
Our Life: Beginnings & Always: The Ultimate Cozy Life-Sim Visual Novel
Step into the sunny, nostalgic seaside town of Sunset Bird in Our Life: Beginnings & Always, a groundbreaking indie visual novel that redefines player agency and emotional comfort. In 2026, this “Overwhelmingly Positive” masterpiece by GB Patch Games continues to be the gold standard for inclusive storytelling and character customization. You grow from a young child into a fully-fledged adult alongside your neighbor, Cove Holden, shaping both your own personality and his development through four distinct life stages. Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming childhood friendship, a slow-burn summer romance, or a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, Our Life offers a stigma-free “feel-better” simulation where every choice you make is remembered and respected.
5 Reasons to Play Our Life: Beginnings & Always
If you love games that prioritize emotional depth and player freedom, here are 5 reasons to play Our Life in 2026:
- Unparalleled Character Customization: Design your protagonist down to the smallest detail. In 2026, the game remains famous for allowing you to choose your name, appearance, personality traits, and even transition your pronouns as you grow from Step 1 to Step 4.
- Dynamic Character Growth: Watch your neighbor, Cove Holden, evolve based on your interactions. His interests, style, and even his shy or outgoing demeanor change over fifteen years of story time, making your relationship feel truly one-of-a-kind.
- A Stigma-Free Safe Haven: Experience a “feel-better” story designed to be a comforting escape. The game avoids forced drama or “bad endings,” focusing instead on healthy communication, supportive family dynamics, and a world that celebrates all identities.
- Incredible Replayability Value: With over 400,000 words in the base game and extensive DLC “Moments,” no two playthroughs are the same. You can pursue a “love at first sight” romance, remain platonic best friends, or even start as enemies who eventually bond.
- Seamless Entry into the Franchise: As the perfect introduction to the Our Life series, playing Beginnings & Always prepares you for the 2026 release of the spiritual successor, Our Life: Now & Forever, while offering a complete and satisfying narrative arc.
Our Life: Beginnings & Always System Requirements
Experience the story of Cove Holden with zero technical hiccups by following these hardware guidelines.
Minimum System Requirements
Target: Standard gameplay / Basic story / All DLCs.
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11
- Processor: 2.0 GHz Dual-Core (Intel Core i3 / AMD equivalent)
- Memory (RAM): 1 GB
- Graphics (GPU): DirectX or OpenGL compatible graphics card
- DirectX: Version 9.0c
- Storage: 2 GB available space (Base game + initial updates)
- Note: While the engine technically supports Windows Vista/7, the Steam Client (2026) requires Windows 10 or later to function.
Recommended System Requirements
Target: Ultra-smooth scene transitions / 4K display scaling / Seamless Steam Deck play.
- OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
- Processor: 2.5 GHz+ Dual-Core or Quad-Core
- Memory (RAM): 4 GB (Helps with 2026 background OS stability)
- Graphics (GPU): Integrated Intel HD 4000 series or better
- Storage: 5 GB available space on an SSD (Recommended if you have installed every Expansion and Voice pack)
- Peripherals: Mouse or Touchscreen (Highly recommended for character customization menus)