The Warmth Between Us
- May 15, 2020
- Connection
"The Warmth Between Us" is a narrative-driven game where players navigate the complexities of relationships and self-discovery. Through choices and interactions, players influence the development of a budding romance between two women. The game features a branching storyline and engaging character development within a cozy, atmospheric setting.
Reviews
- The game features a beautifully written and emotionally engaging story that effectively explores themes of connection and personal growth.
- The artwork and music are outstanding, enhancing the overall atmosphere and emotional impact of the narrative.
- The chemistry between the two main characters is memorable and relatable, making their journey feel genuine and heartfelt.
- The pacing can be slow at times, with some parts dragging on longer than necessary, which may detract from the overall experience.
- There are no choices or alternate routes, which may disappoint players looking for more interactivity in a visual novel.
- The English translation has some minor issues, which can slightly affect the immersion, though it remains comprehensible.
- story53 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story is a well-crafted exploration of the relationship between two main characters, Nine and Tina, as they navigate their emotional connection over ten days in Taipei. While the narrative may have moments of slow pacing and lacks interactivity typical of visual novels, it is praised for its depth, emotional resonance, and the warmth it conveys, making it a touching and memorable experience. Despite some translation issues, the storytelling is considered masterful, with a blend of lightheartedness and melancholy that leaves a lasting impact.
“As we read on, we find that there's a whole lot more to Tina's story, and as we pull apart the layers of said story, we discover her reasons and personality don't come from as lighthearted an origin as you would think at first.”
“The relationship between the two main characters was quite the treat to experience, and the story will take you through a rollercoaster of emotions.”
“It's a very touching, emotional story that, although it has light-hearted moments, primarily explores love (not the typical romantic type) and the warmth and support among people.”
“I don't really know what to think about this game... it has no choices, no routes, no voice acting, decent artworks/renders, you can't even change your name. It has 3 chapters and every chapter has its own short story plus the main story content.”
“As this is a kinetic visual novel, there are no choices, so you simply play through the story from beginning to end.”
“It's nothing exceptional or overambitious compared to the rest out there, but it's still a meaningful tale with its own little big impact and story behind it.”
- music19 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for enhancing the atmosphere and emotional depth, with many reviewers noting its suitability for various scenes and its beautiful piano compositions. However, some found it to be occasionally repetitive or underwhelming. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's artistic and narrative experience, with many expressing a desire for it to be available as a downloadable content option.
“From the very get-go, the artwork and music selection was absolutely fantastic.”
“The simple but beautiful music, the stunning art style, and the whole atmosphere of the game.”
“A fantastic story with amazing music and brilliant art.”
“The music helps a lot with the atmosphere most of the time, but there are times where it is just meh and sometimes even repetitive. However, it does a very good job on the emotional segments, really giving the scene the atmosphere it deserves.”
“There is some kind of ending movie at the end of chapter 2 which does not load; the music plays, but otherwise you only get a black screen.”
“The soundtracks mostly focus on piano tunes and actually work really well with the overall atmosphere, but there are moments where it feels lacking.”
- emotional10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game excels in delivering powerful emotional moments, with many players praising its ability to evoke strong feelings through well-crafted scenes, music, and storytelling. While some parts may feel slow, the overall narrative is described as touching and inspirational, often leading to a deeply moving experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers highlight the game's capacity to blend themes of dream, grief, and romance, making it a memorable emotional journey.
“This game ruined me emotionally.”
“A heart-warming tale of dream, grief, and of course romance.”
“The second chapter was a rollercoaster of emotions and made me cry more than once.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style and atmospheric visuals, which significantly enhance the overall experience. The combination of beautiful artwork and a captivating soundtrack creates a memorable ambiance, showcasing the passion invested in the game's aesthetics. However, some users noted that while the visuals are impressive, the lack of choices and voice acting may detract from the overall engagement.
“The simple but beautiful music, the stunning art style, and the whole atmosphere of the game.”
“What makes this game special is how much passion was put into the visuals, music, and story.”
“If any of those feels relatable, this short read will surely impress you, plus the outstanding art style (I became an instant fan of the artist) and atmospheric soundtrack.”
“I don't really know what to think about this game... it has no choices, no routes, no voice acting, decent artworks/renders, you can't even change your name... it has 3 chapters and every chapter has its own short story plus the main story content.”
“The graphics are underwhelming and fail to create an immersive experience.”
“The character models look outdated and lack detail, making it hard to connect with the game.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is largely enhanced by its beautiful art style and emotional soundtrack, particularly the piano tunes that complement key scenes effectively. While some music tracks can feel repetitive or lackluster, the overall aesthetic and artistic elements create a captivating and immersive experience for players.
“The simple but beautiful music, the stunning art style, and the whole atmosphere of the game.”
“If any of those feels relatable, this short read will surely impress you, plus the outstanding art style (I became an instant fan of the artist) and atmospheric soundtrack.”
“The music helps a lot with the atmosphere most of the time, but there are times when it's just meh and sometimes even repetitive. However, it does a very good job on the emotional segments, really giving the scene the atmosphere it deserves.”
“There are a lot of beautiful CGs and backgrounds (I am still not quite sure if the latter were all hand-drawn or not, though); the soundtracks mostly focus on piano tunes and actually work really well with the overall atmosphere.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The gameplay has been noted as a significant aspect of the overall experience, warranting further critique and analysis.
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the controls to be unresponsive, which made the gameplay frustrating.”
“The mechanics are poorly designed, leading to a lot of confusion during gameplay.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game offers a linear experience with no replayability due to its kinetic visual novel format, taking approximately 7-8 hours to complete. However, players can expect to fully enjoy this brief playtime.
“All three chapters will take you about 7-8 hours to complete, and there is no replayability because it is a kinetic visual novel. However, I guarantee that you will enjoy even this short time to the fullest.”