Description

"Pia Carrot e Youkoso!!" (Welcome to Pia Carrot!!) is a classic dating simulation game originally developed by Cocktail Soft, a branch of the company F&C. Released for the Sega Saturn in 1997, the game allows players to take on the role of a high school student who finds work at the family-owned restaurant, Pia Carrot, during the summer vacation. The gameplay revolves around managing the protagonist's time between partaking in restaurant duties and interacting with his co-workers, many of whom are potential romantic interests. The player's choices in dialogue and actions directly influence the protagonist's relationships and ultimately determine the course of the story and its ending.

Significantly, "Pia Carrot e Youkoso!!" is noted for its detailed artwork and deep narrative structure, which were somewhat pioneering for dating sims of that era. It blends elements of a visual novel with management simulation, requiring players to schedule shifts at the restaurant while also finding time to build relationships. The Sega Saturn version, in particular, boasted improved graphics and added scenes not found in its original PC release, offering a richer visual and gaming experience. Its popularity led to several sequels and adaptations, including manga and anime, marking it as a substantial influence in the dating sim genre and contributing to the rise of similar-themed games in the following years.