Simple Days

Master relationship systems, character interactions, and unlock special events in this adult visual novel

Simple Days is a complex adult visual novel that combines relationship management with strategic decision-making. The game features multiple characters with interconnected storylines, each requiring specific actions and timing to progress. Understanding the game’s mechanics—from daily schedules to relationship points—is essential for unlocking special events and achieving different endings. This guide breaks down the core systems, character interactions, and proven strategies to help you navigate the game’s intricate web of relationships and maximize your gameplay experience.

Understanding Core Gameplay Mechanics and Character Systems

Alright, let’s get straight to the heart of what makes Simple Days tick. 🎮 If you’ve ever felt stuck, wondering why a special scene won’t fire or why your favorite character seems to vanish for days, you’re in the right place. I’ve been there—spending a whole in-game week chasing one interaction, only to realize I was trying to talk to someone during their work hours! This chapter breaks down the game’s clockwork, so you can stop guessing and start progressing with confidence. Think of this as your blueprint to mastering the game’s foundational systems.

How Relationship Points and Character Affection Work

At its core, Simple Days is driven by connections. Every meaningful conversation, every gift given, and every choice you make feeds into the Simple Days relationship points system. This isn’t just a vague “she likes me more” meter; it’s a precise, numerical representation of your bond with each character, and understanding it is the key to unlocking the game’s depth.

Character affection mechanics are beautifully straightforward on the surface: interact positively to earn points. But there’s a layer of strategy beneath. Points are earned in chunks, typically +1 for a pleasant chat or a correct dialogue choice. However, the game offers a powerful acceleration method: support money. This is where your daily job comes into play. The money you earn can be gifted to characters for a significant relationship boost. It’s the difference between a gentle stroll and a sprint towards your goals.

Here’s a personal insight: I used to hoard my in-game cash, thinking I’d need it for some big purchase later. Turns out, the best investment is in the characters themselves. Gifting support money, especially when a character is in a positive mood (indicated by their dialogue), can yield massive returns. It’s the most efficient way to deepen relationships quickly.

Pro Tip: Always check a character’s available interactions for the “Give Support Money” option. It’s not always present, but when it is, it’s your golden ticket.

Let’s make this practical. Here’s a step-by-step example of how to efficiently gain 50 relationship points with a character using the work-based method:

1. Target a Character: Let’s say you’re focusing on Anna. First, ensure she’s available and in a good mood (not tired or busy).
2. Earn Your Capital: Head to your job during an appropriate work period. Complete your tasks to get your daily wage. Consistency is key here.
3. Find the Right Moment: Approach Anna during a time she’s receptive. Morning or evening at the park or her home often works well.
4. Execute the Gift: Initiate conversation. If the “Give Support Money” interaction is available, select it. You’ll typically see a jump of +5 to +10 points or more from a single gift.
5. Repeat and Rotate: Do this over several days. If the option isn’t available with Anna on a given day, use your money on another character you’re pursuing to maximize efficiency. By systematically working and gifting, you can reliably hit that 50-point milestone in just a few in-game days, unlocking new dialogue tiers and special interactions.

Remember, character affection mechanics are persistent. They don’t decay over time, so every point you earn is a permanent step forward. Your relationship level is the primary gatekeeper for almost everything—from intimate scenes to unlocking a character’s personal storyline.

Daily Schedule and Time Period Management

Your life in Simple Days is divided into a rhythmic cycle of daily schedule time periods. This isn’t just a cosmetic day/night cycle; it’s the beating heart of the character availability system. Each period—Morning, Afternoon, Evening, and Night—acts as a different “stage” where specific characters appear in set locations. Master this schedule, and you master the flow of the entire game.

I learned this the hard way. I kept missing Eliza because I assumed she’d be at the café in the evening, but she’s only there in the afternoon! 🕒 Planning your day around who is where and when is the single biggest skill you can develop.

Here’s the basic rhythm:
* Morning: Characters are often starting their day. Some are at home, others might be out for a walk. It’s a good time for casual, hopeful interactions.
* Afternoon: This is peak activity time. Many characters are at their jobs or public spaces like the café or park. It’s the most reliable period for finding people.
* Evening: As the day winds down, characters return home or visit quieter spots. This is often prime time for more personal, one-on-one conversations.
* Night: The most intimate and restricted period. Availability shrinks dramatically, often limited to your home or a character’s residence, setting the stage for private events.

