Our Life: Beginnings & Always
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
A nostalgic visual novel where you design your own character and grow from childhood to adulthood with the lonely boy next door. Create an experience that’s all your own in this near-fully customizable, choice-heavy story.
Our Life: Beginnings & Always is a feel-good simulation, as well as a “feel-better” one, where painful emotions such as sadness, anger, stress, and worry can all be expressed, then met with reassurance, understanding, and support.
It’s a wholesome experience that faces large steppingstones of life, while having a focus on familiar everyday moments. With notable amounts of customization for even tiny details, you can enjoy pleasures as simple as having a preferred type of drink and a neighbor who cares enough to remember what it is.
| Price: | Free-to-Play, with optional paid DLCs |
| DLCs: | The first batch of DLCs are $3.99USD each with three available, a fourth DLC that is $2.99USD released in 2022 |
| Rating: | 16+, for swearing, crude humor, and suggestive content during adult-aged portions of the game |
- 4 different periods of life to experience: childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, and fully grown
- 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
- Font style and size customization. Hit the "A" key to open a screen that has text appearance options
- 397,000 words, 16-24 hours of content in total
Plus, an optional feature of having a preset name for the main character that the love interest says out loud through voice lines. Download the free DLC to add that to your game build!
The main story of Our Life from beginning to end will always be free, but if you'd like to support our group and get new scenes you can purchase optional DLCs!
And if you want even more Our Life content, you can consider joining our Patreon! There's sneak peeks for future game expansions, extra update posts, bonus art, a private backer-only Discord, and so on.
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…
Download
Development log
- Our Life: Limited Time Cove Pin Set!82 days ago
- Cove Step 1 Plushie Now Available for Limited Time!Nov 24, 2023
- Our Life: Beginnings & Always - The Last Major UpdateJun 23, 2023
- Our Life: 2023 GoalsJan 01, 2023
- Our Life 1.6.1Oct 06, 2022
- Our Life Version 1.5.4May 22, 2022
- Cove Plushie Now Available (Limited Time Only)!Apr 29, 2022
- Cove Plushie Coming Soon! + GiveawayApr 22, 2022
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
i was so excited when i could be trans omg. also love that the player character can be intersex as well!! this game is so cute, excited for the next one!!
I can only dream of having childhood love like cove and mc, each time I repeated the game and played, the MORE I fell in love with Cove Holden. My standard will never be the same ARGHH...
This game... has me addicted... love itttt!!!
😭I love this game so much. I wanted to have Derek as a love interest so bad.
Ame está novela a tal punto que después de terminarla sentí un vacío 😞
Wanna say this game is dope. Just bought the step 1 and step 2 dlcs, step 3 and the wedding one will be on my list next 👍
Aand could someone inform me if the patreon bonus compatible to play with Android too?
Yes, the Patreon exclusive bonus Moments are Android compatible! They have separate downloads for that version. Thank you so much for playing!
Genuinely one of the most beautiful games I ever played. The dialogue is so humane and sweet, no ones perfect. It's super inclusive and has LOADS of character looks and personality tweaks. It's memory of your choices are so immersive and it feels like you truly live in Sunset Bird with the cast. I cannot stress this enough, this is genuinely my comfort game. The replayability(?) is so amazing, you can replay 20+ times and still have a fresh experience each go. Please give it a try.
HAS TRAANS OBTION IM CRYING😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
20 year old college student cries at visual novel, more at 10
I made an account just for this game i love it sm i timed myself playing ( its fun to do ) it took me 24hours and 4minutes to finish the whole game I'm going to miss playing it for the first time. </3
God dang it midnight rumbling hits hard, so here's what happened:
* Makes a new run to replay Baxter dlc
*Get to step 3
*Have a crush on Baxter but doesn't get asked out
*Mc is a coward and can't ask Baxter out (at least I couldn't [Nervous-crush], didn't bring out the couple topic with Baxter and consequently didn't got asked out by him)
*Go through Baxter's Dlc as friends
*Begin step 4
*I then take this chance to do late-game cove route (intended to kiss him in the car but then backed out)
*Realizing again that you only get one shot at asking cove out or maybe it's just Franky (my mc) being useless or something
the graphics perfect !
I need this i love i
Replayed this game again after so many years, and it's honestly the BEST VN I have played. Cove is so lovable that it's extremely easy to fall in love with him and ALL the other characters. I'm also in love with Baxter, but he FRUSTRATED me when I did his route, and in a good way. The angst and emotion in his route was a nice change of pace from the Cove route, and it was incredibly tense in a good way. As for Derek, he's super cute and so nice. Sometimes TOO nice. I was frustrated with his family on his route and with him sometimes because he reminds me of my younger self. However, I love him too. Fantastic game GBPATCH and I hope you never stop making these kind of interactive visual novels where we as players can immerse ourself into these characters.
