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A jam submission

CoelacanthView game page

A psychological horror game about drowning.
Submitted by Max Morkson โ€” 2 days, 4 hours before the deadline
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Coelacanth's itch.io page

Results

CriteriaRankScore*Raw Score
Story#54.3004.300
Aesthetics#524.0504.050
Enjoyment (Best Game)#593.5003.500
Horror#673.3503.350
Sound Design#793.4503.450

Ranked from 20 ratings. Score is adjusted from raw score by the median number of ratings per game in the jam.

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Comments

Submitted(+1)

I really liked the fact that I could choose the answers, which gave the player a feeling of free will. I went through the story twice to see the alternatives, I think the ending is the same in both cases? In any case, congratulations for the artistic side and the story itself, which keeps you hooked right to the end!

Developer

Thank you for taking the time to try the game and thank you for the compliments!

There is actually two endings, one is just a little harder to get. The second ending is unlocked if you play as the most proactive version possible, letting the protagonist assert herself!

Submitted(+1)

Great writing and a really immersive story! This was an excellent portrait of abuse and the ways that abusers feed on insecurities. The kaleidoscopic memory hopping was very effective. Great work!

Developer

Thank you for taking the time to play, I feel like the transition to open abuse was a bit too abrupt but with only a week to get everything ready, I couldn't exactly keep adding scenes... X_x There's always next time!

Submitted(+1)

Both the artwork and the writing were great! I was surprised that both were done by the same person. It is rare for someone to be so talented at two different forms of art.

Developer

Thank you, that's very kind of you to say!

Submitted (1 edit) (+1)

To be honest this genre does not work for me, but the art is really really pretty and great work on the sound design as well.

Developer

Totally fair, thank you for giving it a try anyway!

Submitted(+1)

Beatiful artwork, immersive sound design, creative story. What can I say more. Well done!

Developer

Thank you so much for the kind words!

Submitted(+1)

the artwork in this is GORGEOUS, i love the paintings and the color motifs throughout. the flashback childhood scenes were probably my favorite part. wish there were a little more variation in the sound effects but that's a minor detail 

Developer(+1)

Totally fair, it's been a pain in the ass finding creative common sounds for the ambiance I wanted, and some of them are definitely in the realm of "well, I couldn't find anything better so it'll have to do" X_X

Also thank you so much for the compliments and for taking the time to play my game.

Submitted(+1)

This game was beautiful, not only in the stunning artwork, but the story--it really, truly hurt to read this. And I love that.

Developer

Thank you so much for taking the time to play, and the praise. I really appreciate it.

Submitted(+1)

This was cool. It went in a pretty unexpected direction for a horror game, and once I figured out what was going on with the story, it felt really immersive. It wasn't too terrifying overall, but there were some unsettling and scary moments — in particular, that final scene with Ray (in the ending I got) was chilling.

Developer(+1)

thank you very much! I wasn't going for terror, I think it'd be pretty hard to do with a visual novel, but rather a creeping feeling of dream lol

which ending did you get, I'm curious!

Submitted(+1)

I got the ending where your character ends up getting turned into a mermaid and returning to the depths, wondering if their blood on the deck of the Coelacanth will be enough to convict Ray.

Developer

Thank you! The two endings are fairly similar, the other one just allows you to take matter into your own hands lol

Submitted(+1)

Great presentation and writing.

Maybe the true horror really is other people.

Developer

Thank you for taking the time to play it and rate it, I really appreciate it!

Submitted(+1)

Great story I liked it! :)

Developer

Thank you!

Submitted (1 edit) (+1)

I did not expect to have tears in my eyes during this jam. Fuck you. You did a very good job. Main characters story hit a bit too close to home for my comfort. Again, very good job. I'm very very impressed that you cranked out this whole story in less than a week, wow.

Oh and a lil tip, when you upload files to itch, make sure to set platforms for them. Makes it easier to search for, and makes it work better with the app :3

Developer(+1)

I'm sorry it made you tear up, and thank you so much. I've read and reread this story so many times, it losts its impact on me and I was worried it wouldn't hit with anyone. It's a bit too close for me as well, if that makes you feel any better.

I used Renpy which is a super simple framework made specifically for visual novels, which means I could focus on the art and writing. And I picked a story with fairly linear choices, so there wouldn't be too many options to juggle. It's my second time doing a visual novel for a game jam, so I had a better idea of what I could produce in a week (especially since I was on paid leave).

Thank you so much for your review and thank you for the tip!

Submitted(+1)

Atmosphere was out of this world, it really had me on the edge of my seat. Good stuff!

Developer

Thank you, it was a balancing act trying to keep the tension up! I'm glad it worked, thank you again!

Submitted(+1)

Writing - excellent. Sound design - excellent. Ray - bad guy!

Developer

Thank you! Absolute trashcan of a man.

Submitted(+3)

this was great! i loved the art, atmosphere was impeccable :)

ty for the chilling reminder that there's nothing scarier than being left alone with a man

Developer(+1)

Thank you so much, it means a lot!

Submitted(+1)

After about 30 of games that I rated I needed this chilling experience. The game is pretty uncanny in a good way and art is nice

Developer

Thank you! After re reading it so many time, I wasn't sure it was scary at all anymore lmao...

Submitted(+1)

The art was beautifully thought out and put together, the story gripped me and moved me. Good job

Developer(+1)

Thank you so much!

Submitted(+1)

I love the aesthetic nice job what engine did you use  

Developer

Thank you! Just plain old renpy, it's really easy to use even as a beginner dev!

Submitted(+1)

The art in this is very well made.

Developer

Thank you, I did my best!