Fragile Feelings
- October 12, 2023
- ebi-hime
Get on Steam"Fragile Feelings" is a visual novel about Ann Clements, a terminally ill assistant teacher at St. Cecilia's boarding school. Ann has a bleak outlook on life due to her illness, but her perspective begins to change when she meets the school's new nurse, Asaba Kohaku. The game explores themes of desire, loneliness, and the pursuit of experience in the face of adversity.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The writing is exceptional, with well-developed characters and a heartfelt, uplifting story that resonates emotionally.
- The art and character designs are beautiful, enhancing the overall experience and complementing the narrative effectively.
- The slow-burn romance between Ann and Kohaku is engaging and relatable, making it easy for players to become invested in their relationship.
- Some elements of the story can feel repetitive, with certain phrases and character traits being overused.
- The pacing may be too slow for some players, potentially leading to moments where the story feels drawn out.
- Certain plot points are predictable, which might detract from the overall suspense and surprise of the narrative.
- story82 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story is a heartfelt and uplifting romance that explores themes of self-worth, intimacy, and resilience in the face of adversity, particularly through the lens of terminal illness. While it features darker moments, the narrative ultimately emphasizes hope and connection, with well-developed characters that resonate with players. The writing balances emotional depth with moments of lightness, making it a compelling experience for fans of the genre.
“Overall, if you're looking for a great romance story which takes itself seriously, has great characters with well-defined personalities, and has a lot more worthwhile fluffiness than there is angst, pick this one up and you can't go wrong!”
“However, just as the store page describes it, 'Fragile Feelings' delivers an uplifting story about love and its power to persevere through otherwise insurmountable hardships.”
“It's excellent, the story is astonishing, quite tragic too, but that's what makes it so real; the characters felt very organic, which is something that I find quite rare to find within video games in general.”
“Without going into spoilers too heavily, my one regret with this story - which had me crying throughout the entire end sections - is that the plotline following Tamaki is never really resolved, and I think that's a regrettable missed opportunity.”
“The main characters all ultimately display this uneasiness in varying forms, and the story purposely refrains from offering an easy answer on how to confront it even to its conclusion.”
“There is a lot of gloom that hangs over this story, as Ann's health situation is a major player in the narrative.”
- music32 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and emotional impact, with many players noting its ability to evoke nostalgia and enhance the storytelling. The soundtrack is described as well-crafted, with distinct themes for characters and situations, and it effectively complements the visuals and writing to create a cohesive and immersive experience. Several reviewers expressed a desire for a standalone release of the original soundtrack, highlighting its significance in their overall enjoyment of the game.
“One of the songs that played a lot through the visual novel reminded me of a piece of music from Spirited Away, which evoked a very sweet, nostalgic feeling in me.”
“There was a lot of care put into the music - so much so I wish I could get the OST to listen to when I'm walking or doing work around the house.”
“None of the tracks feel superfluous or haphazardly placed; characters and situations have distinct themes and the presence of several leitmotifs throughout the OST helps make it feel unified and consistent.”
“I may not cry as hard as I could have with other games, but I’m sure the tears that welled up in what may feel like the penultimate scene cannot be attributed to just music.”
“The music and visuals complement the writing, and the three elements successfully come together to convey, generally, the subdued and somewhat forlorn tone that the visual novel aims for.”
“I wouldn't mind a separate release of the soundtrack.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its surprisingly wholesome love story, which balances lighter moments with deeper themes, leaving players feeling happy and fulfilled. While it may not evoke tears as intensely as other titles, it still delivers poignant scenes that resonate deeply, particularly through its heartfelt portrayal of a romantic relationship between two women. Overall, it is praised as a thoughtful and well-produced yuri visual novel that effectively combines emotional depth with a sense of hope.
“Despite the premise, it tells a surprisingly wholesome love story that it's a real joy to watch unfold.”
“It's an emotional ride to be certain, but you walk away from it feeling very happy.”
“If you enjoy slow, contemplative stories about heavy subjects, and/or you enjoy sincere, heartfelt, and unapologetically sentimental love stories, I would give this one a shot.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the visual novel are described as adorable and beautiful, effectively complementing the story and enhancing the overall experience. While some reviewers feel the artwork may not surpass the quality of the writing, it is still pleasing and contributes to the subdued tone of the narrative, making it a recommended choice for yuri fans.
“I think to the average player, they will find the artwork in this visual novel absolutely adorable, beautiful, and a great complement to the story.”
“The music and visuals complement the writing, and the three elements successfully come together to convey, generally, the subdued and somewhat forlorn tone that the visual novel aims for.”
“Wonderful writing plus wonderful artwork makes this a must-read for yuri fans!”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by witty and entertaining exchanges between characters, showcasing a significant improvement in writing quality. The interactions, particularly involving adorable and bratty kids, add a charming and amusing layer to the narrative, enhancing the overall experience.
“They both have many funny and entertaining exchanges, and watching their friendship deepen was a thrilling reading experience.”
“A few of the kids Ann helps teach are adorable, bratty kids with funny mannerisms.”
“While rituals in the dark drew me in immediately, this is such a massive step up in writing quality it isn't even funny.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development is highlighted through the appealing illustrations and designs of the two main characters, which enhance their visual appeal and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game.
