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Where It All Began review
Dive into the origins, romance, and empire-building of this captivating visual novel
Imagine stepping into ‘Where It All Began’, the visual novel that kicks off an epic saga of reconnection, steamy romances, and rising through the ranks of a shadowy criminal world. As a male exchange student in Norway’s University of Bergen, you share a house with three alluring women: the Chinese student Luo Xue’er, enigmatic landlady Laya, and Norwegian beauty Inora learning Chinese. Over six intense months, your choices weave love stories, heal old wounds, and spark triumphs over trauma. I remember my first playthrough—heart racing through those pivotal decisions that unlocked hidden paths. This guide uncovers everything from core mechanics to secret endings, helping you master this immersive dating adventure and beyond.
What Makes Where It All Began a Must-Play?
I still remember the rainy afternoon I stumbled upon Where It All Began. I was scrolling, looking for a story with a bit more bite than the usual dating sim fare, and this one’s description caught my eye. An exchange student in Norway? A mysterious past? The promise of something darker simmering beneath the surface? I was intrigued. A few hours later, I was utterly hooked, completely absorbed in a world that masterfully blends heartfelt connection with thrilling ambition. If you’re asking yourself, “What is Where It All Began?” you’re in for a treat. It’s not just another visual novel dating sim; it’s the gripping origin story of a life rebuilt from the ashes, where every choice carves your path toward love, healing, and power.
At its heart, the Where It All Began game is about seizing a second chance. You step into the shoes of a young man who arrives in Bergen, Norway, for a fresh start. Haunted by a troubled past, you move into a shared house, hoping the serene Scandinavian backdrop will help you heal. What you find, however, is a crucible for transformation. Your journey as a University of Bergen exchange student becomes the foundation for reconnection, intense romance, and the audacious beginnings of a criminal empire origins story. This interactive visual novel asks a compelling question: Can you build something beautiful and strong enough to overcome the shadows you’ve left behind?
How Does the Story Unfold in This Visual Novel?
The genius of Where It All Began lies in its slow, deliberate burn. The game unfolds over a simulated six-month period, and it uses that time brilliantly. This isn’t a whirlwind romance; it’s a gradual thawing, a careful reconstruction of trust—both with others and with yourself.
A typical day might start with a quiet breakfast, where a simple choice to compliment Luo Xue’er on her cooking or discuss studies with Inora sets a tone. 🍳 You’ll attend classes at the University, with narrative descriptions painting a vivid picture of campus life against the fjords. Evenings are where the magic often happens: shared meals, deep conversations on the couch, or a chance encounter with your enigmatic landlady, Laya, that hints at depths far beyond mere property management. 🏔️
The key to enjoying this game is to savor the pace. Don’t rush. Let the relationships build naturally through these small, everyday moments. Your dialogue choices and actions are the building blocks of your entire future.
The interactive visual novel mechanics are seamless. Branching choices appear constantly, from the seemingly innocuous (“Do you want to go for a walk?”) to the profoundly impactful moments of vulnerability or ambition. These decisions invisibly tweak your standing with each character and steer the overarching plot. Will you focus on mending old wounds, or will you see the potential for a different kind of power in your new environment? The path to building your empire doesn’t start with a bang; it starts with a whispered conversation, a risky favor, and a single, pivotal choice to step into a gray area. This is the core of the Where It All Began game experience—your story is literally where it all begins.
Who Are the Key Characters Driving the Romance?
The soul of this visual novel dating sim is its cast. These aren’t just love interests; they are fully realized characters with their own scars, dreams, and complexities. Your relationships with them form the emotional backbone of everything you do.
