Newfound Courage

Here is a tender story about Alexander, [b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaG5SAw1n0c]a gay boy[/url] (•⩊•)[/b], finding himself, healing from rejection and maybe finding love again in Silverpine. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3570210253 The town of Silverpine is a cozy place. The characters are sweet, [i]though not all very memorable[/i]. Luckily the mystery of [i]the Vault[/i] adds just the right amount of spice to the story. In this town Alex builds up a friendship with Jake, the handsome local boy. He'll show Alex around and boy does he have some places to show you. Heck, if you break into Jake's home you might even steal a crusty sock. I started shipping those two together fast. The build-up between Alex and dreamboat Jake is touching and sweet. Which is why I have to use this review as a platform to reach out to the writer of the game. Ahem. [spoiler][b]♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ HOW COULD YOU END CHAPTER #1 LIKE THIS.[/b][/spoiler] Yup, still salty. Newfound Courage is an indie game and you can tell it has its own quirky gameplay moments, combat is kinda funky, and some parts of the game feel like the developer slowly was learning how on/off variables work (fetch this, fetch that). Though beside the indie quirkiness at times, this game is full of heart and it certainly has charm. Honestly, it makes you feel good just being part inside its world for a little bit. I think a lot of LGBTQ+ folks might feel something relatable in this story. Sometimes you meet someone who feels perfect, you share laughs, secrets, and moments that feel bigger than they are. And then you hit that wall: theyre straight. The game doesnt shy away from that awkward, painful truth: That sometimes love doesnt line up the way you want it to. Its bittersweet, but its also comforting to see that experience reflected on screen. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3570210519 [b]Recommended.[/b] It's not for everyone, but if you are up for some indie gay boy coming of age cuteness, give this one a go. You might enjoy it! ~[i][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krs1oiydrbI]SO LONG GAY BOYS[/url]![/i]~

My feelings on this game are so intensely mixed. Let me just start by saying that the music and environments are phenomenal. The combat is fairly clunky, but it's fun enough for what it is. The game's narrative is what really makes me feel conflicted. The game is split trying to delve into themes of interpersonal relationships and identity as well as painting this fantasy world with a rich lore. I found the game to be too short to properly explore either part properly. The characters, which I believe should have been the game's strong point, were all quite flat. I could confidently tell you that the main protagonist is gay and nice. There are many times I am excited to learn more about a character but instead am sent away to learn about the House of Storms instead. I feel like this game needed to be either doubled in length to accomplish everything it tries to do in its scope well or simply make a fantasy-themed coming of age story or a wizard game with character exploration being dispersed throughout the game more scarcely. Overall, I don't want to be too negative because putting together a game like this is a huge accomplishment itself. I look forward to seeing what else these developers produce because I think there is great potential. also 6.9 hours played haha

I'm updating my review to say that this isn't an LGBT romance. It falls into the, unrequited love tragic ending trope trap, that so many other stories do. It's played out. Don't believe the cover art or a summary. This is mainly an RPG type game with poor character building. It isn't the worst game I've played, or severely broken, but so many things feel wrong about it. It's clear that people put a lot of love into the game, but it fails in a lot of ways for me. 1. The art in the game and cut scenes don't mesh well in my opinion. They feel like they are from two separate games. I have a similar complaint with the dialogue that I'll mention later. Different sections of maps don't fit together well. It isn't always clear where you should walk to advance in the map. The animations for walking are all the same and the characters move at a frantic pace. The walk animation doesn't change which gives a visual effect of the character sliding around while flailing their legs. 2. The dialog is bad. It has poorly written prose that leans heavily into the creation of world specific terms and nonsense words. Imagine Shakespeare, as a teenager, obsessed with high fantasy, posting on an anime subreddit. It feels awkward and is impossible to understand at points. Another reviewer called referenced the dialog as being riddle like, and I wholeheartedly agree. Characters make unusual jokes at awkward times during what are supposed to be tense moments. The characters are also oddly blunt and... have I said awkward enough yet? One character just blurts out "I like you" to the main character without much relationship building ahead of time. 3. Because of awkward controls and the rough animations, battling is unpleasant. It is hard to be precise when fighting enemies. There isn't much to say about this other than the character feels frictionless and tends to feel like it is sliding on rails. This game makes me feel like a teenager. Not because it makes me feel young again, but because it is awkward and ungainly.

i dont think i have ever regretted buying a game before... maybe dont use a cover of the guys that makes it appear like a lighthearted romance and do an unrequited storyline. the gameplay and story is weak, at least give me that one thing? ... nah

Go gay boy!

