Because We’re Here ~Mohnblume und Blauerose~ is a story-driven otome dating sim in an unforgiving First World War-inspired conflict. It's an episodic visual novel in four acts. There was a demo out with the Greenlight campaign a few years ago, but it was very very rough around the edges! Then the project was in borderline-hiatus for a couple of years, and updates on the devlog were muted and rare. However, the full version of Act I has been released today!
Act I available on: Itch.io | Steam
Act II available on: Itch.io | Steam
As neurotic Postal Corps volunteer Elfriede Rauss, you walk the trenches with the men of a lost generation. And amidst the chaos and brutality of the front lines, you encounter an obstacle that you are absolutely and categorically not prepared for: love.
However. Love can be a difficult thing to hold on to at the best of times. And these are not the best of times...
A Narrative-Driven Anti-War Epic - Act I sets in motion a twisting trench opera of conflicted loyalties and life-changing decisions. This first act features 20 pieces of original CG artwork.
Romance a Diverse Array of Bachelors - A large and varied cast, spanning childhood friends, aristocrats, corporals and cowards. Act I introduces 11 main characters; Act II introduces an additional 8. (A total of 16 are available as love interests.) See the full character profiles on the devlog!
Discover a Rich WW1-Inspired Setting - Investigate a grave turning point in the continent’s history as you journey across the towns and battlefronts of the First Lassallian War.
Master the Battle of Wits System - Argumentative boss battles that pit your emotional literacy and persuasive power against enemies and allies alike.
Estimated playthrough time for Act I (Never Such Innocence) is roughly 3 hours. (55k words.)
WRITTEN & CREATED BY: Eike ('Studio Elfriede')
CHARACTER ART: J. L. Bartels
CG ART: Lordless
BG ART: Zayanah “Nalenthi” Mahammad
GUI & MENU DESIGN: KingV
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING: DragoonHP
MISC. ART: Rio
Make sure to follow Because We're Here's devlog for more information, including Act II updates and collaborators' other work!
Also, check Studio Elfriede out on Twitter!