Is there other routes?
Technically there are three routes: Cove, Derek, and Baxter. However, only Cove's route is a "full" route, with a wedding DLC. Also, Derek and Baxter's routes are only accessible by DLC. Hopefully that helps, and thanks for you interest in our game!
OH MY GOSH THE CORY KENSHIN EASTER EGG "No shoes no shirt no service!!" AUGAHAHABABA
this hurt me
NOOOOOOOOOO IM SORRYYYY
sorry to say but that phrase existed way before Cory said it😭
OH IM SO SPRRY JS A CORY FAN USHSHSHSHSJSJ
ITS OK IVE BEEN THERE DW
AUAHHSHSHSHSH
Hello, I need someone to tell me if it is better to buy through steam or through icth.
I just started in this world of visual novels and there are some games that I love and I downloaded them through icth (our life is one of them) and I saw that these are on steam, in the case of our life I wanted to buy the DLC but I don't know whether to do it through steam or icth so I need someone to help me TwT
I'm not sure if it's just me, but I usually prefer to download through itch.io, since I find it way easier to just have all the DLC's, and games straight in my files. Honestly both are solid options, just depends on your preferences.
When it comes to buying the DLC, it actually doesn't matter whether you do so on Steam or itch.io! All of the DLCs are separate files that are compatible with both versions, so long as you place them in the appropriate directory folder. So it's up whichever you prefer. Thank you so much for playing, and we hope you have a wonderful time in Sunset Bird!
I can't even describe how wholesome this game is. The whole time I was playing, I just felt so full, full of love, joy, and comfort because of how much the characters genuinely love the MC, and how much the MC cares about them in return. It is such a beautiful experience.
It is so easy to fall in love with Cove. He is such a precious character from the very first chapter all the way to the end. I absolutely adored his little responses to the point that I am kicking my feet like a teenage girl in love. Some of his responses made me melt because they are just too cute!
No regrets at all with getting the Wedding DLC too. That honestly felt like the cherry on top of an already amazing experience.
If I could pay to experience this game for the first time all over again, I definitely would! And I would, without hesitation.
I love this game so much but I do have a question if anyone can answer😭‼️ I bought the wedding DLC on this website but just recently got the game on Steam. Do I have to repay for the wedding DLC or is there another way?
Hello! If you bought the DLC here, you should be able to add it directly to the Steam version without having to buy it again. Simply download the file (it should say "dlc_wedding.rpa") and place it in the "game" folder in the Steam directory for the game. You can find that by right clicking on the game in your Steam library, going to "Manage", then "Browse Local Files". And that should work! If you need more help, just let me know.
i absoultely loved this game! it was the cutest thing ive ever played!!!
I really want to know that I have bought the game on steam, but I want to play it on Android. What should I do?😭
Hello! If you open the itch.io page on your phone, you should be able to download the Android version directly. However, if you bought any DLC on Steam, unfortunately those are incompatible with the Android version. Sorry about that, but we're very grateful to you for playing!
I LOVE THIS GAME OMG. IT HAS GOTTEN ME SOBBING EVEN AFTER FINISHING IT FOR THE 6TH TIME. We need more Cove content
Replaying this and I'm falling in love all over again, the nostalgia is so damn sad I'm sobbing, oh my gosh I need another game like this
I have this game on Steam (with DLC's and all) but i just NEED to write everywhere that the story and characters make me bawl my eyes out every time i play it. Good job.
I loved so much this game that i just reccomended it to my whole classroom, and now we all have a fanclub. we use the same computer bcos then we can get acess to all DLCs! Im so happy i discovered this game! im almost addicted :3
i dont even have words to describe the feeling this game gave me. i think a review i saw on steam said it best -getting to live a life i was never able to have, with a stable family and a community that's kind without strings, BROKE me.
like, i bought the wedding dlc because i adore cove, but i started it last night and couldnt finish because the ending of the game just like.
it makes you realize that time WILL pass whether you're ready for it or not. you're not always going to live in your parents house
with neighbors and friends you grew up with. you're going to have to move on eventually.
like, the ending got me SO bad. seeing cove grow from this anxious, scared child to the confident adult he came to be was so.. bittersweet.
anyway. i have lots of feelings on this game JKHSJKDS if you're hesitating playing it like i was, for literally any reason, please please please play it it's probably the most heartwrenching game i've ever played
this is one of the best games i've ever played omg
How do you start the game? I can't find a place to get it to start.
Are you having trouble finding the downloaded folder, maybe? I can potentially help! If you know where the folder is, there should be an application icon in there labeled "OurLife", which starts the game.
