Narcissu 1st & 2nd is a Japanese visual novel developed by stage-nana and written originally in Japanese by Tomo Kataoka. This VN tells the story about the residence of 7th floor Setsumi Sakura and her experience during the last moment of her life.

This game includes both the Narcissu 1st & Narcissu 2nd. 2nd being the prequel and 1st is the main story of Setsumi.
The 2nd tells the story of Himeko Sunohara as her life take a 180 degree turn when she was diagnosed with a diseased that can't be cured, thus she's moved to the 7th floor. Himeko used to work as helper in 7th floor so she kinda used to the situation, but then it all changes when she met Setsumi.

Narcissu 1st set appx. 6-7 years after 2nd. The story is focused on the anonymous Protagonist (just think of him as us) who is terminally ill & Setsumi as both of them realizes their feeling of not wanting to die in the hospital or at home with their respective families. The two of them begin a long journey accross Japan until they find that place...
NARCISSU

I have completed the game 2 years ago and when I found this game on Steam Greenlight, I immediately vote it up as I think this COULD BE first step of introducing the Visual Novel medium to the West. Currently the game is in Early Access but don't let that bother you because the story itself is completed & translated. I'm also part of the Closed Beta tester and I could say that Sekai Project did a good job of making the game engine compatible with Steamwork.

Definitely a must have if you are an avid VN player or you are interested in this medium, even after 2 years of finishing this, I still get dem feels moment :') a Masterpiece indeed!

Narcissu, being a kinetic novel, is not for everyone, but those who don't mind a "game" based primarily on reading or who are already fans of visual novels as a genre will be rewarded with a great story that will make you think and might just make you feel. Plus, hey, it's free, so it's hard not to recommend.

Narcissu is a kinetic novel released by the doujin circle Stage-Nana in Japan and published here on Steam by Sekai Project. The story rotates around young people from the 7th Floor (the hospice ward). That is, people whose death has been decided. Without saying much as to the plot, I feel like the novel eloquently covers some heavy subjects: What are the things one has to do before dying? Faced with an unavoidable demise, how might people react to take back independence lost and march vibrantly toward their final act? How does one smile at the end, and how do those left behind smile after?

For people who have experience with visual/kinetic novels, this section is probably unnecessary, but for the unintiated:
A visual novel generally works like a 'Choose Your Own Adventure' book with graphics, music, and sometimes voices. The "player", usually in the guise of the protagonist, makes choices throughout the story that affect the plot. However, Narcissu 1st & 2nd are Kinetic Novels, so they have no choices and very little player interaction aside from a click or press of the enter key to advance the text (though autoplay is actually the default setting for Narcissu Side 2nd, and the author mentions in the notes that he himself sees it more like a movie). Personally, I'd describe it as a long minimalist cutscene with save, load, and backlog options. The game itself is much closer to a novel or a reading experience than a game, and this, no doubt will be what turns a lot of people off from Narcissu, if not the genre as a whole.

Length?
Narcissu was about a 3 to 4 hour read for me. Narcissu Side 2nd (the included prequel) was 5 to 6 hours. Understandably, it might be a lot of reading for some, but both games are neatly divided into chapters, and the save feature works like a bookmark that you can use at any time.

Order?
Narcissu was released in 2005, and Narcissu Side 2nd was released in 2007, both are included in this release, and I read them in the release order. However, Narcissu Side 2nd is actually a prequel to the events of the original Narcissu, and in the notes for Narcissu Side 2nd, the author suggests reading them in chronological order.

Replay Value?
That probably depends on the player. The original Narcissu was kind of an experiment in minimalist storytelling for Stage-Nana, so it was released in both voiced and unvoiced versions, as the author wanted to see how the voices changed people's impression of the work, and subsequently Narcissu Side 2nd is presented similarly. An interesting mirror of that for this release is that two different translations are included: one made with the intent to localize the novel smoothly into English, and one made with the intent to replicate the phrasing of the original as faithfully as possible and paint a mental picture close to what the original author intended. Though I'm writing this review after just one reading, I can see how this approach would add replay value, and I intend to revisit Narcissu after it stews on me a bit.

Why is this free?
Narcissu is a doujin (or fanmade/amatuer) work and was released for free in Japan. When Sekai-Project announced this Steam release, they said that in the spirit of the original release, Narcissu on Steam would be "As free as Steam would let it be," so here we are. With that said, don't take the lack of a price as a reflection of quality, because, quite frankly, there's no rule stating that professionals can't do doujin works. The music and voices are especially standout in this release, and a few of the voice actresses have both anime and game roles to their credit.

(finally)
Well, I put it at the top for a reason...

This is an excellent release that feels like a labor of love on the part of the author. To me, it stands as a great experiment in minimalist storytelling (especially in the original Narcissu, where I found myself endeared to the characters even with next to no background given about them). Though the novel (and the genre) may not be for everyone, if this feels like your kind of thing, and you have the time to give to reading a great story, I can't not recommend it.

