Our Life: Beginnings & Always

I don't write reviews! 📝🚫 . . No, seriously, I do not write reviews! ✋😒 . . .

But I'll review this 😐:

( At the time of writing, I have reached the first scene of step 4 ).

OK, first of all, GB Patch Games, this ain't game development ✋,... this is emotional wizardry! 🎩🪄✨❤️🥹.

Playing this game makes me cry, thinking about this game makes me cry, picturing the location artworks in my mind makes me cry, listening to the soundtrack . . . guess what that does.. 😭. For approximately a month now following the day I started, I have been walking an emotional tightrope ⚖️. Just one inopportune thought and it's "tear-ducts away!" 😢... Because of this game!

There's so much love and acceptance in the game world, it puts your emotions into overdrive! 🥲❤️. Step 3 is perfect! 👌. The moments are simultaneously so joyful and so heartbreaking because, . . well, . . . play it and find out 🤐. That S3 ending though, . . 😭. ( And Cove is the most beautiful and gentle soul 🥰. I don't know whether I'll be capable of attempting the other romance options for a looooong while ⏳ ).


It has been really nice to read the representation experiences in these reviews; so I'll write a couple lines about mine:

OK, so I'm a trans person who recently came out and started presenting at my place of work. So going into this game, I already decided that my character would transition during the playthrough: AMAB to feminine-presenting AMAB to trans female. Huge credit to the developers that this is possible 👏, but there are also options for the character to think about factors that I have also had to deal with during my process: Avoiding relationships in early life, the body journey, the relationship hopes afterwards, . . . I essentially created myself ( but with a much better (younger) transition age ).


TL:DR - This might be the best game I've ever played. How did GB Patch Games bring this visual novel to life more effectively than any AAA title I've played?? I dread the day I complete it 😟. I'll definitely re-play, but there will be a void. If I could flash my brain and re-play this game as new, I would. Repeatedly! 🔁. And I dread doing the Cove wedding DLC 😟. I can imagine myself crying for about a week afterwards 😭.

Seriously, you gotta play this!! 🎮. I can't believe a title this incredible is free! 😲.

its a really cute game

It's a pretty sweet game.
There is a lot of content if you get DLCs.
It's a bit addictive.
Super chill in the music and gameplay.
Lots of choices to make.

One of the best Romance Visual Novels I have ever played. I got all of the DLC before my first play-through, so I'm not entirely sure what the base game is like. But, it was an incredible and emotional experience. The wedding DLC had me bawling. It really felt like my family was there reminiscing and wishing me a happy future. Throughout my play-through, I could of been convinced that the characters were real ppl. After finishing the game and all 3 romance routes, I will truly miss them. This may be the first visual novel that I actually replay a route.

Now, having said all of that, there are some critiques I have to make. These BY NO MEANS ruin the experience. They are just things that I noticed. First, some of the visuals are not the best. Sometimes the proportions are off and I would rush through the text to get it off my screen. Also, sometimes the VA could be better. The most notable for me would be grown Derek's voice. It almost felt like they artificially lowered their voice. My final critique would be how all of the physical intimacy is cut short. Now, I do not expect sex scenes, as this is not one of those games (though I would pay for additional content for it), but it could of been implied that things happened, like a cut to black. Every time and I mean every time the ML cuts it off right in the middle of the hot n heavy. I can understand Cove doing so. He needs lots of time to adjust to any advancement to your relationship. But, Derek & Baxter do the same thing?! Your telling me the guy who has been pining for you for 10 years who has been explicitly called out for wanting to see you in a bathing suit would shut it down while in the middle?!?!? It could of at least been written as it being interrupted not just stopping before being interrupted. And with Baxter, you go 2 a secondary location just the 2 of u where there is no chance to be interrupted and nothing happens?!?! By the last stage of the game you like have the whole will they wont they that turns into a whole whirlwind, and I just don't believe that before you leave you don't do anything but sleep in the same bed. How can all 3 MLs want to protect their chastity?!

