Somewhere I Belong

Explore the zombie apocalypse visual novel with branching storylines, character romance, and strategic gameplay

Somewhere I Belong is an adult visual novel developed by Mr Baker that immerses players in a post-apocalyptic zombie outbreak scenario set in South America. The game combines narrative-driven storytelling with character-driven romance options and strategic decision-making. Set two years after a devastating zombie epidemic, players take on the role of a tourist-turned-mercenary navigating a dangerous world where survival depends on risky scavenging missions, faction relationships, and personal choices. With stunning 3D character renders, animated intimate scenes, and branching story paths, this Ren’Py-based game offers players multiple routes to shape their character’s destiny while building relationships with diverse characters in a harem-style romance system.

Game Overview and Story Setting

Let’s be honest, most zombie stories start the same way: you’re a soldier, a cop, or some rugged survivor already built for the end of the world. But what if you were just… a person? A regular tourist with a camera, a sunburn, and absolutely no clue how to handle a collapsing society? 🧳☀️ That’s the brilliantly unsettling hook of Somewhere I Belong, a post-apocalyptic visual novel game that trades frantic shooting for deep, heart-pounding choices.

This isn’t just another run-and-gun scenario. It’s a story about identity, survival, and finding your place when the entire world has been wiped off the map. You’re not a hero from the start—you’re forced to become one, with every decision carving out who you’ll be in the ashes.

The Zombie Apocalypse Premise 🧟♂️🌎

Forget the familiar streets of New York or London. Somewhere I Belong throws you into the vibrant, chaotic, and ultimately terrifying landscape of South America. The South America zombie outbreak story begins not with a news bulletin, but with a holiday. You arrived for the sights, the culture, the adventure. Then, in what feels like a blur, the streets you were photographing become hunting grounds. The outbreak is swift, brutal, and total. Governments fall, borders vanish, and the rules of civilization dissolve overnight.

I remember starting my first playthrough, thinking I’d get a quick tutorial on combat. Instead, the game made me hide. For months. The initial segment is a masterclass in tension, simulating the terrifying reality of being trapped, helpless, and waiting for a rescue that might never come. This grounding in sheer vulnerability makes everything that follows hit so much harder. You’re not just playing a survivor; you’re role-playing someone who has already been broken down and has to rebuild themselves from scratch.

What makes this zombie apocalypse feel fresh is its grounded approach. While the dead walk, the world isn’t a complete technological wasteland. Scattered networks and jerry-rigged power mean cell phones still work—not for social media, but for crucial communication, mission briefings, and even the fragile social connections that keep you sane. It’s a haunting reminder of the world you lost, now repurposed as a lifeline in the new one.

Your Journey from Tourist to Mercenary 🔫💼

After a desperate, months-long holdout, you’re finally evacuated. But salvation is relative. You’re taken to the San Fernando safe zone, a supposed bastion of humanity. Then, the game throws a curveball: a two-year time jump. This is where Somewhere I Belong truly begins.

You wake up to a harsh truth. The safe zone is decaying. Hope has curdled into desperation, and order is maintained by those with the most guns or the most supplies. The dream of rebuilding has been replaced by the daily grind of not dying. And in this economy, cash is almost worthless. What has value? Medicine. Fuel. Antibiotics. This is the currency of the new world, and the fastest way to get it is by taking the most dangerous jobs.

This is where you embrace the mercenary gameplay mechanics. You’re no longer a helpless victim; you have agency, but it comes at a bloody price. You’ll sign on with various contractors to venture into the Red Zone—the contaminated, monster-infested areas outside the safe zone’s walls. These Red Zone scavenging missions are the core of your survival, funding your life, your relationships, and your influence.

But being a mercenary isn’t just about being tough. It’s a strategic career choice. You’ll manage resources, choose which contracts to accept (some are clearly suicide missions), and equip yourself for specific threats. Will you take the high-risk, high-reward run for medical supplies, or the safer but less profitable patrol? Your choices directly shape your reputation, your bank account (or rather, your stash of precious antibiotics), and the story’s direction.

This journey from scared tourist to hardened professional is the soul of the game. Every mission into the Red Zone reminds you of how far you’ve come, and how easy it would be to lose yourself completely.

The Safe Zone and San Fernando 🏙️🧱

The San Fernando safe zone is a character in itself. It’s not a happy community; it’s a pressure cooker. Walls keep the zombies out, but they also trap human ambition, fear, and greed inside. As you navigate its streets, you’ll encounter distinct factions, each with its own agenda:

• The Civil Authority: The struggling, often corrupt remains of official governance. They have rules, but not always the power to enforce them.
• The Merchant Guild: They control the flow of precious goods. You’ll need them, but they’ll always take their pound of flesh.
• Independent Operators: Fellow mercenaries, scavengers, and informants. Some are allies, some are rivals, all are potential contacts or threats.
• The Ordinary Survivors: The vast majority just trying to live. Your actions can directly impact their safety and wellbeing.

Surviving here requires more than a good gun. It requires social savvy. Who do you trust? Who do you work for? A favor for the Civil Authority might make you an enemy of the Merchant Guild. Helping a desperate survivor might win you loyalty but cost you a lucrative contract. The post-apocalyptic visual novel game format shines here, letting you explore these relationships through conversation, gifts, and shared experiences.

And then there are the reasons you need those antibiotics in the first place. Venturing outside the walls means facing the zombie types and creatures. Somewhere I Belong takes clear inspiration from classics like Left 4 Dead, offering a terrifying bestiary that forces you to adapt your tactics:

• The Shamblers: Your common, slow-moving threat. Dangerous in hordes, but manageable alone.
• The Runners: Fast, agile, and terrifying. They’ll close distance before you can react, forcing quick decisions.
• The Tanks: Hulking brutes that can soak up damage and throw cars. Engaging them head-on is usually a mistake.
• Special Infected: Unique creatures with devastating abilities, like spitting acid or emitting a paralyzing shriek. Encountering one can turn a routine mission into a desperate fight for life.

Knowing your enemy is key to planning your Red Zone scavenging missions. Will you need light gear for speed to outrun Runners, or heavy weapons to take down a Tank? The game constantly makes you think before you act.

Ultimately, Somewhere I Belong asks one central question: what kind of leader will you become in this broken world? Will you be a ruthless opportunist, exploiting the chaos for personal gain? A pragmatic survivor, doing what’s necessary to protect your inner circle? Or an idealist, fighting to rekindle a flame of hope in San Fernando, even if it’s a doomed effort?

The beauty of this post-apocalyptic visual novel game is that there’s no “right” answer. Your moral compass is yours to calibrate. Every mission completed, every relationship nurtured, and every terrible choice made writes your unique story in the ruins. You weren’t born for this apocalypse, but in Somewhere I Belong, you’ll finally discover where you fit within it.

Somewhere I Belong stands out as an ambitious adult visual novel that successfully blends post-apocalyptic storytelling with character-driven romance and meaningful player choices. The game’s impressive visual presentation, engaging narrative set in a zombie-ravaged South America, and branching story paths create an immersive experience that appeals to fans of narrative-heavy games. While still in early development, the game has already garnered strong community reception for its high-quality character renders, animated scenes, and atmospheric world-building. The harem-style romance system with avoidable routes and the emphasis on player agency in determining the protagonist’s path as a mercenary provide substantial replay value. As the developer continues to expand content and refine gameplay mechanics, Somewhere I Belong promises to deliver a comprehensive experience that balances adult content with meaningful storytelling and character development. Whether you’re drawn to zombie apocalypse settings, visual novels, or games with extensive romance options, this title offers a compelling experience worth following through its development journey.