Goodbye Volcano High

still having stomach issues from how emotional this game made me... i wish things had gone differently but i cant imagine the characters happy ending in any other way.

Killer art, killer music, killer vibes.

First off, this game is amazing. It's one of those games that is good enough for me to say that if you're thinking of getting it, just get it. HOWEVER, I can't say that for this game due to the dollar/hour that it has. The game will take you around 6-7 hours probably and at full price it is I think around $40. That much money for 7 hours of game is pretty bad. I would definitely pick it up on sale, me personally I waited to get it for a while until it went down to closer to 20 dollars. The only other downside I can say for this game is that in the first quarter, there is problems with audio in voicelines cutting off abruptly while the last couple words are still being spoken. Not anything serious, just a minor annoyance. Overall this game is a solid 8/10 and I would definitely give it a play, especially if you're coming here from Wani.

I went into this game not really expecting much, I was told its a very queer story and I'm a straight cis guy so I was worried I wouldn't understand it. Holy shit was I blown away- A visual novel rhythm game? fuck yes! The gameplay was actually challenging (for me at least) and OMG the songs themselves? I instantly went to spotify and saved the entire soundtrack. From the themes of "growing up, worried about the future" to "getting so engrossed in something you tune out everyone else's wants and needs" hell, even the "not owing anyone 'normal.'" Every single theme that did land and resonate with me hit HARD. I don't cry because of media often, but this game made me the closest to tears I've been in such a long time. Was it perfect? No. There were some writing issues I had issues with, but I could easily overlook them

I don't care what the other reviews say - the game has its imperfections but that does not make it any less of a work of art. The characters are really expressive and adorable, the sound track is amazing, the voice actors have done an incredible job. I hope this review can offset some of the negativity I've seen <3

and now I'll go cry for the next few weeks

amazing

mid story, mid rhythm game, mid characters, I paid this game to get drunk with my friend big Fat L.

its like a bird flew in my window and got hit with 5 stones

The story has a lot of flaws and none of the choices have impact beyond the relationship chart.

I really wanted to like this game, i really do, ever since it was first shown back in the Awards thing, tho is kinda weird they would show it off as is does not look like a Triple A title lol, but thats beside the point

I have nothing against anybody liking this game or enjoying it! the only thing i digged about the game is SPOILER> Is the scene of Fang's friends coming out as Trans and that bit made me happy cuz it reminded me of one of my best online friends coming out as Trans to me, and ofc like the scene i am happy for them coming out and just being comfortable with me talking about it, because trust me, hearing news that families and or friend rejecting their friend/son/daughter for just being themselves is disheartening asf, Trans Rights are Human Rights BITCH!!

but even still, your choices only matters to the friends you talked to and made, and the ending is exactly the same regardless of what you do, Which as a completionist to games i enjoy or just sometimes really easy to 100%, i hardly have the motivation or care to go out and do them :/

Spoiler over, now, Last Night, as i am writing this, i finished Snoot Game, got Ending 3 and i'm gonna be honest, it is.... 10 TIMES BETTER THAN THIS, that may be overselling it, but honestly, i was more invested on the Plot and Characters wayyy more than i was in this game, am gonna hunt for End 1 and 2, so wish me luck on that and might do an update.

IF you do ended up liking Snoot Game (which i do reccommend over this) check out I Wani Hug That Gator, another great game by the same people from Snoot Game ^-^

Интересно

Fun Dinosaur Rhythm visual novel game, I like it

<3<3<3<3<3

Really enjoyable! I've had my eye on this one for a while now and very glad I picked it up! Happy I could play this all in one go over a few hours.

- Great soundtrack

- characters that feel real, I actually ended up caring about them

- fun music mingames

- Story was engaging throughout

A cute story about holding on to the things you take for granted without holding on too tight so they can't live their lives as well. A lot of people say Snoot Game is better. I am of the opinion that the parody just tells a different kind of generational trauma story and with amendment could have been the perfect inoffensive parody. As it stands though, GBVHs characters are endearing and just a bit annoying (In the right way. The "Oh my god shut up best friend" kind of way.) Made me really feel for these characters and sad when drama started to tear them apart. If you like a comfy game I'd recommend it.

probs just me but the story didn't captivate me as much as it could. There were a lot of things that the game wanted to focus on but fails on it.

