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Rip My Heart Out Why Won't You

I am a sucker for angst, literally all I write is angst so I might as well have some material to work with or be inspired by. Some of them are angst on my own terms where I feel sadness and a haunting emptiness inside of me, they are all great punch and kick to the feels. :')

If the blurbs I write down here are incoherent messes, they are just a reflection of what I feel because good lord is the angst bitter in this household ahahaha.... ahaha.... (;´д`)ゞ

A bittersweet story about family ties.
Visual Novel
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There isn't anything explicitly shown about the unfairness of the situation, but you can argue that Mahiro's existence is the evidence of how unfair politics can be even though Mahiro is an innocent kid. I really hate the plot of political unhappy marriages because they're a very real thing and everyone suffers, even the side that forced the marriage suffers because of their greed. Especially the kid who isn't just the physical manifestation of the other person's trauma and unhappiness, but is an innocent person that can so easily be manipulated and turn against what is fair.

Though there is something hopeful about this that makes it all worth it imo. I haven't played the main game itself but I have my eyes on it and have downloaded it, so I'm looking forward to playing and experiencing it~

A vignette about a hospital visit
Interactive Fiction
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It's quite the short yet charged story, especially when it deals with the subject of sickness/illness and hospitalizations. I've always been so glad when nobody in my immediate family was ever put in the hospital but I have had extended relatives be in the hospital and it always felt odd watching it happen. While there isn't anything graphic or detailed being expressed, the emotions shown here is real and painful. It's honestly great and you really are being put in the person's shoes as she tries to stay strong before quickly breaking down.

Are you dead set on saving your friend?
Visual Novel
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Aight, you did not have to hit me with how painful this little visual novel could be. It does lead you on into thinking what's going on before ending with a complete story with the three different endings. You can't load your save files or skip the old content which is a hassle but it is relatively easy to get the different endings so just keep in mind the choices you're making!

It's very well-done and I hope more people try it out~!

An epistolary visual novel about a missing child and the Lady of the Moon.
Visual Novel

This is an honestly depressing story despite the cute art and images. It deals heavily into child neglect, isolation, parents being awful parents (seriously what the hell), and child endangerment. Selene, the child, suffers a lot and she's so young to even comprehend how wrong it was, the endings are quite extreme with only one being considered a "good" ending, but it is a hopeful ending if not.

Who are you?
Visual Novel

There's this way it manages to encapsulate the depression of being unable to leave the room, aimless and lost, just laying in your room rotting and losing your own identity in the mush that is your brain. It's sad but I like that one ending where the MC is just given a chance, that's all they need.

it's a shame you weren't a part of the game
Visual Novel

It's honestly a sad game of two dumb kids and the consequences of messing with a cursed game. It doesn't show explicit violence but you can infer what's going on.

your online friend comes to you for help.
Visual Novel
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I have to trigger warn this because of the subject matter and how realistic it depicts it. This twine has themes of self-harm, suicidal talk, and general asshole behavior though that's what I found. There are no images but there is a brief text explaining it.

I trigger warned it so explicitly because of how realistic the developer was able to create a simulated conversation with the two characters as their interaction is something many of us may have dealt with. Whether you want to try it out or not depends on you, but please do keep in mind the subject matter and it's okay if you back out anytime now.

A bittersweet journey through a liminal space

Man, we got a sad one here. It's within the same universe as "Hello! My Name Is Zack" of which gives a drastic pivot of how the story went from there. It's a mysterious thing how the plot became like this but either way I loved the calming and somber atmosphere, how Yuuri patiently guided us and provided comfort to the MC in such a beautiful yet confusing world. Yuuri's fate here is unfair and lonely, and you can't do  anything about it which makes the entire thing sad in such a sense.

I would love to see what can happen next in this universe, just to have more closure over the recent events going over.

Who is this disfigured stranger, and why should I care?
Visual Novel
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Honestly, it didn't make me cry as much but it did leave an impact on my heart as I read through it. I have to commend the way the developer was able to handle and express the feeling of derealization or the feelings of negative emotions onto someone else, it was quite the somber and helpless scenario.

However, I do appreciate that even in the good ending, not everything is magically solved but is instead where MC allows themselves to indulge in the small pockets of warmth and allowing themselves, mishapen and such, to just indulge and relax. Very nice.

A short video call with your rival before the finale.
Visual Novel
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I am gonna cry and you're all gonna cry with me.

I wasn't really fond of anime rivalries, but I had to admit I love the depth behind their relationship and how it often felt more impactful than everything else. But here, I adore how the developer was able to create a story through the limited time and words they had left a great impact in telling a story in just that amount of time and words.

My heart absolutely broke for Zev, something about him really is just *chefs kiss* and I just want to say that I would commit atrocities to make Zev smile.

A few moments, and then you're gone.
Visual Novel
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It's not that sad of a visual novel, however its implication is quite heavy with a touch of that helplessness and inevitability that no matter what you do, you'll always end up with one singular fate no matter what.