Within the realm of visual novels, the Narcissu series has always been a refreshing presence. Its unique themes, simple yet vivid character portrayal and emotional depth, moving music, and a profound and deep story core have elevated the series' influence well beyond the visual novel community. Now that we have the opportunity to experience the two most acclaimed works of the series for free, why not seize this chance to embark on an unforgettable journey that offers a new understanding of life and death?

Narcissu 1st's storyline is not lengthy, yet it tells a touching tale of the fleeting moment of ordinary individuals, characterized by their naive bravery and soul-stirring simplicity. It's a narrative that belongs solely to its characters, portraying their ephemeral lives with poignant beauty. Narcissu 2nd, serving as a prequel, utilizes flashbacks and a non-linear narrative to unravel the many clues hidden in the first game, providing a more rigorous logic to character actions and a more vivid and three-dimensional portrayal of its characters. What stands out the most in both works is the profound depiction of the psychological, social, and familial changes brought about by illness, presented with great sensitivity and realism. Combined with an exceptional literary quality and music that is both melancholically beautiful and romantic, primarily piano compositions, this visual novel of artistic and literary caliber promises to deliver an unforgettable experience.

It's undeniable that the experience provided by this work is somewhat lacking. Issues such as unreadable font sizes, outdated interface design, abrupt transitions, and the absence of character names in dialogues inevitably detract from the player's experience. The overall deep and heavy narrative atmosphere and the simplistic plot indirectly raise the barrier to entry. References to Greek mythology and popular Japanese fairy tales in key plot points do not easily resonate with players, and many reflections and metaphors on life, philosophy, and religion require careful contemplation for understanding. As one of the early examples of visual novels in the strictest sense, Narcissu 1st&2nd merely represent a simple digitization of novels. Players have no room for choices or interaction; they are merely observers of the story, resulting in limited gameplay.

Both works exude a serene melancholy and deep contemplation of life, with Narcissu 2nd, in particular, leaving many thought-provoking questions for the player through its detailed and subtle descriptions. These games are recommended for players who enjoy philosophical reflections and stories that are both profound and realistic. It is also advised to ensure you are in a calm and peaceful state of mind when playing to achieve the best experience. While many players believe the storyline of Narcissu 2nd does not compare to its predecessor, I firmly believe that Narcissu 2nd's portrayal of gentleness and strength, and how people remain pure at heart despite struggling and floundering against fate, is the most touching aspect. I hope you can also find your own unique insights and emotions in this work.

6 hours to read, 6 months to recover

This is a review tuned towards those who feel like putting off playing Narcissu 1st & 2nd either because they believe it’s " a boring book", "sounds upsetting", “don’t like manga/anime” or just cheese through in fifteen minutes for the achievements with the hope they might give it a go one nice, quiet afternoon in. Three are misconceptions and the latter… deplorable.

Note: This has been completed as a review with abstract views, especially due to the game's grave theme.
This is worth your time, especially as an F2P game (you're missing out)!

* Semi-spoiler alert.
Does not contain extensive storylines but will hint at certain basic aspects of the plot which could spoil gameplay a smidgen.

* TL;DR – A straightforward and conclusive review can be found at the bottom

Be ready as the very private and personal events of death will unfold before you. It will not drag you to hell or kill you from boredom if you take the time to read it properly. It does a superb job of taking out the gut-wrenching and leaving minimal scars. Whenever young people die in a similar context I am reminded of the anime series, Anohana (あの日見た花の名前を僕達はまだ知らない。) which I strongly recommend whether you like anime or not as it talks about the issue of loss and death for young adults as is done through Narcissu. It's a theme which requires more love from modern literature and media emphasis. Sharing more consistency with Narcissu is John Green's novel, The Fault in Our Stars (there is also a film) so that may give you an idea of the amount of heartache and satisfaction Narcissu may offer as a sad but worthwhile read.

Closer to the likes of previously noted, popular modern young adult novels, Narcissu is oddly empowering as many stories like it are even for mature adults. You are a young girl without much time to live but still plenty of life left in you. It is down-to-earth and focuses on realism despite its medical inconsistencies so no character is perfect and there is no right or wrong on the perception of life, death and suicide. Even the religious slant in Narcissu 2 refreshingly had no bias or distortion. I recently played The Cat Lady, which is a beloved game on Steam also deeply based on death and suicide. But it had several points where equality disintegrated in a beaker full of acid-ridden negativity (you'll see the logic behind this if you play the game). On the other spectrum, Narcissu, like its title, is honed to a emphatically personal experience in a much more positive way without losing force.

Loss and pain through the death of a loved one is excruciating as well as highly disorientating. Looking back on several personal experiences, it feels distinctly like falling through limbo. It is the most earth shattering and realistic inevitability that could ever happen to any living soul. So it is my belief that many people understandably dislike any variation of such a storyline which hints death and desolation with no escape or way to "win", especially due to the likely sense of powerlessness it makes the player/reader undergo. But this is about your death. One of the main protagonists, you, are a terminally ill character dealing with the side effects of knowing you are dying and your physical being broken down. For those inclined to avoid dealing with thoughts of death, this is a basic and comfortable visual novel to imagine the decisions you may fall upon in the face of death and urge you to grow up from being afraid of thinking onwards to that deep, impending dark hole you're walking towards.

