Rainy Season
- August 19, 2020
- Inasa
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Rainy Season" is a narrative-focused game where you spend time with an ordinary family at home during a rainy day. Interact with various objects and engage in conversations to learn about the family and their stories. Special events occur during moments of boredom, offering unique insights. The game can be completed in under an hour, making it a perfect choice for a short, reflective experience. Check out the soundtrack and YouTube links for a preview of the game's atmosphere. Website: tsuyunohi.com.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game beautifully captures the nostalgic feeling of being a child stuck at home on a rainy day, evoking warm memories and a sense of calm.
- The art style and sound design are exceptional, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
- Despite its short length, the game offers a charming and wholesome experience, making it a worthwhile play for those who enjoy cozy, slice-of-life narratives.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including janky controls and awkward object interactions, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Some players found the game too short, with a playtime of only 30-60 minutes, leaving them wanting more content.
- The dialogue and translation quality could use improvement, as some text felt unpolished and could disrupt immersion.
- atmosphere53 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, evoking feelings of comfort reminiscent of family homes in Japan. Players appreciate the relaxing ambiance created by the sound of rain and the detailed art style, which together foster a cozy, whimsical experience. Overall, the atmosphere is considered the game's standout feature, making it a delightful escape for those who enjoy tranquil environments.
“The atmosphere in this wonderful game truly captures the beauty of Japan and honestly... it makes me a little nostalgic of the times I shared with my family as a child, how comfortable you were.”
“Just like hitting snooze on the alarm and pulling your futon over your head to stay in a dream a little longer, make the most of what rainy season does have to offer and linger within, giving yourself the time to gaze upon every detail and melt into the atmosphere of this game.”
“For an hour of my life, I was completely lost in a relaxing, engaging atmosphere that I didn't want to end.”
“It doesn't sell you on the shock and awe of gaming, but it sells you on the atmosphere alone.”
“It's a basic game with basic controls, not to mention quite short, but the atmosphere is immaculate.”
“I wish it would have had at least a Japanese synchronization, which would give the atmosphere a huge boost.”
- music52 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its enchanting and relaxing qualities, effectively enhancing the overall atmosphere and mood. Many players describe it as a beautiful orchestral experience that evokes feelings of nostalgia and comfort, reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films. The soundtrack, composed by Watanabe Ko, is noted for its ability to ease stress and create a cozy ambiance, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The music is very peaceful and I could almost fall asleep to the sound of the rain, lol.”
“Short but beautiful, the music is incredible and everything about it made you feel like you were living in a Studio Ghibli or Miyazaki film.”
“The game looks and sounds amazing, it feels warm and inviting, while the music is rare, it's used to great effect, and it all sounds enchanting.”
“The music score is short, but damn is it ever relaxing.”
“Thought the soundtrack wasn't available but it is through Spotify and others, so there goes that complaint.”
“Same goes with the soundtrack, which channeled bouts of an invisible orchestra in your own little concert hall, propelling more than half of the game’s deeply mesmeric and satisfying mood!”
- graphics47 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising its charming art style and cozy atmosphere reminiscent of classic anime, while others criticize the visuals as outdated, likening them to advanced PS2 graphics. Despite the lack of high fidelity, many players appreciate the soft textures and relaxing aesthetic, which contribute to an immersive and nostalgic experience. Overall, the art style is celebrated for its cuteness and ability to enhance the game's tranquil vibe.
“If you want a relaxing and chill game with cute visuals and a cozy environment, you should definitely try this game.”
“I love the music and I love the soft textures of the game's graphics; it fits well with the theme.”
“Super chill game, really beautiful visuals and music.”
“The graphics are not great either.”
“Looks more like an advanced PS2 game in terms of graphics.”
“The art style, while not impressive in terms of fidelity, is perfect for what the game is; a more realistic style would detract, in my opinion.”
- story44 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story is a slice-of-life narrative centered around a boy and his family navigating a rainy day, offering a blend of hope and meaning despite its seemingly simple premise. While some players appreciate its universal themes and engaging atmosphere, others find it less relatable and criticize the execution due to clunky controls that hinder the storytelling experience. Overall, the game is recognized for its beautiful visuals and sound, though opinions on its depth and accessibility vary significantly among players.