It's the last day on Earth. You spend it with your closest person.
Visual Novel

A sad little visual novel showing a calmer part in the end of the world with two friends who longed to have more time to be more than just friends. 

A brief goodbye between a Bride and her Maid of Honour
Visual Novel
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Sad lesbians who couldn't come true. The artwork is stunning though it will take some time to properly handle the textbox and there is no definitive end to signal the end of the visual novel. Despite that, it's a beautiful sad visual novel with realistic short dialogue and an understandable plotline that, no matter what choices you make, will never change the story. Highly recommend trying it.

An unsettling visual novel where the difference between motherly love and twisted obsession is only one bad choice away
Visual Novel

Man, at first I thought I was gonna put this in my Time To Get A Heart Monitor because of the scare factor but playing/reading through this I just realized its the horrors of pain and reality and it's honestly just a sad game. It deals with themes such as infant death and grief and the affects of what grief can do to a person. Granted, it was done in extreme but I have no doubts that what Trisha went through is a mirror to what someone else is capable of. Especially when love can be twisted to become something much darker.

It's a short simple visual novel but it has such superb art that shows a wonderful array of expressions, especially about grief and pain, and the use of movement for the sprite is really great! The story is sad and painful, rooted in reality and the messed up ways the brain has to cope through the pain, but other than that it's wonderful to play through.

a healing game. let's grow together!
Visual Novel
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Alright, I was bamboozled by the art and music, yes this is wholesome but hella depressing nearing the end because of the actual story that we unravel. Yes the art style is beyond cute and the game mechanics are fun to kill time and make it all the more rewarding to unlock the story. Not only that, but the story itself shows the grim reality of death and talks about it with its own take on it and how people react to it. It hurt my heart but I honestly adore it all for its subject matter and how it handled it.

A short fairytale-esque story about a smitten little spider and the woman it loved.
Visual Novel

It does have a happy ending in one of them, I didn't explore the other option because I just genuinely can't! The writing is wonderful and the silhouettes of the characters are all pretty in its simplicity. I love the old fairt tale style, and I adore the story even with the moral lesson being quite extreme. Highly recommend to play this if you wanna be in a soft melancholic mood, it's short but very worth it as it tells a wonderful story!

When Randy finds an old music box at an abandoned garden, a mysterious romance begins to unfold. (Kinetic novel)
Visual Novel
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I'm not gonna lie, the first part of the story was hard for me to push through mainly because I cringed everytime Randy and Den spoke, it isn't anything against the developer nor the characters, I guess I'm just not vibing well with the language used.

Despite that, you do get to feel humor and amusement towards Randy and Den and you do feel pity and curiosity over Florian. The story itself felt a bit rushed but since this was a Game Jam the fact it was able to tell a cohesive story itself is quite good.

The ending makes up for pushing through, it's a happy hopeful yet sad ending, but there is closure and you get a sense of fulfillment after finishing it.

Play as King Arthur Pendragon's spouse and forge Camelot's history.
Interactive Fiction
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Genuinely wanted to either put this in my Cozy Games I've Already Played or Cool Ass Game but then I thought back on the story around MC and I'm like "Oh yeah, there goes the tears" and whoop-de-do this absolute banger of an IF is here.

Honestly, it's just a wholesome story of MC, who came and lived for war, to be placed in a seemingly healthy and wonderful environment and learning to heal. Of course, there is political discourse, war after-effects, and the early stages of MC's trauma healing journey. But so far you can't just help to emphasize or sympathize with MC. They don't have that annoying "sad tragic" backstory many MC's unfortunately fall in (yes I am guilty of this). MC's got a legitimate reason to feel like this and the way the writer handles their story is quite palpable and distressing in some cases to see how far and deep it can go.

It's just really good with a pretty affectionate cast and a surprisingly open-minded world. I suppose it makes sense to be open-minded given the MC customization, stories for other characters, and the cast themselves. I really enjoyed the setting even though it doesn't "follow" along to what we know. But hey! It's very endearing and cool!

a choose-your-own-adventure heartbreak in the shape of a quiz
Interactive Fiction
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It's quite a simple game about answering a quiz but as you progress more you unravel the story of the MC and the quizzer (?) and how their love eventually died out. It's a melancholic story with actual results but it's nice to play/read through.

there is a whisper in the shadows...
Interactive Fiction
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This Interactive Fiction is by no means a sad game, but it does immerse you to feel the heartbreak and pain of the MC despite it only containing a prologue and chapter 1. The immersion comes from how tired and angry MC is, especially with a betrayal of a close partner (work related) and the hints of brainwashing. Would love to see how it plays along!

