The Use of Life
Released Nov 2025
The Use of Life is a multi-ending adventure book style JRPG. The main character’s various attachments change in accordance with the choices the player makes, and the ending changes depending on “the use of life” you choose through your journey.
91% positive · 831 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $19.99
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Evaluation
The Use of Life spent approximately three and a half years in Early Access before graduating to its full 1.0 release on November 26, 2025. The launch post from the developer explicitly states that "all endings and achievements have been implemented, allowing players to enjoy the complete experience." The developer described the release as the fulfillment of their long-term creative goal, calling it a "perfect 100 point game" for themselves.
The developer did mention two post-release possibilities in the November 2025 posts: a potential arena/combat challenge mode (which had been removed from the 1.0 release) that might arrive as either paid DLC or a lighter free update depending on the game's commercial performance, and potential console ports to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. However, these were framed as conditional and aspirational rather than committed plans — the developer explicitly noted that large-scale new content would be difficult without the game turning a profit. No DLC has been listed on the store, no specific content has been announced, and no roadmap has been published.
Since launch, the developer has continued actively maintaining the game with a steady stream of patches through at least May 29, 2026 (Ver.1.0.13), addressing bugs and adding quality-of-life features like a text log and battle log. This ongoing maintenance reflects a developer still engaged with their product, but does not constitute a commitment to new content.
The game launched as a complete package with all story content included, and no concrete future content has been formally announced.
Evidence
Full 1.0 release launched, with the developer confirming all endings and achievements are implemented and the complete experience is now available. Developer describes the game as their creative vision fully realized.
Official announcement of the November 26 full release date, confirming the end of the Early Access period.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
PLAYISM
Achievements
35
Platform
Windows
Controller
full support
Steam Deck
Verified
Players
Single-player
About this game
The Use of Life is a multi-ending adventure book style RPG.
Whether Goshe uses his life for his own selfish purposes or sacrifices himself to help others is entirely up to you. The endings of this game are simply the conclusions of the various ways of life, and there are no "Good" or "Bad" endings.
Each turn, both you and your enemy get to choose 3 actions, which you then take turns to perform. How will you deal with the enemy's upcoming flurry of attacks? How will you time your own attacks to deal the most damage? Your skill and strategy will determine the outcome of battle.
Even if you can't defeat an enemy, the game is designed so that you will gradually figure out how to deal with them and win. Boss battles are especially tense, where you frequently have to toe the line between life and death, and we strive to deliver the highest satisfaction you can possibly get after defeating a strong enemy.
The same event will play out differently depending on your choices and the dice roll results.
You can choose to proceed cautiously and choose the safest options, or bravely throw yourself into every opportunity for battle you come across—it's all up to you, and your actions will affect Goshe's personality.
Not only will you gain different advantages in battle depending on what abilities you choose to invest in, but the outcome of events outside of battle can also be heavily influenced by your stats.
On top of that, by leveling up and unlocking new levels for the various classes, you can learn a wide variety of Skills and Spells to use in battle.
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・The "Fighter" carves up enemies with pure physical attack power and a high number of moves
・The "Samurai" unleashes unabashed power with Iai and lands fierce critical strikes
・The "Mage" specializes in high-risk, high-reward super-firepower using incantations and Spells
・The "Sorcerer" toys with their opponent by utilizing special attacks, including some that cause status ailments
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A myriad of fighting styles can be utilized depending on the class you choose to upgrade.
A Story Influenced by Your Use of Life
In this game, your choices as the player will influence Goshe, the main character, as well as his thoughts and various attachments in life, represented by flames.Whether Goshe uses his life for his own selfish purposes or sacrifices himself to help others is entirely up to you. The endings of this game are simply the conclusions of the various ways of life, and there are no "Good" or "Bad" endings.
Tense Battles that Balance Stasis and Action
The Use of Life features unique battles that combine the strategy of a turn-based battle system with the quick reflexes and action of a QTE system.Each turn, both you and your enemy get to choose 3 actions, which you then take turns to perform. How will you deal with the enemy's upcoming flurry of attacks? How will you time your own attacks to deal the most damage? Your skill and strategy will determine the outcome of battle.
Even if you can't defeat an enemy, the game is designed so that you will gradually figure out how to deal with them and win. Boss battles are especially tense, where you frequently have to toe the line between life and death, and we strive to deliver the highest satisfaction you can possibly get after defeating a strong enemy.
Adventure Book Style Events
Events in this game are narrated in an adventure book style, and some events come with TRPG-esque dice rolls that determine the event's outcome.The same event will play out differently depending on your choices and the dice roll results.
You can choose to proceed cautiously and choose the safest options, or bravely throw yourself into every opportunity for battle you come across—it's all up to you, and your actions will affect Goshe's personality.
Customization
Goshe, the main character, obtains incredible power through a certain Curse. Through encounters with death, he can gain experience which can be used to strengthen his own abilities.Not only will you gain different advantages in battle depending on what abilities you choose to invest in, but the outcome of events outside of battle can also be heavily influenced by your stats.
On top of that, by leveling up and unlocking new levels for the various classes, you can learn a wide variety of Skills and Spells to use in battle.
----------------------------------------------------------------
・The "Fighter" carves up enemies with pure physical attack power and a high number of moves
・The "Samurai" unleashes unabashed power with Iai and lands fierce critical strikes
・The "Mage" specializes in high-risk, high-reward super-firepower using incantations and Spells
・The "Sorcerer" toys with their opponent by utilizing special attacks, including some that cause status ailments
----------------------------------------------------------------
A myriad of fighting styles can be utilized depending on the class you choose to upgrade.
A “Good-New" Type of JRPG
While this title is technically a JRPG, we are not aiming for a "good old JRPG" style, but rather a "good 'new' JRPG" style, in hopes of showing that this kind of evolution is absolutely possible.Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 23, 2026
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