Where It All Began

Exploring the narrative complexity and mature themes of this choice-based visual novel

When I first launched Where It All Began, I expected typical adult game tropes. What I found instead was a gripping narrative about fractured relationships and personal redemption, wrapped in stunning visual novel packaging. This Oceanlab production redefines erotic storytelling through its emphasis on mental health exploration and consequential decision-making. Let’s unpack what makes this mature-rated experience stand out in crowded digital shelves.

Game Overview and Core Mechanics

The Dual Perspective Narrative Framework 🎮👥

Picture this: you’re sipping coffee, staring at your screen, and suddenly you’re the one making life-altering decisions for a character who feels eerily like… well, you. That’s the magic of Where It All Began’s first/third-person hybrid perspective. 🧙♂️✨ One moment, you’re deep inside the protagonist’s head, wrestling with their fears and desires. The next, you’re watching them navigate a smoky bar or a tense confrontation like a fly on the wall. It’s like binge-watching your favorite drama while also writing the script—a storytelling trick that keeps you hooked without giving you motion sickness.

This story branching system isn’t just about choosing dialogue options. It’s about how you see the world. For example, during a heated argument with a love interest, the game might switch to third-person to show your character’s defensive body language—a subtle hint that your choices are fraying the relationship. Later, a first-person monologue lets you feel their regret. It’s raw, intimate, and occasionally brutal—like therapy meets Choose Your Own Adventure.

Pro tip: Pay attention to perspective shifts! They’re breadcrumbs hinting at how your decisions ripple through the multiple endings.

I once played a scene where my protagonist, Alex, had to confront their estranged father. In first-person, I panicked and picked the “deflect with humor” option. But when the camera pulled back, I saw Alex’s trembling hands—a gut-punch reminder that jokes couldn’t mask the pain. Cue instant replay (and maybe a tissue). 😭

Character Relationship Webs 🕸️💘

Let’s talk about the eight-plus romanceable characters who’ll either steal your heart or break it into confetti. 🎉💔 Each has a backstory messier than a college dorm room—think art-school rebels with daddy issues, CEOs hiding trauma under power suits, or childhood friends who’ve loved you since literal sandbox days. The genius? Their arcs aren’t isolated. Flirt with the brooding musician, and you might sabotage your chances with the CEO who hates his “reckless lifestyle.”

Here’s where the 300+ choice points turn into landmines. One playthrough, I tried to “keep things casual” with the free-spirited poet Zara. But when I skipped her gallery opening to comfort a rival character? Let’s just say she ghosted me harder than my Tinder dates. 🚫👻

Developers have dropped four major updates since launch, adding new dialogue trees and even a polyamory route (controversial but wildly popular). And with mod support, fans have created everything from steamy side stories to a ridiculous “everyone’s a vampire” overhaul. 🧛♂️🔧

Customization and Player Agency ✨🛠️

Character customization here isn’t just picking hair colors or outfits (though there’s plenty of that—I spent 20 minutes debating between “mysterious eyeliner” and “approachable dad vibes”). It’s about shaping how your protagonist thinks. Are they pragmatic or impulsive? Cynical or hopeful? These traits don’t just change dialogue—they unlock entire scenes.

For example, during a job interview subplot, my “pragmatic” Alex negotiated a higher salary. My “idealist” friend’s Alex, though, turned down the offer to start a nonprofit. Both choices spiraled into wildly different adult game mechanics: corporate espionage vs. grassroots activism mini-games.

Fun fact: The devs once tweeted that 37% of players reset the game after realizing their “jerk CEO” persona locked them out of a fan-favorite ending.

And here’s the kicker: your choices stick. The game remembers if you borrowed money from a friend in Chapter 2 or lied about your past in Chapter 4. By the finale, those “tiny” decisions collide like narrative dominos. 🎲🔥

Modders have amplified this, creating everything of alternate wardrobe packs to entirely new story branches. One mod even lets you play as the antagonist—a glitchy but fascinating peek into the game’s moral gray zones.

So, why does Where It All Began work? Because it treats you like a co-author, not a passenger. Every choice-based visual novel claims your decisions matter, but here, they echo. Whether you’re chasing multiple endings or crafting a protagonist who’s your polar opposite, the game’s story branching system ensures no two playthroughs ever feel the same. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a CEO to reconcile with… and maybe a vampire mod to test. 🧛♀️💼

Through its sophisticated narrative systems and thoughtful presentation of mature themes, Where It All Began sets a new standard for emotional engagement in adult gaming. For players seeking substance beyond surface-level content, this visual novel offers surprising depth. Ready to shape your own story? The game’s free demo on GOG.com provides the perfect starting point.