Forged Desires Review: A Bara JRPG That Puts Muscle, Romance, and Strategy First

Brett H.
2 days ago
3 min read

Forged Desires is one of those indie bara games that immediately lets you know what it wants to be and then actually commits to it. This is a classic JRPG at heart, but one that proudly blends dating sim elements, thick-bodied love interests, and a smart outfit-based skill system into something that feels tailored for bara fans who also love old-school RPG mechanics.

Story and World

You play as Alaric, a blacksmith whose quiet life is shattered when his village is destroyed by the cruel Prince Draven. Rather than rushing into revenge for shock value, Forged Desires lets the story simmer. Alaric isn’t a chosen hero, he’s a working man forced into action, and that grounded setup works really well with the bara tone.

Two game scenes: Left, two men close with text about goosebumps. Right, shirtless man in a room, with humorous text. Mood is playful.

The world feels handcrafted rather than sprawling for the sake of it. You’re not drowning in lore dumps. Instead, the story unfolds naturally through travel, combat, and relationships, which keeps things moving without losing emotional weight.

The Datable Men: Leonard and Galic

Leonard The Royal Soldier

Leonard is built like a brick wall and carries himself with discipline and loyalty. His route leans into duty versus desire, with moments that highlight restraint, trust, and slowly lowering his guard. He feels like the classic bara soldier archetype done right, strong, protective, and quietly intense.

Galic The Wizard

Galic brings a very different energy. He’s confident, clever, and a little dangerous in the way only a magic user can be. His route has more playful tension and curiosity, balancing brains with brawn. Where Leonard is steady and grounded, Galic is expressive and teasing.

Both romance routes branch from the middle of the game through the end, meaning your choices actually matter instead of being tacked on as an afterthought.

Cartoon cat mascot, plush doll, and anime merch on a colorful background. Text: VOGRACE, The only company you'll need for your Kickstarter.

Clothing System and Field Skills

One of Forged Desires’ strongest features is its clothing-based skill system. Instead of traditional class switching, Alaric learns abilities by wearing different outfits.

Each outfit:

Unlocks unique combat skills
Grants Field Skills like invisibility, swinging across gaps, or pushing heavy objects
Encourages experimentation rather than locking you into one playstyle

This system feels especially satisfying for JRPG fans because it rewards curiosity. Switching clothes isn’t cosmetic, it directly changes how you explore and fight.

Combat and Gameplay Feel

Combat sticks to a classic turn-based JRPG style, which will feel familiar to anyone who grew up on older console RPGs. Battles are clean, readable, and focused more on timing and skill use than flashy effects.

It’s refreshing to see a bara game that doesn’t sacrifice gameplay depth just to get to the adult content. The combat stands on its own, and the dating elements feel integrated rather than distracting.

Romance and Adult Content

The game includes 9 H-scenes, ranging from intimate kissing moments to more explicit encounters (not all are available in the demo). What works here is pacing. The adult content doesn’t overwhelm the story, it rewards progress and emotional investment.

Two game scenes: left shows a character in armor confronting a village, right depicts a close, intimate moment between two characters. Text dialogue is visible.

Nothing feels rushed. When scenes happen, they feel earned, which makes them hit harder for players who care about character connection.

Why Forged Desires Works for Bara Fans

Muscular, adult character designs without apology
Romance that develops alongside the main plot
A protagonist who feels relatable rather than idealized
JRPG mechanics that respect the player’s time

Final Thoughts on Forged Desires

Forged Desires is a strong example of how bara games can be more than just visual novels with stats. It respects classic JRPG design while delivering romance and adult content that feels natural to the story.

If you’re into bara games with real gameplay, meaningful choices, and thick men you actually want to spend time with, this one is absolutely worth checking out, especially if you miss the feel of older JRPGs but want something made for a gay audience.