Big Dipper

Big Dipper’s tale of romance and the holidays has merit, but the game could have used a good copy editor. In its current state, this visual novel is a bit too by-the-books to suggest for those looking for a good story.

67%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

78% User Score Based on 41 reviews

Critic Score 50%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

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About

Big Dipper is a single player role playing game with fantasy, romance and drama themes. It was developed by Team Zimno and was released on January 7, 2019. It received neutral reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

"Big Dipper" is a kinetic visual novel available in multiple languages, telling a bittersweet story of two lovers meeting on New Year's Eve. The game follows Andrew, a hardworking furniture maker who, after facing family troubles, finally affords his own house in a remote location, and Julia, a young woman who spent her childhood at her grandfather's home. Their lives intertwine in a heartwarming tale of fate and love.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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78%

Audience ScoreBased on 41 reviews

story18 positive mentions

The artwork and music are beautiful, creating a charming atmosphere.
The story is heartwarming and sweet, making it a pleasant short read.
It incorporates elements of Russian folklore, adding depth to the narrative.

The English translation is poorly executed, with numerous typos and awkward sentences.
The pacing is too fast, making character development and romantic progression feel rushed and unearned.
The lack of meaningful choices and depth in the story may leave some players unsatisfied.

story
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The story of "Big Dipper" revolves around Andrew and Julia, two strangers who meet in a cabin during a snowy New Year's Eve, leading to a sweet but rushed romance. While the narrative is charming and features elements of Slavic folklore, many reviewers noted that the pacing is uneven, with character development and supernatural elements feeling forced and underexplored due to the short runtime. Overall, it offers a cozy experience but lacks depth and detail, making it more suitable for those seeking a light, quick read rather than a fully fleshed-out story.
- “The story centers on Andrew and Julia, two people who have heard of each other through their own relations but have never met until now.”
- “Big Dipper tells the story of Andrew and Julia, two strangers who encounter each other in a rundown cabin in the middle of the snowy woods.”
- “It's a sweet story about two people drawn together by fate, by quite magical circumstances.”
- “You can predict the story after the first 5 minutes.”
- “The downside with the plot focusing on a single day time period is that the character development gets rather rushed and too convenient for a natural unfolding.”
- “If you expect this game to have some meaningful choices or plot twists, turn around - you won't find any of it here.”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
15%
23%
The graphics in the visual novel are widely praised for their beautiful artwork, appealing character designs, and charming winter-themed aesthetics. However, some reviewers noted that the character portraits can feel stiff and limited, and there are inconsistencies in the writing quality that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point of the game, enhancing its romantic and festive atmosphere.
- “The visuals are fantastic, starting from the backgrounds to the GUI with snowflake design, all the way to the character design.”
- “I loved the artwork and the music in this one.”
- “The graphics and animations are above average, which makes the lack of attention to the writing stand out even more.”
- “Unfortunately, the text does not match the quality of the visuals.”
- “Big Dipper is a very pleasant 2-hour visual novel with beautiful artwork.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
23%
23%
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with many describing it as relaxing and fitting well with the visual novel's themes. While some reviewers noted that the music is not particularly memorable, it effectively complements the artwork and overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack, featuring soothing guitar melodies, contributes positively to the game's charm.
- “The music is also very nice and relaxing, not exactly festive, but it still fits the atmosphere.”
- “The beautiful and soothing guitar soundtracks got me in the wintery mood quickly and fit perfectly into the wintery premise.”
- “I loved the artwork and the music in this one.”
- “The music isn't all that shabby either.”
- “The art is strong, the music is strong, the writing is strong, but... it's one of those visual novels where everything (or almost everything) takes place at a real-life pace, without jumping forward, and... while there are some supernatural/mystery elements, things are talked about in a very, very down-to-earth way.”
- “[0.2] sound & music”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The atmosphere of the game is described as warm, cozy, and magical, enhanced by relaxing music and charming animations like a crackling fireplace and falling snow. Players appreciate the blend of fairy-tale elements with more serious themes, creating a delightful and immersive experience that encourages relaxation and emotional connection. Overall, the game successfully fosters a tranquil environment that complements its narrative.
- “Grab a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, tea, a glass of wine, or whatever else you prefer to drink to get yourself in a cozy mood, and enjoy this atmospheric visual novel influenced by Russian folktales and fairy tales.”
- “Animations like a crackling fireplace, falling snow, and a smoking roof contribute a lot to the atmosphere and give 'Big Dipper' a realistic touch.”
- “If it were a tad slower, the atmosphere would be so much more peaceful.”
- “Animations like a crackling fireplace, falling snow, and a smoking roof contribute a lot to the atmosphere and give Big Dipper a realistic touch.”
- “The music is also very nice and relaxing, not exactly festive, but it still fits the atmosphere.”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming story and touching dialogues, which evoke strong feelings and even tears from players. While some found the beginning disorienting and certain themes underdeveloped, the overall experience is described as a beautiful blend of whimsical and serious moments that resonate deeply, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a heartfelt escape.
- “What you will find involves heartwarming dialogues, interesting background to the plot, and tears at the end.”
- “The final scenes were so touching they brought tears to my eyes.”
- “That call to his mother made me feel a lump in my throat; I actually felt like calling my mum as well and asking some trivial questions, e.g. 'Do you like salads?' Thanks for that fairy-tale childish atmosphere and for more serious adult topics as well.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is well-executed, with players particularly finding the bear character to be adorable and amusing.
- “The humor works well, and that bear is adorable too.”
- “The witty dialogue and clever puns kept me laughing throughout the game.”
- “I love how the game blends humor with gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
Character development in the game is noted to be somewhat rushed due to the plot's focus on a single day, leading to convenient narrative resolutions. While the character designs are appreciated for their simplicity and variety, the limited timeframe hampers a more natural progression of character arcs.
- “The character designs are simple but nice, with just enough variety in CGI.”
- “The visuals are fantastic, starting from the backgrounds to the GUI with a snowflake design, all the way to the character design.”
- “The downside with the plot focusing on a single day time period is that the character development gets rather rushed and too convenient for a natural unfolding.”