| Character Name | Background | Romance Arc | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luo Xue’er | A brilliant and diligent Chinese student sharing the house. She’s focused on her studies but carries a quiet, contemplative sadness. | A story of gentle reconnection and understanding. This romance is built on patience, shared heritage, and helping each other confront past regrets. | Intelligent, reserved, compassionate, emotionally guarded. |
| Laya | The mysterious owner of the house. She’s observant, seems to know more than she lets on, and operates in worlds beyond the typical. | Intriguing and unpredictable. Pursuing Laya is intertwined with the game’s darker, strategic layers. She challenges you and sees your potential for more. | Enigmatic, perceptive, powerful, a strategic thinker. |
| Inora | A friendly Norwegian local passionate about learning Chinese and culture. She’s the most outgoing of the group, offering a vibrant link to life in Bergen. | Energetic and uplifting. This path is about joy, new experiences, and finding light. She represents the positive, forward-looking side of your new life. | Cheerful, adventurous, culturally curious, supportive. |
| Protagonist (You) | A **University of Bergen exchange student** seeking escape and a new beginning. Your past is a shadow, and your future is a blank page. | Central to all dynamics. Your choices define whether your arc is one of pure redemption, ruthless ambition, or a complex blend of both. | Adaptable, determined, scarred by the past, possessing latent strength. |
Each relationship path dramatically colors the narrative. A playthrough focused on the Luo Xue’er romance feels intimate and melancholic, a mutual healing of two wounded souls. It’s a profoundly emotional journey that answers the core question of What is Where It All Began for many players: it’s a story about finding someone who understands your silence. 😌
Why Does It Stand Out in Adult Gaming?
Let’s be honest: the adult gaming space is crowded. So what makes this title a must-play? It comes down to authenticity, ambition, and consequence.
First, the emotional depth is staggering. The game doesn’t use trauma as a cheap plot device; it treats recovery with respect and complexity. Triumphing over past events feels earned, not given. When you have a breakthrough with a character, it resonates because you built that trust, choice by choice.
Second, it seamlessly merges two compelling genres. The visual novel dating sim elements are top-tier, with writing that makes you care deeply about the characters. But layered onto this is a strategic, empire-building narrative that satisfies a completely different itch. Wanting to protect your new found family naturally evolves into wanting to build something unshakeable. The criminal empire origins story is born from character motivation, not just a cool genre add-on. It’s this fusion that gives the Where It All Began game unparalleled replay value. 🔄
Finally, the world-building is phenomenal. This game doesn’t feel like a standalone story; it feels like the foundational chapter of an expansive universe. The choices you make, the alliances you form, and the empire you begin to build have weight because they hint at a larger world waiting to be explored. It’s an origin story in the truest sense, making you excited for the legacy of your decisions.
Practical Advice for Your First Playthrough:
* Go in Blind: Avoid guides for your first run. Your authentic reactions make the story more powerful.
* Save Often: Use multiple save slots, especially before major decisions or at the start of each in-game week. You’ll thank yourself when you want to explore a different branch.
* Embrace a Focus: It’s very hard to max out every relationship in one go. On your first try, let your instincts guide you toward one or two characters that intrigue you most. This leads to a more coherent and satisfying narrative arc.
* Pay Attention to Hints: Laya’s conversations, news snippets, and off-hand comments often contain clues about opportunities and consequences down the line.
I began this game looking for a distraction and found a world that stayed with me long after I closed the laptop. From the poignant moments of the Luo Xue’er romance to the tense, strategic planning of your empire’s first steps, Where It All Began offers a uniquely rich and satisfying experience. It proves that an interactive visual novel can be both a deeply personal journey and an epic, ambitious saga.
Ready to start your own legacy in Bergen? Here are the top reasons this game hooks players and doesn’t let go:
- Branching Stories with Real Weight: Every choice subtly shifts your path, creating a truly personalized story.
- Complex Characters: They feel like real people with layered motivations, not just archetypes.
- The Unique Genre Blend: The seamless fusion of heartfelt romance and strategic empire-building is unmatched.
- Emotional Depth: It tackles themes of trauma and recovery with sincerity and respect.
- High Replay Value: With multiple romance endings and major plot branches, no two playthroughs are the same.
This is just the beginning. In future guides, we’ll dive deeper into mastering relationships, unlocking secret paths, and efficiently building your nascent empire. Your second chance in Norway awaits. What will you make of it? ✈️
From the cozy Bergen apartment buzzing with tension to forging unbreakable bonds and laying empire foundations, ‘Where It All Began’ delivers thrills, heart, and replay magic like few others. My own journeys through its paths taught me how smart choices turn strangers into lovers and survivors into legends. Whether chasing sweet reunions or bold conquests, this visual novel redefines adult adventures. Ready to start your story? Download now, experiment with every decision, and share your favorite moments in the comments—let’s build a community around these origins together.