5 outta 10

Rarely have I felt like a game was directly made for me. This hits so many notes about so many parts of my identity.

It said things I really needed to hear, made me feel so much. Made me think about the future, friendships, purpose.

I can’t tell you if this is a game for you, but it comes with my highest recommendation. If it’s for you, it’s a life changing piece of art.

I’ll carry Fang and their friends with me for a long time.

Pros:
*A really interesting premise with a ton of LGBT characters that are written really well.
*A really good soundtrack of indie rock inspired music. If you like Clairo, Tegan & Sara, or Best Coast, You will love this soundtrack.
*Beautiful aesthetic that is colorful and very distinct from other games.
*Short and sweet game.
*Runs out of the box on Steam Deck.

Cons:
*Timings on the rhythm portions can be very unforgiving, even with accessibility options turned on.
*No save states to go back on your decisions.
*Other than the rhythm sections and some dialogue choices, there's very little gameplay.

Goodbye Volcano High is not going to break ground in the visual novels genre. However, the premise and the story are well worth checking out the game. It has a great balance of humor, drama, meditative moments and lovable characters that stay with you after you finish the game.

I highly recommend it.

This game spends 6 hours getting you to love these poor, doomed kids and 1 saying goodbye.

Pretty far outside my usual wheelhouse, I was drawn in by the very Millennial feeling that your life is ending in a time when everyone told you it would be beginning for real. This game is charming all the way through, and the production values are much higher than I expected (barring a section that's done like a visual novel for artistic reasons, the whole game is fully animated and voice-acted). The rhythm game mechanics are probably the weakest aspect, but they're perfectly serviceable.

One caveat. If you've ever sworn off a game for being too woke or too progressive, skip this one.

dino.. i love dinos

Tl;dr: 4/10. Good production quality and music, lots of systems, or "moving parts" for a VN, but when it comes to story, characters, and "big picture", it falls apart, likely due to a lack of a strong directorial vision.

I wrote an in-depth, analytical review, but it exceeded the 8000 character limit that Steam enforces on reviews, so I unfortunately couldn't post it here. You may find it here instead: https://www.reddit.com/user/Shrek_360_OnionScope/comments/1heudyd/gvh_review_for_steam_posting_here_to_bypass_the/
(Why on reddit? Because reddit's text editor also allows spoiler tags.)

Absolutely perfect and devastating.

This is a beautiful game. I related to quite a large part of it, sometime even feeling sort of sick during particularly tense points.

Some dislike the character designs. I am not one of them. I really like them and think they're cute.

I can understand why who focuses on gameplay might not find it appealing, since it's closer to an interactive film. It's a wonderful film though. Thumbs up.

I will recommend you buy when it's on sale though, since it's $30 dollar normally and fairly short.

I hope everyone is still together where ever they go ❤️. Worms Forever.

Good music

Oh my god, my poor heart what the hell?!

I've played through the entire game on PS5, and I gotta say it's definitely one of the most unforgettable games I think I've ever played. Admittedly, this was something I initially bought for a laugh, remembering how jarring that announcement was during the PS5 reveal a few years back, and to say my expectations were surpassed would be an understatement. As someone who doesn't really play visual novel games, and is more into action games like Hotline Miami, Manhunt & Red Dead Redemption, it is easily one of my favourite games I've played this year, and admittedly one of the very few games to have actually wrecked me on such an emotional level (I was in such an emotional mess several days after finishing it).

There seems to be a ton of mixed views surrounding this game, the gameplay mechanics & technical flaws being the main points, among others, and while this game is nowhere near perfect and does have flaws, it's definitely not a game to skip out on if you ever get the chance to play it.

