Technical Information

Developer: npckc
Publisher: npckc
Release Date: August 30, 2018

One day, Haru receives a phone call from his friend Manami. It’s her birthday, and she invites Haru to spend the night at a hot spring so the date won’t go by unnoticed.
However, Haru doesn’t want to cause any problems or go through uncomfortable situations, as he is a trans woman.

One night, hot springs is a very short visual novel with a subtle story that can help build information and empathy for those who don’t have much contact with transgender people.

Final Considerations – Analyzing the Work as a Whole

Graphics and UI

The drawings are very simple and cute. I found the color choices especially interesting, as they successfully highlight the game’s gentle atmosphere (even without using pastel tones).
I also loved how the artist maintained the same visual style in the backgrounds, which is not always the case in visual novels, where backgrounds are often handled by different artists.

The entire interface is simple, both in the main menu and during gameplay.
While playing, you can access the dialogue log, adjust text speed, and save or load your progress.

Soundtrack and Sound Effects

The songs are pleasant and fit well with the art style.
The only downside is the lack of voice acting. Even a basic set of voice clips to express momentary emotions (such as surprise or relief) would have added a lot to the experience.

Gameplay

This is a very short visual novel that offers a glimpse into some of the situations transgender people face in their daily lives and how they may feel.

In my opinion, the game doesn’t aim to tell a deep or complex story. Instead, it focuses on presenting some of the challenges that transgender people experience in their routines.
On the one hand, this works well, as it keeps the experience casual and suitable for moments when you just want to relax.
On the other hand, a slightly more developed storyline might have made players feel more invested in the characters and helped make the game more memorable.

There are seven endings, and the normal ending is not a happy one. It feels more like a message meant to make the player reflect.
The game provides multiple save slots, which makes it easier to unlock all endings.

Replayability and Game Retention

The game is very short, I reached my first ending in about half an hour.
You can skip previously read dialogue until decision points, which helps save time when experimenting with different choices and endings.

Unfortunately, the game didn’t captivate me enough to replay it in the near future. I didn’t find it particularly memorable, but the experience itself is still valid. 🙂