Anywhosies, this game is a roller coaster that I am way to invested in. It was magical. You should absolutely play it.

COVE JAMES HOLDEN MY BELOVED!!! Just finished my first playthrough (first because I will definitely be doing more) and it was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions never in my otome/romance book loving life have I met a love interest so emotionally and mentally fleshed out. I adore him with all my heart and my only complaint about him is that he's fictional!!!

This game easily earned a special place in my heart

I first played this game like 2-3 years ago in Itch, and I've been hooked since then. i bought all of the DLCs and everything but it's still not enough😭 I NEED MORE!!!

I respect the creators' decision of leaving this game as it is now tho, i'm excited for OLNF, I highly recommend it

Do you enjoy long walks on the beach?
Do you wish you had a wholesome childhood?
Life long childhood friendships that last into adulthood?
A family who adores you?
A man who loves you so much he can't stop bawling about it?
LOOK NO FURTHER
Seriously though, this is my favorite dating sim hands down and I've played a lot of dating Sims. My demi heart couldn't be happier, this will definitely be a comfort game for the foreseeable future. Desperately looking forward to their next game Now and Forever to be released in full. ❤️

Hey guys! I just got this beautiful and awesome game but I have a small problem and that is that once you get to make your character it’s all glitch, like I’m only able to put my name and then once you try to do something else it doesn’t let me do anything else.

I play my games on the Steam Deck so is it just a Steam Deck problem or is it the game? Is there anything I can do to fix it? I really wanna play this game!

ily cove

I LOVE this game. I'm pretty sure I played it when it came out, and it's really good. It's one of the game where I actually bought the DLC. The game does have a lot of customization, especially when you compare it to other visual novels. It is a decently long game, and I love how there is actually plot in the game rather than straight to dating. Overall, great game, would recommend!

(´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)

I'm not really the type to leave comments or review, but I just wanted to say that I love this game with all my heart. Be it the characters, the way you can influence your protagonist personality with the choices you make, the cozy ambiance or the story, all of it. This game has a really special place in my heart and I can't wait to play the next opus of GB Patch studio, Our lives : Now & Forever, to see if it will come to keep it company.

very good game i am homosexual

Better childhood simulator

Need more Baxter tbh HHAHAHAHAHA, can't get enough of that guy xD

Played this on Itch.io. Cove could turn anyone gay, 10/10 this hits hard when you're depressed

best game eves

Very good game

The writing is really good and I never felt bored playing this game, even during the slower days. I also think all the characters are fully fleshed out and are a joy to interact with. It's nice that you're able to be queer as well. As someone who's demisexual it was a nice surprise to get that representation.

Our Life: Beginnings and Always is, without a doubt, one of the most heartwarming and emotionally impactful games I've ever played. It has made me smile, cry, and feel emotions I didn’t even know I was capable of experiencing. The storytelling is beautiful, and the level of character customization allows you to truly immerse yourself in the world the developers have lovingly crafted.

When the Wedding Pack was released, I was overjoyed. It felt so personal, especially since I had never really imagined having a wedding, even while being in a long-term relationship with my now-fiancé. But being able to plan and experience such a beautiful event in the game made me realize how much I wanted that in my own life. This game helped me connect with feelings I didn’t know I had, and for that, I am forever grateful.

Our Life is easily one of the greatest dating sims I’ve ever played. It’s a deeply emotional and customizable experience that I keep coming back to again and again. Every single part of this game is filled with love and care, and I can’t thank the developers, writers, and creators enough for making such an immersive and touching experience. Highly recommended!

This is sweeter than pure sugar.

I will admit this is the game that will not expand much anymore but I will still come back to it over and over again. The player is given so many choices of who they wish to be while developing relationships with so well made characters. It even touches the fragile topics like adoption and mental health which makes lots of players feel included.

I hope the y make another one like this one. i had some much fun with this and the whole growing up experience was the best part.