Once Again

About

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

“Once Again” is an interactive story game about a boy who spends his summers wandering between past and present. After meeting her, summer will never be the same again.

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 324 reviews

story104 positive mentions

Once Again is a beautifully written and emotionally impactful visual novel that explores themes of loss and nostalgia, making players reflect on their own experiences with loved ones.
The art style and soundtrack are stunning, creating a cozy and immersive atmosphere that enhances the storytelling experience.
Despite its short playtime, the game effectively conveys a heartfelt message about cherishing memories and saying goodbye, leaving a lasting impression on players.

The gameplay is minimal and can feel repetitive, with very little interaction beyond clicking to advance the story, which may leave some players wanting more engagement.
Some players found the story lacking depth in character development, making it difficult to connect with the protagonist outside of the time travel narrative.
The game is quite short, lasting only about an hour, which some players felt limited the emotional impact and exploration of its themes.

story
254 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
57%
2%
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 the game is short, lasting about an hour, it is praised for its emotional depth, beautiful art, and soothing soundtrack, making it a touching experience for players who appreciate narrative-driven games. However, some critiques mention a lack of interactivity and depth in gameplay, which may detract from the overall engagement with the story.
- “Once again is a point & click visual novel that relies heavily on story and style to carry it through.”
- “The whole story is about wholesome love, loss, grief, and memories.”
- “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.”
- “You care about the character(s) but only barely, and this lack of connection makes you bounce right off the story.”
emotional
140 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its heartwarming and bittersweet narrative, often leading players to tears as they connect with themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. While many find the story beautifully touching and relatable, some critiques mention a lack of depth in the writing, which can detract from the emotional impact for certain players. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to evoke strong feelings through its storytelling, music, and art, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate emotional narratives.
- “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.”
- “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.”
music
106 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
33%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many describing it as beautiful, calming, and perfectly suited to the narrative. While some players noted that certain tracks may feel repetitive, the soundtrack is generally regarded as a highlight that complements the stunning visuals and touching story. Overall, the combination of harmonious music and artistic presentation creates a deeply immersive experience for players.
- “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 soundtrack just adds to the beautiful atmosphere and makes it absolutely perfect.”
- “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 fits really well and brings a lot to the atmosphere.”
graphics
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
34%
5%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful, simple, and hand-drawn art style, often likened to an interactive comic book or watercolor illustrations. Reviewers appreciate the aesthetic appeal and harmonious integration of visuals with the emotional soundtrack, creating an immersive storytelling experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional impact and overall enjoyment.
- “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 everything in tone.”
- “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.”
- “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....one man's poorly written attempt at melodrama is another's golden chalice of emotionally involving story-telling....) 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.”
- “The visuals in this game are simple, but made with love.”
gameplay
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
57%
8%
The gameplay is largely minimal and repetitive, typical of a visual novel, with players often performing the same actions repeatedly, which can detract from the experience. However, the introduction of time-manipulating mechanics adds a unique layer to the narrative, creating an engaging rhythm that enhances emotional storytelling. While some players appreciate the simplicity and immersive nature of the gameplay, others feel it lacks depth and interactivity, suggesting that more gameplay elements could improve the overall experience.
- “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.”
- “Temporal studios' introduction of time-manipulating mechanics is the game's pièce de résistance.”
- “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.”
- “Gameplay-wise, 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 storytelling. Reviewers note that the combination of music and visuals creates a captivating experience that draws players in, allowing for deep emotional engagement. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as beautiful and moving, making it a standout feature.
- “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.”