Once Again

About

Once Again is a single player action game. It was developed by RB Wolf Design and was released on October 2, 2022. It received very positive reviews from players.

"Once Again" is a narrative-driven adventure game where players uncover the mysteries of a small town through the perspectives of its eccentric residents. Decisions made throughout the game can significantly impact the story's outcome, leading to multiple endings. The game features pixel art graphics and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 370 reviews

story126 positive mentions

replayability2 negative mentions

Once Again features a beautifully written and emotional story that resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears.
The art style and soundtrack are stunning, creating a cozy and immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
The game effectively explores themes of nostalgia, loss, and the importance of saying goodbye, making it a heartfelt journey for players.

The gameplay is minimal and repetitive, with very little interaction beyond clicking to advance the story, which may leave some players feeling disengaged.
The game is quite short, lasting only about an hour, which some players feel limits its emotional impact and depth.
Certain elements, such as the portrayal of smoking, may detract from the experience for some players, leading to mixed feelings about the narrative.

story
326 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
60%
1%
The story of "Once Again" is a poignant and bittersweet narrative centered around a boy who travels back in time each year on his birthday to spend a day with his deceased mother, exploring themes of loss, nostalgia, and the value of fleeting moments. While many players find the emotional depth and beautiful art style compelling, some critique the limited interactivity and pacing, suggesting that the story could have been more impactful with deeper engagement. Overall, it is regarded as a touching experience that resonates with those who appreciate heartfelt storytelling in a short format.
- “Once again is a short bittersweet story about a boy that slowly gets to know his deceased mother while he travels through time once a year on his birthday, just for one day he gets to spend time with the person he never got the chance to meet in his time.”
- “A truly emotional story that makes you value life more, because life is indeed 'short as hell'.”
- “It's a beautiful story about saying goodbye to someone you love through time travel.”
- “This sort of barely-a-game interactive story/visual novel should be right up my alley, but I'm afraid it just doesn't cohere.”
- “Problem #3: the storyline/writing, which should be delivering some serious emotional gut-punches, is just too distant and uninvolving, bordering on the sort of stylized, unrealistic dialogue you would expect in some C-grade anime.”
- “I wasn't impressed by 'Once Again's' story, nor could I form an emotional bond with the main character, Sia, failing to empathize with his predicament.”
emotional
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game has garnered a mixed yet largely positive response, with many players expressing that it evoked strong feelings, often leading to tears. Reviewers highlighted the game's touching narrative about love, loss, and nostalgia, praising its beautiful art and music, which enhance the emotional experience. However, some critiques noted that the writing could feel distant or unrealistic, potentially hindering emotional engagement for certain players. Overall, it is regarded as a heartfelt and impactful story worth experiencing, especially for fans of visual novels.
- “A truly emotional story that makes you value life more, because life is indeed 'short as hell'.”
- “It made me cry more than I expected it to because I didn't get to say goodbye and it haunts me every day.”
- “A beautiful little game that tells a story that's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.”
music
118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
33%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the storytelling, with many reviewers noting its beautiful, calming, and atmospheric qualities. The soundtrack features a mix of lo-fi and ambient sounds that complement the visuals and narrative, creating an immersive experience. While some players found the music repetitive, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's emotional impact and aesthetic appeal.
- “But the soundtrack... it is so well chosen and fits the atmosphere perfectly, allowing you to immerse yourself in reading.”
- “The music is harmonious and touching, and the artwork is extremely pretty.”
- “The absence of a traditional musical score is a deliberate choice, allowing the ambient sounds and occasional silence to punctuate the narrative beats.”
- “The music wasn't anything too special but it works and the presentation at times was a little awkward but still good enough to get the story across.”
- “The soundtrack deserves its own mention because it's absolutely wonderful and accompanies the story charmingly.”
graphics
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
37%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful, simple, and hand-drawn art style, often compared to an interactive comic book or watercolor illustrations. Players appreciate the aesthetic appeal, vibrant color palettes, and how the visuals complement the emotional storytelling and music, creating an immersive experience. Overall, the art style is considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's narrative despite its short length and limited gameplay.
- “The art style is fantastic and is what initially hooked me in; it's a lot like an interactive comic book, showcasing amazing illustrations with moving backgrounds that set the tone perfectly.”
- “The visuals and transitions between each panel, along with the music, set a mystical yet comforting tone.”
- “The art style, music, and visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and although it's a short game, I definitely recommend it.”
- “Sadly, while the anime-style visuals are lovely, I lack the proper words that will do justice to the magnificent musical pieces which hide within the game's audio files.”
- “All, it's a passing artwork.”
- “Anyway, while the last two are on the subjective side (art style and writing are notoriously personal in nature), I don't think anyone can argue that the gameplay is seriously lacking, not to mention so repetitive you might feel like you're having a stroke due to the number of times the exact same actions need to be performed under the exact same game circumstances.”
gameplay
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
61%
6%
The gameplay of "Once Again" is primarily minimalistic, focusing on reading text and performing simple point-and-click actions, which some players find repetitive and lacking depth. However, the introduction of time-manipulating mechanics adds a unique layer to the experience, enhancing the narrative's emotional impact. While the gameplay may not be as engaging as in other titles, its simplicity and immersive visuals contribute to a relaxing and emotionally resonant journey.
- “The game excels in evoking a spectrum of feelings, utilizing temporal manipulations not just as a mechanic but as a narrative device to crescendo and diminuendo the emotional beats.”
- “The ability to rewind, fast-forward, and pause time becomes a choreography of gameplay that mirrors the narrative complexities.”
- “Its narrative virtuosity, temporal mechanics, and visual elegance paint a canvas that invites players into a mesmerizing dance through the corridors of time.”
- “The gameplay is easy, click on an item once a minute and continue reading the text.”
- “Anyway, while the last two are on the subjective side (art style and writing are notoriously personal in nature....one man's poorly written attempt at melodrama is another's golden chalice of emotionally involving storytelling....) I don't think anyone can argue that the gameplay is seriously lacking, not to mention so repetitive you might feel like you're having a stroke due to the number of times the exact same actions need to be performed under the exact same game circumstances.”
- “Gameplaywise, there's not much to do.”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
10%
10%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by a well-chosen soundtrack that complements the art and narrative beautifully. Reviewers note that the combination of music and visuals creates a captivating experience that draws players in, making them feel deeply connected to the story. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as astounding and perfect for enjoying in a single sitting.
- “The atmosphere of this game is astounding.”
- “The soundtrack just adds to the beautiful atmosphere and makes it absolutely perfect.”
- “Really nice soundtrack and the art is as nice as it gets, creating an amazing atmosphere the game carries from start to end.”
- “Still, the atmosphere sucked me in, and I ended up feeling much more than I usually do playing these sorts of titles.”
- “The soundtrack fits really well and brings a lot to the atmosphere.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a witty and headstrong protagonist who maintains her comedic charm and determination throughout the narrative. Players appreciate the cleverness of the dialogue and the lighthearted approach to various situations, particularly in the context of honoring quirky traditions.
- “She's still funny, got her wits about her and has the same headstrong 'I can do anything' attitude like it never left her.”
- “So our protagonist decides to humor this message by honoring this birthday ritual.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
The game has limited replayability due to its short length, but players can find some value in pursuing specific achievements.
- “While the game is short, there's still replayability for some of the achievements.”
- “Replayability value: none.”
- “While the game is short, there's still some replayability for certain achievements.”