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★★★★★(20)
★★★★★(20)
Our Life: Beginnings & Always
by GBPatch
2DCG
Character Creation
Dating Sim
Female Protagonist
Gay
Groping
Male Protagonist
Mobile Game
Multiple Endings
Romance
Jamie Last (changeable name) has spent the last couple weeks on a summertime high. At eight-years-old, nothing is better than what feels like endless days of school-less adventures, especially when you live walking distance from the beach. While coming home under a scorching sunset one fine evening, Jamie is approached by a stranger. The man is looking for a kid who can do him a favor, and he’s even offering to pay for it. He wants Jamie to please be friends with his only child. The person is Mr. Holden, Jamie’s new neighbor, as well as the father of the odd, and oddly named boy, Cove. Whether Jamie wants to play along or not, Cove isn’t going anywhere. He's present in Jamie's life for far longer than they ever would've guessed. And then the long days of vacation finally come to an end. Summer may not be able to last forever, but Jamie can take comfort in knowing it will come back again someday… Spoiler: Features 3 different periods of life to experience: childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood Name, appearance, personality, and pronoun (he, she, or they) customization for your character Change your character's details however you like as you grow, including transitioning to new pronouns Shape your personality, feelings, and preferences, then see them reflected in the story as characters remember who you are 1 love interest, Cove Holden, whose personality, interests, and appearance will develop in a custom way over the years based on his experiences with you Decide for yourself how quickly or slowly the relationship with Cove develops by setting a unique dynamic; from love at first sight to last minute confessions to always being friends and more A welcoming, sentimental story that can easily be enjoyed over and over using new main character qualities or different connection types with Cove 320,000 words, 15-20 hours of content in total
Screenshots
2025-01-09
Added all Android DLCs
Our Life: Cove Wedding Night Patreon Bonus Moment ❣ (NSFW)
A 48,600 word script
The option to load in a save from the main game if you're playing on PC or Mac
Multiple new outfit layers for Cove, a couple new BGs, and 2 CGs
Our Life: Patreon Bonus Moment Beta 0.2 Build (NSFW - Completed Beta!)
Content Added:
38,600 words of the script. The entirety of the bonus story is playable!
The option to load in a save from the main game if you're playing on PC or Mac
Multiple new outfit layers for Cove, a couple new BGs, and 2 CGs
Errors and typos fixed from the prior build
v1.7.1
Today Our Life version 1.7.1 went live! It fixed the errors reported for Baxter's DLC and added a handful of improvements throughout the entire game. If there are any updates beyond this, they will only be to make minor typo fixes. Our Life has reached a definitive state of completion after almost three years!
v1.6.10B
New Content:
A few thousand words of new alterations were sprinkled throughout the overall script
Partial voice acting has been added
New art and missing assets were added
Errors were fixed from the previous beta
v1.6.9:
You access Baxter's Step 3 Moments by clicking a yellow button on the right hand side of the Moment Selection Screen.
The extra Step 3 scene for Baxter in the 'and then summer ended' section happens
after the credits
!
You need to play all of Baxter's Step 3 Moments to get the option to play Baxter's Step version of Step 4.
Baxter's DLC begins in the Step 3 opening. You can play from the beginning of the story until that point or start a new file and use an option at the start of the beta to skip right to Step 3.
Save files from this beta won't work in other beta builds or the main game. You can load saves from the main game in the beta but you need to play Step 3 from the beginning to see the new content.
New Content:
The rest of Baxter's Step 4 is now playable. His story is included from start to finish!
Over 90,000 words of new content was added in total
The CGs will unlock in the gallery
Missing and incomplete art from prior builds got added
Errors were fixed from the previous beta
v1.6.8b
mportant Notes To Play the Beta:
You access Baxter's Step 3 Moments by clicking a yellow button on the right hand side of the Moment Selection Screen.
The extra Step 3 scene for Baxter in the 'and then summer ended' section happens
after the credits
!
