A YEAR OF SPRINGS

A YEAR OF SPRINGS is a trilogy of connected visual novels about Haru, Erika, and Manami, three friends negotiating identity, love, friendship, and the desire to belong. Each story shifts to a different character's perspective as their relationships develop.

Haru's story follows her anxiety about joining Manami on a hot-springs trip. In Erika's chapter, she tries to arrange a spa day for Haru and encounters complications; Manami's story follows her as she reflects on friendship and romance while spending time with the group and her boyfriend.

Players make choices during each story, leading to multiple endings and different outcomes for the characters. The collection also includes an epilogue, a music player, a CG gallery, and other extras.

Players often praise the game's sensitive LGBTQ+ themes and the way its three friends support one another, with many describing the stories as moving, comforting, and emotionally resonant. The cute art and calming music also come up frequently. Some reviewers wish the short stories had more depth or length, and a few found aspects of the writing or choices less satisfying.