In The Rural Village of Nagoro

About

In The Rural Village of Nagoro is a short, side-scrolling game with minimalist gameplay ‘Interact button’ to tell a fate that falls on Nagoro village. Explore and press ‘F' button’ to greet all cheerful neighborhood.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

In The Rural Village of Nagoro screenshot

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 167 reviews

story20 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features beautiful hand-drawn visuals and a soothing soundtrack that enhances the emotional experience.
It provides a poignant narrative about the real-life village of Nagoro, evoking feelings of nostalgia and sadness.
As a free and short experience, it offers a unique and educational insight into the village's history, making it a worthwhile play.

The gameplay is extremely simplistic, requiring minimal interaction which may not appeal to all players.
Some players found the walking speed to be frustratingly slow, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
The lack of substantial gameplay elements and achievements may leave some feeling that it is more of an art piece than a traditional game.

story
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
50%
7%
The game's story is a poignant and bittersweet narrative based on a true tale, celebrating the memory of a rural village and its inhabitants. Players are captivated by its charming storytelling, beautiful art, and emotional soundtrack, which together create a deeply moving experience that often leads to tears. Despite its short length, the game effectively conveys the passage of time and the changes faced by the village, making it a must-play for those who appreciate heartfelt narratives.
- “This little gem is a charming storytelling pearl and a celebration of a true story; everyone should play it.”
- “And knowing the true story, the moment I realized that the delightful little story I had been playing was nothing but a prelude to show what actually happened to that town... I burst into tears, and I thought there couldn't be a more beautiful way to honor the memory of a village and the person who continues to keep it alive.”
- “A beautiful game based on a true story; it's free, and if you love visual novel games, then you will definitely love this game as well.”
- “When I first played, it feels like an old story gameplay.”
- “It's a short story that reminds us of the sad truth about rural villages in Japan.”
- “I totally did not expect that such a short and simple game based on a real-life story would give me chills.”
music
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
32%
8%
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing and evocative qualities, enhancing the emotional depth of the narrative. Reviewers highlight the beautiful orchestration, which includes guitar, strings, and piano, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that complements the charming visuals. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, contributing to the game's artistic and storytelling impact.
- “What an absolute masterpiece of musical and artistic talent, all handcrafted to tell a somber yet unique story about Nagoro's history.”
- “The charming music has a calm but evocative feeling and includes guitar, strings, woodwind, piano, and beautiful vocals.”
- “The music perfectly enhances the feelings the scenes were conveying and also provides some relaxing atmosphere as you walk and as you read the reviews and facts on offer at the end.”
- “The music is well written and the illustration style is perfect for the narrative.”
- “The message, the theme, the graphics, and the music are all so harmoniously interwoven and really let you feel the weight of the situation.”
- “Just press F and listen to that chill background music.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
42%
16%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and nostalgic aesthetic, featuring a unique art style reminiscent of colored pencil drawings and watercolor paintings. Reviewers highlight the soothing visuals and harmonious integration with the music, creating a calming and immersive experience that enhances the narrative. Overall, the artwork is described as adorable and fitting, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact.
- “The visuals are a highlight with colored pencil-like outlines filled with textured block color in muted pastel shades, giving a very relaxing feeling.”
- “A beautiful little game with a wonderful art style and a very interesting and endearing story.”
- “The visuals and BGM were both very calming.”
- “The artwork for this game is cute and fits in with this game.”
- “Another thought that came to me just now about the artwork is that it could belong in a children's picture book and works well with conveying the experience through Ms. Ayano's eyes as a child and as she takes a trip down memory lane as an adult.”
emotional
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke nostalgia and heartfelt feelings, often leading players to tears. Reviewers describe it as a touching and heartwarming experience, blending simplicity with a profound emotional journey that resonates deeply, despite its short narrative. The game's wholesome atmosphere and evocative soundtrack further enhance its emotional impact, making it a memorable experience for many.
- “Playing this game is like reliving a wholesome memory from your childhood and then remembering that everything is different now, the world has changed and so did you, and nothing will ever be the same again.”
- “Melancholic, yet heartwarming in a way.”
- “I didn't really expect that I would shed a tear.”
gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
29%
43%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity, utilizing minimal 2D mechanics that require only a few buttons, which allows players to focus on the captivating aesthetic and poignant narrative. While the mechanics are straightforward, the emotional depth of the story enhances the overall experience, making it engaging despite its brevity.
- “"In the rural village of Nagoro" is a short, side-scrolling game with minimalist gameplay to tell a fate that falls on Nagoro village.”
- “A very short game with very simple 2D mechanics where you only need 3 buttons to play, but it holds a very heartstring-pulling message.”
- “Gameplay is simplistic, but the aesthetic and subtle narrative are captivating.”
- “When first playing, it feels like an old story gameplay.”
- “A very short game with very simple 2D mechanics where you only need 3 buttons to play, but holds a very heartstring-pulling message.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a sweet and relaxing ambiance, enhanced by a well-composed soundtrack that complements the emotional depth of the narrative. Players appreciate how the music and overall design create an immersive experience, making it a thoughtful meditation on change and a wholesome journey through a real-life story.
- “A really effective meditation on how the world changes with time, and with a sweet atmosphere.”
- “I love the music; it's definitely great for the atmosphere of the game.”
- “A sweet little game with an enjoyable atmosphere, good music, and a wholesome story based on a real place and person.”
- “The music perfectly enhances the feelings the scenes were conveying and also provides some relaxing atmosphere as you walk and as you read the reviews and facts on offer at the end.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for resembling a Japanese tourism advertisement, suggesting that it may prioritize promotional content over gameplay value.
- “The monetization in this game feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend money to enjoy basic features.”
- “I can't believe how many microtransactions are crammed into this game; it feels like a cash grab rather than a genuine experience.”
- “The paywall for essential content is frustrating and makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”