A YEAR OF SPRINGS similar games & best alternatives
A YEAR OF SPRINGS
2021
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Quick resume
Experience the stories of Haru, Erika, and Manami, a trio of friends navigating their feelings of love, connection, and just wanting to belong.
Global score
99/100
Genres
Casual, Indie, Simulator, Adventure, Visual Novel
Similar games
Pros
- Authentic and sensitive lgbtq+ representation
- Heartwarming and relatable characters
- Multiple endings encouraging replay
- Calming art style and soundtrack
- Short and accessible narrative experience
Cons
- Short overall playtime
- Minimal gameplay challenge
- Some endings feel abrupt or less developed
- Limited interactivity beyond choices
- Linear narrative structure in parts
Motivations
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Autonomy
Game with the same Autonomy vibe
3"Players make choices that affect endings and character relationships, indicating some control over the narrative."
Highschool Romance
"Players make choices that influence character interactions and multiple endings, showing player agency within a narrative framework."
-
Competence
Game with the same Competence vibe
-3"Gameplay involves reading and making narrative choices with minimal skill challenge or technical complexity."
A Summer's End - Hong Kong 1986
"Gameplay consists mainly of reading and making narrative choices with minimal skill challenge or technical difficulty."
-
Competition
Game with the same Competition vibe
-5"No competitive elements; focus is on personal story experience without comparison to others."
A Summer's End - Hong Kong 1986
"No competitive elements; focus is on personal story experience without comparison to others."
-
Continuation
Game with the same Continuation vibe
2"Players often replay to explore multiple endings and collectibles, showing some habitual engagement."
11-11 Memories Retold
"Players engage with multiple endings and replay to explore different story paths, indicating some habitual engagement."
-
Cooperation
Game with the same Cooperation vibe
-5"Single-player visual novel experience focused on individual narrative without multiplayer or teamwork."
I Wani Hug that Gator!
"Single-player visual novel focused on individual narrative experience without multiplayer or teamwork."
-
Creativity
Game with the same Creativity vibe
1"Players create narrative outcomes through choices but within a fixed set of storylines and articles."
HEADLINER
"Players create narrative outcomes through choices, but within predefined storylines and structure."
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Domination
Game with the same Domination vibe
-5"No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are narrative and empathetic."
Road 96 🛣️
"No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are narrative and empathetic."
-
Escapism
Game with the same Escapism vibe
4"Players immerse in a fictional story world to explore emotional and social themes, providing escape from real life."
Tell Me Why
"Players immerse in a fictional, emotionally rich world to explore identity and social issues, providing emotional refuge."
-
Expectation
Game with the same Expectation vibe
-4"Engagement driven by personal interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."
Sonicomi
"Engagement driven by personal interest and emotional connection rather than obligation or external pressure."
-
Experimenting
Game with the same Experimenting vibe
3"Branching choices and multiple endings encourage trying different narrative paths and exploring story variations."
The Lion's Song: Episode 1 - Silence
"Multiple endings and branching choices encourage exploration of different narrative possibilities."
-
Exploration
Game with the same Exploration vibe
2"Players discover character stories and connections, exploring narrative elements within a fixed environment."
Check it Out!
"Players explore different perspectives and storylines within the same setting, discovering character insights."
-
Expression
Game with the same Expression vibe
2"Limited character customization, but players express themselves through dialogue choices and narrative decisions."
NORCO
"Players express themselves through choice-driven narrative paths, though no character customization."
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Fantasy
Game with the same Fantasy vibe
-4"Realistic portrayal of transgender experiences in Japan; grounded in plausible social situations."
one night, hot springs
"Strong focus on realistic, grounded experiences of transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals in everyday life."
-
Fellowship
Game with the same Fellowship vibe
4"Strong themes of family, friendship, and community foster a sense of belonging and connection."
CLANNAD
"Themes emphasize friendship, community, and emotional support among characters, fostering a sense of belonging."
-
Growth
Game with the same Growth vibe
4"Narrative centers on personal development, self-acceptance, and emotional growth of characters."
A Summer's End - Hong Kong 1986
"Narrative centers on personal development, self-discovery, and understanding of identity and relationships."
-
Health
Game with the same Health vibe
-5"No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; sedentary visual novel experience."
BUSTAFELLOWS
"No physical activity or health-related gameplay elements; sedentary visual novel experience."
-
Idle
Game with the same Idle vibe
-4"Requires focused reading and decision-making; not designed for casual or background play."
Werewolf: The Apocalypse — Heart of the Forest
"Requires focused reading and decision-making; not designed for casual or background play."
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Intimacy
Game with the same Intimacy vibe
4"Deep emotional connections and exploration of identity and relationships foster intimacy."
We Know the Devil
"Strong emotional connections and exploration of close relationships and identity form core of experience."
-
Leadership
Game with the same Leadership vibe
-5"No leadership or group management elements; focus is on individual narrative experience."
Muv-Luv Alternative
"No leadership or group management elements; focus is on individual narrative experience."
-
Progression
Game with the same Progression vibe
3"Progression through unlocking endings, chapters, and story content."
Sucker for Love: First Date
"Progression through story chapters and unlocking multiple endings and gallery content."
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Relaxation
Game with the same Relaxation vibe
4"Calm, soothing music and gentle pacing create a relaxing and emotionally cathartic experience."
Mr. Saitou
"Calming art style, soothing music, and gentle pacing create a relaxing and emotionally cathartic experience."
-
Sensation
Game with the same Sensation vibe
2"Pleasant pastel visuals and relaxing music provide moderate sensory stimulation."
Is This Seat Taken?
"Pleasant pastel visuals and music provide moderate sensory stimulation aligned with emotional tone."
-
Status
Game with the same Status vibe
-5"No social status or recognition mechanics; experience is private and personal."
Higurashi When They Cry Hou - Ch.4 Himatsubushi
"No social status or recognition mechanics; experience is private and personal."
-
Story
Game with the same Story vibe
5"Strong narrative focus with complex, interwoven plots and character development."
428: Shibuya Scramble
"Strong narrative focus with deep character development and multiple interwoven storylines."
-
Strategy
Game with the same Strategy vibe
-4"No strategic or problem-solving gameplay; choices are mostly illusory and narrative-driven."
Without a Dawn
"Choice-based gameplay involves minimal strategic or analytical thinking; mostly narrative decisions."
-
Thrill
Game with the same Thrill vibe
-4"Story is emotionally intense but lacks suspense or risk-based thrills."
Lucy -The Eternity She Wished For-
"Emotional tension arises from story but lacks suspense or risk-based thrill elements."
-
Value
Game with the same Value vibe
3"Players perceive good value for time and money due to emotional impact and replayability."
Emily is Away Too
"Players perceive good value for time and money due to emotional impact and replayability."
-
Violence
Game with the same Violence vibe
-5"No violence or combat; focus on constructive emotional and relational themes."
First Snow
"No violence or combat; focus on constructive emotional and social themes."
-
Survival
Game with the same Survival vibe
-5"No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable, low-risk narrative environment."
Please Be Happy
"No survival or threat avoidance mechanics; stable, low-risk narrative environment."
Analysis
Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Strategy, Competence.
How to use the graph
Similar games map
Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.
- Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
- Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
- Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
- Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.
Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.
Last update: 30/04/2026