So, I've been playing Our Life since shortly after it was released, but I wanted to wait until all the DLC was out before I gave it a review. Honestly, this is probably one of most feel-good visual novels I've ever played in my life. It's not going to be for everyone - if you like your stories dramatic, or you like to lose yourself in something that's already fully planned out, then this might not be your style. Our Life is one of those games where you have a thousand choices - some large, like whether or not you care for someone or can forgive them, and some small, like whether or not you feel comfortable hugging your best friend's mom - and some of them change the story completely, while others just serve to make the story feel like your story.

I've played this game countless times, and every time I play it I end up in a happy, comfortable, kinda-tearful haze after it's over. Our Life isn't a drama, or a fantasy, or anything with magic and intrigue. What it is is a small, slice of life narrative that allows you to make it... pretty much everything you could ever want it to be. It's you, your friend (or not, if you choose not to be close to him, but Cove is so sweet, so why wouldn't you), your family, and the people around you that you care for. It's story about growing up with people, none of whom are perfect, and navigating the sometimes-messy but always-warm first few stages of a beautiful, simple life.

I cannot stress how much writing went into this story. It's soft and gentle, but it's got so much nuance, and depending on the routes you take, can really dive deep into the things that make us tick. It sorts through happy, sad, messy, complex, and sometimes selfish emotions in a way that shows everybody involved growing for the better. You meet an unforgettable cast of people that you truly end up loving once you leave them - but as the ending credits say, "You can come back always." Because... you can. Our Life is always there, and there's always a new nuance for you to check out, a new route to take, a new decision to make.

It's incredibly inclusive. You can customize yourself in any way you want - gender, sexuality, preferences, body esteem, personality quirks, and anything else you can think of. Even when it's a choice as simple as how to respond to your sister saying good morning, you have half a dozen choices. There are all sorts of characters with all sorts of personality traits and they all feel like someone I might meet at work tomorrow.

And the cast of romance options is prime, too. Of note, this is most definitely Cove's story. While you can play the story as indifferent to Cove (I never have, so I don't know how it would go), ultimately the story is about the two of you finding each other as children and how you grow up together. Cove is the sweetest boyfriend imaginable, should you choose to walk that road with him, and even if you only choose to be best friends, he's always there for you and never hesitates to tell you what you mean to him. And, should you choose to take that road, the wedding DLC for Cove is super, super sweet. I cried while playing it.

Derek and Baxter don't have as much and yet, they have more than I'd expect. It's Cove's story, but if you pick up their DLCs, you can have a nice summer with either of the others, with an epilogue for any of them (the Wedding DLC is only for Cove, although your other friends are there). I will note that Derek's route probably has the least romance, which was a little bit disappointing; but at the same time, his DLC dealt a lot with his family - all of whom are charming in their own ways - and I still felt like it was an enjoyable story. And Baxter's... if you wanted drama, pick Baxter. There's heartbreak there, and you can choose to resolve that heartbreak in whatever way you choose. But should you want to see that heartbreak heal, the game delivers in spades - I just finished it but I have a strong feeling I'm going to go back to read it again tomorrow. Baxter is a messy, messy man, but he's a good man at the core and the game does such an amazing job of navigating the kinds of emotional trauma a person can have.

So, Our Life may not be for everybody, but if you're looking for something feel-good and you like slice of life - or you just need someone to tell you how much you matter to them - pick it up. I don't think you'll regret it - I didn't.