School Years

[b]My Playtime:[/b] 15.1h (100% achievement, finished the game) [b]Grindy Achievement(s):[/b] No. [b]Optional Achievement(s):[/b] Yes (~20 achievements). [b]Difficult Achievement(s):[/b] No. [h1]Intro[/h1] [i]初恋日记[/i] / [i]School Years[/i] is a visual novel that tells the love story of a Chinese high school guy. It spans 42 chapters, which can end shorter if you don't fulfill certain requirements. [b]Pros:[/b] - Fully voice dubbed - A lot of new cutscenes that help to portray the scene [b]Cons:[/b] - Puzzles can be hard to understand - Terrible English translation [b]Specs[/b] Intel Core i5-9300H 2.40GHz, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 [h1]Should you buy this game?[/h1] [i]Unless the translation is improved, it'll be hard to enjoy the story to its fullest.[/i] [hr][/hr] [h1]In-Depth Review[/h1] [h3]Visuals[/h3] Characters' portraits are used for most of the game, sometimes with their mouth moved to match the dialogue. Although it's nice to see the animation, sometimes they look weird because only the mouth is moving whenever it happens. The game also uses a lot of original artwork for the cutscenes. Some of them use different art styles and differ in quality, and sometime…

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School Years is a narrative-driven visual novel that finds its identity in something far more grounded than the exaggerated scenarios often associated with school-based fiction. Developed by YEARS and published by 摸鱼游戏, it draws inspiration from a real story and attempts to portray an ordinary but complicated life through the experiences of a Chinese high school student. Its emphasis is firmly on storytelling, relationships, memories, and the uncertainties surrounding the transition from adolescence toward adulthood. The story is conceived as the opening part of a larger life journey covering high school, university, and eventually working life. This installment concentrates on the protagonist's final year of senior high school, establishing characters and experiences intended to influence the broader narrative. Instead of immediately relying on enormous conflicts or fantastical circumstances, the writing focuses on experiences that can seem mundane individually but become significant when remembered years later. Friendships change, emotions become difficult to understand, academic responsibilities grow heavier, and thoughts about an uncertain future become increasingly unavoidabl…

Nope

It was free. So thumbs up. But translation needs some fixing, as a couple of in-game signs are missing translations. The story is slice-of-life, nothing extra, and it is fully voice-acted...in Mandarin, which is weird, but still nice.

School Years is a heartfelt visual novel that beautifully captures the essence of growing up in a high-pressure academic environment. The story, inspired by real-life experiences, is both relatable and deeply moving. The characters are well-developed, and the narrative strikes a perfect balance between emotional depth and lighthearted moments. The game's art style and music complement the storytelling, creating an immersive experience. If you're a fan of narrative-driven games, this one is a must-try!