Within a Rose

About

Within a Rose is a single player casual simulation game. It was developed by RhinoGearz and was released on October 20, 2017. It received positive reviews from players.

"Within a Rose" is a first-person puzzle-adventure game set in a surreal dream world. The player explores a mysterious mansion filled with intricate puzzles and hidden secrets, all while uncovering the story of a heartbroken inventor. With a focus on exploration and discovery, the game offers a unique and immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 26 reviews

story14 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

The game features a beautifully written story with emotional depth and relatable characters, particularly the dark fairy Desdemona and the male protagonist Wally.
It offers a refreshing take on gender roles, showcasing a strong female character and a sensitive male lead, which is a rarity in visual novels.
The artwork and soundtrack complement the narrative well, enhancing the overall experience despite some generic background art.

The game is relatively short, taking only a few hours to complete, which may leave players wanting more content.
Some background art and music are generic and do not match the setting, detracting from the immersive experience.
The writing can feel rushed at times, with sudden character attitude changes and transitions that may confuse players.

story
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The game features a charming retelling of the classic "Sleeping Beauty" story, offering a fresh perspective through the eyes of the dark fairy, with themes of reconciliation and personal growth. Players can explore multiple endings that reflect the characters' emotional journeys, making the narrative both impactful and thought-provoking. While the writing may occasionally feel rushed, the overall story is engaging and encourages players to reflect on love, forgiveness, and the complexities of relationships.
- “After having an extra year to reflect upon it, I believe that this game really is a must-play for anyone who can appreciate a deep and meaningful story about actions and consequences.”
- “The story has multiple endings, including two 'happy endings' for the dark fairy, two unhappy endings for her where she ends up alone, and one ending where the male protagonist ends up with his childhood friend. I greatly enjoyed the story, which focused on reconciliation and letting go of a troubled past to embrace happiness in the present.”
- “This was the most impressive thing about this romance story: the very different sorts of masculinity and femininity on display, and how it is perfectly acceptable to have different puzzle pieces (strong female, gentle male), which fit together perfectly.”
- “The story is pretty short, so it will only take around 3 hours to complete pretty much the entire game, and I would always love if those short visual novels would have made their stories a bit longer.”
- “The story of the game itself is really interesting; the only problem is the writing. Sometimes it's really too fast and doesn't let the player fully engage, being 'too fast' at some parts or 'too sudden.' However, the game is good in that most events that occur have a reason to be there, so we don't waste time on useless things; the game goes straight to the plot, which can be a good thing for people who like fast stories.”
- “Very enjoyable, great writing, and a bit frustrating because of the multiple endings; you need to play again and again to get the story right.”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the emotional impact of cutscenes, effectively complementing the writing and art. However, some players note that the soundtrack can feel generic, particularly for those familiar with visual novels, though it is still considered sufficient and fitting for the mood of each scene. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- “The art is pleasing, as is the soundtrack.”
- “Cutscenes where the music and writing complement the scene art, in order to portray a powerful mood.”
- “Though forgivable due to the small dev team, the use of generic background art and music sticks out too much for players like me who play a lot of visual novels.”
- “Bad art, bad music, bad writing.”
- “The music is sufficient, and fits the mood of each scene.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-written narrative, featuring both uplifting moments and poignant tragedies that resonate deeply with players. Many reviewers express feeling kinder and more hopeful after playing, while others note the game's ability to evoke strong emotions, including tears, through its impactful storytelling and character relationships. Overall, it successfully balances wholesome themes with moments of genuine emotional weight.
- “This story made me feel kinder and more hopeful.”
- “...then I played it again and got a tragic route, and it made me cry a lot as soon as I realized the severity of what was happening.”
- “Is it bad that I cried? So far, only two online books (visual novels) have moved me this much.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's graphics feature pleasant visuals, including expressive character sprites and appealing backgrounds, effectively conveying the story despite not being the most advanced. While the artwork is appreciated, some users suggest that a re-release with updated visuals could enhance the experience further. Overall, the graphics are considered a strong point, complementing the game's narrative and characters.
- “Mechanically, the game has simple mouse or keyboard commands, and pleasant visuals, including backgrounds and character sprites with changing expressions.”
- “It is not the most expensive graphics, but I found it did an excellent job of conveying the story—and the gallery pictures are worth the price of admission.”
- “Nice artwork and storyline (and characters, by the way).”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding it genuinely funny and well-integrated into the story. The characters are described as adorable, adding to the overall comedic experience without the need for uncensored content.
- “This game is filled with humor that keeps you laughing throughout.”
- “I usually play games with uncensored patches, but this one doesn't need it; it's funny, the story is okay, and the characters are adorable.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch and adds a delightful twist to the gameplay.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The character development in this visual novel is enhanced by its simplistic background and character design, contributing to a unique and standout experience in the genre.
- “The simplicity of the background and character design creates a unique visual novel that stands out from the crowd.”
- “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
- “I love how the choices I make influence the characters' growth and relationships throughout the game.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The gameplay of this visual novel is straightforward, relying on standard mechanics such as mouse or keyboard commands. Players can enjoy pleasant visuals, including dynamic backgrounds and character sprites that feature changing expressions, but there are no significant gameplay elements beyond these basics.
- “Mechanically, the game has simple mouse or keyboard commands, and pleasant visuals, including backgrounds and character sprites with changing expressions.”
- “This is a visual novel; it doesn't really have any gameplay aspects beyond the standard stuff you'd expect from a visual novel.”
- “Mechanically, the game has simple mouse or keyboard commands, and while the visuals are pleasant, including backgrounds and character sprites with changing expressions, it lacks depth in gameplay.”