Chihiro Himukai Always Walks Away
- July 27, 2021
- SMILE
"Chihiro Himukai Always Walks Away" is a single-player erotic visual novel game with an intriguing story. Chihiro struggles to keep a job due to her strong sense of responsibility and inability to connect with coworkers. After graduating high school, she's been cycling through jobs, quitting every time. A chance reunion with an old classmate offers a new possibility, but when he overhears her coworkers making fun of her for being a virgin, he proposes they become "friends with benefits."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The artwork is top-notch, with well-drawn characters that enhance the overall experience.
- The story is grounded and realistic, focusing on a couple's relationship and personal growth.
- The comedy and writing are well-executed, providing a sweet and enjoyable narrative.
- The game is quite short, leaving players wanting more content and replayability.
- There is a lack of meaningful choices, making the gameplay feel linear and limiting.
- Some subplots, such as the corporate work culture, are left unresolved, which may disappoint players.
- story18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story is a concise and engaging visual novel that focuses on a grounded romance between childhood friends, exploring themes of selflessness and personal happiness. While it offers limited player choices, the well-written narrative develops at a satisfying pace, providing a healing experience for players. Overall, it is praised for its relatable characters and realistic relationship dynamics, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of sweet romance stories.
“The content of the story is very interesting because there are similarities between Chihiro and I, who only think about the happiness of others without thinking about our own happiness, so that we forget our purpose in life.”
“It's very refreshing to get a story that focuses on a couple and shows a much more realistic relationship from beginning to the happy ending.”
“The writing is well done and consistent throughout the story and develops at a nice pace.”
“The story is a bit short and you don't really have any choice.”
“(Well, only two choices in the entire game and they have zero effect on the story.)”
“Steam's story summary already summed up everything: high school classmates reunite once they are in the workforce and it rekindles something.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the visual novel is highlighted by its effective build-up and resolution, allowing players to experience a deep connection between characters that is both physical and emotional. The narrative successfully creates a wholesome atmosphere, enhancing the overall emotional satisfaction of the story.
“Wholesome”
“The strong part about this particular visual novel is that it has proper foreplay to set the mood and meaningful aftercare that provides emotional satisfaction, showcasing the deep bond these characters share both physically and emotionally.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are highly praised for their top-tier artwork, showcasing exquisite illustrations that reflect themes of love, passion, happiness, and desire. Reviewers argue that the visual quality of the in-game scenes is on par with any other genre, emphasizing the artistic merit of the game despite societal stigma.
“The artwork for the game is top tier.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character design as exceptional, highlighting its quality and attention to detail.