Every time I come across a documentary feature or visual novel, I weigh the chances I will find it boring. It's the expected outcome of short films, documentaries, software and visual novels currently available on Steam due only due to the superficially stark contrast they display from the average fully interactive game. Time and time again, I am proved wrong to have ever fretted as sitting in front of a computer screen and clicking through a story is just as culture-driven within its own universe as any game can be and offers the reader a multitude of emotions from which most will benefit from as entertainment. The graphics may be uninspired, the art cute but barely existent, and the translations could have been better (fantastic for F2P) yet you can tell it’s brilliant writing. With any type of reading, nothing beats a smashing story. That very story and the telling of it is what Narcissu excels at. I ended up interacting more deeply with other people who have played this game more than I have through other veritable games. Narcissu is lightly philosophical and a fantastic excuse for a soul-searching expedition.

TL;DR - Narcissu 1st & 2nd both bring light to saying goodbye to your life prematurely, on an extremely personal level in the form of a visual novel that lacks visuality/aesthetics and is more towards a breezy but splendid read.

Basic details - Depending on a person's reading proficiency, this will take you approximately 5-6 hours to read through 1, 2 and the epilogue once. There are two versions of translations available for the first instalment but only one for the second. I personally found the first translator smoother (especially as it has both 1 and 2, but I read the second translator's version as well) but try both for a few pages to find your own preference. There are also voiced (Japanese) and unvoiced versions. Narcissu 2 has much more voice acting than 1 which only has the bare minimum. Decide which heightens immersion for you. Just as it is with audio books, some will dislike the voice acting (well done and professional). Having studied Japanese for a while and understanding a portion of what is said made reading much swifter. Narcissu 1 is a favourite for many so if you'd just like to read one, that's what I'd recommend. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to read the original Japanese text as the descriptive writing is first-rate.

Ultimately, our protagonists are fighting the fight just like the rest of us. Our instincts to live, and the restrictions we are faced with (death, illness, suffering and loss), ends in discovering choices within those boundaries and our insignificant existences with bound limbs, to instead jump towards the metaphysical freedom and something much more dazzling than any other sign of human existence.


Edited for typing error.

at the beginning of the game : "what is this"

at the end of the game : "what is life"

All aboard the feels train. Choo choo!

This is a free emotional visual novel. If you never had played a visual novel, this is a good way to start. Sad story, sad soundtrack... The keyboard is full of tears.

If you were sick.
If you were all alone.
If you just accepted it.
If you got to know someone.

This is the story of a little girl with no parents, of a woman who pushed away her friends, of a girl that accepted her fate, and a boy who stood behind, waiting. All of them residents of the 7th floor, the floor for one to await for their turn... to die.

First, its probably better to explain what is Narcissu 2nd, while it's the second game, in reality it functions as a prequel to the first story. While both stories have different points of views, the person connceting them, and the main pillar, is Setsumi, a 22 year old girl (15 on the prequel).

On Narcissu 1st, the story is about a boy (Yuu Atou, although his name is never revealed on both games) who meets Setsumi, a girl who doesn't wants to die neither at home or on the 7th floor.
Narcissu 2nd is about the encounter between Setsumi and Himeko, a woman on her twenties, cheerful and full of energy, who is currently residing on the 7th floor.

While the autor says that in his opinion the playing order should start with the 2nd, I started with the 1st (hadn't noticed that before completing the first game), and with that, I can say that playing the 1st first, and then the 2nd, gives the feeling of "so that's how it happened", and it helps to see better some connections between both games. If one decides to start with the 2nd, in my opinion I think it will give a better connection with Setsumi and probably more emotional impact (although it still gives you one whatever game you decide to start first).

It's surprising that a free visual novel is so well built, the first game isn't fully voiced (and on an important note, both games HAVE NO CHOICE, which isn't very frequent in visual novels), the second one is fully (or 99%) voiced, and has better art. As for the OST, i liked it, most of it had a sad tone and managed to help deliver the emotions needed. All of this in about 12 hours of content.

As for the story itself and the characters, it gave me the feels...
The importance of ones death, and life, and how it affects the other.
Of those who have been left behind, and kept going.

There is no fourth time, the third time you are admitted is the last, so prepare yourself.
Narcissu 1st and 2nd is a kinetic novel (Without choices) that portrays the lives of young adults living in the 7th floor of the hospital, the floor in which its residents awaits their deaths. Narcissu 1st and 2nd is a very well made visual novel with highly emotional and wonderfully written storyline, together with the marvelous soundtracks. It puts you in the perspective of people who have a limited amount of time left, people whose future had been denied, people who have nothing left in life, people who live their lives everyday thinking about the day when they will pass on. This Visual Novel is able to invoke a series of emotions and feelings that will linger around even after you completed the story. It is also free of charge, I highly recommend Narcissu if you are a fan of tragic stories or Visual Novels. Definitely one of the better made visual novel there is on Steam.
Right now, do you want me to pull you back, or instead, do you want me to give your back a push?
10/10 will climb Mt Fuji to complain to god again.