Narcissu 1st & 2nd
- April 24, 2015
- stage-nana
- 4h median play time
Get on Steam"Narcissu 1st & 2nd" is a free visual novel game about two terminally ill patients who form a bond while staying in a hospital's palliative care unit. Together, they explore themes of life, death, and the meaning of existence, while also dealing with their own medical challenges. The game is a poignant and emotional exploration of what it means to live and die. Note that a more comprehensive version of the game is available for purchase as the "Narcissu 10th Anniversary Anthology".
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Reviews
- story1,425 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Narcissu 1st & 2nd" is a poignant exploration of terminal illness and the human experience surrounding death, told through the intertwined narratives of two young patients in a hospice. The first part is a brief yet impactful tale that sets the emotional tone, while the second part serves as a prequel, delving deeper into the characters' backgrounds and relationships, enhancing the overall narrative depth. Despite its minimalist presentation, the game is celebrated for its powerful storytelling, evocative soundtrack, and the ability to evoke profound emotional responses from players.
“I found myself wishing there were other ways the story could go—not because it needs to change, but because I loved the characters so much that I just wanted more time with them.”
“The story is deep, sad, and philosophic.”
“This visual novel is heartbreakingly beautiful... very sad story with beautiful sad music... makes me sad and cry every time.”
“The storytelling style was dull, and the overall presentation is too minimalistic for my liking. I was given zero reason to care about the two characters' circumstances, mostly due to the game being super short.”
“I feel the second story really detracts from what makes the female character of the first story interesting - all her interests are actually built off another character, which makes me feel like the main female character has no personality at all.”
“The story is incredibly depressing; there are very few feel-good moments, and the dialogue is stiff and blunt most of the time.”
- music510 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its haunting beauty and emotional depth, effectively enhancing the storytelling experience. Many players noted that the soundtrack, primarily featuring piano compositions, creates a melancholic atmosphere that resonates long after playing. Despite some criticism regarding repetitiveness and limited variety, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a standout feature, elevating the narrative and leaving a lasting impression on players.
“The music is hauntingly beautiful, a blend of piano and strings that feels as ephemeral as the story itself.”
“The soundtrack is phenomenal and the art, although scarce, is memorable whenever it's present.”
“The music is so beautiful it overwhelms me (in a good way).”
“The soundtrack is... decent, it does the job, but there weren't any notable tracks that I particularly liked, and it didn't transition very well between scenes.”
“The music score/soundtrack to this game is just as amazing as the rest of this visual novel; it fits in perfectly, and both sets and amplifies the mood, making the scenes much more powerful.”
“There are only about 10+ song tracks per game though, and each song track is not particularly long, so you may observe that the music gets repetitive after a few hours.”
- emotional425 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Narcissu 1st & 2nd" is overwhelmingly poignant, with many players reporting deep feelings of sadness and empathy throughout the narrative. The stories, centered on terminally ill characters, evoke strong emotional responses, often leading to tears and introspection about life and mortality. Players describe the experience as a heart-wrenching journey that lingers long after completion, making it a must-play for those seeking a profound emotional experience in gaming.
“Narcissu 1st & 2nd isn’t just a visual novel; it’s an emotional journey that leaves a profound scar on your heart.”
“The narrative is both heart-wrenching and beautifully crafted, leaving a lasting impact on the reader.”
“Narcissu 1st and 2nd are hands down, the most emotional and heartbreaking stories I have ever experienced in my entire life and they're both delivered flawlessly with excellent music, amazing voice acting, and beautiful artwork.”
- graphics134 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as minimalistic and sparse, often lacking in character visuals and detailed backgrounds, which some players found disappointing. However, many reviewers appreciated the intentional simplicity, noting that it complements the game's emotional narrative and allows for a deeper engagement with the story. Overall, while the visuals may not be the game's strongest aspect, they are often seen as fitting for the tone and themes presented.
“The art style has this throwback anime vibe, think early 2000s.”
“The visuals, narrative, and music are all so powerful and overwhelming.”
“The minimalist look gives the game a melancholic feeling, and for the kind of story that Narcissu tells, this aesthetic feels just right.”
“The visuals are simple, almost stark, but they work perfectly for the tone of the game.”
“Despite these praises, the game, unfortunately, has very limited graphics and music.”
“The actual visuals of the game are barebones due to the age of the game, as it squishes the 'view' into a small box, and writes text plainly underneath it.”
- gameplay43 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Narcissu" is minimal, primarily consisting of reading the narrative with occasional choices that have little impact on the story. Many reviewers note that it feels more like an interactive story or visual novel than a traditional game, with limited interactivity and no mechanics to learn. While some appreciate the focus on storytelling, others express disappointment over the lack of engaging gameplay elements.
