Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Due to family circumstances, Yuki has only one belief: money will make his little sister happy. And thus, he works part-time jobs late into the night. His plan is to start working full-time after graduation, but his little sister tells him that if he won't go to university, then she won't either.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire is a visual novel and anime game
developed by ASa Project
and published by NekoNyan Ltd..
Released on October 22nd 2021 is available in English only on Windows.
It has received 302 reviews of which 290 were positive and 12 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.8 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 28.99€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire through various videos and screenshots.
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows 7 or newer
- Processor: 1.7 GHz or above
- Memory: 1 GB RAM
- Storage: 5 GB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
Koikari, also known as Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari – Love for Hire, developed by ASa Project and published by NekoNyan Ltd., is a romantic comedy visual novel that blends a wildly exaggerated premise with heartfelt storytelling and endearing character drama. It centers on Yuki Shinkai, a young man whose part-time job takes an unusual form—he works as a “relationship rental,” playing temporary roles such as a friend, boyfriend, or sibling for clients who need emotional companionship or social support. While the premise immediately leans toward absurdity, it provides the perfect foundation for ASa Project’s trademark blend of over-the-top humor, slapstick chaos, and unexpectedly sincere romantic storytelling. Beneath its lighthearted surface, Koikari explores themes of emotional dependence, personal growth, and the blurry line between genuine affection and manufactured intimacy. The common route sets the tone for what follows: fast-paced, comedic writing filled with sharp exchanges and relentless gags that rarely allow the reader a moment’s rest. The humor is distinctly Japanese in rhythm, relying on Boke and Tsukkomi-style banter—characters say outrageous things and are immediately countered with deadpan comebacks or escalating absurdity. While this frenetic pace can feel overwhelming, it effectively captures the playful energy that defines ASa Project’s storytelling. Beneath the laughter, however, the common route also does the crucial work of introducing the emotional core of the story. Yuki’s unusual line of work forces him to reflect on authenticity—how much of his affection is real, and how much is just performance for hire. This internal tension gradually becomes the backbone of the game’s romantic arcs. As the story branches into its individual heroine routes, Koikari begins to show both its strengths and weaknesses. Each heroine—ranging from clients to coworkers and friends—represents a different side of the central theme of love as transaction versus love as truth. Some routes dive deeply into this emotional territory, presenting Yuki and his chosen partner as two people struggling to understand what real affection means in a world built on pretense. These stories are genuinely moving and offer moments of unexpected vulnerability that contrast sharply with the game’s humor. Others, however, rely too heavily on familiar tropes, such as sudden confessions or convenient misunderstandings, and they occasionally sacrifice character growth for fan service or comedic effect. This unevenness doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does make certain routes stand out far more than others, with a few clearly written to deliver emotional payoff while others exist mainly for levity. Yuki himself is an unconventional protagonist—he’s neither the purely self-insert archetype nor a fully idealized romantic lead. His motivations are practical, even cynical at times; he’s working to support his younger sister and grapples with the moral ambiguity of profiting from affection. This grounded realism makes him more relatable than the average visual novel protagonist, but it also means he can be frustrating. His occasional stubbornness or emotional blindness creates moments where the player may find him at odds with the tone of the story. However, this imperfection also humanizes him, especially when his guarded attitude slowly gives way to genuine connection. Watching his growth across multiple routes becomes one of the game’s more rewarding elements. Koikari’s presentation complements its personality. The artwork, while not groundbreaking, is bright, colorful, and full of expressive detail. The character sprites capture emotion with charm, especially during comedic outbursts or heartfelt moments, and the backgrounds reinforce the cozy urban atmosphere of the setting. The localization by NekoNyan Ltd. deserves special mention—it handles ASa Project’s humor with skill, maintaining comedic timing and wordplay without losing cultural nuance. The English script reads smoothly, which is no small feat given the rapid-fire pacing of the dialogue. The soundtrack fits comfortably within the genre: upbeat tracks accompany comedic scenes, while gentle piano or guitar pieces emphasize emotional or romantic moments. Though not particularly memorable on its own, the music provides steady support for the shifting tones of the story. The erotic content, restored via a free adult patch, plays a notable but balanced role. Rather than feeling gratuitous, most of the intimate scenes are contextualized within the relationships, serving as emotional climaxes that signify genuine closeness rather than mere indulgence. Still, a few sequences are clearly designed for fan service, and their frequency can disrupt pacing in certain routes. Yet even these moments are handled with more warmth and tenderness than shock value, aligning with the game’s larger themes about intimacy and emotional sincerity. Technically, the game performs reliably but lacks some of the conveniences of modern visual novels. The 720p resolution feels dated, and the lack of advanced features like sprite animation or enhanced transitions makes it visually static compared to contemporary titles. Some players may also find the save system and Steam overlay integration somewhat limited. However, these are minor flaws that don’t detract significantly from the storytelling experience. The game’s structure—one lengthy common route followed by multiple branching paths—encourages replayability, and with over twenty hours of content, it offers good value for those who enjoy exploring all possible relationships. Ultimately, Koikari succeeds because it embraces both its silliness and its sincerity. It is a game that understands how to make its audience laugh while still finding time to make them feel. Beneath the constant humor lies a surprisingly thoughtful message about the importance of honesty and emotional authenticity, even in relationships that begin under false pretenses. While some routes stumble and the protagonist’s uneven personality can test patience, the sheer heart behind the writing and the chemistry between characters keep it engaging throughout. For fans of romantic comedies that balance chaos with warmth, Koikari stands as a charming and often hilarious experience—a testament to ASa Project’s ability to mix laughter and love in equal measure. Rating: 9/10
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This visual novel delivers a surprisingly emotional and well-written story. Playing as Yuki, I was immediately invested in his struggle between familial duty and his own future. The premise of being a "rental boyfriend" leads to wonderfully awkward and heartwarming scenarios, as Yuki's professional facade cracks to reveal his genuinely caring nature. The routes I played were well-developed, with the romantic relationships feeling earned and the central conflict with his sister providing a strong emotional backbone. The art is beautiful, and the soundtrack perfectly underscores the story's more tender moments. Verdict: A standout romance VN with a compelling protagonist and a heartfelt core narrative. Highly recommended for fans of the genre looking for a story with more depth than the usual high-school fluff.
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This one made me feel things. Typically I don't really connect well with the stories of VNs, but this one was very different. Gooner CGs aside, this was an incredible VN and it made my heart hurt a little knowing I don't have the sort of love experienced in this game like I used to. 10/10
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Frequently Asked Questions
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire is currently priced at 28.99€ on Steam.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 28.99€ on Steam.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire received 290 positive votes out of a total of 302 achieving a rating of 8.78.
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Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire was developed by ASa Project and published by NekoNyan Ltd..
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire is not playable on MacOS.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire is not playable on Linux.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire is a single-player game.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire does not currently offer any DLC.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire does not support Steam Remote Play.
Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire.
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Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 19 October 2025 18:17 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 23 October 2025 07:04 |
| Steam price | 31 October 2025 20:32 |
| Steam reviews | 30 October 2025 15:56 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Renai Karichaimashita: Koikari - Love For Hire compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
2
Developer
ASa Project
Publisher
NekoNyan Ltd.
Release
22 Oct 2021
Platforms