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First Snow is a visual novel developed by
Salty Salty Studios and published by Studio Élan,
The novel is free to play on Steam
Story
It is Winter, We take up the character of Allison who moved out of her parents' home to be closer to the school for studies. She is living with her family friend Rose in a rather mediocre apartment with a not-well-kept exterior which she feels a bit ashamed of but does not hide that she still feels comfortable once inside.
One morning, after going to school she meets a girl who is violently kicking a vending machine because she seemingly didn't get her drink after paying. After some hesitation, Allison decides to go and help her out a bit reluctantly, although she quickly scrambles away before the girl can say anything to her as she finds the girl a bit weird.
Her Friend Caprice is Allison's best friend and she is trying to get us into her new Art club, saying that the actual art club isn't good for her. Left with not much choice she ends up going to the new classroom dedicated to the art club and there she meets the gaze again of the girl she helped earlier.
This is where a new, first weird, friendship begins.
The following events will be impacted a lot by the happy-go-lucky Caprice and her antics for her art club and trying to force people to join it.
Character Development
Through the story, we experience the feelings Allison is going through and her inner conflicts of what she thinks and believes.
She thinks of not only friendship, because her feelings are different than usual, and questions herself about eventually being in love with another girl.
Through strange interactions, she unveils herself more and more to the one she thinks she loves, without knowing how the other girl feels about her. So it is giving quite the eventful romance.
Art-Style and World Presentation
The art style is presented as a Western-style appearance and helps give the full visual novel a bit of its own flair. It is not a great art style, but still has a likable touch to it as it differs from the usual arts of Japanese style VNs.
The world is drawn in a snowy landscape, fitting to the month of December. The few locations available are still well enough presented and drawn.
Different drawings can be reviewed once the story is completed to its end including the different acts.
Voices and Musics
Conversations between characters are partially voiced in English, which helps have a better understanding of the feelings brought across the short story.
The Vn features 12 short different piano titles which are nice in their own right. They also merge well within the current story situation. The Music titles are also replayable within a Jukebox after completing the story.
Overall Thoughts
First Snow is a short Romance visual novel but I must say it is a great story and this while being entirely free. If someone is looking for good romance stories, First Snow is a very good choice and recommendable as I did enjoy it. The art style might not appeal to everyone, but while reading the story and discovering the world, I think we still end up liking it a bit in some way as it does fit well the story. The music titles and the feature of a gallery with a jukebox and all Acts listed and reviewable up to a certain point is a good addition.
First Snow can be obtained for free on the Steam Store
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