You need to play all of Baxter's Step 3 Moments to get the option to play Baxter's Step version of Step 4.
Baxter's DLC begins in the Step 3 opening. You can play from the beginning of the story until that point or start a new file and use an option at the start of the beta to skip right to Step 3.
Save files from this beta won't work in other beta builds or the main game. You can load saves from the main game in the beta but you need to play Step 3 from the beginning to see the new content.
New Content:
A large portion of Baxter Step 4 was implemented
Over 51,000 words of new content was added in total
The Baxter DLC should work with Cove's content in terms of logical continuity, though more bonus alterations may be added over time
Missing and incomplete art from prior builds got added
Errors were fixed from the previous beta
v1.6.7b
Important Notes To Play the Beta:
You access Baxter's Moments by clicking a yellow button on the right hand side of the Step 3 Moment selection screen.
The extra scene for Baxter in the 'and then summer ended' section happens
after the credits
!
Baxter's DLC begins in the Step 3 opening. You can play from the beginning of the story until that point or start a new file and use an option at the start of the beta to skip right to Step 3
Save files from this beta won't work in other beta builds or the main game. You can load saves from the main game in the beta but you need to play Step 3 from the beginning to see the new content
New Content:
The Moment "Mountain" is now playable
The Moment "Planning" is now playable
The "And Then Summer Ended" additional scene is now playable (it only appears if you played Baxter's story events)
Over 60,000 words of new content was added in total
The Moment Selection Screen for Baxter's events was properly implemented
Missing and incomplete art from prior builds got added
Errors were fixed from the previous beta
There is one BG in Planning that's entirely missing right now, not even a sketch is done, and so I just used the grocery store background as a placeholder
.
And there you have it. Everybody worked hard to create this massive update before the end of the month. I hope you'll enjoy the full first part of Baxter's story. He's certainly a unique figure in the world of Our Life: Beginnings & Always
v1.6.6b
v1.6.5b
New Content:
The second Half of Baxter's version of Hang, that Moment is now complete
The entirety of a new Moment- Sightseeing
45,000 new words overall
A new cut-in CG, although it's still only a sketch right now
OurLife v1.6.4b
v0.7
New Content:
40,250 words worth of new scenes
The whole Derek DLC is included!
More voice acting lines were added throughout Step 4
New art assets were implemented
v0.6 Beta
Important Notes:
In order to get Derek's Step 4 content you have to play all his Step 2 Moments and keep in touch with him during Step 3
Some backgrounds in Step 4 are reused from Step 2 because their Step 4 version isn't completed yet and one BG is only a sketch
Not all the new characters have voice acting currently, though some do
New Content:
35,280 words worth of new scenes
Mrs. Suarez now has voiced lines added throughout her scenes
A new screen that explains how the Step 4 epilogues works
New sprites and backgrounds were implemented
Honestly, I think there's some good stuff in this update. We've spent a lot of time with Derek by this point and I'm personally happy with what he's got to offer. I really hope you all have a good time with it too
v0.5 Beta
Important Notes:
In order to get Derek's Step 4 content you have to play all his Step 2 Moments and keep in touch with him during Step 3
Some backgrounds in Step 4 are reused from Step 2 because their Step 4 version isn't completed yet
Not all the new characters have voice acting currently, though some do
New Content:
A large portion of Derek Step 4 content
54,450 words worth of new scenes
Two additional CGs
Mr. Suarez and Jorge (Step 2) now have voiced lines added throughout their scenes
A new screen to let you choose which version of Step 4 to play, the original or Derek's version
New sprites and backgrounds were implemented
The monthly beta build updates usually range from 15k-20k words added, so this 54k one is absolutely massive. I really wanted to make sure players could get into the Step 4 time period rather than it being a sneak peek. I hope you all enjoy seeing the Suarez family grow up
v0.4 Beta
You'll have to start a brand new file for Derek's beta content to unlock, but there is an option at the beginning to skip right to Step 2.
