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…
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Development log
- 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
- Our Life Build 1.5.3Apr 01, 2022
Comments
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Truly what a masterpiece! perhaps the best visual novel i have ever played. the vast range of possibilities and choices are incredible. i have found myself falling in love with this game over and over again. every playthough offers a unique experience. I am truly astonished by the quality of this game! as a patreon myself, i simply cannot wait to see what comes of Now and Forever. and if Now and Forever is even a fraction as good as this game, it will be an amazing experience.
i truly recommend this game to all. an amazing 9.5/10 experience. what a great job, GBPatch!
so, my dlcs dont seem to be working even when i've done the proper transfer process for rpa files. i can't open up the game either and it says there's a script error. does this mean i need to download the latest update and then it will work?
(edit: i still have the version from around 2 years ago so maybe that's why its not working)
Yeah, you need the latest version of Our Life for any of the DLCs to work. But deleting your old OL file won't erase your save files or anything, so you can just remove that and download the current version.
Unfortunately played this game during a difficult time in life so I don't have the motivation to write out an entire paragraph, nor did I have the full focus in later game to fully read each and every little detail of text. But from the impression that I got, this is a truly wonderful Visual Novel. While I have my own individual preferences with the way that some of the sprites look, the CGs are always to DIE for. The customisation throughout is off the charts, making it a truly interactive experience, even if I only played through once. And don't even get me started on Cove; what an adorable dork of a love interest. I don't consider myself easily impressed in games where the romance path is optional, but I have to say that from the moment he pulled a Romeo I was hooked. My favourite scene would have to be when he climbs into MC's room with the firefly(twas also the scene in my playthrough where I confessed). Speaking of this, here is where the only bug that I encountered happened. We made it official in one of the moments, however in the later in-between Cove confessed all over again as if the prior moment didn't register. Other than that, though, there were absolutely no technical issues that I noticed and the experience was smooth-sailing(pun intended-ocean themes). Each character feels like their own person and fleshed out just the right amount to feeling like characters from a big-industry production. Going back to interactivity, I must applaud this game's approach to various topics, ranging from sexuality choices/representation, autism and consent. While I'm not apt to comment on all of the above from experience, I've heard the overall sentiment here is that these were handled with tact. Not so much a game as an experience.
OKay so I LOVE THE GAME OMG please please please UPDATE ON SOMETHING OR DROP A NEW SEASON. I honestly see so much potential and besides, I am a sucker now. SO good, omg, highly recommend.
Pardon me i feel dumb but have to ask how does one play the dlc for this must you start a new file?
pretty sure you download the files and put them in the folder named "game". Then save and close the game and re-open it it should be there unless you already passed the step. if it doesn't work I am wrong. good luck
I actually cried when i finished
Masterpiece......❤❤❤
Never had a game bring me so utterly close to tears, so full of emotion. Envy, sadness, love, happiness. This game is a headliner to all of the visual novel genre, if you want emotion, if you want to feel as your characters do. Play this.
Everytime I try to download it, my computer will say *File wasn't available on sight*?? @GBPatch
(Pardon my english, I'm french)
I had the same problem with a lot of games on itch.io but since I've downloaded the application itch.io every games I've tried worked
(I hope what I've said makes sense if not, I'm sorry)
It does! After some trying, it finally worked, just had to give my computer a lil break.
I love it, i love it, I love it!!!!
English to Spanish Translator here!
I'd like to translate the game if you are interested. Please contact me on lacristinaura.translator@gmail.com
Hello. In July 2022, version 1.5.4 of the game, I reported a bug where the game and the dlcs doesn't take into account that Cove has glasses into Step 2.
Today I re-downloaded the latest version of the game and the latest version of the DLCs, and when I resumed an old save, I noticed once again that the bug was present in the various Moments I had noted in 2022.
Is the problem due to the fact that it's an old save, or is it because the bug has been overlooked?