Without going into too much detail, the game's strongest points are the story, the characters and the music, all of which are really top-notch in my eyes. The actual plot itself revolves around Fang and their aspirations to become a musician with their band Worm Drama, however these aspirations are threatened when their band mates own goals conflict with one another, putting Worm Drama's future at risk. This, along with a meteor on course to strike earth, makes everyone question what their future will hold.

There's a lot more to the plot than what I described here, and it really is interesting to see everything unfold in-game, and there were moments that made me not want to put the controller down as I was that invested in not only the plot but also the characters too. I really love the characters of Goodbye Volcano High, they're all so likeable in their own way and in a way makes me view them like I view my own friends (also probably the reason the game messed me up as much as it did lol).

Don't get me wrong, it has some flaws, the "gameplay" segments are essentially there to help convey the story and nothing else, there doesn't seem to be many, if any, consequences at all for playing the songs poorly / not playing them at all, which is pretty lame to be honest. It would've been nice if they included additional cutscenes for when a player messes up too much on the songs, and gets them to retry it. Additionally, the choices you are given don't alter the overall course of the plot. While you do get different scenes and scenarios play out, no matter what options you choose, the ending will be the exact same, which can be disappointing.

This makes me think that Goodbye Volcano High is more-so an interactive movie, rather than a full-fledged game, and while that's not necessarily a bad thing, it does hurt the experience somewhat, but ultimately if you're aware of this before playing, you'll likely have a better experience.

The performance & technical issues in my experience can also be really iffy at times. While not game-breaking, there have been really noticeable frame-drops during the gameplay segments themselves, which makes completing them real annoying at points (for reference, I was playing on PS5, a system quite capable of high end AAA games, let alone 2D visual novel games). Backgrounds also seem to load in weirdly from time to time, almost as if the game's not given enough time to decompress the images, which is especially weird to see on PS5. These same issues also seem to be the case on PC from what I've played, so keep that in mind. This might be down to Unity being Unity, but it does suck to see this happening a year after the release of the game.

I think the ultimate takeaway is if you like what you see, and you're willing to put up some of the issues I've brought up, then like me, you may very well really like this game. It's by no means a perfect experience, it's definitely flawed, but considering the development history of the game, and the way the developers handled having a problematic writer on the team by quite literally rewriting everything they had done (which takes some serious commitment and love to do), it's pretty easy to see why the game has some quirks. I can't help but commend the developers for actually getting the game out, and it's so very clear they poured everything into it, and while the game may have flaws, I would strongly recommend it.

An amazing emotional experience. An interactive movie in wich the "interactive" part of it really puts you in the shoes of its relatable punk pteranodon protagonist as life takes several unexpected turns. From the rhythm sections making you feel for their passion for creating music, through the choices suddendly changing in texture and availability to reflect their state of mind, to the in-universe constantly-updated social media feed available from the pause menu that makes you feel how the world subtly changes as time goes on. This game, with its amazing story, art, music, voice acting, and especially its characters invites you to live and treasure the last year of this dinosaur planet.

Damn, good story but Sweet Baby Inc can kiss my butt

I love visual novels with guitar mini games that questions our place in the universe

A game made on nothing, go play snoot game, the deranged sequal with better paceing and acual deveopment.

A fantastic visual novel if you also like rhythm games. The rhythm is pretty basic and doesn't match the music amazingly. Also I would say its easy (but thats by design I feel due to the lack of a real save feature beyond autosave.) The characters are endearing. They clearly get treated with some basic interest that is most of their personality, but they do certainly have deeper aspects when you look at them more. The end of the game really shows off how some of them feel deep down and is hinted through the story.

I would say the doomsday part of the story is the weakest. It helps add depth as some characters fall into a depression over it while others ignore it, or just accept it. While it adds a nice depth to how all the characters react, it is kinda odd. I'm not exactly a fan of it as I honestly felt the story would have been perfectly good as a teen slice of life drama thing. I get some people say that the story feels pointless because in the end what you did really doesn't matter. Which is true of most visual novels just due to it being a game but it feels narratively unsatisfying. Did it hit me in the feels over the characters I've known for the past few hours? Absolutely. But I would have rather seen them take the lessons learned that year and grow up to be better or different. Instead that just doesn't happen. It also very much makes me not want to replay the game. it also makes the emotional call with the mother feel really unsatisfying when its clear this is far more out of a sadness of the end rather than genuine acceptance of their childs path in life.

