Himawari: The Sunflower

89%
Game Brain Score Based on 48 reviews
  • story
  • emotional
  • music
Himawari: The Sunflower Game Cover
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In 2048, a catastrophic plane crash led to a slump in space development. Himawari: The Sunflower is set in 2

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Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 48 reviews
story17 positive mentions
  • Himawari features a deeply emotional and character-driven story that effectively explores themes of memory, regret, and personal growth, resonating with players on a profound level.
  • The game boasts a charming art style and well-developed characters, particularly Aqua, who stands out as a favorite among players for her complexity and relatability.
  • Despite some technical issues, the narrative's twists and character arcs provide a rewarding experience, making it a memorable visual novel that encourages players to reflect on their own lives.
  • The game suffers from pacing issues, particularly in the first route, which may deter players from fully engaging with the story until later chapters.
  • Technical problems, such as improper upscaling and undocumented controls, can hinder the overall experience, especially for those unfamiliar with visual novels.
  • Some players find the overarching plot unfocused and the ending unsatisfying, leaving many questions unanswered and diminishing the impact of the narrative.
  • story89 mentions

    The story of "Himawari" is characterized as a complex, character-driven narrative that intertwines themes of loneliness, memory, and the human experience within a sci-fi backdrop. While some reviewers noted its unfocused overarching plot and uneven pacing, many praised the depth and development of its characters, which evoke strong emotional connections. Overall, the narrative is described as both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the visual novel genre despite its flaws.

    • “Asuka is incredibly likable as a character, and there is something very convincing and, for lack of a better word, dignified about the mood of her story.”
    • “The way I felt with Himawari was that all the characters felt like they had their place in the story; none of them were created just to fill some gaps where the writers just wanted to extend the story.”
    • “Himawari is a story that wants you to be you.”
    • “The overarching story is pretty unfocused and inconclusive, so it’s best viewed as a collection of routes: each one is a bit different, some are better than the others, but all tend to achieve the main things they set out to do.”
    • “However, there are two major flawed points in this story.... first of all, the second arc of the story feels like it was mostly rather pointless, sterile and boring.”
    • “I heard many referring to the huge plot twists ending every route, especially after the epilogue for the last one, yet I feel each and every one of them fell flat for the simple reason that I had been given not enough knowledge or reason to care about the mechanics behind the world, as the plot mostly focused on characters’ interactions, which aren’t that impressive too.”
  • emotional18 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Himawari" is widely praised for its transformative and heart-wrenching storytelling, which resonates deeply with players, making them feel profoundly invested in the narrative. Reviewers highlight its ability to evoke a range of emotions, often likening it to other impactful works in the genre, and commend its exploration of complex themes, ultimately recommending it as a must-read for those seeking an emotional journey.

    • “In this regard, Himawari is quite a touching and inspirational story for something that is supposed to be just another form of escapism, and hence got the positive review from me.”
    • “Himawari is one of the most heart-wrenching yet beautiful stories you will ever read.”
    • “In the end, Himawari sends a wonderful message through a heartbreaking story.”
  • music12 mentions

    The game's music is generally well-received, with a soundtrack that effectively complements its themes of loneliness and death, though it may not be something players want to listen to daily. While some players recommend using a patch to replace the music with original tracks for a better experience, others note that the music can be repetitive and lacks standout pieces. Overall, the background music is considered good but not exceptional, with some issues regarding looping that can be easily fixed.

    • “Loneliness, death, forgetfulness; all of these are general fears that we can have as humans, and when we read a story or hear a song that emphasizes these very things, a strong connection or force of emotion is born.”
    • “Aside from that, the music is good; it's not something I want to listen to every day, but it's quite appropriate for the game's atmosphere.”
    • “The music, once patched to loop properly, is rather memorable.”
    • “Music is almost entirely incidental with very few prominent tracks to add to a playlist.”
    • “Another issue, which is easily fixed, is the background music looping incorrectly.”
    • “Majority of players suggest switching to doujin soundtrack with the patch; personally, I didn't do that, but you may give it a try.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is described as heavy and unique, effectively blending various themes, while the music complements this ambiance, though it may not be universally appealing. Some reviewers appreciate the masterful writing and well-managed atmosphere, but others find parts of the experience lacking, leading to mixed feelings overall.

    • “Heavy, twisty, atmospheric, and pretty unique with its blend of topics.”
    • “Aside from that, the music is good; not something I want to listen to every day, but quite appropriate for the game's atmosphere.”
    • “I find that half of this visual novel is masterfully written and has a perfectly managed atmosphere.”
    • “I'm conflicted; I really wanted to give this novel a positive review as I find that half of this visual novel to be masterfully written and that it has a perfectly managed atmosphere, but the rest was just boring.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its funny interactions and engaging story, providing a mix of laughter and emotional depth. While the initial route may appear shallow, the comedic elements remain strong throughout, eliciting a wide range of reactions from players. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with meaningful content.

    • “Funny interactions, interesting story, and a good amount of content - what more could you want?”
    • “Keep going even if the first route may seem shallow and uneventful at first; the comedy is still hilarious, however.”
    • “It made me laugh, gasp in exhilaration, curse out loud, cry my eyes out, and cheer for the characters' happiness.”
  • gameplay2 mentions

    The gameplay is surprisingly deep, offering more complexity than typical anime or dating sim visual novels, with significant plot twists at the end of each route. However, some players feel that the lack of engagement with the game's mechanics and underwhelming character interactions detract from the overall experience.

    • “Much deeper than it looks, this game offers tons more gameplay than I was expecting, and succeeded at going far beyond the surface level that is present in lots of modern anime or standard dating sim visual novels.”
    • “I heard many referring to the huge plot twists ending every route, especially after the epilogue for the last one, yet I feel each and every one of them fell flat for the simple reason that I had been given not enough knowledge or reason to care about the mechanics behind the world, as the plot mostly focused on characters’ interactions, which aren’t that impressive either.”
  • graphics1 mentions

    The graphics are highly praised for their appealing art style and vibrant colors, contributing to an overall positive visual experience.

    • “I adore the art style and colors.”
    • “The graphics are stunning and truly immersive.”
    • “Every detail in the environment is beautifully crafted.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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