For more details:
- In Roadtrip if MC says they likes people who wear glasses Cove doesn't react, and the next choice MC can tell Cove that glasses would look good on him; which makes no sense if Cove is already wearing glasses.
- In Soiree on the beach after MC asks Cove to come to the party with them, the text says that Cove takes his stuff and puts on a shirt. No mention of the glasses is made but the portrait of Cove has glasses again.
- In Wave after MC agrees to come to the beach, the text says that MC sees a towel, sunscreen and a bottle of water. But again no mention of glasses even though Cove took them off to surf.
- In Birthday too, but I can't remember where. I think it was at the beginning but I'm not sure.
It's most likely because you're using an older save. Fixing a problem like that just means the info flags will work going forward. It doesn't go into your file and change how it's already been incorrectly set. But thanks for reporting!
I understand. I already intended to start a new game but I wanted to see before if the bug with Cove's glasses was present before. ^^
Thank you so much for taking the time to explain and for creating and continuing to create amazing games! <3
i remember playing it last year during summer, it's been such a long time so i'll play it a second time!
this visual novel got to be my favourite and it helped comfort me during hard times as i'm an highschooler c:
No questions asked AND ı won't be listening to anyone because this game was definitely my FAVORİTE game throughout all the visual novels I HAVE EVER PLAYED. ı really REALLY love it. so comforting with such throughout characters. You can clearly see the developers actually poured their hearts and souls while making this. thank you, ıt was the loveliest game ı played in a LONG LONG while.
I love this game a whole lot although I wish there was a way I could confirm I bought all the DLC on Steam so I wouldn't have to buy them twice. But I still love this game so so much!!!
On Android, is there a way to back scroll through text? and I don't mean just pulling up the log. But going back to a choice and selecting a new one? On PC it's with the mouse wheel but I can't figure out how to do so on Android.
I'm afraid right now there isn't a way to do that on Android, but we may be able to add that as a feature in the future.
Help :((((((((
so I tried yk putting the dlc
and its been doing the process thing for so long, it hasnt done anything, and i cant close it.
It also denies me access when I try to open the file and I don't know whats up.
Is it something up with my computer? idk what to do :(
Something similar has been happening to me too. Like I was able to play the DLCs previously but now it's bringing up a notepad saying that something named impletation is missing or something.
@IVVIX
The same advice could work for your situation. The DLC doesn't need to be opened like it did in the past. You just put it inside the game folder and leave it alone. If it's not working it may not be in the right folder. Could you post a screenshot of your Our Life folder?
The DLC doesn't need to be opened like it did in the past. You just put it inside the game folder and leave it alone. If it's not working it may not be in the right folder. Could you post a screenshot of your Our Life folder?
It's hard to explain the amount of love I have for this game. This is my favorite VN ever. I first played this during 2020 when I was at my lowest, playing it I cried multiple times because of how loved I felt and the love I felt towards Cove. I have nearly 200 hours from playing this many times, and sometimes falling asleep playing it. I had to stop myself from playing it, so I could play it again when I have all the DLCs, I plan to get them on my birthday. It's actually a bit hard for me to go about my day-to-day life, because I really want to play this again. But I must prevail and be patient until the fateful day. I can't wait to see Cove again, and see all the new memories I will make with him, as well as the other memories I will make with Derek and Baxter.
I literally cried from nostalgia remembering my own days of infancy and teen days, especially my child days which were, just like portrayed in this game, extremely happy and memorable, and the way you guys portrayed the early days was indeed very accurate, it was almost like a window to my own past, epecially when i relate a lot to the Mc, Cove (well at least i see him as the Main character), Thank you all for making this little story, will def be purchasing some of the DLCs, and i'm sure i will be felling the same, if not better, about Now & Forever.
Please take care everyone...
This may be a little sappy but I /need/ to say it: Thank you.
I'm finding this in a very dark moment in my life and I swear, seeing Cove grow "with me" gave me enough strength to get out of the bed two consecutive days. I just thought "He won't like to see me like this" and that was enough.
