Voltage’s The Red Bell’s Lament is Out Now!
Voltage’s The Red Bell’s Lament is out now on Nintendo Switch (5 June 2025). This new otome game blends vampire romance, revenge, and high-stakes drama in a beautifully haunting world.
🗡️ Game Overview
- Title: The Red Bell’s Lament
- Developer: AmuLit
- Publisher: Voltage Inc.
- Platform: Nintendo Switch (digital only)
- Languages: English, Japanese (Voice acting: Japanese only)
- Genre: Otome, Dark Fantasy, Visual Novel
- Rating: PEGI 16 / ESRB T (Teen 13+) (Blood, Sexual Themes, Violence)
- Official Website: Voltage Official Page
💔 Story Synopsis
In the once-peaceful kingdom of Hemeria, the world turned red when vampires laid waste to the land. Amid the destruction, one girl lost everything — and swore revenge. Over time, she became one of Hemeria’s elite vampire hunters, the Elpis 7.
Now, after receiving a mysterious letter, she is sent to a distant mansion. There, she meets vampire hunters and a royal knight, just as a new order from the monarchy arrives: infiltrate the vampire realm of Nyx. What begins as a mission quickly spirals into a deadly game — one where pawns are sacrificed, alliances are tested, and the fate of the world is uncertain.
🧛 Meet Your Love Interests
Four men. Vampire hunters, a royal knight, and not a single one of them emotionally safe. 😍 We haven’t even played the game yet and it’s already looking like trouble — the good kind, obviously. Let’s take a closer look… before we spiral.
🗡️Ciaran Lowell – The Quiet One You’ll 100% Obsess Over
“The weak are simply sustenance. That’ s just a fact.”
Age: 19 · Weapon: Longsword · Affiliation: Elpis 7
Lauded as the strongest among Hemeria’s elite vampire hunters, Ciaran’s the type of character who’s already a legend — and would very much prefer not to talk about it. He’s known for defeating an aristos vampire at the age of ten (yes, really), and now, at nineteen, he’s been called to join the invasion of Nyx as the kingdom’s secret weapon.
Stoic, solitary, and fully committed to strength through discipline, he rarely mixes with others… which makes him all the more dangerous to fall for. Cool, controlled, and hard to read — with dark hair and blue eyes on top of that? I already know I’m doomed.
And then there’s his voice — brought to life by Takuya Eguchi, known for roles like Nokto Klein in Ikemen Prince, Gretel in Taisho x Alice, and Ryoma Ichijou in Love Stage!!. His calm, restrained delivery already has me bracing for the kind of performance that leaves a lasting impression.
🛡️Garrett Welkin – The Knight in Shining Uniform
“When heroes break, the whole world will be tainted with despair.”
Age: 24 · Weapon: Spear · Affiliation: Royal Order of Hemeria · VA: Daisuke Namikawa
Promoted to Commander of the Royal Order at a young age, Garrett earned his title after surviving a devastating vampire assault that claimed the lives of his fellow trainees. His bravery saved countless civilians, and he has since become the kingdom’s symbol of hope against the vampire threat.
Serious and steadfast, Garrett leads the mission to Nyx with unwavering determination. While he claims to despise vampire hunters, his presence alongside them—and the heroine—suggests a more complex story. With his polished uniform, composed demeanor, and a voice that’s graced characters like Takeru Sasazuka (Collar x Malice) and Kazehaya (Kimi ni Todoke), Garrett embodies the reliable older type that’s hard not to fall for. 😆
☀️ Asher Thompson – The Sunshine with Secrets
“If only this moment could last forever.”
Age: 20 · Weapon: Dual Blades · Affiliation: Elpis 7 · VA: Nobuhiko Okamoto
A childhood friend of the heroine, Asher disappeared without a word and returns years later — not just alive, but now a member of the Elpis 7. His bright, easygoing nature brings much-needed balance to the group, but there’s a lingering tension beneath it all. The mention of mystery in his profile, paired with that cheerful front, is already making me suspicious in the best way. If he really is hiding something, it’s only going to make things spicier. He’s the same age as the heroine, which already sets their dynamic apart, and the setup has me fully invested. 😆🧛♂️
He’s voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto, known for his expressive range and standout performances as Takumi Usui in Maid-sama!, Obi in Snow White with the Red Hair, and roles in Ken ga Kimi and Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani. With a voice that can shift from radiant to razor-sharp without warning, I have a feeling we’re in for something unforgettable.
🌹 Rhodes Heartfield – The Vampire You’ll Save for Last
“There are some cases where death would be preferable. Not that I am capable of dying.”