“Engaging gameplay with stunning visuals!”
“The gameplay in Narcissu is straightforward, with the majority of the experience revolving around reading the narrative and making occasional choices that may slightly alter the course of the story.”
“A short and impactful free visual novel that's definitely worth the hour or so of normal gameplay.”
“Since this is a visual novel game, there's not much in terms of gameplay.”
“Players have no room for choices or interaction; they are merely observers of the story, resulting in limited gameplay.”
“If you come into it expecting gameplay, you will get none; there are no choices to be made or environments to explore.”
- atmosphere37 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is consistently praised for its haunting beauty and melancholic tone, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that evokes deep emotional responses. Players appreciate the minimalist aesthetics and sparse voice acting, which contribute to a somber yet immersive experience that lingers long after gameplay. Overall, the combination of evocative music, poignant storytelling, and striking visuals creates a unique and memorable atmosphere that resonates with players.
“The soundtrack is equally evocative, with its haunting melodies enhancing the overall atmosphere.”
“This game creates such a great atmosphere by combining minimal aesthetics with haunting music and bittersweet storytelling.”
“By the end of the game, the quiet atmosphere and story had me tearing up, with the game lingering on my mind for days on end.”
“The overall deep and heavy narrative atmosphere and the simplistic plot indirectly raise the barrier to entry.”
“There are no animations, and the only voice acting comes from Setsumi, whose sparse and reserved dialogue reinforces the story’s atmosphere of quiet resignation.”
“Second, the atmosphere of hopelessness you can really see, and when people say a lot of it is pretty bland, they were probably going for that.”
- character development13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, with players noting that even in a short format, characters form meaningful relationships and undergo significant growth. While some reviews mention that the first installment lacks character development, the sequel compensates with a more extensive exploration of the characters' journeys, resulting in a satisfying narrative experience. Overall, the character interactions and development are highlighted as key strengths, contributing to a compelling story that balances lightheartedness with serious themes.
“Although it is a short one, this game was filled to the brim with character development as well as memorable scenes.”
“Each of the characters feels real, and each of their interactions contributes to character development for all of them.”
“Good story and character development, along with great background music and atmosphere.”
“I'm not talking about 4 hours of character development, with some plot twist, some revelation, some moral of the story at the end.”
“Ever wanted to see characters forming small relationships and having character development?”
“However, the story you do get is pretty interesting, and toys with your emotions pretty well, regardless of the fact that the first novel has no character development, and the protagonist just kind of does things.”
- replayability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it 100% replayable despite its kinetic nature, others rate it low (4/10) due to minimal differences in experience, primarily between voiceovers. A few reviewers express intent to revisit the story, suggesting potential for deeper engagement, but many agree that the overall replay value is quite limited.
“100% replayable even being kinetic.”
“Though I'm writing this review after just one reading, I can see how this approach would add replay value, and I intend to revisit Narcissu after it stews on me a bit.”
“Replay value forces players to play the same story with only the difference between having voiceovers on and off.”
“Replay value forces players to play the same story with only the difference of having voiceovers on and off.”
“This makes replayability slim, as well as shortens the novel's length.”
“Replayability is zero.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the story is minimal and often overshadowed by its overarching sadness, with only a few moments of levity that provide some comic relief. While one protagonist attempts to inject humor into the narrative, the overall tone leans heavily towards melancholy, making it difficult for humor to shine through. Readers should not expect a comedic experience, as the story primarily focuses on emotional depth rather than humor.
“Even though it's sad, it also has some funny moments, so it's easy to laugh, understand the characters, and even cry.”
“The characters have more personality and more drive, and one of the protagonists even manages to be funny, or at least tries to.”
“Get ready for a feel trip.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is tedious and time-consuming, often likened to a "clicker" genre experience that prioritizes story over engaging gameplay. While the script and characters are appreciated, the overall gameplay is described as monotonous and lacking depth, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable game.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The gameplay is tedious, despite the good script and likeable story and characters.”
“In games, this would be the tedious 'clicker' genre, only with a nice story.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game features microtransactions that are perceived as beneficial, as it is free to play; however, some players feel that the high-quality soundtrack may serve as a promotional tool for its DLC.
“Microtransactions for a good cause.”
“The game is free, and with how amazing the score is, it almost makes you wonder if the game is actually an advertisement for the OST DLC.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is generally rated positively, with a score of 7, indicating that while there may be some minor issues, the overall performance is satisfactory and meets players' expectations.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users report experiencing bugs that affect the overall stability of the game, indicating that it may not perform reliably at this time.
“So far, this game is a bit buggy for me.”
