Our Life: Beginnings & Always

About

"Our Life: Beginnings & Always" is a single-player romance simulation game with an interesting plot, good graphics, and splendid music. As you play, grow from childhood to adulthood with the lonely boy next door, creating a unique life over four summers and fifteen years, all for $20. This highly emotional visual novel allows you to customize your character and navigate the ups and downs of life and love.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Our Life: Beginnings & Always screenshot

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 309 reviews

story41 positive mentions

atmosphere3 negative mentions

The game offers a deeply engaging and heartwarming story that allows players to develop meaningful relationships with characters, particularly Cove.
There is a high level of customization for the main character, including options for gender identity, sexuality, and appearance, making it inclusive and relatable for a wide audience.
The writing is well-crafted, with choices that genuinely impact the story and character development, providing a sense of agency and replayability.

Some players may find the pacing slow, particularly in the earlier stages of the game, which could lead to moments of mundane gameplay.
While the game is praised for its inclusivity, some players feel that certain characters, like Jeremy, could be better developed or less annoying.
A few players noted that not all choices lead to significantly different outcomes, which may detract from the sense of agency for some.

story
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
65%
2%
The story is a heartfelt and immersive coming-of-age narrative centered around friendship and romance, featuring strong character development and meaningful choices that impact the player's experience. With a focus on inclusivity, particularly in LGBTQ+ representation, the game offers a rich, emotional journey that resonates with players, making them feel deeply connected to the characters and their stories. Overall, it is praised for its well-written dialogue, beautiful art, and the ability to evoke a range of emotions, making it a standout in the visual novel genre.
- “Every story is interesting and tells more about characters, so in the end you really feel like you know them.”
- “The story is heartwarming and the romance is very well done.”
- “The story captivated me and it felt like my decisions really mattered for how the story went.”
- “The story isn't too exciting because a lot of conflict is internal and character-based, not environmental.”
- “Some groups' dialogue/action choices will lead to the exact same or extremely similar response, save for many one or two choices that will either change the event story completely, or give a different response than all the others.”
- “Usually when I see free-to-play visual novels, I don't have very high hopes because the dialogue and the story can seem very repetitive, so when I first saw this game, I wasn't sure what to expect.”
emotional
92 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players praising its heartwarming storytelling, relatable characters, and the ability to evoke genuine feelings of joy, nostalgia, and even tears. Many reviewers highlight the game's wholesome nature and the deep connections formed with characters, particularly the love interest, Cove, making it a comforting and immersive experience. Overall, it is celebrated as a beautifully crafted visual novel that resonates deeply with players, offering a blend of emotional depth and uplifting moments.
- “I cried real tears for the first time in years.”
- “Never before has a game made me feel so loved, safe, and valid.”
- “This game made me feel so many genuine emotions, I'm truly in love with the game and all of the characters!!”
graphics
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
23%
23%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning and beautiful art style, which evokes nostalgia and emotional resonance. While most artwork is of high quality, a few pieces experience a dip in consistency. Overall, the visuals effectively enhance the storytelling and character connection, making the experience both relatable and enchanting.
- “Stunning art and visuals!”
- “The art style is absolutely beautiful and the storyline is just as great.”
- “The artwork is adorable and can really set the scene when mixed with the small bits of voice acting throughout.”
- “If I have to say one bad thing about this game, it's the artwork. The majority of the artworks are great, but a few of them have a dip in quality.”
- “The graphics are not realistic like most games I play.”
- “The art style has that odd familiar feeling to it, and it has some good LGBTQ+ representation.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
8%
23%
The music in the game is widely praised for its positive, soothing, and nostalgic qualities, enhancing the overall experience and fitting seamlessly with the story and art. Many reviewers highlight its ability to evoke good vibes and transport players into the narrative, with some expressing a desire for an official soundtrack release. While a few personal preferences were noted, the general consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and emotional depth.
- “The music gives me good vibes the entire adventure; I really enjoyed it, very positive sounding.”
- “The music is soothing, the art is lovely, and the writing is gorgeous.”
- “The music sets the mood, and the CGs make it feel as if you're transported into the story.”
- “My only complaints are simply things that weren't to my personal taste; the score is pretty much elevator beach music and Cove's a bit of a wet noodle.”
