For the Full Picture Archive

There are also points where Richard steps back and lets other people take the lead. He says this is being done to be more inclusive, yet the game seems to go out of its way to recycle tired stereotypes. Probably the most outrageous example of this comes with the introduction of Mahmoud, a morbidly obese fiftysomething who uses Tinder to pick up women half his age. That aspect is bad enough, but the whole thing is made worse as he trots out every offensive Arab cliche you can think of. He literally jokes about beheadings when introducing him to the visibly nauseated young woman. The whole thing made my skin crawl.

When you boot up the game, Richard seems sincere in wanting to improve the sequel based on feedback. That's honestly the right attitude to take, but I don't buy it for a second. Instead of learning from the mistakes, the game constantly finds ways of mocking and commenting on those who bashed the first game. We get a bunch of these types of responses to those who didn't like the game, which makes the game look petty and bitter. This is the most thin-skinned game I have ever played.

Every change made feels like it was done out of protest. We see this when the game switches perspectives and gives women advice on how to flirt with men. This is certainly not the worst idea the game has, but it's definitely easier and more straight-forward than the other levels. It also comes extremely late in the game and after a rough stand-up comedy routine that mocks the #metoo movement.

The problem is that even if Super Seducer 2 were to give out better advice, we would still be stuck with a game that is no fun to play. Even as a fan of bad video game acting, I found a lot of the performances to be more cringy than I could handle. There's a lot of terrible improv here, and I'm not sure Richard is as charming as he thinks he is. He seems to barrel into every situation with an unearned confidence that I find to be obnoxious, though I'm sure it works on other people. What's more, the game not only retains the terrible editing from the first installment, but one-ups it by forgetting to include a bunch of text.

Click For the Full Picture Archive

But let's not overlook the real issue here: It's full of crummy advice. The truth is, this game is only fun when you're purposely choosing the worst options, and even that is never as satisfying as you would like. The correct answer is usually pretty obvious and boring, though there were a few times when I audibly gasped when I heard the advice. Let me spoil it for you so you don't have to waste your money: Lie your ass off, and if that doesn't work, shower the women with money. That's really all it takes to be a super seducer.

Between the mixed messages and crummy advice, I find Super Seducer 2 to be impossible to recommend. Not only does it fail at its intended purpose, but it's also a boring game where even the most outrageous moments feel tame. This claims to be filled with "Advanced Seduction Tactics," but the advice is predictable and might even get you sued for sexual harassment. Super Seducer 2 wants to be the next great educational tool, but in reality it's a toothless dating simulator with terrible acting and even worse advice. This is a lame series.