New Content:
The Derek Moments "Lemonade" and "Boardwalk"
New alterations for Derek scene at the end of Step 2, for the original Step 2 Moments, and in Step 3 that reference the events of Derek's DLC
Over 38,000 words added
There's now a proper Relationship selection screen for your connection with Derek. It happens at the start of Step 2 after the Cove one
The Moment Selection Screen includes Derek's Moments now, you can change the page to switch from Cove's Moments to Derek's
v0.3
New Content:
The new Moment "Responsible"
Almost 25,000 new words!
A BG time of day alteration was added to Siblings that was missing before
Our Life: Derek v0.1
New Content:
An extra scene during the opening of Step 2 that introduces Derek's family, and lets you determine if Derek is a friend or crush
Derek's version of the Moment "Soiree"
15,000 words of new content (it doesn't count the scenes that are the same from the original Soiree Moment)
New image assets that weren't seen in the main game, like Derek's formal look
v1.0
New Content:
The Voiced Name feature now applies to Step 4 Cove
The missing cut-in images and Kyra's formal sprite were added
New voiced lines were implemented for
OurLifeBeta-0.96
DLC added.
v1.40
Step 4 full game
You can finally continue your story after the credit sequence with a final five-year time-skip. Return to Sunset Bird once more for a heartwarming epilogue.
v0.95
New Content:
After the credit sequence in Step 3 the whole of Step 4 epilogue happens. You can also skip directly to Step 4 by starting a new file
Cove's intro CG was added
Some small script tweaks/additions were made
Errors were fixed from reports on the past beta
What's Missing:
The final 'thank you for playing' image hasn't been added yet
There's still some extra polishing needed
Thank you for all of the feedback so far! I'm glad to see people have been enjoying the Step overall.
v0.94
New Content:
After the credit sequence in Step 3 the whole of Step 4 epilogue happens. You can also skip directly to Step 4 by starting a new file
There's a gallery page for Step 4 now
We added in a way to make a custom engagement ring for Cove, if you give him one
Errors were fixed from reports on the past beta
What's Missing:
Cove's first CG isn't there yet
There's still some polishing/fixing needing
v0.92
New Content:
After the credit sequence in Step 3, the Step 4 epilogue happens. It's almost everything with 6 out of 7 parts included
Errors were fixed from reports in the main game
What's Missing:
Cove's first CG isn't there yet
The transition between Steps 1-3 hasn't been added
Part 7 of Step 4 didn't make it into this build
0.91
After the credit sequence in Step 3, the Step 4 epilogue's introduction scenes play rather than the game ending. The first full day of Step 4 has been added in
Errors were fixed from reports in the main game
v1.3.1
v1.3:
Unlocks 5 new Moments: Reflection, Late Shift, Serendipity, Boating, and Happiness
Includes new character sprite art, background locations, and 2 new CG images
Provides even more options for adding custom qualities to your character. Does your protagonist work at a local restaurant, the old public library, down at the mall, or are they unemployed?
Unlocks bonus scenes in the original Step 3 Moments and in the end of the game where what happened in these events is referenced and reflected on
Increases the overall playtime by multiple hours
v1.2.2:
There are now two MC "cut-in" images! These are small, partial CGs that actually show parts of your character with all your customization details included. You only see them if certain choices are made, it's possible to play through the entire game without getting either.
The character creation screen itself was updated to include new details that are important to the cut-in CGs.
The relationship selection screen was redone to be easier to use.
The Cove creator got a pop-up to explain what to do with it.
CG 2-2 was remade to better fit with the rest of the game's style.
