Witchy Life Story

About

Witchy Life Story is a single player casual simulation game with romance and comedy themes. It was developed by Sundew Studios and was released on September 30, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

You have two weeks to save the harvest festival! Tend your garden and collect plants for spells and rituals to help the villagers of Flora. After all, if magic isn't for solving everyday problems, what’s the point of a village witch anyway? A cozy story filled with chaos, friendship, and romance!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

82%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,252 reviews

story270 positive mentions

grinding46 negative mentions

The art style is stunning and adds to the overall charm of the game.
The character customization options are inclusive, allowing for diverse representation.
The story is heartwarming and features relatable characters, making for an engaging experience.

The gameplay is repetitive and lacks depth, primarily consisting of dialogue with little meaningful choice.
The main character is often unlikable and their personality does not change significantly throughout the game.
The game is short, with many players feeling it does not justify the full price.

story
810 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
65%
2%
The story of "Witchy Life Story" is described as cute, cozy, and engaging, with a focus on character development and themes of friendship and self-acceptance. However, many reviewers noted its linearity and lack of impactful choices, leading to a feeling of repetitiveness and limited replayability. While the art and overall atmosphere are praised, some players expressed a desire for a longer narrative and more depth in the plot.
- “It's really amazing and I personally love the story line.”
- “The story is very sweet and the character customizations are a really great touch.”
- “The characters are developed so nicely and the story flow was uninterrupted, a decent length and always fun!”
- “The story was incredibly boring and subpar.”
- “I want to recommend it, but the story is highly lacking--for a story driven game.”
- “The dialogues are so repetitive, unimaginative, and boring that starting a new day feels more like a chore than something to be excited about; I normally have no problem with reading but the typos and flatness of the storylines made this such an underwhelming experience, I found myself just clicking through without absorbing anything.”
graphics
308 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
41%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning and adorable art style, which is described as vibrant, cozy, and aesthetically pleasing. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful character designs and the overall charm of the visuals, although some express disappointment in the gameplay, feeling it lacks depth compared to the appealing graphics. Overall, the art style is considered the game's strongest aspect, drawing players in with its unique and heartwarming aesthetic.
- “The art style is absolutely stunning!”
- “The artwork is so, so beautiful, and I really enjoy the designs of the potions too, and would love to buy those if they were on sticker sheets or acrylic charms :)”
- “The visuals of the game are definitely its main selling point, vibrant colors and interesting character designs.”
- “There is just nothing about this game that makes me want to spend any more time with it - really pretty artwork wasted on, I don't even know how to describe it.”
- “This game is cute and aesthetically pleasing, but the actual gameplay feels lacking.”
- “Tl;dr: this game is not worth your money just for the pretty aesthetic and character creator.”
gameplay
276 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
58%
11%
The gameplay is primarily focused on simple mechanics such as gardening and potion-making, which many players find charming and therapeutic, but also repetitive and lacking depth. While the game is visually appealing and features a cozy atmosphere, it leans heavily on dialogue and narrative, resulting in a gameplay experience that some describe as short and unsatisfying. Overall, players appreciate the art and story but express a desire for more engaging gameplay elements and longer playtime.
- “Everything from the characters to the music to the gameplay was all so charming and cozy.”
- “The game mechanics are fun, and I definitely will replay it soon so I can get the rest of the achievements.”
- “The characters are so relatable and sweet, the art is amazing, the story was incredible & heartfelt, and the gameplay itself is really fun and easy to learn.”
- “The gameplay leaves much to be desired. I know it's a visual novel, but instead of being able to mess up the potions on purpose for every order, it just says you're missing something until you get it right, so the only way to mess up is just to not do the order.”
- “Unfortunately, there is an incredibly dull ratio of clicking through insipid dialogue to actual gameplay and spellcrafting.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly short and repetitive.”
emotional
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is overwhelmingly positive, with players praising its heartwarming story, charming characters, and vibrant art style. Many found the experience to be relaxing and uplifting, often leading to moments of genuine emotional connection, including tears at the end. The game's inclusivity and relatable themes further enhance its appeal, making it a recommended choice for those seeking a cozy and wholesome gaming experience.
- “The characters are so relatable and sweet, the art is amazing, the story was incredible & heartfelt, and the gameplay itself is really fun and easy to learn.”
- “It was truly such a sweet little emotional rollercoaster.”
- “Watching the progression of the characters and my own character's growth was so fun and heartwarming.”
music
110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and soothing qualities, perfectly complementing the charming art style and cozy atmosphere. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to enhance the gameplay experience, although some noted limitations in sound settings and a desire for more variety. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it a relaxing and enjoyable experience for players.
- “The music is relaxing and helps set both the pace and tone of the game.”
- “The art and soundtrack were beautiful.”
- “Fantastic artwork and the music really sets the mood without being distracting.”
- “The music was…okay.”
- “Further, if you're going to have a music volume bar and an ambience volume bar, you might consider making sure they both work before putting your game out into the world.”
- “One was that even turning all the music/sound/etc off, the advance dialogue sound still played and I ended up having to mute the whole game in Windows sound mixer.”
humor
