Developed and published by Studio Élan and first released on the PC via Steam in 2022, Please Be Happy is one of the latest visual novel experiences crafted by a production team that focuses on more comfortable, slice-of-life tales that have tended to be a joy to read. Featuring locales not oft explored in visual novels, tackling tougher issues gently and reflecting underrepresented groups in media – it is a studio I could happily recommend one checking the titles of. Through the indie publishing label Sometimes You is now available on all major modern-day console platforms – including the PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. While I have kind of hinted already at what this latest visual novel experience entails, read more about Please Be Happy below.
Whisking players (or readers) away to a whimsically recreated version of the New Zealand town of Wellington, offers players a grounded yet fantastical tale that follows Miho, a wandering gumiho spirit grappling with an unusual curse: she is quickly forgotten by anyone who meets her. The story begins as she arrives in the city searching for someone from her past, only to find herself inexplicably remembered by two women – Juliet ( a vampire librarian) and Aspen (An aspiring novelist). This premise kicks off a tale of self-discovery and quiet magic, where the lines between myth and mundanity are softened by sincere character moments and a surprisingly nuanced emotional throughline.
From this foundation comes a heartfelt journey that doesn’t chase after climactic revelations or overwrought conflict; instead, it finds its strength in the quiet evolution of its characters, especially Miho. Her emotional growth is deeply tied to the relationships she forges, and while the romantic tension is muted compared to what some genre fans may expect, the sincerity of her connections shines through. Furthermore, as this is flagged as a ‘yuri’ game, the romantic themes are muted and are perfectly all-ages friendly. Each route explores themes of identity, loneliness, and belonging with a gentle touch, presenting two very different but equally touching portraits of companionship. While I occasionally found myself wishing for more friction to sharpen the narrative’s stakes, I also appreciated how earnestly it commits to its slow-burn pacing and optimistic worldview.
Design-wise, Please Be Happy is enchanting, offering some of the design elements related to its locale, but also making each area, scene and character look distinct. Studio Élan has taken care to ensure that every visual component feels intentional and inviting, from the warm, hand-painted aesthetic of Wellington’s streets to the expressive character sprites that capture nuance with just a glance or a tilt of the head. The user interface is both stylish and user-friendly, with speech bubbles and narrative text cleanly divided for clarity, creating a layout reminiscent of a storybook or graphic novel – quite unlike the standard visual novel interface that many VNs offer. CG artwork punctuates key emotional beats with elegance, while small touches like animated mouths and occasional shifts in perspective lend the whole production a cinematic polish, enriching the one element that makes visual novels distinct – you are both reading and watching the events take place, letting the artwork and graphical elements fill the elements otherwise left up to your mind.
Equally worthy of praise is the game’s music and voice direction. The soundtrack leans into delicate piano and soft strings to match the game’s overall tone, sometimes swelling with emotion and other times fading into a comforting ambience. Voice acting is fully realized in English and serves as a backbone for the characters’ emotional depth. While there are a few hiccups in tonal alignment between line delivery and character expression, they are minor at best. Miho’s voice particularly is a highlight, full of wonder and gentle vulnerability that anchors the story with charm. Together, the sound and voice design round out the experience, creating an audio-visual harmony that lingers well after the final scene fades to black.
In terms of extra content, the usual visual novel goodies are available – such as an unlockable gallery for CG artwork, and an in-game music player. Nothing all that special, but the content available within these features is most certainly special.
Like most visual novels, Please Be Happy won’t be for everyone. But for those who prefer the gentler tales… ones that won’t lead you on a several-dozen-hour cross-multimedia expedition but instead will guide you through its multiple routes with warmth, sincerity, joy and charm – there is much on offer this time around. For those who find joy in the understated and moving, and who appreciate a cast of characters as endearing as they are flawed, there’s a great deal of reward to be found here. Studio Élan has crafted something special: not just a game about being happy, but about earning happiness in small, human ways. And that, in itself, feels like a rarity worth treasuring.
Final Score for Please Be Happy
A digital PlayStation 5 review code of Please Be Happy was provided by Sometimes You and Studio Élan to facilitate this review. This review was conducted on a PlayStation 5 Pro retail unit.
Please Be Happy is now available on not only the PC, but major console platforms including the PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