Various errors were fixed and small tweaks to certain lines were made.
v1.1:
First Release
This would realistically be a 3.5 if given the option. The game has a great concept that, in my opinion, is not used to its potential. The idea for a story, nevermind a romance, that spans from early childhood to adulthood is quite frankly brilliant. The problem here lies in the fact that Cove and your sister are the ONLY frequently reoccurring characters from your childhood. The supporting cast as a whole feels very hollow because the concept is CRIMINALLY underutilized. Characters like Derek appear into the story, are developed out, then vanish and get replaced in timeskips by new characters, who the game then expects you to care about. On the other hand, I adore Cove. He's a great character and the reason why I still consider this game to be worth your time. He's the best executed character by far and the way your choices actually mold him as a person is simply incredible. Repeat playthroughs are a lot different and a lot fresher. The game not railroading you into romance with him is also really cool. Final Thoughts: This is an incredibly cute, high-quality romance in a genre that's criminally short in games, nevermind games as in-depth as this one. I just wish it made use of the 'growing up together' aspect for the supporting cast too. I recommend this game, but do not expect to care about anything that isn't Cove.
I will preface my review by saying if you are looking for feel-good wholesome story AND you like the main LI Cove this would probably be a 4.5/5. However, personally I really didn't like Cove or his family at all. To the devs credit you are given choices to be dismissive or even downright rude. While I appreciate that massively, it unfortunately leads to fairly jarring inconsistencies in the story. You are mostly backed into a corner of 90% of the games content involving Cove. No matter how unpleasant you are towards Cove and despite the game acknowledging you as "not friends" you will still be treated as friends throughout the activities. It essentially feels as though there are zero consequences for your actions. I do realize though that would require a much more complex branching story in a way the devs clearly didn't really want to portray the story. It just leads to a very unauthentic feeling if you go down a certain path.
This all about that love. Pure, sweet, wholesome, heartwarming. Very different from 90% of the games i've tried from this site. A beautiful story about meeting the new boy in the neighborhood. Growing up, growing closer, growing together. Looking for explicit and spicy content? This is not the place. Truthfully, the no sexual content seems just right for this story. Really glad that I tried this game. All about the feelings, all about the love. With a cavity inducing amount of sweetness. 84.7/10
An excellent game. Very sweet and a real gem of a cozy game. I can't say much that hasn't already been said. Its just a wonderful game. Really, you have nothing to lose to try it. You just might love it too.
I've been following this game for a long time and now that it's finally finished I think it's time to review it, but before I do there will be minor spoilers, I'll try my best to not spoil anything big but if you really want to play the game blind, and I recommend you do, then maybe don't read this. Right off the bat, this game is fantastic and you should play it. Honestly, this game is like a dream come true for me. I've always wanted to play a game that progresses through your character's life, and for the longest time I've wanted to play a VN where your choices actually matter and affect not just how others perceive you, but also how your character acts without any input from you. This game does both things and it does both really well. The game works in steps and moments. It has four steps. Each one depicts a period of your life. Step 1 is 8 years old, step 2 is 13 years old, step 3 is 18, and step 4 is 23. Steps 1 through 3 have a bunch of different moments that act as different scenarios. These scenarios make up the bulk of the game, and depending on the order you play them in and the choices you make, you can end up with a lot of different outcomes. Step 4 has three moments, one for each love interest, each one acts as a long epilogue for the end of the game, and when I say long I mean you'll think it's reached a conclusion but nope, there's still 3 hours left. While we're on the topic of love interest, let's go over them, starting with my favorite Baxter. Now originally I only liked Baxter because he was a suave handsome man. But after playing his step 4 moment, I have a new found love for him, particularly his difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with people resonates with me on a personal level and I might have gotten teary eyed while playing it, but I'm getting ahead of myself. You first meet Baxter at the Soiree moment in step 2, either by going by yourself and dancing with him, or by going with Derek and sneaking into another party. It is also entirely possible not to interact with Baxter at all in this moment. After that, you'll meet him again in step 3 where you can choose to date him as a summer fling, or just be friends with him, you can also hate his guts and barely interact with him if you really want to. At the end of step 3 he'll say goodbye and you'll never hear from him again. Unless you play his step 4 moment, then you help him plan a wedding. Next, we have my second favorite Cove. Cove is the main love interest of this game. In fact, originally he was the only love interest