Hello, Goodbye
- April 18, 2019
- Lump of Sugar
- 32h median play time
Get on Steam"Hello, Goodbye" is a visual novel where you play as a young military officer impersonating a transfer student at Tenshudo Academy. As Toubu Kaito, you must navigate the complexities of school life while uncovering the mysteries of Morino Special District. The game features multiple routes and endings determined by your choices throughout the story.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Hello, Goodbye features a compelling and well-thought-out plot with engaging character routes that provide emotional investment and intrigue.
- The game boasts high production values, including excellent voice acting, a catchy soundtrack, and charming visuals that enhance the overall experience.
- The characters are likable and well-developed, with each route offering unique insights and enjoyable interactions that keep players invested.
- The writing can be inconsistent, with some dialogue feeling uninspired and certain plot resolutions lacking tension or depth.
- Some character routes may feel underwhelming or mediocre, leading to a sense of dissatisfaction with the overall narrative payoff.
- The pacing can be slow, and the game may not deliver the expected action or excitement, which could disappoint players looking for a more thrilling experience.
- story50 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of "Hello, Goodbye" is a multi-faceted narrative that blends elements of romance, comedy, and espionage, featuring a likable protagonist and a well-structured plot that rewards players for exploring different routes. While some may find the storytelling occasionally confusing, the emotional depth and character development are praised, particularly in the impactful Koharu route, which ties the narrative together. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of character-driven stories with a mix of lighthearted and serious themes, though it may not appeal to those seeking a straightforward plot.
“Hello, goodbye possesses many elements of Japanese storytelling that I find irresistible: a likable and competent protagonist, the childhood friend trope, a deep mystery, danger, intrigue, and consequential suspense.”
“A rich and well-thought-out plot is this game's strongest selling point.”
“Each girl's story is emotionally investing and builds naturally rather than feeling forced.”
“Back in the day, you probably couldn't go wrong with this, but given how many more novels there are now that are better in both the moe and plot aspects, there isn't really a reason to recommend this over others.”
“The main story sounds serious from the store page, but Hello, Goodbye is mostly a slice of life story with more about eating cake with waifus than trying to conduct any kind of espionage.”
“The story is certainly confusing at times, but I believe it is intended to be so until the revelations and not a writing issue for the most part.”
- music18 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and immersive quality, with many players noting its ability to enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlighted the variety of background tracks that fit well with the scenes, and some even found themselves listening to the soundtrack outside of gameplay. While opinions on certain tracks varied, the majority agree that the music is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and atmosphere.
“The voice acting and music and sound design for this VN were top notch.”
“The music is well done too with a good variety of 30 background tracks that fit the scenes well.”
“I bought the soundtrack at the same time as the game, and while most I have bought end up in my music library, this one hasn't.”
“Overall a nice visual novel; the translation quality is almost perfect with a few minor typos scattered around, and the music is an absolute banger.”
“I found myself just listening to the music without doing anything quite a few times, so it's worth mentioning.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics feature cute visuals and a charming art style reminiscent of mid-late 2000s rom-com anime, appealing to many players. While the artwork is of high quality with a good variety of character designs and CGs, it is not considered top-tier, earning an overall rating of 8/10.
“Cute visuals and a pleasant soundtrack take their places too.”
“I found that the artwork is all to a very high standard, and there are a reasonable number of regular CGs and super-deformed style CGs.”
“Alongside the art, which is not among the best I've seen, it does have a certain charm. It kind of reminds me of those mid-late 2000s typical rom-com anime art styles, and the actual character designs definitely appeal to me.”
“Graphically speaking, the drawing was done well, but I wouldn't say it was top grade either.”
“Alongside the art, which is not amongst the best I've seen, it does have a certain charm. It kind of reminds me of a few of those mid-late 2000s typical rom-com anime art styles, and the actual character designs definitely appeal to me.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its naturally developed stories that are both wholesome and satisfying, avoiding forced drama while incorporating tasteful adult content that enhances intimacy. Players find the endings rewarding, contributing to a fulfilling experience, complemented by heartwarming music that enhances the overall emotional engagement.
“Each girl's story is emotionally engaging and builds naturally rather than feeling forced.”
“The endings are very satisfying and rewarding; it made me feel like it was worth playing every route.”
“Absolutely enjoyed the music; it always fits the mood, causing me to just sit back and let the song play for a while, as it's quite heartwarming.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is characterized by a blend of dark wit and sharp dialogue, with characters that balance calmness and danger with kindness. Players particularly enjoy the comedic lines delivered by certain characters, contributing to an overall fun experience.
“He's calm and dangerous but also kind and gentle with a dark sense of humor and sharp wit.”
“I found that she was the most fun character, and I was laughing at quite a few of her lines.”
- gameplay2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by well-implemented mechanics that create a satisfying puzzle-solving experience, offering players around 20-30 hours of engaging content.
“While not new by any means, the mechanic is implemented very well and provides the sense of putting together a puzzle.”
“20-30 hours of gameplay?”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is positively noted for its appealing designs and charm reminiscent of mid-2000s rom-com anime, contributing to an engaging narrative. While the art may not be the best, it effectively complements the detailed backgrounds and strong story, enhancing the overall experience.
“The character design is beautiful, backgrounds are detailed, music is great (although too loud at times), and the story is top notch.”
“Alongside the art, which is not amongst the best I've seen, it does have a certain charm. It kind of reminds me of those mid-late 2000s typical rom-com anime art style, and the actual character designs definitely appeal to me.”
