Dear me, I was... Reviews
In some ways, it feels counterintuitive to write a review of Dear me, I was… - a title which centres upon capturing heavy feelings that can't be so easily put into words. However, it's not every day that a visual novel successfully manages to craft a moving narrative about art, life, and the passage of time solely on the merit of its visual and musical storytelling.Even if the game itself remains silent, Dear me, I was… is worth talking about.
Dear Me, I Was is a masterpiece that transcends the traditional limitations of a video game to become pure art. Arc System Works and Maho Taguchi have created something extraordinary: an experience that uses interactivity not as a game, but as a means for direct emotional connection.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dear Me, I Was offers reflection on a life accompanied by eye-catching art and gentle piano music. There's very limited interactivity though, and while the story is relatable at some points, it's not particularly unique. It is worth picking up if you're looking for something that will make you sit back and reflect, but it feels as though Dear Me, I Was will only appeal to a very specific audience.
Dear Me, I Was looks absolutely stunning, with every screen of the game feeling like a work of art in its own right. But taking less than an hour to complete, the story here lacks substance, and being told entirely through visuals makes it more difficult to connect with.
Dear me, I was… is a short story that barely skirts the line of being called a game, but that doesn’t matter at all. With its low price (£6.73), there’s little reason not to play this if you’re after a charming narrative experience that doesn’t try to drag things out.
Take a moment to sit down, put on a headset, drink a cup of tea and get lost in this artwork. It's something you'll remember.
Dear Me, I Was… is a great showcase for how to present narrative games in a hand-drawn watercolour style. After letting the emotions felt from its story settle down, the immediate thought is that it is hoped that there will be an actual video game in this style from Arc System Works in the future (a Hotel Dusk remake perhaps). Dear Me, I Was… is a story that can be enjoyed in bed like a book, or watched during a lunch break instead of a YouTube video essay or Netflix TV episode. It’s not a video game, it’s a beautiful short story, and if that sounds like a great time then put some headphones on and give it a watch.
Dear Me I Was is a marvelous visual novel that manages to tell a lot without ever uttering a single line of dialogue. When it comes to its presentation and storytelling, I have no qualms, this is gold. But if the damn thing was released in a gaming storefront, I have to review it as a game, even if it barely qualifies as one. As such, it’s a one-and-done experience with the bare minimum of interactivity, often relegated to a handful of cutscenes. That being said, let me reiterate: it’s a beautiful little gem, one that will make the most cynical of human beings feel something for the first time in forever.
Dear Me, I Was... is a flawed and very short gem, one that chooses to be more emotional to witness than fun to play. Taisuke Kanasaki's style and art are so good that they manage to tell a simple yet moving story without using any word, in what is a beautiful and unprecedented experiment in storytelling techniques. However, its Switch 2 exclusivity leaves much to be desired: interactivity is basically nonexistent, and its very plain puzzles are very generic as they don't take advantage of the console's gimmicks.
Review in Italian | Read full review
In just under two hours, Dear Me I Was delivers a profoundly moving and artistic narrative experience without a single word, proving that brevity and visual storytelling can leave an indelible mark on the soul. It's a poignant journey through the nuances of a human life, masterfully crafted to resonate universally.
Review in Italian | Read full review
"Dear me, I was…" is one of those difficult games to analyze, because the experience is entirely about the emotions it makes you feel, and you have to be very careful not to reveal too much. But I can safely say that this is a very easy game to recommend to lovers of narrative adventures and that it reminds you why video games should also be considered works of art.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Dear Me, I Was is a short interactive drama by Arc System Works that tells the story of a woman's life through emotional, hand-painted visuals and subtle point-and-click mechanics. Using rotoscoped animation and watercolor art, the game blends narrative and visual storytelling in a unique, deeply personal way. Though minimal in gameplay, every interaction carries emotional weight, making it a heartfelt reflection on memory, loss, and the beauty of everyday life. It’s not for those seeking action, but for players open to unconventional storytelling, it’s a powerful, unforgettable experience.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Dear Me, I Was is a stunning example of visual storytelling. I was trying to say something profound, but it doesn't stick around long enough for it to make an impact. Yes, it's moving and beautiful. But it seems like the start of something, not the end.
Dear me, I was... doesn't want you to play, it wants you to feel. It's more of a visual poem than a video game. It lasts barely a moment, but it can leave your heart in your mouth. Its gameplay is almost non-existent, but if you're drawn to intimate stories that speak of everyday life with brutal sensitivity, this little story can leave a lasting impression.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dear Me, I Was... is a classic example of a video game that's more than the sum of its parts. It's clearly aimed at a very specific niche, and for those who enjoy this story, despite its gameplay shortcomings, it might be worth experiencing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Dear Me, I was… is quite an emotional experience, and I absolutely adored it from start to finish. A few control issues hold it back when playing docked, but I give it my highest possible recommendation if you enjoy moving narratives and want something short to experience on Nintendo Switch 2.
This thrilling journey with its striking artistic beauty is stunning to behold, but it's extremely difficult to believe that you're watching a video game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Dear Me, I Was tells a moving story that's grounded in ways rarely seen in video games. Paired with the gorgeous audio and visual style, it's well worth experiencing.
The way colours are used throughout to contrast the emotions of each person is astounding, paired brilliantly with the core themes of expression through art and what happens when our own colours stop shining through.