in this game, the vast majority of moments revolve around him and you meet him at the very start of step 1, he's the new kid who just moved in next door and is the only love interest that you get to marry and he has two separate NSFW bonus moments, if I didn't mention before this game is very wholesome so the fact that he has this makes him pretty special, beyond that I don't have much more to say, or rather I don't know how to say it, he has so much character growth that I can't think of a way to accurately describe his character in a concise way, I'll just say he's precious and if you've played the game you'll probably agree with that statement. For the final love interest, we have my least favorite Derek. You meet him in step 2 as a very polite short guy who tries a little too hard sometimes, and he makes a brief appearance in step 3, and, of course has his own moment in step 4, I'll be honest, his moments are probably my least favorite to play through, I think they drag a little too long and I just don't connect with him as well as I do the other two, having said that, Derek is still great and much like everyone else, his step 4 moment is fantastic, I highly recommend you do a run for each love Interest because all of them are great in their own way. With all that said, here are my final thoughts. This game is great and you should play it now. If you've already played it, play it again. I'm willing to bet there's something you haven't tried yet. This game is so good that I was gonna rate it 5 stars and the only reason I haven't is because the sequel, Our Life Now & Forever, looks even better than this one, so I had to readjust the scale to rate that one 5 stars when it fully comes out.
Cove Holden is adorable. If you're considering this game, get ready to laugh, cry and smile. Don't think twice, pick this up. Get playing and finish it. Don't be surprised if you end up obsessed and very sad when it's all over.
Oh, I can't believe I never dropped a review on this until now. Yeah, this game is amazing. In fact, it will probably ruin all other visual novels for you, like BTS can ruin all other live concert experiences, lol. Much like with BTS, I don't feel like I'll ever come across another VN that will please me so thoroughly. Like, my heart walked away so happy. I usually remove a game once I finish it, but I'll never remove this from my PC. 11/10
Now that Our Life is more or less completed, I can write down my thoughts for the game as a whole. It really is by far, one of the best slice of life/romance VN's I have read in a good long while. Do you like wholesome romances? A relationship that spans and develops for years? An insane amount of customization and call backs to past events and decisions you've made? A game that is made to be as feel good as possible with a pretty likeable cast? Then boy, are you in for a treat! Of course, a game like this isn't for everyone. Your enjoyment of the game lives or dies on how much you resonate and like our main leading man. If you're looking for serious character drama, you're gonna have to look elsewhere. If you're not a fan of slice of life romances, this won't change your mind at all. I really enjoyed my time with Our Life. It's wholesome, it's sweet, and wears it's heart on its sleeve. Please give this game a shot, and throw some love and support to the developers if you do end up enjoying it!
Always has and always will be an amazing experience to play this game. I love every character in this game, but Cove will always hold a special place in my heart. Every time I complete a play through I always end up smiling because of the heartfelt support from every character. Creating my own character and choosing their personality provides a realistic setting that make me feel like I am an actual person in their lives.
Despite the "gay" and "no sexual content" tags. this looked too cute to pass up. And, yeah. It's so precious. Much like the Dev's other game, this is full of customization options, many, many choices, and a heart-warming story. Part of me wishes there were hetero romantic options (for the male MC) as well, but you know what, who even cares? This game is flawless. And all of the Moms are total MILFS, btw. Sheesh. 5*
I played the game from start to finish, and here are my thoughts. It has a great concept but is executed incredibly poorly. The romance is basically non-existant and when you do actually get romance its blander than potatoes and white rice. The characters are thin-skinned, whiny, and innocent to the point of retardation. No one drinks, smokes, or has sex, not even at the end of the game. No one cuss's or does anything remotely adult, its like some strange idealistic version of youth where everyone lives in neverland... I understand this is not a porngame, and that half the time the characters are still growing up, but the author still could have added some fade-to-black romance scenes when the characters grew older - or at least alluded to there being intimacy behind closed doors. I like that you get the dialogue options to basically roleplay as a whiny autistic person, i found that part funny. The main love interest is just plain awful. He's so bad that i would NTR him with his hot father in front of him if the game gave me the option. I actually really like the concept of a romance that spans a life-time, i think thats a really cool idea for a visual novel - its too bad the author has no idea how to write romance. 2 out of 5 because of the cool concept. This game will give you diabetes, and not in a good way. Its like drinking a teaspoon of coffee with 3 cups of sugar...
