Choose 9-nine-:Episode 1
Choose 9-nine-:Episode 1 if you want a Casual experience. 9-nine-:Episode 1 launched in 2019.
9-nine-:Episode 1 vs Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness
9-nine-:Episode 1 and Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness both land in Simulation on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Simulation games on Steam. 9-nine-:Episode 1 (2019) is 3 years older than Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness (2022). Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness is currently ~0% cheaper on Steam than 9-nine-:Episode 1 (19.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness
Choose Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness if it's the newer release (2022) and ships with the modern feature baseline. Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness launched in 2022.
Both 9-nine-:Episode 1 and Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness sit in Simulation on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 9-nine-:Episode 1 |  Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2019 | 2022 |
| Genres | Simulation, Casual | Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 19.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 93.5% positive (216 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | PALETTE | CyberStep, Inc., Rideon Works Co. Ltd, |
Side by side
- Both are Simulation games on Steam.
- 9-nine-:Episode 1 (2019) is 3 years older than Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness (2022).
- Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness is currently ~0% cheaper on Steam than 9-nine-:Episode 1 (19.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- 9-nine-:Episode 1 is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness has no Deck rating yet.
9-nine-:Episode 1 vs Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness — FAQ
- Should I play 9-nine-:Episode 1 or Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness first?
- If you want chronology, 9-nine-:Episode 1 (2019) came out before Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness (2022). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are 9-nine-:Episode 1 and Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness similar?
- They overlap on Simulation on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does 9-nine-:Episode 1 run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — 9-nine-:Episode 1 is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Pure-hearted Gyaru and the Shape of Happiness doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.