- “The music sets the mood, but it feels generic and fails to leave a lasting impression.”
- “While the game has many strengths, the music feels repetitive and lacks variety, which detracts from the overall experience.”
replayability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The game boasts high replayability, with players enjoying multiple playthroughs due to its branching paths and customizable character personalities shaped by player decisions. Many users report spending countless hours revisiting the game, highlighting its engaging characters and dialogue as key factors that encourage repeated play. Overall, the game's design fosters a rich experience that invites players to explore different outcomes and choices.
- “So many paths to take; it's definitely replayable! I've spent so many hours playing this game and would happily play again!”
- “Your character's personality isn't predetermined like most visual novels; they're entirely shaped by your decisions, which leads to a ton of replayability.”
- “There's great characters, dialogue, and a ton of replayability because of the unique system they created with comfort and interest.”
- “Your character's personality isn't pre-determined like most visual novels; they're entirely shaped by your decisions, which leads to a ton of replayability.”
- “This game also has a lot of replayability, and I'm about to start my third playthrough with no end in sight.”
- “I can't possibly bring myself to be even vaguely mean to Cove, so I'll likely never totally 'complete' the game, but fortunately, you're given so many choices that it definitely has quite a bit of replayability, especially with the DLC.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Gameplay is characterized by a strong emphasis on player choice, significantly affecting relationships and overall experience. The affordable DLC enhances the game, adding hours of heartfelt content and nostalgic elements, while the beautiful art and calming music contribute to an immersive atmosphere. However, some players express a desire for more complex mechanics beyond dialogue choices, reminiscent of older visual novels.
- “The dynamic of relationships changes based on your preferences, which alters the gameplay as well.”
- “The DLC is affordable, adds hours of gameplay, and makes it a much more heartfelt experience.”
- “Your choices really impact the gameplay and make it feel personal to the player.”
- “Too often, this medium disappoints in one or more of several ways: lack of player agency, lack of clarity on the game's mechanics, lack of development for side characters (sometimes even main roles), and… well, I could go on for a while.”
- “I tend to like older visual novels like Tokimeki, Princess Maker, etc. They tend to have more mechanics outside of just choosing dialogue, and I haven't found modern titles as satisfying or unique.”
- “The dynamic of relationships changes based on your preferences, which changes gameplay as well.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The game excels in character development, offering players remarkable versatility in shaping their characters and influencing the story. The compelling writing, diverse customization options, and visually appealing character designs enhance the overall experience, making it a standout feature.
- “The versatility this game allows for your own character development and story-driving changes is astounding.”
- “The writing, character development, customizations, and ability to decide whatever you are going through in life are impressive.”
- “The story is compelling, the options are fantastic, and the character designs are lovely to the eye.”
- “Character development?”
- “The writing, character development, customizations, and the ability to decide whatever you are going through in life are lacking.”
- “I'm also curious about who drew the art for Cove and the other characters; I'm really a big fan of the shading and the character designs, especially Ma—she's really pretty!”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highly praised, with players experiencing a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears. Many found themselves giggling and laughing out loud during wholesome interactions, creating a joyful and immersive experience that blends humor with heartfelt moments. Overall, the game's ability to evoke such strong emotional responses contributes significantly to its appeal.
- “It had me giggling along, laughing out loud, and crying like a baby.”
- “This game made me laugh, smile, and even freak out whenever a wholesome interaction happens with Cove and Derek.”
- “I was crying, laughing, and loving every moment of this game; it was like a dream life for me, and I just enjoyed all of it.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
The game's atmosphere is praised for its nostalgic and relatable qualities, evoking memories of childhood beach holidays through its artwork and sound design. Reviewers feel that the absence of explicit scenes enhances this dreamlike quality, allowing players to immerse themselves in a fantasy that captures both reality and imagination.
- “The artwork, sounds, and overall atmosphere remind me of childhood beach holidays, and the entire premise is incredibly relatable while also capturing the fantasy and dream of it all—what could, should, or would have been.”
- “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth needed to immerse players in the game world.”
- “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is overshadowed by repetitive environments and dull sound design.”
- “The overall atmosphere is inconsistent, making it difficult to stay engaged or feel connected to the game's narrative.”