"Hey, Emilia? Can I tell you a story?"
Visual Novel

Back at it with the sad game, this time it personally hits me due to how personal it reflects my life especially with the risks I am willing to take if ever something happens. It's a short visual novel but it helps with the multiple endings and even if you skip a lot, there are small changes that you should be careful of especially since they are near at the end. The voice acting was endearing and the story is tragic all around, there is no conventional happy ending and you can only look at pity at what the twins are going through.

about trying to be in the world
Visual Novel

It has big themes that melt together and they aren't exactly subtle about it, but the way it impacts you is slow and calm like you're standing on a beach and the tide is slowly coming up to your ankles. It has seriously unique visuals that should be chaotic but weirdly enough harmonizes well with the flow of the story, the use of symbolism is evident and present but it isn't at your face and is used sparingly. I really enjoyed playing it because while it felt like I was confronting my insecurities and anxieties, it felt like it didn't overwhelmed me and instead calmed me down. Do heed the warnings listed on the game page because the game does not hide them but they don't explicitly show the abuse going on, but if you can handle it I highly encourage playing this game.

You've received an unexpected love letter!
Visual Novel

Listen, I do not care how short it is. It's a game jam but fuck man, this visual novel has me in a chokehold. I adore the writing, as well as the stained glass metaphor with the heart thing. And I know the title screen changes depending on the choice you make BUT PLS AS IF I HAVE THE HEART TO BURN SUCH A VULNERABLE AND OPEN LETTER. Aaa it's so simple but the feelings carried through the writing really touched me and nearly made me want to sob how precious it is. Aaaaaaaaaa

Discover clues to find your daughter | Ludum Dare 42
Visual Novel
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It's not that sad of a game, but as I uncovered the story it felt sad and lonely having to see L go through these issues and feeling alone even when there were people all around her, she still needed to be alone and I don't blame her. But the way she had to do this gave me a heartattack and to hear our MC's voice crack under the realization of the hurt L went through really hits deep. 

Show me how you bloom, in your darkest moment.
Visual Novel

It's a slow paced visual novel and has 2 endings, it does contain a happy ending but I will not fault anyone if they want to get the other ending. In fact it probably be nice from a story telling view to get the bad ending and then get the good ending. When I played this visual novel I already noticed how slow paced it was, I didn't find it a liability or a nuisance, in fact it helped to put the MC (Yuri) in perspective as we are literally viewing the world through her eyes and as such I enjoyed the experience.

It has a somber tone to it and the only colors found is with the other character, Hima, who is bright and odd but as you progress further with her you begin to see that Hima isn't fully being truthful with us (and Yuri) and only until the choices do you see who Hima really is and what Yuri can do to hold on to Hima before she loses herself. A nice little visual novel that I enjoyed very much.

A chill cleaning game set at the end of the World.
Visual Novel

IT'S NOT A SAD GAME! I'M JUST BEING CHOKED BY THE CUTENESS OF THE MAIN COUPLE!

Listen, I was very confused where to put it because surely, I can't put it in my Cozy Games I've Already Played, you hear me? But also I can't put it in Time To Get A Heart Monitor because it isn't particularly heavy on the horror aspects. So instead I put it here because just-- The chemistry, conversation, and vibes between MC and his LI are just *chefs kiss*

Not only are the two main cast very interesting and full of life, the story is very intriguing and something you want to learn more, especially with its fantastical element being grounded in the obscure history and reality. There's a curious world building and an allure for mystery, especially regarding the two characters. We know next to nothing about MC, and though we also don't know much about the LI, it's not to the mysterious depth MC has. The plot is quite curious and I'm excited to see more of it! Lies I just wanna see more of those two

Spend your Valentine's Day with the boy of your choosing... except there's blood involved.
Visual Novel

:''''''''''''''))))))))

Fuck.

This is--

I--

It's a great fucking visual novel, it breaks the typical yandere visual novel formula by expanding on the characters and not just the typical cast of characters, even the MC is interesting! The story is painful, especially for that one fucking route but on the other hand, the other route is like... A bloody fluffy little story which is very at odds with the other route that has broken me emotionally.

YOU KNOW I THOUGHT THAT THE CONTENT WARNINGS WAS JUST ABOUT YOUR EVERYDAY YANDERE EXPERIENCE. I WAS WRONG :)))

THERE SHOULD BE A WARNING THAT SAYS THIS GAME WILL EMOTIONALLY SCAR YOU.

Am I overreacting? Yes. 

Am I asking you to play this visual novel to tear you apart like I currently am? Yes.

*cocks nerf gun* Play it. Experience my pain.

A micro game about what happens when there is no sun.
Visual Novel
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The premise is quite terrifying in a somber sober way because it feels real despite it feeling unrealistic. The reason why I didn't put it in Time To Get A Heart Monitor is because the tone was just MC being helpless and trying to retain their hope against the situation they're in, the way the characters barely get any information/knowledge about what's happening, the small things that worries MC that could snap their already thin sanity, and the uncertainty of the future for them... It's honestly depressing and it was created under 1k words. It's amazing in that regard.

A short visual novel about turning off a robot.
Visual Novel
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It really is reminiscent to Rovers on planets and how they had to be shut down due to technical difficults, though several attempts were made to reconnect and bring them back to life. In here you at least get the comfort of talking to the AI about their final journey, or be as swift as you can, entirely depends on you. But the conversations were what tugged my heart and made me want to hug this little robot dude.

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