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its charming and humorous writing, featuring cute and funny dialogue that keeps players engaged and entertained. Many reviews highlight the lighthearted tone, delightful character interactions, and the blend of humor with heartwarming moments, making it a cozy and enjoyable experience. Overall, the humor is a standout aspect, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and replay value.
- “The art is what first got my attention; it's so aesthetically pleasing, and throughout the game, seeing the reactions your character has along with others is just so cute and hilarious!”
- “The writing had some very cute, funny, and heartwarming moments.”
- “The story is funny and silly, and your ability to joke at every situation is super fun.”
replayability
50 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
64%
16%
Overall, the game offers limited replayability, primarily revolving around achieving different endings and completing various character romances. While some players enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and found value in revisiting the story, many expressed disappointment in the lack of substantial content to warrant multiple playthroughs. It is generally recommended for those who appreciate a short, charming experience rather than for players seeking extensive replay value.
- “Plus this is replayable so you can romance everyone and get all the achievements.”
- “A cozy 4 hour play, or so, with great, diverse character customization, likeable and unique characters, and a fun story, with a light smattering of more 'serious' topics, this is a perfect weekend activity kinda game, but definitely has some light replayability.”
- “I loved all of the characters and there's some replay value in it as well.”
- “Though I did have a lot of fun with my first playthrough, the game does not have any replayability, and getting all six endings is a tedious and frustrating task.”
- “It's very pretty, but between the focus on the less than stellar story, technical issues, and the complete lack of replayability, I really can't recommend this to anyone.”
- “I understand that there is a replayability factor to get other achievements and go down different paths, but after you get all of that, there isn't much else to do and the game is just... done.”
grinding
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players finding the repetitive nature of replaying for multiple endings tedious and frustrating, particularly for achievement hunters. However, others appreciate the routine-like comfort of certain gameplay elements, such as gardening, which they found enjoyable rather than grindy. Overall, while the game offers a cozy experience, the lack of meaningful variation in dialogue and outcomes during repeated playthroughs can make it feel overly grindy for some players.
- “To get all the achievements, it is too grindy and not fun for a visual novel, especially when the dialogue and outcomes don't change much unless you're going for a bad/okay festival end.”
- “Though I did have a lot of fun with my first playthrough, the game does not have any replayability, and getting all six endings is a tedious and frustrating task.”
- “Game play is tedious, boring, and repetitive; it freezes up - incredibly disappointed.”
character development
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
47%
8%
Character development in the game is widely praised for its charm and depth, with players appreciating the progression of both the main character and the villagers throughout the story. The character designs are noted for their diversity and inclusivity, although some players express a desire for more options for masculine characters. Overall, the game offers a cozy experience with engaging character arcs that resonate emotionally with players.
- “The character creation was so cute, the story and character development were charming, the art is colorful and vibrant, and overall I just felt very relaxed and pleased playing this cute, wholesome game.”
- “You also find out a lot about the villagers and realize they had their ways for acting strangely in the beginning - the character development is done well throughout.”
- “At first, I didn't like Von Teasel so much because of how they started out, but you see genuine character development, which is something I adore in games and media.”
- “There is a lack of true gender diversity in character design.”
- “Very few masc character design options, especially in clothing and in the eye options.”
- “Additionally frustrating realizing the game gives you character designs like Jean, but no options to look like a character like Jean.”
stability
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is marked by a mix of experiences; while some players report a generally smooth gameplay with only minor text glitches and typos, others encounter significant issues such as random freezes, force quitting, and repetitive dialogue prompts. Many acknowledge that the game is new, suggesting that the presence of bugs and glitches is somewhat expected, but these issues can detract from the overall experience and contribute to a sense of incompleteness.
- “Game still has major glitches, preventing multiple endings, as well as various minor bugs.”
- “Game play is tedious, boring and repetitive, freezes up - incredibly disappointed.”
- “There were also a few errors/glitches that occurred while playing which adds to the feeling of being incomplete.”
atmosphere
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy and comforting qualities, featuring adorable characters and a charming narrative that creates a therapeutic experience. While it effectively embodies the "cozy game" aesthetic, some players note that the gameplay may not fully match the depth of the atmosphere. Overall, it is recommended for those who enjoy witchy themes and a relaxed, calming environment.
- “It's a cute visual novel, with a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.”
- “If you love witchy stuff and a calming atmosphere, you'll really enjoy this one.”
- “This is supposedly a 'cozy game' and it has the aesthetic and atmosphere to match, but the gameplay is severely lacking.”
- “I feel like if you want a game with a similar atmosphere but with more suspense, play Strange Horticulture.”
- “The calming atmosphere and how each character overcomes their challenges feels almost therapeutic.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy includes promotional materials, such as pamphlets advertising sales, but players feel that the gardening and farming elements are not as significant as initially suggested. This discrepancy between marketing and gameplay experience has led to some disappointment among users.
- “The gardening/farming aspect is nowhere near as prevalent as advertising led me to believe.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have reported frequent stuttering issues, particularly during character interactions, with delays lasting around 30 seconds. This has raised concerns about the game's overall optimization.
- “I also had issues with the game stuttering frequently whenever I went to talk to a character, usually lasting about 30 seconds.”