Wrapped With a Kiss

[h1]Overview[/h1] You know those romance films that certain TV channels broadcast repeatedly in the run-up to, and throughout the Christmas season? The ones which invariably conclude with the lead protagonists surmounting their inevitable hiccups and winding up getting together? Which cause certain people [i](ahem)[/i] to come over all weepy at the thoroughly predictable and yet utterly heartwarming happy ending? You do? Great, so [i]you[/i] like them, too! It's too late now, you just admitted it, and as a fellow fan of such romantic festive adventures, I have good news for you. [b]Wrapped With A Kiss[/b] is the visual novel equivalent of those movies, and one which comfortably nestles within the upper reaches of the quality range available for our enjoyment. [h1]Story[/h1] Noel [i](Noelle?)[/i] is not in a happy place in her life. Eight years in the big city slaving away as a business manager for a big corporation in a job she hates but took on because her dad pushed her into it; only to be fired with no right of appeal, simply for being honest. We join her as she packs up her life and moves to a small, picturesque town to spend the festive period with her widowed sister…

[i] Wrapped with a Kiss[/i] is such a heartfelt game. It is like a Hallmark Christmas movie put into a cute visual novel. [h3]The Story[/h3] After Noel becomes blacklisted from the business world and loses her job with no prospects of finding another she moves back to the small town of Hawthorn with her sister Natalie and her niece Zoey. The story is a story of romance, and the relationship that blooms between Noel and the handsome, kind carpenter Elliot. And in between this budding romance Noel is trying to navigate her way in a new town while trying to figure out who she is for the first time in her life. Family plays an important role in this story. Noel learns what it means to be an aunt to Zoey while reconnecting with her sister after being distant for a long time. The family dynamic is the meat of the novel and the romance fills it out. It is heartfelt, loving and well written. [h3]Features[/h3] The game is your usual set up for most visual novels. You get to make choices (as Noel) along the way that shape her relationships with those around her. I have only played through once and got the good ending and I am guessing the other is the bad where the romance does not wor…

Too damn freaking awesome! Too damn worth it! Too damn making me actually care about characters and what happens to them and... Those "Hallmark" movie categories? SHOULD LEARN from this game/story!!! MC is fine and understandable. Very relatable. Natalie is a cool and a supportive person. The kid is NOT annoying and is actually fun to read about. Elliot is... Everything great. The only thing that would make him better is if he was a secret assassin. That's a joke. Nothing can make him better. His BETTERNESS is at CAPACITY. What a guy to dream about... Story is charming and a good read. Choices are direct and you know what to pick right away. I don't remember the last time I cheered for two characters to get together this much... Until now. There is even a surprise at the end! Who cares if it isn't Christmas? Reading this game made me feel good. Remembering what it was like to be surrounded by family and Christmas spirit... Something some of us are unable to recapture anymore. Thank you for those great feelings and great characters and... It was more than worth it! :D :) =)

Such a cute and wholesome story! It certainly captures the Christmas spirit. The VN is a perfect read for the holidays.

i love this game

I was pleasantly surprised by this holiday game that deals with life and career changes as well as being alienated from and suffocated by your family. All of the main characters have solid personalities—I especially liked Noel's conversations with Natalie—so it's easy to get invested in their stories. Eliot is the sweetest, most thoughtful LI, and I love him! Character sprites and UI (I really liked the font) are great. Overall, this game is adorable without being saccharine, and I recommend it.