Age: 20 (Human years) · Weapon: Rapier · Affiliation: Unknown · VA: Kengo Kawanishi
An elegant and enigmatic aristos vampire, Rhodes is cloaked in the fragrance of flowers and seduces his victims with a soft smile and sweet words. He manipulates magic and conceals his true identity from the heroine, sneaking into the crevices of her heart to compel her to do his bidding. His true intentions remain unknown, making him the most intriguing of the group.
As the only confirmed vampire love interest, his route promises an enemy-to-lover progression with a possible bittersweet ending — a narrative I’m fully prepared for. 😆 Given the potential for major spoilers, I’ll be saving his route for last.
He’s voiced by Kengo Kawanishi, known for his versatile performances as Rei Kiriyama in March Comes in Like a Lion, Mikazuki Augus in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans, and Muichiro Tokito in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. With a voice that can shift from gentle to haunting, Kawanishi is set to deliver a performance that will linger long after the story ends.
Who will earn your trust and your heart? 💖🥰
🔫 Juliet Rose – The Hunter with a Sweet Tooth and Sharper Aim
“I won’t let vampires take anything else from me — not a single damn thing.”
Age: 20 · Weapon: Flechette Gun · Affiliation: Elpis 7 · VA: None
Juliet is a member of the Elpis 7 and one of Hemeria’s most respected vampire hunters. After losing her brother — her only surviving family — to a vampire, she swore revenge and devoted her life to the hunt. Known for her beauty and strength, she’s become a symbol of hope for the people… but don’t let the title fool you. According to the official site, she’s not above cheating when challenged to a game, which honestly raises my expectations in the best way. 😆
It’s not every day we get a heroine described as elite from the start — and this one carries a gun, fights for revenge, and apparently loves parfaits. If she’s got a personality to match that setup, she might just climb her way into my personal favourites list. I’m genuinely excited to meet her. 💥
🎮 Why Fans Should Be Excited
With Even if TEMPEST still sitting high on my wishlist, I haven’t had the chance to experience Voltage’s first big console hit yet — but its impact is hard to ignore (especially with my bestie constantly nagging me to play it 😂❤️). Between the unique gameplay and the wave of glowing reviews it received from both longtime otome fans and new readers alike, it’s clear that Voltage knows how to go bold when they want to. That alone sets strong expectations for The Red Bell’s Lament — and I’m more than ready to see where this one takes us.
As for what makes this title stand out: the name change feature is present, as expected, though Juliet’s surname (Rose) is fixed. If you stick with her default name, the characters will say it aloud in voiced lines — a small but welcome touch for immersion.
The game features a Flow Chart, which lets you track your progress across each timeline and revisit specific scenes or chapters with clear synopses — perfect for completionists and chaos goblins alike.
Then there are the Missions. Choices definitely aren’t just dialogue fluff here — they can make or break your outcome. One wrong move and you might be looking at a bad ending on the spot. I live for this kind of pressure. 😆
But the most intriguing and genuinely novel feature is the Game Board. In certain parts of the story, Juliet can interact with a mysterious board that lets her cheat her way out of a bad decision. Literally. If you mess up, you can move a piece and rewind time to redo the choice. Mechanically, that’s such a clever way to handle route locks — and narratively? Even better.
And for those who like to unlock everything (hi, me), the Extra section includes CGs, character profiles, special stories, and movies, all tied to Elgan Crown collection. It’s satisfying to have something to show for the time you spend exploring every ending and corner. The fact that this content is earned through gameplay makes it feel even more rewarding — you really do earn your way through it, and that makes it even more worth it in my opinion.
Between its aesthetic, premise, cast, and layered systems, The Red Bell’s Lament looks like it’s going to be more than just “another Switch otome.” And if this is Voltage’s next major step beyond mobile — I’m already on board.
And can we talk about the opening theme? Voltage has gone full rock with proper gothic vibes — and it suits the tone of the game perfectly. I’ve already lost count of how many times I’ve replayed it. If you missed it, the official opening trailer is embedded below — take a listen (and enjoy the boyz 😍) while you’re at it. 🎧🖤
📣 Coming Soon to OtomeScape
- 📝 A detailed, spoiler-free review
- 💬 Fangirl commentary and reactions
- 📚 Comprehensive walkthrough guides
- 🖨️ A free printable themed for The Red Bell’s Lament, exclusive to OtomeScape newsletter subscribers!
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🩸 Ready to Answer the Bell?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — are you starting this dark romantic journey today? Who’s your first route? Stay tuned as I share my experiences and favourite moments soon. 🥰💖
Happy playing, and may your choices be as thrilling as they are heartbreaking. 💔✨
If you’re new here, feel free to explore my otome game reviews and indie otome reviews for more spoiler-free thoughts, favourite routes, and honest breakdowns.
Thanks for reading! 💕✨
