Our Life: Beginnings & Always Thumbnail

Our Life: Beginnings & Always similar games & best alternatives

Our Life: Beginnings & Always

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, Linux • 2020

Related articles

Quick resume

A twenty-dollar bill, four summers, fifteen years, and a one of a kind life. Create an experience that’s all your own in this near-fully customizable visual novel where you grow from childhood to adulthood with the lonely boy next door.

Global score

99/100

Genres

Casual, Indie, Free To Play, Visual Novel, Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Extensive character customization and identity options
    • Inclusive and diverse lgbtq+ representation
    • Heartwarming, wholesome, and emotional storytelling
    • High replayability with meaningful choices
    • Affordable dlc adding valuable content

    Cons

    • Some artwork inconsistencies noted
    • Limited explicit romantic content
    • Slow pace may not appeal to all players
    • Lack of complex gameplay mechanics
    • Story still in progress with some dlcs pending

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      5

      "Players have extensive control over their character's personality, dialogue tone, appearance, and choices that shape the story and relationships."

      Capsule for Arcadia Fallen Arcadia Fallen

      "Players have extensive control over character identity, appearance, personality, and relationship choices, shaping their own story."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      -2

      "Gameplay is minimal and narrative-driven with few skill challenges; focus is on reading and interpretation rather than technical mastery."

      Capsule for We Know the Devil We Know the Devil

      "Gameplay focuses on narrative choices and character interaction rather than skill-based challenges or technical mastery."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -5

      "No competitive elements; focus is on personal experience and story without comparison to others."

      Capsule for Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County Frog Detective 3: Corruption at Cowboy County

      "No competitive elements; emphasis is on personal story and relationships without comparison to others."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report long play sessions, multiple playthroughs, and high replayability due to multiple routes and endings."

      Capsule for Love Esquire - RPG/Dating Sim/Visual Novel Love Esquire - RPG/Dating Sim/Visual Novel

      "High replayability and player attachment; many users report multiple playthroughs and long play sessions."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -4

      "Single player experience focused on individual narrative; no multiplayer or teamwork."

      Capsule for Introvert: A Teenager Simulator Introvert: A Teenager Simulator

      "Primarily a single-player experience focused on individual narrative choices and relationships, limited multiplayer or teamwork."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      5

      "High creativity in character customization, class mixing, skill builds, and family lineage mechanics allowing unique player expression."

      Capsule for Dice Gambit Dice Gambit

      "Strong customization of player character, love interest, and story outcomes; players create unique personal experiences."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "Interactions emphasize mutual respect and emotional connection rather than control or superiority."

      Capsule for Date Everything! Date Everything!

      "Interactions emphasize mutual respect and emotional connection rather than control or superiority."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Players use the game as a comforting, immersive escape with a charming world and uplifting story."

      Capsule for Wuppo: Definitive Edition Wuppo: Definitive Edition

      "Players use the game as a comforting, emotional escape with wholesome, nostalgic storytelling."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -5

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal desire and emotional connection, not obligation."

      Capsule for Sleeping With Sakuya Izayoi Sleeping With Sakuya Izayoi

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and emotional connection, not obligation."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Multiple branching storylines and choices encourage players to try new narrative paths and explore different outcomes."

      Capsule for Class of '09: The Re-Up Class of '09: The Re-Up

      "Many options and branching paths encourage trying different choices and exploring alternate storylines."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      3

      "Exploration is narrative and choice-based, discovering different story branches and endings rather than physical environments."

      Capsule for Soul Gambler Soul Gambler

      "Exploration is narrative and emotional, discovering new relationship dynamics and life stages rather than physical areas."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      5

      "Highly detailed character and avatar customization allows strong self-expression."

      Capsule for NARAKA: BLADEPOINT NARAKA: BLADEPOINT

      "Extensive character customization and personalization options allow self-expression through avatar and story."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      -2

      "Grounded in slice-of-life and realistic scenarios rather than high fantasy or improbable events."

      Capsule for Sakura Beach Sakura Beach

      "Focus on realistic slice-of-life and relatable emotional experiences rather than fantastical or improbable events."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      4

      "Strong sense of community and emotional connection with characters and shared experiences."

      Capsule for Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

      "Strong sense of community and emotional connection with characters; players feel part of a shared experience."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      5

      "Narrative centers on personal development, emotional growth, and overcoming adversity."

      Capsule for CLANNAD CLANNAD

      "Narrative centers on personal development, identity exploration, and emotional growth over life stages."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of visual novels; no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

      Capsule for Sixtieth Kilometer Sixtieth Kilometer

      "Sedentary gameplay typical of visual novels; no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused reading and decision-making; not designed for passive or background play."

      Capsule for Dialtown: Phone Dating Sim Dialtown: Phone Dating Sim

      "Requires focused reading and decision-making; not designed for passive or background play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      5

      "Deep emotional bonds and intimate relationships are central to the story and player experience."

      Capsule for CLANNAD CLANNAD

      "Deep emotional bonds and close relationships are core to the experience, including romantic and platonic intimacy."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -4

      "No player leadership roles; story-driven character interactions with no player authority over others."

      Capsule for Mafia II: Definitive Edition Mafia II: Definitive Edition

      "No leadership or group management; players focus on their own character's story and relationships."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Progression through story acts, relationship loyalty, and unlocking achievements and endings."

      Capsule for Winds of Change Winds of Change

      "Progression through life stages and relationship development; accumulation of story moments and character growth."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      4

      "Relaxing and wholesome experience with gentle pacing and soothing atmosphere."

      Capsule for 狼と香辛料VR/Spice&WolfVR 狼と香辛料VR/Spice&WolfVR

      "Calm, wholesome, and emotionally soothing experience with a gentle pace and comforting atmosphere."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Appealing visuals, music, and emotional story provide sensory and emotional enjoyment."

      Capsule for Grimm's Hollow Grimm's Hollow

      "Appealing art, music, and emotional storytelling provide sensory and emotional enjoyment."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -4

      "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on personal narrative experience."

      Capsule for Legend of Mortal Legend of Mortal

      "Focus on personal narrative without social ranking or recognition systems."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      5

      "Rich narrative immersion with evolving plot, character development, and engaging dialogues."

      Capsule for Hades Hades

      "Strong narrative immersion with rich character development and evolving plot across life stages."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      -3

      "Choices affect story but require no complex planning or problem solving."

      Capsule for Love Thyself - A Horatio Story Love Thyself - A Horatio Story

      "Choices impact story but do not require complex planning or problem solving; straightforward decision making."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      -3

      "Low suspense or risk; experience is calm and contemplative rather than tense or thrilling."

      Capsule for Gorogoa Gorogoa

      "Low suspense or risk; experience is emotionally warm and steady rather than tense or thrilling."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      5

      "Highly praised for content volume, replayability, and price, considered a great value by players."

      Capsule for Streets of Rogue Streets of Rogue

      "Highly praised for content quality, replayability, and affordable DLC; players feel good return on investment."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -5

      "No violence or combat; focus on constructive emotional and relational experiences."

      Capsule for A Summer's End - Hong Kong 1986 A Summer's End - Hong Kong 1986

      "No violence or combat; focus on constructive relationships and emotional connection."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      -5

      "Stable, low-risk narrative environment without threats or survival challenges."

      Capsule for Making*Lovers Making*Lovers

      "Stable, low-risk narrative environment without threats or resource management."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Intimacy, Survival, Violence, Competition. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Fantasy, Strategy.

    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.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026