nothing & nowhere
- May 18, 2020
- ebi-hime
"Nothing & Nowhere" is a surreal exploring game set in a series of abstract, interconnected spaces. As the player, you must navigate through these areas and uncover their secrets while solving puzzles. The game features a unique minimalist aesthetic, ambient soundtrack, and a contemplative atmosphere that encourages exploration and introspection.
Reviews
- The game features beautiful art and a custom-made soundtrack that enhances the emotional atmosphere, creating a captivating experience.
- The character dynamics between Cora and the runaway girl are well-developed, allowing players to form a strong emotional connection with them.
- The story offers a heartwarming narrative about healing and self-forgiveness, providing a comforting escape from reality.
- The ending feels abrupt and lacks closure for Cora, leaving players wanting more resolution regarding her character.
- Some players found the pacing slow and certain parts of the story bland, which may detract from the overall engagement.
- The writing, while generally praised, has moments that feel rushed or amateurish, impacting the depth of the narrative.
- story57 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Nothing & Nowhere" centers on a woman who helps a runaway girl, exploring themes of healing and friendship in a cozy, slice-of-life narrative. While the plot is engaging and emotionally resonant, some reviewers noted that certain moments felt rushed or lacked depth, particularly in comparison to its predecessor, "Lynne." Overall, the game is praised for its atmosphere, character development, and the positive message it conveys, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the genre.
“The story is about a woman who, on her early morning beach walk, encounters a runaway girl and invites her to her home to help her.”
“Even with a relatively short length of the story (45k words), we are able to get enough exposition to care about the characters and feel touched by the unraveling events.”
“Nothing & nowhere is a cozy sort of story best read when it's either gloomy and overcast or you're in a gloomy and overcast sort of mood.”
“The story could be much shorter and much better without pretentious overdramatic descriptions.”
“Some areas of this writing come across as rushed during key moments of the story, which I was surprised to see as Ebi-Hime is adept at detailed story scenarios, particularly when setting a scene development.”
“Events in the story where this happens occasionally end up leaving the intended purpose feeling flat, an example being when Cora is revealing her past experience; the backstory suffers a serious turning point that conflicted with her personality.”
- music9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to create a captivating atmosphere that complements the visuals and narrative, with a custom soundtrack that reflects the charm of the story. Reviewers note the high-quality production and the seamless integration of music and art, enhancing the overall experience and providing a relaxing backdrop to the gameplay. Overall, the music is described as a significant improvement over previous installments, contributing to a gentle and immersive storytelling experience.
“The ambience that this story creates with music, visuals, and plot is something special.”
“The music was lovely, and there are some little bits of animation like the characters blinking, rain falling, and fog moving—enough to make the presentation nice, but not enough for it to be distracting.”
“The music and art direction elevated this a lot; it was a welcome contrast compared to the first game.”
“The art was very high-quality, music very relaxed and appropriate to the game's overall tone... but in the end, I'm not sure it works if you're not a fan of Lynne that wants to see a non-horror spin-off that lets the central character there find a better path.”
“The music of this game really captures the spirit and charm that other parts of this visual novel create.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the sequel is characterized by a warmer, gentler tone that focuses on self-forgiveness and personal growth, contrasting with its heavier predecessor. Reviewers appreciate the exploration of transitional teen years and the emotional depth of the characters, noting that the narrative effectively evokes empathy and comfort, though some desire more character conflict to enhance emotional engagement. Overall, the sequel is seen as a heartwarming journey that resonates deeply with players.
“This warmer, gentler sequel to Lynne about self-forgiveness really felt heartwarming, and I can't really pick between either visual novel.”
“This was a bit of an interesting tonal shift from its prequel, which may be jarring for some, but I don't necessarily see it as a negative aspect of the work. The novel goes for something a little less heavy, a little more comforting, that still does a good job of exploring the emotional depth of its characters.”
“Experiencing Lynne also adds a lot of emotional depth to the girl's backstory and helps to empathize with her.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their unique art style and high quality, creating a captivating ambience that enhances the overall experience. Users appreciate the lovely artwork, with some even taking screenshots to showcase their favorite scenes. Overall, the visuals and audio are considered superior to many other visual novels.
“The ambience that this story creates with music, visuals, and plot is something special.”
“The art style is something I haven't seen yet from this author.”
“I took several screenshots of the lovely artwork, and the baking scene is probably going to be my computer's lock screen.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "nothing & nowhere" is notably different from its prequel "lynne," offering a cozy and slice-of-life experience that resonates well with many players. While the absence of major conflict may deter some, the gentle ambiance aligns effectively with the game's themes of healing and storytelling.
“The cozy atmosphere and the slice of life elements peppered throughout are definitely my jam - 'Nothing & Nowhere' delivered on every front.”
“The lack of a major conflict or any sort of tangible tension may be a turn-off for some; however, I feel like the kinder atmosphere fits nicely with the storytelling and message about healing that the author was going for.”
“A very different atmosphere from its prequel 'Lynne,' but a welcome one nonetheless.”
“Cozy atmosphere and some slice of life peppered everywhere is definitely my jam - 'Nothing & Nowhere' delivered on every front.”