Also the game does have some technical issues. i don't think its too bad but I did notice them from time to time. Since this is a more curated 3d experience rather than an open world game so more polish would have been nice. I do like the 3d models as far as giving way more life and action to the characters over 2d sprite reactions though.

I also see some complaints (and i also had them) about a lack of visual novel features, which I do agree with to some level for repeat playthroughs or achievement hunting. As a single play through narrative experience though, I think it helps. The fact there is no going back and choices being timed makes you way more connected with the character. Especially when there are some choices that you can't make, or that get considered but blanked out. it really makes Fang feel like their own person outside of your ideas. And the touches of having to hold down the triggers to force some options that are hard for Fang is really great. it implies and inner struggle through a very simple gameplay mechanic.

Another issue is I feel like time isn't portrayed very well in the story. People will say somethings a few days away or a week away. Then it comes up suddenly, or might take forever to get to. The span of the game is over 8 months according to the start, and I just don't feel that 8 month jump in time. The narrative doesn't do enough to make it feel like 8 months.

Overall I really liked this game. I would have loved to seen more with these characters or this world. The ending really hurts it for me. I'm sure the team had their reasons but I'm just not satisfied with it. Also i would have liked less completionist achievements of viewing every scene for every character, or getting all the pictures. The design of the game just isn't conducive to multiple playthroughs.

Where is Anon?

I was instantly in love with the narrative and the really fun song minigames. Normally a game's story doesn't grab my attention much, but this one had me dragged in, hook line and sinker, right from the start, and I loved every minute of it.
Best 30 or so bucks I've ever spent. Time to hyperfixate on this for the next few weeks.

I wish i buyed I wani hug that gator instead of this

gay trans dinos

I was introduced to this 'universe' by a friend with Wani hug that gator, not a game I thought I'd be a fan of but I absolutely loved it, eventually went on to try Snoot game myself and it was the same, a fantastic experience and story with wonderful characters.

After hearing about Goodbye Volcano High I decided to jump into the game that I suppose 'started' it all (sort of), I'd heard plenty of negative things about GVH, I am aware that there was some sort of beef/conflict with the creators of the previous mentioned games and the makers of this one but I wont dive into that, end of the day just enjoy what you like and have fun.

With that in mind I jumped into this with fairly low expectations and was rather surprised

Despite having a non-unique story, regular characters and its general quality and finish... this has been 1 of my favourite games this year. People will often compare this to the games mentioned above and I feel that while understandable given Snoot shares the same roster of characters (at least in terms of appearance), the games in question couldn't be further apart.

The story was enjoyable but without doubt the highlight has to be the soundtrack which is phenomenal. The game is lacking some quality of life features such as a multiple saves, chapter selection and a better gallery for viewing specific scenes (all features that the 'fan' games incorporate). The game suffered with development hell and it shows, there are plenty of occasions where the quality dips and rises such as character animation where 1 character seems more animated and well done than others in a scene as well as the general story pace feeling a bit rushed at times.

The game is also relatively short and while I doubt its an intended affect I found it sort of does help in a way to relate to the feeling of the characters and the lack of time to do and see certain things due to ongoing events, the feeling of things moving too fast and to wanting more time to experience and see things before the end.

I wouldn't advise getting this game at full price due to the points I made above but I do feel it offers an enjoyable experience to those willing to try it but I would emphasise to not compare this to the fan games and go in with a clear mind.

In a nutshell this is a experience that despite the opinions and drama I'd heard surrounding it, I am very glad I jumped into and enjoyed, I only wish there was more to it to enjoy.

Sometimes, games really have something to say. Goodbye Volcano High is one of those games.

In the face of their last year in high school, shifting priorities, and the end of the world, Fang and Co manage to come together to leave a powerful message about hope in the face of oblivion, and teach us how we can overcome the challenges of growing up in a different way than our friends do.