But wait, there’s a secret weapon: the DayTimePeriod setting. Found in the game’s debug or settings menu (depending on version), this feature lets you accelerate time. Instead of waiting for the game to naturally transition from Morning to Afternoon, you can manually advance it. This is a game-changer for event trigger requirements that depend on specific time windows. Need to trigger a night event but it’s only afternoon? Instead of wandering around for hours, you can fast-forward. Use this power wisely—it’s perfect for testing and optimizing your route, but don’t let it ruin the natural pacing of your story.

A crucial layer to the character availability system involves character states. For example, a character’s pregnancy status isn’t just a story flag; it actively alters the game world. It can change their routine, make them unavailable for certain group activities or locations, and unlock entirely new chains of events. Always be aware of how your actions have shifted a character’s state, as it will directly impact where and when you can find them.

To visualize all of this, here is a breakdown of a typical schedule. Remember, locations can shift slightly based on story progress and individual character states!

Special Event Triggers and Unlock Requirements

This is where your knowledge of points and schedules pays off. Event trigger requirements in Simple Days are specific, sometimes delicate, combinations of conditions. Hitting the right relationship threshold is just the first step. You also need to be in the right place, at the right time, and sometimes, with the right save file.

Most special events are locked behind a minimum relationship score. The game doesn’t always tell you this number, so part of your gameplay progression guide should involve keeping a mental (or actual) note. Reaching “Level 3” with a character might open up their personal questline, which itself is a series of chained events.

The other half of the equation is the daily schedule time periods. An event might require you to:
* Visit the park during the Evening when your relationship with Mia is over 40.
* Be at your own home at Night after having spoken to Anna in the Afternoon.
* Encounter Sarah at her office on a rainy afternoon.

See how precise it gets? This is why aimlessly clicking through days leads to frustration. You must plan your route. If you know an event triggers at the park in the evening, structure your day to ensure you (a) boost the required character’s points in the morning/afternoon, and (b) are free to go to the park when evening hits.

Now, let’s talk about the most critical save management strategy. 🤯 Some events, particularly rare or special scenes, have a random activation chance even when all conditions are met. This means you could have 100 points with Eliza and be in her home at night, but the game “rolls a dice” and the event doesn’t fire. This is not a bug—it’s by design to add replayability and surprise.

Here’s your strategy:
1. Create a “Branch Point” Save: Before starting a day where you plan to trigger a big event, save your game. This is your master branch.
2. Use Multiple Save Slots: As you attempt to trigger an event, save in a new slot just before the critical time window (e.g., right before entering the park at evening).
3. Reload and Retry: If the event doesn’t trigger, reload your save from just before the window and try again. The random check may yield a different result.
4. Persist: If reloading doesn’t work after several tries, you might be missing a hidden condition. Go back to your “Branch Point” save, try raising the relationship points higher, or experiment with doing different activities earlier in the day.

My biggest “aha!” moment came when I was trying to unlock a group event. I had the points, I had the time, but it wouldn’t happen. I reloaded my branch save, spent a day raising affection with a different character who was also part of the event, and bam—it triggered. Sometimes, the event trigger requirements involve the state of other characters in the background.

Tracking your progress is essential. I recommend a simple notepad (digital or physical):
* Character: Anna
* Estimated Points: 55/70 for next tier
* Last Major Event: “Evening Talk” unlocked at 50 pts.
* Goal: Trigger “Home Dinner” (suspected req: 65+ pts, Night, at her home).

By treating Simple Days like a delightful puzzle, you transform from a passive player into an architect of your own story. You’re no longer at the mercy of the clock; you’re conducting it. You stop worrying about missing out and start strategizing how to see everything. This gameplay progression guide arms you with the tools to understand the character availability system, meet every event trigger requirement, and build the story you want to see. Now go forth—your schedule awaits! 📅✨

Simple Days offers a rich, interconnected gameplay experience that rewards careful planning and strategic decision-making. By mastering the relationship point system, understanding character availability patterns, and optimizing your daily routines, you can unlock the full range of content the game has to offer. Whether you’re pursuing individual character routes or attempting to balance multiple relationships simultaneously, the key lies in understanding how each mechanic interconnects and planning your actions accordingly. The game’s complexity becomes an asset once you grasp these systems, transforming Simple Days from a casual experience into a deeply engaging narrative adventure. Start with the foundational mechanics, experiment with different approaches, and gradually incorporate advanced strategies as you become more familiar with the game’s intricate systems.