When it comes to choosing your next game or visual novel to purchase, some would undoubtedly have their preferences – some might prefer to go with developers or publishers they are familiar with, some may go with an IP they adore, and in some cases, such as my own, you may “judge a book by its cover” and deep dive into games without any prior research. With a full-time job behind me and not having the luxury to dive into the endless indie titles that catch my attention, Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells it was the charming art design that caught my eye. Was my decision to choose this visual novel to review a good decision? Read on to find out!
Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells is based within the coastal village of Vitae. A colossal tree pierces the clouds and conceals the Mortem Post, an office that receives and delivers letters penned by the departed. Rain, a rookie courier with a habit of bending rules, meets Mila, a seaborn girl who visits daily in search of a final message from her late friend, Dandelion. When the letter fails to arrive, Rain breaks protocol and guides Mila through the inner workings of the post office, collecting and deploying stamps that let them nudge words – and fates – into motion as they pursue a message that may belong to someone who never officially existed.
As a narrative, Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells is gentle and tightly focused, beginning with whimsical curiosity before settling into a sincere meditation on grief, memory and the small moments we exchange with one another. The story mostly unfolds over a single day, with the narrative lasting only a couple of hours, and follows a linear path, yet still lands with an emotional payoff that, in my view, feels complete rather than rushed. Character chemistry is strong, particularly between Rain and Mila; most readers will likely perceive their bond as a deep friendship, rather than a romance that is typically the vibe some would expect from a visual novel. The broader lore is intriguing, although some world-building sits outside the game proper, and I did find myself wishing a few threads or side tales had more room to breathe – or at least, I wanted to read more of what this densely and carefully crafted world has to offer.
Visually, the presentation is charming and lively. Expressive character portraits, light animation, and speech-bubble text boxes give scenes a buoyant, anime-esque energy, and clear, readable UI flourishes support the stamp sequences. Backgrounds have a pleasant, hand-drawn simplicity that suits the mood, even if they can appear a touch rough compared to the more polished ones commonly found in big-name and equally big-budget visual novels.
The audio package does a lot of heavy lifting. Sarah Mancuso’s (who also worked on the fantastic “Please Be Happy“) original soundtrack leans into serene, piano-led pieces alongside atmospheric and tenser tracks, giving each stretch of the ascent a distinct emotional colour. Full English voice acting is a highlight, adding warmth and texture to even the quietest exchanges, and is overall above expectations for a small visual novel project. But that all lends to the ambience of the experience.
Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells offers a cosy experience that is enjoyable in a single sitting – with a reading time of just one or two hours, depending on your pace, with light interaction layered over what is, for the most part, a linear tale. The stamp mechanic is clever, and puzzles are straightforward rather than taxing. Extras, such as achievements, a compendium, and short unlockable stories, add a little side value but offer enough to feel more than adequately priced at its current $11.79 AUD price point.
Overall, judging this one by its cover didn’t steer me wrong: the charming, hand‑drawn presentation that lured me in to checking out Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells resulted in my enjoying a gentle and genuine short story about memory, farewells and friendship – coupled with pleasant vibes, strong voice acting and that charm which Studio Élan continues to offer with each of their works. Given the short runtime, the value proposition around the $8–$12 mark will come down to whether you’re after a cosy, story‑first visual novel; in my opinion, if that description fits, Upwards, Rain! delivers precisely the kind that you will likely be after.
Final Score for Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells
This review was conducted on a PC (Steam) version of Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells, with a digital review code provided by Studio Élan to facilitate this review.
Upwards, Rain! The Post Office of Farewells is now available to purchase on Steam.
