First Snow

About

First Snow is a single player action game with a romance theme. It was developed by Salty Salty Studios and was released on August 19, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Having moved away from her friends and family to attend community college, Allison Merlo is a fresh student struggling with the day to day challenges of life.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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96%

Audience ScoreBased on 484 reviews

story157 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The game features a captivating and heartwarming story that resonates with players, particularly those who relate to the characters' experiences.
The art style is unique and beautifully crafted, enhancing the overall aesthetic and emotional impact of the game.
The soundtrack complements the narrative perfectly, creating an immersive atmosphere that draws players into the story.

The game is relatively short, which may leave players wanting more content and character development.
There is no player choice or branching paths, making it a linear experience that some players may find limiting.
The partial voice acting can be inconsistent, with some characters lacking full voice lines, which may detract from the overall experience.

story
364 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
56%
1%
The story of "First Snow" is a charming and heartwarming sapphic romance that follows two college students, Allison and Eileen, as they navigate their feelings and relationships in a relatable coming-of-age narrative. While the linear storytelling lacks player choices and some reviewers noted pacing issues and a rushed conclusion, many found the characters engaging and the emotional depth resonant, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of slice-of-life visual novels. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful art, voice acting, and the ability to evoke genuine emotions, despite its brevity and simplicity.
- “The story is heartfelt and emotional, and is one of three pieces of fiction in the past four or five years to make me cry.”
- “This is an absolutely incredible story!”
- “The story is very realistic, makes sense, and flows well; the voice acting is very good and the art is quite good for the most part.”
- “The story skips past some of the initial weeks, making you feel like you never saw any of the bonding that was supposed to be going on.”
- “The story is linear, with no choices to be made, as it's a prequel/backstory/teaser to another game.”
- “The plot is mild, which may be a bit boring to someone who likes spicy stories.”
graphics
95 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
43%
3%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the charming and unique art style that evokes a cozy atmosphere, while others criticize the inconsistency in character designs and CG artwork. Many players appreciate the beautiful backgrounds and the warm, hand-drawn aesthetic, which enhances the storytelling experience, despite some noting that the art may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the visuals are often described as captivating and emotive, contributing positively to the game's overall ambiance.
- “The stunning visuals and serene landscapes create a cozy atmosphere.”
- “With its beautiful art style, engaging romance, and cozy yet subdued soundtrack all set against its wintry backdrop, First Snow is a perfect visual novel to enjoy while bundled up with a nice hot drink.”
- “The art style is absolutely beautiful; it's both simple and charming, giving this warm feeling of comfort and familiarity.”
- “The graphics fare much worse in the CG department.”
- “Shame about the inconsistent -- usually poor -- CG artwork.”
- “The CGs are all well-done, but the art style seems to change, most likely drawn by different people.”
emotional
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The emotional aspect of *first snow* is widely praised for its heartwarming and wholesome storytelling, which resonates deeply with players, often eliciting tears of joy and reflection. Reviewers appreciate the realistic portrayal of a lesbian relationship, highlighting the game's ability to evoke a range of emotions without relying on melodrama. Overall, it is celebrated as a touching and memorable experience that leaves players feeling warm and connected.
- “I found myself emotionally invested in the story to the point I cried happy tears, sad tears, and sad-then-happy tears.”
- “The story is a very grounded, realistic take on romance that will resonate with you emotionally because of its realism.”
- “The story is heartfelt and emotional, and is one of three pieces of fiction in the past four or five years to make me cry.”
music
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
37%
4%
The music in the game is generally praised for its calming and atmospheric qualities, often described as soothing and fitting well with the narrative. While some players found it memorable and enjoyable, others noted that it didn't always stand out or stick with them after playing. Overall, the soundtrack enhances the experience, providing a pleasant backdrop that complements the game's art and story.
- “The soundtrack is full of calm and atmospheric jazz-inspired tunes.”
- “With a soothing soundtrack, it’s a perfect escape for anyone looking to unwind.”
- “The music is fitting; my favorite track is the one used for heartwarming moments.”
- “The soundtrack is gentle and usually fades invisibly into the background of scenes, which I think works pretty well for this story.”
- “This visual novel is really good from the story to the graphics having the ups and downs as you read it out loud or in your head it makes you happy being able to watch the moments the main characters have between them and then you have the music while repetition is in use it's still able to make it feel like something else entirely like as in if you heard it before but it's something new, it really makes you feel something while reading this story especially as you feel the characters' emotions as if you are them yourself.”