It's a charming game.
A Solid 9/10.
Some occasional unexpected cuts, but a lot of possiblities and content.

10/10

Goodbye Volcano High is an absolute triumph in the world of narrative-driven video games. From the very first moments, it captivates with its stunning visual style, seamlessly blending hand-drawn animation with a vibrant color palette that brings its prehistoric world of humanoid dinosaurs to life. The art is not only visually appealing but also expertly complements the themes of youth, change, and self-discovery that the game explores.

At its core, Goodbye Volcano High is a deeply emotional coming-of-age story that focuses on the relationships and struggles of its main characters as they navigate the complexities of life, love, and loss. The dialogue is sharp and heartfelt, with characters that feel relatable and real, despite their reptilian appearance. The writing does a beautiful job of capturing the angst and excitement of adolescence, while also providing moments of lightheartedness and humor that give the game a balanced tone.

One of the standout features of the game is its choice-driven narrative, where every decision feels meaningful, and the consequences are felt in profound ways. The game allows players to shape the story through their choices, giving a sense of agency while also reflecting the uncertainties that come with growing up. The relationships between characters evolve in such a natural way, making the bonds and tensions feel authentic.

The soundtrack is another highlight—an eclectic mix of indie and alternative music that perfectly complements the emotional beats of the story. Each track feels like it was carefully selected to enhance the mood, whether it’s a moment of joy or a more somber, reflective scene. Would love to have a vinyl.

Overall, Goodbye Volcano High is a game that leaves a lasting impression. It’s a beautiful blend of heartfelt storytelling, compelling characters, and stunning artistry. Whether you're a fan of narrative-driven games or simply enjoy stories about youth and self-discovery, this one is absolutely worth experiencing. It’s a truly unique gem that resonates on a personal level and lingers long after the credits roll.

Nothing, not the sequels, not any other game has come as close to doing for me what Life is Strange did many years ago... until this gem. 10/10

Goodbye Volcano High is a narrative-driven game set in the final year of high school for Fang, a non-binary dinosaur dealing with the challenges of adolescence and an impending apocalypse. Developed by KO_OP, it combines coming-of-age storytelling with rhythm gameplay, making for a unique and heartfelt experience.

Story & Characters:
The story is central to Goodbye Volcano High. You play as Fang, who navigates the ups and downs of teenage life, including relationships, self-discovery, and the pursuit of dreams—all set against the background of an impending asteroid strike. The narrative is full of emotional beats that resonate, especially for anyone who has experienced the bittersweet nature of high school graduation and stepping into the unknown. The game does a great job of making characters feel authentic and relatable, each with distinct personalities that add depth to the story.

Art & Music:
The visual style is vibrant and expressive, with a cartoon-like design that suits its dinosaur cast and high school setting. Characters are animated with strong attention to detail, which enhances the emotional scenes. The soundtrack is another standout, blending indie and rock vibes that suit the rebellious spirit of Fang’s band and add an extra layer of immersion, particularly during rhythm game segments.

Gameplay:
Goodbye Volcano High is mostly a narrative experience, but it mixes in rhythm gameplay where players perform music. The rhythm sections are engaging, though they may feel simple compared to rhythm-focused games. There are also dialogue choices that allow players to shape Fang’s relationships and narrative direction, making each playthrough potentially different. However, the choices are generally minor and don’t drastically change the story’s main outcomes, which might be a downside for those expecting more narrative branching.

Themes & Emotional Impact:
The game doesn’t shy away from deep themes, including identity, friendship, family expectations, and the uncertainty of the future. The impending apocalypse metaphorically represents the end of adolescence and the inevitable change it brings, adding weight to each character’s decisions. For many players, these themes may resonate on a personal level, making the story impactful and, at times, genuinely touching.

