Absent in the Rain

Mysterious senpai. A murder case that is crowded with the world. And a huge fish shadow swimming at my feet... If all of them were connected together and surrounded me like a ring. What should I do?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

story16 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features beautiful art and a captivating atmosphere, enhanced by a well-composed soundtrack that complements the narrative.
The story is intriguing and thought-provoking, exploring themes of morality and introspection in a poetic manner.
As a free visual novel, it offers a fulfilling experience in a short time frame, making it accessible for those looking to explore the genre.

The plot can feel predictable and lacks depth, with some scenes appearing random and disconnected from the overall narrative.
There are minor localization issues and a lack of choices that may detract from the immersive experience.
Some players found the scene transitions repetitive and the absence of background music in certain areas to be disappointing.

story
37 mentions
43 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its enjoyable and atmospheric narrative, complemented by a strong soundtrack and art. While some found the plot to be intriguing and emotionally resonant, others criticized it for being predictable, short, and lacking depth in character development. Overall, the game offers a poetic and introspective experience, though its brevity and occasional localization issues may limit its impact.
- “This is very short but I loved it. The story and production offer great potential for bigger visual novel projects. The plot is really weird and unpredictable, which I enjoyed a lot. The music and art create a great atmosphere as well!”
- “The beautiful prose and the simple, touching story are like a slow-paced poem, gently washing over the soul.”
- “It hooked me from the start with its well-written story, and I enjoyed the variety of sprites and backgrounds.”
- “However, its repetitive scene transitions and predictable plot hold it back from reaching its full potential.”
- “The characters are average with no motivation and dialogues with no actual contribution to the story, no chemistry and dynamic with each other.”
- “The story is short, hollow, not interactive at all and too random to be truly interesting.”
atmosphere
15 mentions
67 % positive mentions
13 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Absent in the Rain" is widely praised for its captivating blend of art and music, creating a unique and immersive experience that enhances the storytelling. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotions through its moody ambiance, with its distinctive art style and subtle sound design contributing to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Overall, the game is celebrated for its atmospheric depth, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
- “Good storyline, good illustration, masterpiece soundtrack = great atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere for this game is absolutely 10/10.”
- “The sparse but impactful music added to the game's atmosphere, and the artwork, despite its monotone palette, created a captivating, gloomy tone.”
- “For me, the atmosphere is what made it special—it’s the kind of game that makes you stop and think, even if you’re not entirely sure what about.”
- “It’s less about what you’re doing and more about how the game makes you feel—and for me, it was all about the atmosphere.”
music
14 mentions
43 % positive mentions
36 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to create a captivating and atmospheric experience, enhancing the storytelling and overall mood. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its reflective and melancholic qualities that linger after gameplay. However, some mention a lack of music in certain areas, which detracts slightly from the experience.
- “Enjoyable story and soundtrack overall good experience.”
- “The soundtrack for this game is really well done.”
- “As for the music, while it may sound familiar, it blends seamlessly into the atmospheric backdrop, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “My only gripe is the lack of music in areas of the visual novel, which you will pick up on if you start this visual novel.”
- “The sparse but impactful music added to the game's atmosphere, and the artwork, despite its monotone palette, created a captivating, gloomy tone.”
- “I do not understand a thing but it's fine, love the OST and the art.”
graphics
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The graphics of "absent in the rain" are praised for their unique art style and atmospheric visuals, which effectively enhance the game's mood and narrative. While the visuals are simple and utilize a monotone palette, they create a captivating and immersive experience that stands out in the visual novel genre. Overall, the combination of distinctive artwork and a fitting soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The game’s visuals are simple, but they create a strong mood.”
- “Sip 'n' savor: 'absent in the rain' casts a captivating spell with its unique art style, drawing players into a world where mystery lurks around every corner like a curious bear sniffing out honey.”
- “Roar factor: in a sea of visual novels, 'absent in the rain' manages to make a splash with its distinctive art style and atmospheric soundtrack.”
- “The game's visuals are simple, but they create a strong mood.”
- “The sparse but impactful music added to the game's atmosphere, and the artwork, despite its monotone palette, created a captivating, gloomy tone.”
- “Despite its cliche murder plot, the art style complements the narrative well, like honey drizzled over a simple dish to add depth of flavor.”
gameplay
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a focus on exploration and environmental interaction rather than traditional action or complex mechanics, emphasizing a narrative-driven experience over conventional fun.
- “This isn’t a game you play for traditional 'fun.' The gameplay is light, focusing on exploration and interacting with elements in your environment to piece together a larger story.”
- “Sometimes, a game doesn’t need big action sequences or complex mechanics to make an impression.”
- “Gameplay and interaction”
- “It's just gameplay.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its beautiful prose and simple yet poignant storytelling, which evokes deep feelings, ranging from tears to a sense of emptiness. Players find the narrative to be a moving experience that resonates on a profound level.
- “The beautiful prose and the simple, touching story are like a slow-paced poem, gently washing over the soul.”
- “One made me cry and the other made me feel empty.”
grinding
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
- “The grind is satisfying, with each level-up feeling like a significant achievement.”
- “I love how the grinding mechanics are balanced; it never feels tedious and always keeps me engaged.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization model for Steam requires developers to pay a non-refundable Steam Direct fee, which can only be recouped once their product generates at least $1,000 in adjusted gross revenue from sales or in-app purchases.
- “The Steam Direct fee is non-refundable and can only be recouped after the product generates at least $1,000.00 in adjusted gross revenue from the Steam store or in-app purchases.”
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “I find the in-game purchases to be overpriced and not worth the value they provide.”