WITHOUT YOU

About

"Without You" is a story-driven visual novel set in Moscowia State University, following the life of a student named Maels who dreams of freedom. After his sister Alpha falls into depression, Maels' heart hardens as he tries to escape the harsh realities of poverty and rejection. The game features live2D sprites, CGs, and original soundtracks in 4k resolution.

Genres & Tags

Simulation

Play Modes

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

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

story12 positive mentions

The game features a captivating and heartfelt narrative that immerses players in the emotional journey of its characters.
The art style is beautifully melancholic, complemented by stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
Players appreciate the depth of character development and the meaningful choices that lead to multiple endings, making each decision feel significant.

Some players find the character relationships to be confusing and not very natural, leading to a lack of clarity in their development.
The voice acting, while praised, is noted to sometimes lack emotion, and the dialogue can be illogical or strange at times.
There are complaints about the visual design, with many female characters appearing too similar and the backgrounds needing more refinement.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
38%
13%
The story is a beautifully crafted, non-linear narrative that explores themes of love, loss, and personal dreams, set against a melancholic art style that enhances its emotional depth. Players engage with well-developed characters through meaningful choices that shape the plot, creating an immersive experience that encourages reflection on real-world issues. Overall, the gripping storyline, combined with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack, leaves a lasting impact on players.
- “The gripping storyline, coupled with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack, immerses players into a world of love and loss.”
- “A heartfelt story of a student in the fight for his dreams and freedom, excellent graphics and music create the mood, and difficult choices make you think seriously.”
- “The storyline is engaging and emotionally impactful, leaving a lasting impression long after the game is finished.”
- “I think the developer could improve massively if they added extra dialogues to hint as to which direction the story is going based on your choices, which in turn would also help the player grow closer to the characters as well.”
- “The game challenges players to think about many aspects of life and prompts them to interpret the story in different ways.”
- “5) Drawing 2D sprites I did not like; they feel like they do not fit the style of the atmosphere of the story.”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
8%
25%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many players appreciating the original soundtracks that enhance the atmosphere and emotional depth of the storyline. While some reviews note that the music may not be particularly memorable, it effectively sets the mood and complements the stunning visuals. Overall, the combination of beautiful graphics and a fitting soundtrack contributes positively to the gaming experience.
- “The gripping storyline, coupled with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack, immerses players into a world of love and loss.”
- “A heartfelt story of a student in the fight for his dreams and freedom, excellent graphics and music create the mood, and difficult choices make you think seriously.”
- “Thanks to the 4k resolution, the game looks even more impressive, and the original soundtrack perfectly complements the atmosphere.”
- “The music is not distinguished and not memorable, but during the gameplay, it performs its function by providing the right mood.”
- “The music, to be honest, is on top, but the models move a little strangely, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The music lacks variety and fails to leave a lasting impression, making it forgettable despite its role in setting the atmosphere.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
36%
The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beautiful and melancholic art style, which enhances the emotional depth of the story. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, including charming illustrations and 4K chibi-style graphics, complemented by an immersive soundtrack that together create a captivating atmosphere. Overall, the combination of excellent graphics and thoughtful design contributes significantly to the game's engaging narrative experience.
- “The art style is beautifully melancholic, complementing the story perfectly.”
- “The gripping storyline, coupled with stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack, immerses players into a world of love and loss.”
- “The graphics and sound design create a superb atmosphere.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
22%
The atmosphere of "Without You" is widely praised for its immersive quality, enhanced by beautiful graphics, a compelling soundtrack, and a deep narrative with meaningful choices. While the backgrounds and illustrations contribute positively, some players feel that the 2D sprites do not align with the overall aesthetic. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of positive emotions through its captivating atmosphere and engaging plot.
- “Without You is a hidden gem on Steam that captivates with its heartfelt narrative and atmospheric gameplay.”
- “The graphics and music create the atmosphere; the non-linear plot and branching make every decision made important and meaningful.”
- “The graphics and sound design create a superb atmosphere.”
- “The 2D sprites feel out of place and do not match the atmosphere of the story.”
- “The graphics and music create the atmosphere, but the non-linear plot and branching make every decision feel less impactful.”
emotional
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
"Without You" is praised for its heartfelt narrative and emotional depth, offering an engaging story that resonates with players. The game's atmospheric gameplay, intuitive controls, and difficult choices enhance the emotional journey, making it a memorable experience that lingers long after completion. Overall, it is described as a colorful and touching exploration of ordinary students facing significant challenges.
- “Without You is a hidden gem on Steam that captivates with its heartfelt narrative and atmospheric gameplay.”
- “Without You is an emotional rollercoaster that captivates from start to finish.”
- “The storyline is engaging and emotionally impactful, leaving a lasting impression long after the game is finished.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The gameplay of "Without You" is praised for its smooth mechanics and immersive experience, enhancing the heartfelt narrative and stunning visuals. However, some users note that the gameplay is minimal, drawing comparisons to other titles in the genre. Overall, it offers a captivating experience despite its limited gameplay elements.
- “Without You is a hidden gem on Steam that captivates with its heartfelt narrative and atmospheric gameplay.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are smooth, adding a layer of realism to the experience.”
- “Without You is a captivating experience with stunning visuals, immersive gameplay, and a gripping storyline.”
- “Very similar to all these games, but this is not a game here; minimal gameplay.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by complex dialogue and amusing character interactions, particularly highlighted by the funny sister of the main character. While the voice acting adds to the charm, some lines may come off as odd, yet the overall comedic elements contribute positively to the game's appeal.
- “The dialogue is complex with some funny moments.”
- “Besides the fact that the music here is cool, the characters are funny and cute.”
- “Oh, well, there's the funny sister of the main character; I think that's enough for a good game.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Character development in the game is highly praised, with players feeling a strong investment in the characters' journeys. The blend of realistic and exaggerated design, along with engaging dialogues and a captivating plot, contributes to a rich emotional experience. Overall, the character development is considered impeccable and enhances the game's appeal.
- “The character development is impeccable, making you truly invest in their journey.”
- “A pleasant visual novel with good drawing and character design, interesting dialogues, a fascinating plot, and a captivating atmosphere that evokes a lot of positive emotions.”
- “The artistic choices and character design blend realistic and exaggerated elements beautifully.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “I found the character arcs predictable and uninspired, which diminished my overall engagement with the story.”
- “There are moments where character growth seems forced, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journeys.”