I recommend playing it on Steam if you're on PC! It doesn't make a difference, experience-wise. However, personally it's easier to open games on Steam, since I don't have to extract the files. :)
i love this game so much, and i cried so much while playing this. my absolute favorite visual novel ever, and i will be recommending this so much. i actually sobbed when the game ended, and i am desperate for more! currently playing the demo to your new game, and i already adore it! keep up the great work, you're making great games! :)
Love this game! You make all the little personalizations fit so well throughout, and I'm definitely recommending this to others!
I just want to say, if you ever return to adding new stuff to this, it would be nice to add some disability rep! Like being non-verbal or an amputee. No rush, the game is pretty perfect as is. But, I think having as much inclusivity as possible is always great.
Thanks for making such a great game! And good luck with your other projects!
Hey, just wanting to let you know that the Steam version is currently broken, it's trying to download the soundtrack as a DLC and fails because they're inaccessible and out-of-date.
This problem is preventing me from installing the game back on my new PC.
https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/4767710741167728129/?tscn=1725435468#c4751948599934697542
https://steamcommunity.com/app/433340/discussions/0/4427688158474505664/?ctp=3#c4758703546876600936
Hello! Thank you for bringing that to our attention, and so sorry about that. Do you have any screenshots of what happens when you try to install? We might be able to help!
this is one my favorite games from all time!! when i first played it, i really was in a bad place mentally, and playing this game was so comforting, it felt like someone was hugging me and telling me everything was going to be fine. still to this day, this game remains as one of comfort games. the music, the character design, the plot,, the art.. everything's amazing! i wholeheartedly believe this is one of the best visual/interactive fiction novels i've played
thank you, GBPatch, and everyone else who hand a hand in creating such a beautiful and lovely game! you have no idea of how happy playing this game has made me. i'm looking forward to the next OL <3
to anyone reading this: you should play this game if you haven’t already, you definitely won't regret it!!
hello! just a question, why is the mac version not on the steam page? i'm wondering if maybe i'm just not seeing it or if there's a way to convert your steam to show you've already purchased the dlcs, or do i just have to buy it again for the mac version? ^^'
We're sorry, but the Steam version of the game is not supported on Mac. However, if you bought the DLCs on Steam, you can move them over to the Mac version of the game downloaded for free here on itch.io! If you go into the folder containing the game by right clicking on the game and going to "Browse Local Files", you should find the DLCs in the "game" folder. They should end with ".rpa". You can copy those rpa files out of the Steam version, into the "game" folder of the itch.io version, and that should unlock the DLCs for you. If you need more help, just let me know!
HELLO? I DOWNLOADED THE DLCS ON MY OTHER GMAIL AND HELP JEREMY THE GLOW UP I FR NEED TO MARRY HIM IN ANOTHER GAME💔
Jeremy is originally from the XOXO Droplets (and XOXO Blood Droplets) game. Be warned, they are VERY different games to Our Life!
(ETA: so is Shiloh and some of the characters mentioned but not shown in their dialogues when you meet them again)
OMG FR?
god i miss cove so much already
How do I put voices? I have skill issues
Do you need help adding the voiced names? Because if so, I can walk you through how to do it!
hi, I need help too ;A;
That's OK! Here's how to do it:
First, download the rpa file from this page: https://gbpatch.itch.io/our-life-voiced-name
That file goes directly into the "game" folder of your version of Our Life. If you did it right, when you open the game, in the top left corner there should be a box labeled "DLC" info, and it should show the Voiced Names as "Installed".
If you need more help, just let me know! And thank you for playing.
My comfort game-- a game that I must have nearly 200 hours of playtime in now! After following its development for 4 straight years, this game has an irreplaceable spot in my heart. I still truly believe that it's the single greatest interactive fiction/visual novel I've ever played, and some back to it every year to relive the warm, comforting, and nostalgic vibes of Sunset Bird!
I own every DLC and have played through OL countless, countless times, so please believe me when I say that I can't recommend it highly enough! And as I get older, the heartfelt elements of change and growing up only hit closer to home. (It truly does make me cry on every single playthrough, even on my 8th...)
Thank you, GBPatch, for creating such a gem of a game and an experience I'll never forget. I'm eagerly awaiting the next OL!
GBpatch I love both your Our life games
- Our life now and forever
-Our life beginning and always
Both of them are amazing 🥺 , your vn games are just next level please don't stop making them continue creating such unique and innovative content!
I love this game so much, its seriously amazing. I've never been into visual novels before but Our Life opened a whole new world for me!
Silly question, but i own all the DLC on steam. Do I need to rebuy them from here if i wanna play on android? I love the base game but I need more Baxter content 😂💚
I have the same problem here but I got a new computer and steams version isn't suited for Mac 😅
UGH I LOVE IT??? THE BEST THING TO EXIST 10/10 DUDE