Pros:
• Strong, relatable story with emotional depth
• Beautiful, expressive art and soundtrack
• Well-developed characters with diverse identities

Cons:
• Limited replayability due to less impactful choices
• Rhythm gameplay may feel too simplistic for some players
• Pacing can be slow if you’re more interested in gameplay than story

Verdict:
Goodbye Volcano High is a heartfelt journey that’s more of an interactive story than a traditional game. It’s perfect for players who value narrative depth, emotional storytelling, and character-driven experiences. While it may not satisfy players looking for complex gameplay or impactful choices, it excels as a narrative game that deals with the bittersweetness of growing up and letting go.

the character designs are awful

I love it, as good as snoot game

the most beautiful way to give emotional damage

also i might be a furry now

I had been following Goodbye Volcano High (GVH) since the trailer, and I decided to buy and play it at launch. While I wasn’t expecting anything amazing, I did at least hope for a decent experience given the price and the time they had to develop it. Despite starting with rock-bottom expectations, I was still massively let down.

Recently, I was reminded of GVH and decided to look into its development history, which only made me feel disgusted with myself and regret ever supporting KO_OP with how they managed this game and community. I’m honestly amazed that anyone could enjoy this game when KO_OP blatantly spits in the player’s face. The art and writing are wildly inconsistent, with some scenes so poorly written that it feels like they were created by someone with zero social experience. It’s honestly laughable to call this a “game” rather than just an animation, especially when the tiny bit of gameplay it has doesn’t even matter. You can AFK through every music scene, and nothing changes. There’s not even an illusion of choice here in the dialogue—if they even let you pick the option you want; the only decision that has any impact is which character you want to talk to at the end of the game. For some reason, you’re also forced to replay the entire game three times just to see what each character has to say in that scene, plus endure the three hours of poorly written D&D content again and again.

For all its issues, I will say the game has some positives. The soundtrack is genuinely amazing and was the one thing that kept me from refunding the game. Most importantly, while looking into the history of GVH, I found a number of fan games created by the community. It’s fascinating to see how different people have interpreted the game’s world and characters. Some of these fan games are really well-made and have a lot of creativity and polish, which I personally enjoyed a lot. (Don’t blindly listen to people spreading lies and treating games like it’s Voldemort, especially when they’ve never seen the game themselves.)

Was an absolutely amazing game!
Only did 1 play through so far, but am definitely planning to play it again soon!

The story is somewhat predictable, but that means it does not have some unnecessary plot twists. Also you determine how the story goes and what exactly you'll experience. And the soundtrack consists of great songs in my opinion!

Exactly my type of game and I can't recommend it enough to do it justice

While I don't share a lot in common with the main character, Fang, I really enjoyed my time with them and their crew of colorful dinosaur friends. For those who don't know, the story follows a group of anthropomorphic dinosaurs during their senior year in high school when they find out a giant meteor is coming toward Earth, and there is a very real possibility that the planet will die right as their adult lives are getting started. The soundtrack is lovely and beautifully performed and the game has some pretty rad rhythm game mechanics that I haven't seen before. All of the characters were appealing and the premise behind the story made for some very poignant moments. It's one of only a few games that really got to me emotionally by the end (in a good way), as the looming potential end of the world frames the story in a very compelling way. Plus, even though there is only one ending, you can choose how you interact with every main character, and it affects some aspects of the story in a lot of ways. You can tell quite a lot of love went into this project, and I recommend giving it your time.

Choices dont matter, they throw in a basic guitar hero mechanic to make sure youre still awake throughout the game. Game is 4.5-6 hours max. the whole thing plays like your watching a movie with b minor mechanics thrown in to call itself a game. youll get the same experience just watching a youtube video of the game because its all just voice acted scenes with no major story differences in your choices.

all characters suffer from an adult pretending to be a high schooler, writing issue all of them act way out of their age/maturity to the point of not being relatable or believable. by the time any of them get to develop the game is over, and due to the ending it doesnt even matter.

the music is good. enjoyed the songs they made for this. outside of that its hard to find GOOD things to say about this game. save yourself the $30 and just watch a youtube video without commentary and youll get the same experience as playing

The creation of that unnamed shitty """fan""" game shows that the world is not yet ready for a peak indie rhythm game (Better than Life is Strange by a long mile)

Truly a beautiful game, easily one on my favorites