Thank you, playing this made me so happy and I trully felt loved, the story is absolutely amazing and well-written. I'll keep an eye on you, I'm claming myself as a new devoted follower. You do amazing things and I look forward to anything you create.
I just know it'll be awesome.
PS: I'll always come back to Cove, ngl. But, hey, I truly look forward to any stories you'll make. Pinkie-promise.
ive been playing this game for a while, I absolutely adore it:)) but I was wondering if there was a way to delete old save files that I havent found out yet?? I have some pretty old ones that im not really interested in keeping anymore, so I was wondering if there was a delete feature!!
Glad you like it! On PC and Mac you can hover over the file and hit the delete key on your key board to remove old saves. On Android there isn't a button that can delete them.
alright! thanks so much for responding:))
Help, I really love this game 😭
I fall for this man oh god. Great and memorable story. I'm crying and keep thinking abt it when finished, denial that it's over:""
A song "I Wanna Ruin Our Friendship" made me remember about this game and Cove. And "Beautiful Things" is like a Cove POV's toward MC:"")
This is what a story should be, not all of them but they should feel like this. I actually remembered a part of my childhood that didn't suck thanks to this game. Hope the developers live their best lives.
3dit: I have to pay for the wedding? :( but get that bag I guess
this game is just mind blowing.. i loved every second of it and i love how it always surprises me, the customization is incredible even the small detail that you think don't really matter actually have a small impact in the game! Cove is adorable and seeing him grow while still keeping his childish and sensitive side is making me a lil emotional.. One thing i would have liked is a lil more of a mean character, i know there was Jeremy but he was quickly forgotten, it would have been nice seeing Cove stand up for himself with someone else than his family, kinda like how he used to with Lizzy on step 1! I overall really spent an awesome time playing this game! I'll definitely buy the DLC
The DLC is ABSOLUTLY worth it!
this is so, so cute. melt my heart fr
i wish there were more games like this one
they actually have one development its called "Our Life: Now & Forever" theres only the demo but i highly recommend it!!
I want the Chinese version!
playing thru this a second time and like
it always catches me so off guard when Mr. Holden and Kyra are interacting cuz i personally think i can still feel chemistry and i feel like
they were meant to be just not in this life and i find it bittersweet
at the very least i think Mr. Holden still loves Kyra
i really agree! but i am just insanely happy they've been able to work together for cove and still be a family in their own way!
send help
i am deeply in love with a fictional green-haired man
I'm new here, and my friend of mine recommended this, and now as i'm trying on my android phone, i'm always stuck at Mc customize and then it automatically leave me the game. Help :'(
I really loved playing this, This was simply a amazing visual novel game. in this game everyone has their own life and has their own charatistic, you have so many choices and many many ending that blows your mind. I like how it doesnt force you to be with cove. I would to buy dlc but sadly I am student from another country so its impossible for as its cost too muc haha. I reccomend this game for everyone who is looking for peace and bad ending story :3
Loved this!!!
Well, it's been almost a year since I played this game, and I want to say that it is the best visual novel I have played so far. I played this video game when I was going through a very difficult time emotionally, physically and mentally, so much so that it was difficult for me to get out of bed without feeling pain, crying or despairing, and this visual novel made me feel at peace, It made me feel like everything was going to be okay.
It is a VERY customizable game, with many routes, MANY options to choose from, which I LOVED, with characters that are easy to identify with. This visual novel takes reality to its magical side, with things so everyday and yet charming.
I have to say that I played the game as many times as I could. Also, it allowed me to improve my English A LOT, since English is not my native language. In between playing I had to learn many words from daily life that I didn't know, and without realizing it, the third time I played I could already read the texts well without getting stuck in my head, I even read aloud trying to give a voice to the characters .
I loved being able to live such a beautiful story that does not take the drama to the extreme, but rather are characters like ordinary people living their lives, with their own problems.
