Among the many gacha games I’ve been playing, Gakuen Idolmaster is one of the few simulation-style ones that really managed to hook me and keep me interested long-term. I tried Uma Musume and a few others in the past, but they all eventually turned into too much of a slog with long sessions, heavy time investment, and not enough payoff which made it hard to commit to them consistently (especially when I already have so many other games to keep up with).

Gakuen Idolmaster uses a similar formula: you train an idol and help her succeed in a particular storyline, with multiple routes connected through her personal narrative. But here, both the training events and the farming are just the right size engaging enough to keep me playing, but never so demanding that they lead to burnout.

Of course, in games like these, the real reason you stay is the characters. You keep coming back because you want to learn more about the girls you’ve grown attached to. And in this regard, Gakuen Idolmaster is easily the best gacha I’ve played, every idol is charming, fun, and genuinely interesting. 

They definitely fit their own tropes, but they also have enough personality and depth (revealed through the mini-stories you unlock as you go) that it becomes hard not to love all of them and I really mean ALL of them. I don't think I dislike any idol of the main cast.

My favorite is definitely Kotone Fujita. I’m always drawn to those hardworking, slightly struggling characters who push themselves for the sake of their families. On top of that, Kotone has this quirky, grounded attitude that makes her a perfect contrast to her two troublemaker roommates, Temari Tsukimura and Saki Hanami.

Second best is definitely Temari, I think her voice is stunning and I like her tsundere personality, especially when played for comedy, and of course her "gluttony" perk. Watching her struggle trying to keep weight under control while still craving for food is...quite enjoyable.

I also really enjoy Kotone’s whole “prey vs. predator” dynamic with the student council president, Sena Jou, who keeps chasing her around to scout her and become her personal producer. It starts as pure comedy, but the back-and-forth between them is genuinely fun, and I love seeing the two interact.

I haven’t had the time yet to finish all the character stories for each idol, especially the ones that unlock in the second storyline, but everything I’ve read so far has been really enjoyable. As for the actual gacha aspect… well, I can’t judge it too harshly because I’m mostly here for the characters and the story anyway.