START AGAIN: a prologue

Siffrin and a group of companions have fought through a castle to confront the King and break a curse that has frozen the country in time. When Siffrin dies, they return to the castle entrance; their companions remember nothing, but Siffrin remembers each attempt.

Explore the castle, talk with the party, and face enemies in turn-based battles with an Active Time Battle influence. Attacks and enemy weaknesses follow a rock-paper-scissors pattern, so choosing actions to counter foes is part of each fight.

As the loop repeats, Siffrin can revisit encounters and conversations with knowledge from earlier attempts. Choices affect how the final battle unfolds, with four possible outcomes, including a True Ending. The story stands on its own as a short entry in the START AGAIN series and a prototype for In Stars and Time.

Many reviewers praise the story’s emotional impact and its portrayal of the isolation and strain of remembering each loop, while others highlight the party’s personalities and interactions. Reviewers familiar with In Stars and Time often enjoy seeing an earlier version of its ideas and finding added context, though some also value the game as a standalone story. Views on the looping gameplay and combat are mixed, and several reviewers say the experience feels brief for its price.