Beginning of the Rain

This game is a masterpiece. "Beginning of the Rain" is a delightful dating game that offers a captivating experience. The art is beautiful, drawing players into its charming world, while the gorgeous soundtrack sets the perfect mood for a play-through. This game's lack of an English translation is the only thing that bothers me. Overall 10/10

Nice, but the English is a bit... off.

Beginning of the Rain, developed and published by HOONDAHL STUDIOS LTD, is a narrative-focused visual novel that centers on introspection, emotional growth, and the fragile nature of memory. Rather than delivering fast-paced gameplay or complex systems, it positions itself as a contemplative experience designed to immerse players in reflective storytelling. The game unfolds through illustrated scenes, dialogue exchanges, and atmospheric music, inviting players to slow down and engage with themes of regret, longing, and self-discovery. The story revolves around youthful uncertainty and the quiet emotional turbulence that accompanies growing up. Through its dialogue and character interactions, Beginning of the Rain explores questions about missed opportunities, fear of change, and the tension between holding onto the past and stepping into the future. The writing favors mood and emotional nuance over dramatic plot twists, creating an experience that feels closer to reading a reflective novel than participating in a traditional game. Much of the narrative power lies in subtle moments—lingering glances, hesitant conversations, and the quiet weight of unspoken feelings. Visually, the …

As another reviewer mentioned, the art is GORGEOUS. When I purchased it, there was an English subtitling beta available. On sale (for like $1 USD) at time of initial review. Solid investment. Granted, the English subtitles would benefit from additional review, but it's advertised as in Beta stages! That's reasonable! I only paid like 63 cents, I'm satisfied! ^_^; I expect I'll be able to follow the story well enough (and for what I paid? The visuals and music for cutscenes are LUSH.) Even if no further improvements occur, I stand by my investment. I look forward to seeing what else this team creates in the future.

Although it starts off a bit slow and remains simplistic, it has a gentle atmosphere, and I became pretty invested in the wellbeing of the characters. I rooted for the main character who seemed as if he was dealing with a mild sort of depression and had a weak sense of direction in life but strived to do good by the people around him. The moral was quite sweet in that it emphasizes kindness towards others as also doing good for yourself as well, and the relationships you cultivate as a result are the foundation for a meaningful life.