idk good game but i think u should change the cover

[b]Review Update (June 2026)[/b] I have updated this review to include an [b]At a Glance[/b] section that better reflects my current review format. The review itself and my overall assessment remain unchanged from my original write-up. [b]At a Glance[/b] [b]Recommendation:[/b] Recommended with Caveats [b]Best For:[/b] Players looking for a sincere gay-led narrative adventure focused on self-discovery, emotional growth, and coming-of-age themes. [b]Not For:[/b] Players seeking a romance-forward M/M experience with substantial romantic development and a strong fantasy-space focus. [b]Playtime:[/b] Approximately 7-8 hours. [b]MLM Tags:[/b] MLM, M4M, Adventure, Gay-Centered, Self-Discovery, Drama, Romance-Light 💬 [b]Supportive Caveat[/b] This recommendation comes from a place of genuine support for creators telling gay stories, even when the result is not perfectly tuned to what many M/M players are actually looking for. [i]Newfound Courage[/i] is absolutely gay in the sense that Alex is gay and the game is centered on his experience, but it is not a straightforward “pick a guy, fall in love, get your happy ending” kind of M/M romance. The first arc sets up Alex saving the town and falling for Jake, but Jake is straight, and the story follows through on that in a way that can feel like a bait-and-switch if you came here expecting a mutual romance. The second arc shifts into something more grounded and personal, returning to Alex’s hometown and confronting homophobia and the baggage that comes with it. There are love interests later, but the relationships are not deeply fleshed out, and the character writing stays fairly surface-level, so don’t expect slow-burn intimacy or rich romantic development. If you want a story that acknowledges the harder edges of being gay, this has value. If you want cozy gay love and nothing else, this might feel heavier than you bargained for. [b]🎮 Gameplay & Genre[/b] A narrative-focused indie adventure with pixel graphics, light combat, puzzles, and exploration. Gameplay is simple but functional. Combat can be mildly tricky at times, though it feels much smoother with a controller. [b]🔥 M/M Content[/b] This is a gay-led game with an openly gay protagonist, but it is not an M/M romance game in the traditional sense. The first half centers on Alex falling for Jake, who ultimately cannot return those feelings romantically. The second half introduces new love interests, but romance remains secondary rather than central. [b]🎨 Visuals & Style[/b] Clean, expressive pixel art paired with a strong, atmospheric soundtrack. The visuals are simple but effective, and the music does a lot of emotional work to support the narrative. [b]👍 Best Thing[/b] Its sincerity. The game clearly comes from a genuine place and is willing to tackle uncomfortable aspects of the gay experience without sugarcoating them. [b]👎 Worst Thing[/b] If you’re expecting a romance-forward M/M experience, this will likely disappoint. The emotional weight combined with limited romantic payoff can feel draining rather than affirming. [b]⭐ Final Verdict[/b] I recommend this game for what it is, not for what some players expect it to be. It’s a thoughtful queer narrative adventure with solid presentation, but not a romance-driven M/M title. Worth playing with the right expectations. [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45790038/]I also curate a Steam page reviewing M/M games if you're looking for more titles in this space.[/url]

gay (good)

Premise This review reflects my personal experience with the game. While I aim to write thoughtfully and as fairly as possible, my reviews are subjective in nature and should not be used as objective metrics to assess/critique a game. I also curate a steam group which focusses on reviewing BL/Bara/MxM VNs. Feel free to join if you would like to see more reviews! :) [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46061383-Gay-Games-Vault] Gay Games Vault[/url] Worth Playing: ★★★☆☆ Writing & Story — ★★★☆☆ In Newfound Courage, you play as Alex, a gay man arriving in Silverspire, slowly connecting with the people around him, including a kind-hearted man you develop feelings for. SPOILER That friend is straight. END SPOILER What follows is a painfully tender, one-sided love story that unfolds at a dreadful pace. It leans into awkward pauses and hesitant conversations. Chapter 2 hit me the hardest; it does not soften the experience of being gay in a space that at times, can feel quite discriminatory. But I will refrain from adding to much due to spoilers. I found the writing and story good, despite the heartbreak, probably because it's something most of us can identity with, but if you are looking for a story with a happy ending, this will not be it. Representation — ★★★☆☆ The relationship is one-sided, and the game does not try to change that. There is no moment where things shift. You spend time with someone who cares about you, but not in the way you want. That distance between you and your best friend remains, even as the connection deepens. Some interactions are easy. Others are not. Gameplay — ★★★★☆ You move through Silverspire, speak to people, and progress through conversation with a wide array of characters. There are small tasks and places to return to, but nothing pulls you away from the story. There are RPG elements in the game and its core, but much of the game focuses on the narrative. Art & Direction — ★★★★☆ Silverspire is small, but the environments are gorgeous. It's a game made with the RPG Maker software, so it feels cosy and cute. The music enhances the beauty of the environments, and the character sprites are quite unique for this style of game. Do I recommend it? — ★★★☆☆ Yes, albeit with a warning. This is a complex journey about unrequited love and emotional risks. For anyone who has ever loved in silence, or has had to sit with feelings they could not act on, I feel you. You are not alone.

Can’t believe this game made me finally feel emotions