- “I loved almost everything about it, from the artwork to the music, but the story itself was... eh.”
gameplay
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The gameplay is characterized by its minimalist design, focusing on exploration and observation rather than complex mechanics, which allows for a relaxing and atmospheric experience. While this approach enhances emotional engagement and self-reflection, some players feel it lacks depth and replayability, leading to a desire for more interactive elements. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of stunning visuals and storytelling, though it may not satisfy those seeking traditional gameplay features.
- “The gameplay is relaxing, allowing players to explore at their own pace.”
- “With its stunning visuals, emotive storytelling, and minimalist gameplay, the game offers a unique departure from the norm, focusing on evoking emotions and igniting self-reflection.”
- “Gameplay in First Snow remains intentionally minimalist, with interactions that are focused on exploration and observation.”
- “While the brevity aligns with the game's contemplative approach, it could also lead to a sense of wanting more depth and engagement, particularly for those seeking a longer gameplay experience.”
- “This 'game' has no gameplay features (i.e. no choices or different endings) and its main 'selling' point is the game's story.”
- “No gameplay aspects or replayability, 6/10 story, 8/10 art style, free, great uncut patch, story is quite short.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
28%
27%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a calming blend of jazz-inspired music, stunning visuals, and serene landscapes that create a cozy and immersive experience. The deliberate simplicity of gameplay mechanics allows players to fully engage with the enchanting environment, enhanced by charming character designs and a magical snowy theme. Overall, the art style and soundtrack contribute significantly to a soft, comforting atmosphere that resonates with players.
- “The stunning visuals and serene landscapes create a cozy atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere of it all whisks me away, its theme of snow lending a magical chill feeling to the romance.”
- “The scene transitions fade in as sketches which are quickly washed over with color, and the character sprites have a 'paper child' aesthetic going for them that is really charming against the soft and atmospheric backdrops.”
- “Atmosphere: 2/5”
- “It's obvious it has the same kind of 'atmosphere' and storytelling of Katawa Shoujo.”
- “The lack of complex mechanics is a deliberate choice that enables players to absorb the atmosphere without distraction.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Character development in the game is noted for its impressive designs and aesthetics, but many players feel it lacks depth and pacing, leading to a less convincing portrayal of characters. While some characters shine, others, like Wallace, are criticized for insufficient development, leaving players wanting more from the narrative. Overall, the combination of beautiful visuals and music does not fully compensate for the shortcomings in character growth.
- “Well-made and great character designs; I just love the fashion of so many characters.”
- “Beautiful backgrounds and stunning character designs to just get lost in.”
- “The artwork is wonderfully crafted, as well as the music and character designs.”
- “With its relatively fast pace, the character development doesn't feel entirely convincing.”
- “I would have liked more character development and a little bit more story at the end.”
- “The only thing I didn't really enjoy was Wallace since he didn't get the attention and character development he needed; he felt shoehorned in just to add a male character.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by clever writing and amusing character interactions, with standout moments that contribute to its charm. While some of the humor leans towards sexual content, it remains accessible and enjoyable for a broader audience. Overall, players find the humor to be a significant highlight, enhancing the game's appeal despite its short length.
- “The only guy in the game looks a bit like a girl with a beard, which is quite funny.”
- “I can't forget about the funny moments throughout the story, but I don't want to spoil it for the people who haven't played this game yet, so you gotta play it to know more!”
- “There is smart writing and well-earned humor alongside great character interactions.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game excessively time-consuming and tedious, often requiring an unrealistic amount of effort to progress. This has led to frustrations over inconsistencies in the gameplay experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “In other words, reading becomes quite the tedious experience, with all the inconsistencies and whatnot.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The game's replayability is limited due to its linear structure, meaning players will have seen all content after completing the story. However, the inclusion of a jukebox for music replay and the option to experience additional scenes through an uncut patch offer some incentive for revisiting the game. Overall, while the core gameplay lacks replay value, there are minor features that can enhance the experience for returning players.
- “Additionally, because this game is linear, it also means that it has no replayability. Once you're done, that's it; you've seen what there is to see.”
- “The music titles are also replayable within a jukebox after completing the story.”
- “Unless you play the game without the patch and then install it, you can reexperience the same story but with some extra scenes.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers appreciate the game's monetization approach, noting that in-game advertisements are minimal and straightforward, avoiding distracting fake brand names. This clever design choice enhances immersion without overwhelming players.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game demonstrates excellent stability, with users reporting no bugs or glitches during gameplay.