Without Within 2
" Charming indie visual novel with immersive Melbourne setting but limited player choices "
Without Within 2 Review
Without Within 2 continues the story of Vinty, an aspiring calligraphy artist, as she embarks on a government-funded trip to Melbourne, Australia. The game is a kinetic visual novel with no player choices, focusing on Vinty's personal journey and experiences exploring the city. The narrative is rich with humor, relatable insecurities, and a heartfelt life lesson by the end.
Players appreciate the unique integration of real-life Melbourne video footage linked within the game, enhancing immersion and providing a virtual travel experience. The art style remains simple and comical anime-inspired, complemented by fitting background music and occasional sound effects. However, some feel the story pacing is uneven, with excessive focus on mundane travel details and a somewhat rushed climax. While longer than its free predecessor, the game is still relatively short and linear, which may disappoint those expecting branching paths. Overall, it is a charming, if imperfect, indie title worth supporting, especially on sale or for fans of the first game.
Highlights
Players praise the engaging and relatable protagonist Vinty, whose personality adds depth and humor to the story.
The inclusion of real Melbourne video clips linked in-game is widely appreciated for enhancing immersion and offering a unique travelogue feel.
The art style and soundtrack receive positive mentions for being cute, simple, and well-suited to the game's tone.
The storyline, while linear, is noted for its heartfelt moments, life lessons, and a mix of funny and emotional scenes that keep players entertained.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the game's lack of player choices, making it a purely linear kinetic novel with limited replayability.
Many players find the narrative overly focused on travel logistics and mundane details like transit rides, which slows pacing and detracts from story engagement.
The story's climax and character motivations, especially involving the idol Excelia, feel rushed and underdeveloped to some.
Some also mention repetitive art assets, minor translation errors, and occasional technical issues like crashes.
The game's relatively short duration for its price is another point of contention, though most agree it is worth it on sale.
Pros
- • Vinty is a relatable and charming protagonist with a unique personality.
- • Integration of real Melbourne video clips enhances immersion creatively.
- • Simple yet appealing anime-inspired art style suits the story well.
- • Soundtrack complements the mood with relaxing and emotional tracks.
- • Humorous and heartfelt writing balances light and serious moments.
- • Smooth narration flow with occasional sound effects adds atmosphere.
- • The game offers a unique virtual travel experience to Melbourne.
Cons
- • No player choices or branching paths limit replayability and engagement.
- • Excessive focus on travel and transit scenes slows story pacing.
- • Character motivations and key plot points feel rushed or underexplored.
- • Repetitive background art and limited visual variety reduce appeal.
- • Some minor translation errors and awkward phrasing in text.
- • Game length is short for a paid visual novel at full price.
- • Lack of embedded videos requires internet connection and external browser.
Rating Criteria
Screenshots
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Without Within 2 released?
Without Within 2 was released on November 9, 2015.
Who developed Without Within 2?
Without Within 2 was developed by InvertMouse.
Is Without Within 2 available on Mac?
Yes, Without Within 2 is available on Mac.
Is Without Within 2 available on Linux?
Yes, Without Within 2 is available on Linux.
Where can I buy Without Within 2?
You can buy Without Within 2 on Steam.
Game Details
Vinty is off to Melbourne to meet her idol, Excelia! Will Vinty learn the star's secrets and finally blossom into a celebrity? (hint: no)