Little One
- January 14, 2020
- Dim Sum One
Get on Steam"Little One" is an anime-style visual novel set in the 1900s where you take care of an orphan boy with a secret past. Choose from a variety of skills to develop Jake's character and build your relationship through different dialogue options. Create a daily schedule and make plot choices wisely to unlock various exciting story endings.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a lovely art style and engaging character designs that enhance the overall experience.
- The story is heartwarming and touching, focusing on the relationship between the protagonist and the traumatized boy, Jake.
- Gameplay includes a unique stat-raising system that adds depth and encourages multiple playthroughs to unlock all endings.
- The dialogue and translations can be stiff and awkward, detracting from the emotional impact of the story.
- The game has a slow pacing and can feel tedious, especially for players unfamiliar with visual novels.
- Some gameplay mechanics, such as strict timing for item purchases and unclear hints, can lead to frustration and missed opportunities.
- story23 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story is characterized by a slow build-up that ultimately leads to a gripping and bittersweet narrative centered around a guardian and a traumatized child with a mysterious past. While the plot unfolds gradually and offers emotional depth, some players feel it could benefit from a longer format and more engaging character interactions. Overall, the story is well-written and touching, with significant player choices impacting the outcome, making it a worthwhile experience despite its brevity.
“The story is definitely bittersweet.”
“A heartwarming little story about a traumatized boy and a caring guardian.”
“I also find the story really touching and well-written as it brings to light a very important message – never give up on people no matter how strange, reserved or secretive they can be.”
“Very slow build-up in the story with little reward.”
“But sadly, for a story like this that has a lot of focus on human emotion, it's difficult to draw the audience in to really sympathize with the characters when the interactions are so unnatural.”
“Not only is its gameplay different, but also the genre is completely different here, and thus, 'Little One' does focus more on its mysterious story fueled with stat raising.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is smooth and enjoyable, featuring a unique blend of mystery and stat-raising mechanics typical of visual novels. It is accessible for newcomers, offering a simpler learning curve compared to similar titles like the Princess Maker series, while still providing an engaging experience focused on character development.
“I like the atmosphere and music; the gameplay is smooth and enjoyable.”
“The gameplay is great and simple to learn, even if you are a newbie to the visual novel genre.”
“Little One is a mystery visual novel that contains stat-raising gameplay.”
“Not only is the gameplay different, but the genre is also completely different here, leading to a focus on its mysterious story fueled by stat raising.”
“Gameplay-wise, as mentioned earlier, the main goal here is to raise Jake’s stats.”
“Compared to the Princess Maker series, this game is shorter and has notable differences in gameplay.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their lovely and amazing art style, particularly in character designs and cutscenes. However, some users noted that while the visuals are impressive, the accompanying dialogue and descriptions can feel stiff and awkward, detracting from the overall experience.
“Game play aside, the art style grabbed my attention, and the story kept it gripped through multiple breakthroughs.”
“The artwork is very pretty in Little One, especially the CGs.”
“The artwork is honestly amazing.”
“Although the visuals and the programming for this game are up to snuff, I'm afraid that a large portion of the dialogue and descriptions comes across as stiff and awkward - to the point where they could've been written by a twelve-year-old.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of heartwarming moments and deeper themes of vulnerability and care, particularly in the relationship between Lisa and Jake. While some players find certain emotional responses to be exaggerated or childish, many appreciate the touching narrative and its important message about perseverance and understanding. Overall, the game is described as a small yet impactful experience that balances warmth with mystery.
“Additionally, I found it pretty heartwarming that Lisa actually cares about Jake.”
“A heartwarming little story about a traumatized boy and a caring guardian.”
“I also find the story really touching and well-written as it brings to light a very important message – never give up on people no matter how strange, reserved, or secretive they can be.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for effectively enhancing the atmosphere and emotional impact of various scenes, contributing to a smooth and enjoyable gameplay experience.
“Good music to set the feelings of scenes.”
“I like the atmosphere and music; the gameplay is smooth and enjoyable.”
“The music was also good and worked well with different scenes.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its cozy yet complex nature, blending smooth gameplay with a captivating soundtrack. Despite moments of melancholy, it successfully creates a beautiful ambiance that complements the narrative, particularly through the character of Sonia, who embodies the small-town vibe while hinting at deeper mysteries.
“I like the atmosphere and music; the gameplay is smooth and enjoyable.”
“I liked the cozy atmosphere it created, and although there are a lot of depressive moments, it still managed to add something beautiful that fits with the content overall.”
“Sonia has this majestic air around her – she hides something for sure, but also fits the small-town atmosphere perfectly.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted as decent, particularly through Jake's fiction writings, which add depth to his character. The evolving relationship between Lisa and Jake is highlighted, showcasing their growing care for each other amidst the challenges they face. Overall, the character designs are also praised for their appeal.
“The character designs are lovely too.”
“The character development is decent here, so the reader can tell that Lisa and Jake start to care about each other while trying to not hurt the other, which can be quite tricky at times.”
“I think something that I did like about the game, however, was the bits of character development they did with Jake's fiction writings.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game features some cute and funny interactions between characters, but players feel that the dialogue, particularly for the main character, lacks depth and fails to deliver consistently engaging comedic moments.
“The humor in this game is spot on, with clever dialogue and hilarious character interactions that kept me laughing throughout.”
“I loved the witty banter between characters; it added a delightful layer of fun to the gameplay.”
“The comedic timing in the cutscenes is fantastic, making even the most serious moments feel light-hearted and enjoyable.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players found that the frequent plot revelations kept the grinding for stat improvements engaging, preventing it from becoming tedious or annoying.
