Hirotonfa's American Revolution Smuggler

About Hirotonfa's American Revolution Smuggler

Hirotonfa’s American Revolution Smuggler is a PC-based RPG and visual novel that tasks you with running a trade ship during the 18th century. Developed by HIROTONFA and published by Ninth Exodus in late 2026, it blends economic strategy with dating sim elements. You’ll haul goods between colonial ports, exploit fluctuating markets, and choose allegiances with Patriots or Loyalists to influence quests. The twist? While smuggling weapons and dodging pirates, you can romance “state-chans” representing regions like Louisiana and Quebec. It’s a niche mix of historical trading, risk management, and narrative-driven relationships. The game’s appeal lies in its attention to period-specific trade mechanics and the cheeky charm of its character interactions.

Gameplay

The core loop revolves around daily port visits where you buy/sell cargo based on volatile prices, then sail to new destinations while managing ship upgrades and crew morale. Navigation isn’t just about avoiding storms, pirates and militias attack based on your faction allegiance, forcing tactical choices between combat or negotiation. The dating sim elements emerge through dialogue trees and gift-giving, with each “state-chan” having unique backstory quests tied to regional politics. Combat is turn-based and simplistic, but the real challenge comes from balancing your cargo hold’s value against insurance risks. Sessions typically last 1, 3 hours, with the story branching based on economic decisions and romantic choices.

What Players Think

PlayPile community ratings average 8.7/10, with critics scoring it 8.2/10. 68% of players complete the main story, averaging 22 hours of playtime. The mood tags are 47% “Addictive,” 32% “Nostalgic,” and 15% “Confusing.” Achievement completists note 43 trophies, with the hardest being “fresh Romance” (unlocks after dating all 12 state-chans). Users praise the “smooth blend of commerce and courtship” but critique “historical inaccuracies in market trends.” One review says, “It’s a time sink if you’re into minutiae of 18th-century trade.” Another warns, “The dating sim feels bolted on if you’re not invested in the romance arcs.”

PlayPile's Take

This game is a niche pick for strategy fans who enjoy micro-managing markets and history buffs with a soft spot for quirky character designs. At $39.99, it’s pricier than most visual novels but offers replay value via branching allegiances and relationship paths. The 43 achievements add incentive to revisit, but the dated art style and clunky UI might deter newcomers. If you’re looking for a cerebral mix of economics and light dating sim elements set against the American Revolution, it’s worth the investment. Others may find the pacing slow or the factions too rigidly binary.

Storyline

Trade cargo during the American Revolution. Smuggle weapons and deliver secret packages for either the Patriots or the United Empire Loyalists. Date a state-chan!