Lies as a Starting Point

About

Lies as a Starting Point is a visual novel centered on Kanata and Nozomi, two people who meet on a train. Nozomi tells three separate stories about relationships built on falsehoods, each tied to a different stage of education, junior high, high school, and university. Players follow distinct routes that peel back layers of Nozomi’s past, with choices affecting how much of the full mystery gets revealed. The story requires replaying sections to unlock deeper truths, making progress feel like solving a puzzle through narrative. The game’s strength lies in its layered storytelling. Each chapter’s true ending acts as a key to unlock parts of the next, creating gradual discovery. With branching paths and multiple endings, it encourages close attention to dialogue and context. Released in 2023, it runs on PC and Switch, offering a self-contained experience that leans into ambiguity rather than clear answers. Players who enjoy figuring out secrets through repetition may find it rewarding, though the pacing and abstract themes won’t appeal to everyone.