“I like that the story worked multiple angles in that it could be interpreted as a bystander’s short peering into a boy’s life with his family once his plans are thrown out the window!”
“I also loved how it disguises itself as a story about nothing, or more like 'doing nothing' when really it packs so much hope and meaning.”
“A masterpiece of slice of life short storytelling with unbelievably good visual style.”
“The story does not resonate with me at all; I guess I'm not in the target audience.”
“There's nothing wrong with being a short walking simulator, but there is something wrong with being a $4 short, buggy, and broken walking simulator with a story that I doubt barely anyone can really relate to.”
“However, there are some bigger issues that have meant I've ended up missing little sections of the story because of the clunky controls and crazy physics.”
- emotional25 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its emotional impact, described as wholesome, heartwarming, and nostalgic, evoking feelings of calm and joy. Players appreciate its ability to create a relaxing atmosphere, with clever secrets and a charming ambiance that encourages extended play. Overall, it offers a sweet and memorable experience that resonates deeply, reminiscent of childhood memories.
“The game is short, but with heartfelt details and a handful of clever secrets to discover.”
“Although the game is upfront with how long it can occupy you for, I found that I voluntarily stayed much longer than I had to thanks to its incredible ambiance and a very heartwarming homemade feel that is the end game sequence.”
“It made me feel like a kid again and I'm happy the creator was able to share this memory with us in such a creative way.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its slow-paced, calming nature, emphasizing smooth movement and interaction, which are essential for a successful walking simulator. While the mechanics are easy to learn, the experience is primarily driven by its visual and auditory ambience, making it a relaxing journey rather than a challenging one. The inclusion of a charming "daydream" mechanic adds a delightful touch, appealing to those seeking a brief, narrative-focused escape.
“Very calming gameplay.”
“An easy recommend for those interested in tight narrative/gameplay experiences or those wanting to experience joy for 20-60 minutes.”
“The visual and auditory ambience really shine, while the story and gameplay are just there to push the experience forward.”
“The gameplay is incredibly slow paced and very laid back with a focus on being calm.”
“Movement and interaction are arguably the two gameplay elements a walking simulator must absolutely nail to be super smooth and enjoyable, then of course after those two, a good story.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Players find the game to have high replayability, noting that even though it is somewhat short, the experience remains enjoyable and relaxing. The ability to simply immerse oneself in the environment, such as watching and listening to the rain, contributes to its infinite replay value.
“A nice and comfy time with lots of replay value.”
“But the replay value is infinite; basically, just going in the game and watching/hearing the rain is already enough for me. It's a very relaxing game.”
“While it is a little short, its replay value is high.”
“But the replay value is infinite; basically, just going into the game and watching/hearing the rain is already enough for me. It's a very relaxing game.”
- stability8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game suffers from significant stability issues, including awkward movement and janky object interactions, which can lead to frustrating glitches. While some players find these bugs forgivable in light of the game's charm, the overall experience is marred by its broken mechanics.
“Aside from that, movement is really weird and awkward, and object interaction is janky, buggy, and broken.”
“There's nothing wrong with being a short walking simulator, but there is something wrong with being a $4 short, buggy, and broken in both movement and interaction walking simulator with a story that I doubt barely anyone can really relate to.”
“Some glitches and frustrating issues picking things up, but otherwise a really charming experience.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted to be solid, with a focus on storytelling that enhances the characters' growth, despite the designs being described as unremarkable. This simplicity in design is appreciated by some players, as it allows for a greater emphasis on narrative and character arcs.
“The character designs are nothing spectacular too, which is great.”
“Story and character development are truly engaging.”
“The character designs are nothing spectacular too, which is great.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring an unrealistic amount of effort to progress.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“Grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as brief yet impactful, combining wit and a sense of wonder, contributing to its legendary status among players.
“Short but succinct, filled with humor and wonder, an absolute legend.”
“The jokes are clever and keep you laughing throughout the game.”
“I love how the humor is woven into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