I thank the entire team behind this wonderful visual novel for creating this. I am grateful for all your effort, which must have been a lot. I love you ♡
One more thing, the last time I downloaded the game on my cell phone, a Samsung Galaxy A51, I was able to download it, but for some reason it doesn't download now.
I'm really glad you had such a good experience with the game! If it's not downloading maybe there's an older version of the game still somewhere on the device that needs to be uninstalled. Or more space might be needed.
Thanks ♡
OMG, Thank you very much, your advice worked! I almost cried when I was able to download it again. I am eternally grateful to you ♡♡♡
I love this game so much! Enjoying the DLC and currently on step 4. Thing is, when I opened up the game I'm stuck on the loading screen and I use Mac :( Idk how to fix it I rlly love this game and I want to have a second play through after finishing my first haha.
I'm sorry I don't know. If it worked before and not now, maybe there was an update on the device than changed things or the device decided not to let the program run anymore because of a virus scanner? Perhaps uninstalling and reinstalling could help.
I found out the reason! I had 3 copy of the game in my other files and after deleting them it started working, I finished the game and I'm so happy! This game will always have a place in my heart <3
Highly recommend this game if you love the childhood friends to lovers trope - the game gives you so many options that make your character unique and special. The game also does its best to make it really feel like you're growing up with the main love interest and everyone around you, by jabbing jokes on you in step 3 abt something that happened in step 1. It makes it feel so real.
I also love the way each character was made, all have so many amazing personalities that grow in every step to adulthood. Recommend this game if you're just really into romance.
Also the dlcs are worth it. I'm not gonna say exactly why and ruin the fun for others, all I'm gonna say is that the dlcs truly made it all more enjoyable for me. That's all i have to say, 9/10 game :)
Would be a ten if there was a back button like in OLN&F
it occured to me that after following this game for almost its entire development, dropping hundreds of hours on it and buying almost every DLC, I haven't left a comment!!
This is absolutely hands down my favourite game of all time-- i find myself coming back again and again for comfort, when I need to relax, or when i just miss cove, baxter, derek, and all the lovely characters too much. GB patch has set the bar for all visual novels and to this day, I've yet to see another meet the standard (except maybe OL:NF when it comes out!!)
I wanted to write an official thank you to GB Patch for creating such an incredible game!! truly, OLBA never fails to make me cry and warm me up when i'm having a rough day. My only wish is that there was more OLBA content out there :')
This game has literally changed my life!!
Love this game!!! It took me two days to finish it but I'm pretty sure that's because I stayed up to play it. I fell so in love with all the characters and the story itself, that now I'm feeling a bit forlorn that I'm done but I'm glad to lived this story! Awesome storytelling!!
i just played this for the first time on steam and felt that i have to personally tell u how life changing this was++ playing this helped me out so much during a stressful week at uni tysm will be thinking about cove forever and ever
I've had this on my phone for awhile now, and every time I play I fall more obsessed! This is an AMAZING game. Love the DLC's and how you can enjoy the game without them as well. Worth all my time
Hey! I downloaded the APK for my phone but for some reason when I open the game, it closes when I press any buttons? Do you have any idea how to help?
You can try opening up more space for it to run, it needs more than it takes to download onto the phone, and you can check to see if a virus scanner is refusing to let it run. But sometimes the game is too difficult for a phone to run. We are working on updates to decrease the size and make it easier to load on Androids!
(1)when you made the NSFW moment that is up on the patreon, why did you make it and what were your thoughts about it?
(2)If you ever did the same thing to OL2 can there be an alternative way to get it instead of patreon? Cause there are countries that block access to patreon and giveaways doesn't sound like an effective solution
1. I made it because sexual content isn't a bad thing for adults and a totally normal part of many relationships. But it couldn't be in the base game since the story is safe for teens and so it had to be Patreon only.
2. I'm afraid we probably aren't going to make bonus stories like that for OL2. It's not in the plans right now at least. We've just gotta focus on doing the normal game content. But I am sorry to those who aren't able to support the Patreon and would like to have those extras.