The story of this game is fairly good. I particularly like the characters which i believe are very fleshed out and to my knowledge original. The game is easily played, the background music is good though not especially good. I experienced no bugs or grammatical errors. The voice acting in my opinion is very good as well as the art. With the enjoyable characters and decent engine i would rate this higher though the lack of noticeable variation between the multiple personality paths despite the emphasis on them is making me rate 4/5 with new content being added I'll probably switch this to a 5/5.
I'm just lost for word, as this was so amazing, but I'll try to write down my thoughts! For the first time I did enjoy to play a female protagonist. This as she only had one LI, a sweet and loveable guy. So not a slut as most of other females are. I've played through Step 1-4 and hopefully there will be a Step 5 Spoiler with a wedding! The graphics are so loveable, story is just wonderful and all the choices (easy to implement) makes the MC so easy to configure just as you want her (him). The gameplay is straightforward, just to enjoy the show. The lewd scenes are not there, only in the 18? (which I also played of course), but you don't miss that. And do play all Moments!!! Once more: I want more!
This is by far one of the best games i have ever played. This VN really captures the concept of romance pretty nicely. Even though the love they show is platonic the dialogues and the moments that we experience is seriously magical. This game is one i tend to play when i feel bad. Because this game perks you up. The Cove character is seriously well made. I strongly recommend this gem to anyone who wants to feel good.
im not big into games with the gay tag but i always love a good story which this games provides. the season aspect that this VN provides is excellent and i hope more vn's copy this blueprint when it comes to creating a story. even if you are not into the mc LI you can still become great friends with him and create a brother ship i only played it once but i wont play it again, even though it has great replay value. i got what i wanted out of the story 10/10
This is a game that I wouldn't even classify as one. It feels like so much more than that. The emotions that this makes me feel are astounding, everyone feels so real, and the fact you have control over the aspects of your character add to it. I don't even care about the lack of sexual content. (Although in Step 3 it can get a bit hot.) I can't wait for the Epilogue and witness the wedding and/or aftermath.
Although lacking in choice and consequences, Our Life: Beginnings & Always succeeds in telling a story. A heartwarming story about childhood, friendship, and love. incredibly endearing characters, who develop according to your own choices in order to create a cute romance (or not) narrative which is sure to either put a smile on your face or a year on your cheek. Notes: No sexual content (not explicit anyways), Seemingly gay ( can change MC's sex and gender)
No sex, so if that's your thing, look elsewhere. Our Life is meant to be a sweet story about your character's relationship with a boy named Cove - you can fall in love with him, not care about him much, or anything in between. There's no wrong way to play, no risk of 'failure', just various ways to connect (or not). It's just a cute, sweet game.
This game was an overall heartwarming and wholesome experience. There‘s only one love interest and no sex scenes but I didn’t miss anything during my playthrough. It’s a really nice slice of life game about growing up with your neighbor where you can decide the kind of relationship the two of you have, e.g. acquaintances, friends or lovers. It really made me wish to have someone like Cove in my life too.This game was an overall heartwarming and wholesome experience. There‘s only one love interest and no sex scenes but I didn’t miss anything during my playthrough. It’s a really nice slice of life game about growing up with your neighbor where you can decide the kind of relationship the two of you have, e.g. acquaintances, friends or lovers. It really made me wish to have someone like Cove in my life too.
a very touching and wholesome story (at least the path i did) the choise you make and the actions you take do effect the story even if they were silly little comments. sadly the game isnt finished but after playing what was currently aviable i cant wait to see the end to all and how it all plays out
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