If You Stay

If You Stay is a branching visual novel set in winter 1999. You play as Fumiko, a former Student Council President from a small town who plans to leave for Tokyo and become an idol. After her closest friend outs her, damaging her home life, friendships and career plans, Fumiko sets out on a one-way train, determined to leave everything behind, including her girlfriend, Mika. Hours before she is due to depart, Mika calls and asks to see her one more time, so they go on one last date.

Fumiko and Mika

Fumiko is an over-achiever with a regal air who comes from a broken family. Though she tries to stay positive, she feels embittered toward those who have hurt her, including Mika. Mika is a shy homebody from a wealthy family who has been secretly dating Fumiko for a year. She cares about Fumiko but struggles to express her feelings and can come across as passive-aggressive; when she learns Fumiko is leaving, she is unsure how to react.

Choices and endings

Your dialogue choices provide added context and conflict in Fumiko and Mika’s relationship. The story deals with adolescent drama, nostalgia and the pain of being seen, and contains about 10,000 words per playthrough. It has two endings, each with unique dialogue and CG.

Art and soundtrack

The game uses handcrafted 16-bit pixel art inspired by PC-98 Japanese romance games, presented at modern resolutions. Its melancholic soundtrack, created by William Gomez, recreates the sound of the YM2608 chip.