Once Again

About

In "Once Again," a teenage boy, Sia, travels through time and meets a familiar yet significant person from his past. Together, they form a bond through photography, reliving and capturing lost moments. The game features heartwarming storyline and immersive interactive gameplay, allowing players to control Sia's actions and navigate their emotional journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 185 reviews

story63 positive mentions

Once Again features a beautifully written and emotional story that resonates deeply with players, often evoking tears and reflection on personal experiences of loss and nostalgia.
The game's art style is stunning, with a comic strip aesthetic that enhances the overall experience, complemented by a soothing and fitting soundtrack.
Despite its short playtime, the game effectively conveys its themes of love, loss, and the importance of saying goodbye, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of visual novels.

The gameplay is minimal and can feel repetitive, with limited interactivity that may leave some players wanting more engagement and exploration.
Some players found the story's emotional impact lacking, feeling disconnected from the main character and the narrative due to its brevity and simplicity.
There are occasional issues with unclear objectives and controls, which can lead to frustration and detract from the immersive experience.

story
163 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
60%
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 many players find the emotional depth and beautiful presentation compelling, some critique the limited interactivity and pacing, which can detract from the overall engagement. Overall, it is celebrated for its heartfelt storytelling, stunning visuals, and evocative soundtrack, making it a recommended experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “Once again is a short bittersweet story about a boy who 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'.”
- “This is a touching story in so many ways and while emotional, it is told with a positive frame and the mindset of cherishing the moments we have.”
- “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.”
- “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
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its ability to evoke strong feelings, with many players reporting tears and a deep connection to the narrative. Reviewers highlight the game's heartwarming and bittersweet storytelling, complemented by beautiful music and art, making it a touching experience that resonates with themes of love, loss, and nostalgia. However, some critiques mention that the emotional impact may vary among players, with a few finding the writing distant or less engaging.
- “The progress of the story is heartwarming and sad at the same time.”
- “A truly emotional story that makes you value life more, because life is indeed 'short as hell'.”
- “This game is short but very heartwarming and brought me to tears.”
music
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
31%
5%
The music in the game is widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its beautiful, calming, and sometimes melancholic qualities. The soundtrack complements the visuals and narrative effectively, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players. While some found the music to be repetitive or not particularly unique, the majority agree that it significantly contributes to the game's emotional impact and overall enjoyment.
- “But the soundtrack 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
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
32%
9%
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 significant strength of the game, enhancing its narrative and emotional impact.
- “The art style is fantastic and is what initially hooked me in; it's a lot like an interactive comic book, with amazing illustrations and moving backgrounds that set the tone perfectly.”
- “The visuals in this game are simple, but made with love, featuring aesthetic 2D hand-drawn graphics that are easy on the eyes and showcase gorgeous color palettes.”
- “The art style, music, and visuals are absolutely gorgeous, creating a beautiful short story experience that I definitely recommend.”
- “Sadly, while the anime-style visuals are lovely, I lack the proper words that'll do justice to the magnificent musical pieces which hide within the game's audio files.”
- “All, it's a passing artwork.”
- “The visuals in this game are simple, but made with love.”
gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
56%
11%
The gameplay of the game is primarily focused on a simple, point-and-click mechanic that emphasizes narrative over interactivity, often leading to repetitive actions that some players find lacking. While it effectively utilizes temporal mechanics to enhance the storytelling experience, many reviewers feel that the gameplay is minimal and could benefit from more engaging elements. Overall, the game is praised for its emotional depth and visual appeal, but its gameplay is seen as a secondary aspect that may not satisfy those seeking a more dynamic experience.
- “Once again, it is an amazing game with a wonderful story and original gameplay.”
- “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.”
- “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
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the exceptional soundtrack that enhances immersion and complements the beautiful art. Many reviewers note that the game's atmosphere is captivating and emotionally engaging, making it a memorable experience that encourages players to enjoy it in one sitting. Overall, the combination of music and visual elements creates an astounding and moving atmosphere throughout the game.
- “But the soundtrack... it is so well chosen and fits the atmosphere perfectly, allowing you to immerse yourself in reading.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is astounding.”
- “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 when playing these sorts of titles.”
- “The soundtrack fits really well and brings a lot to the atmosphere.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a witty and headstrong protagonist who maintains her comedic edge, showcasing a blend of cleverness and determination. The narrative also incorporates playful elements, such as the protagonist's decision to engage with a quirky birthday ritual, adding to the lighthearted tone.
- “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
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
100%
The game has limited replayability, primarily due to its short length, but players may find some incentive to replay for specific achievements.
- “While the game is short, there's still replayability for some of the achievements.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes makes me want to play through it multiple times.”
- “Each playthrough offers a different experience, keeping the game fresh and engaging.”
- “Replayability value: none.”
- “While the game is short, there's still some replayability for certain achievements.”