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You know what time it is: NEW CHEVIE GAME WAHOO!! I really really loved this one! The colors, the theme...it was super cool to see all the branching effects take action. Like the entire setup of making different teas was so cool to see in an RPG Maker game!! As for the game/story itself: SPOILERS????

 I really liked this overarching sense of foreboding before you really get into it. We go in knowing we're playing a dark/horror esque type game, and not aware just how bad or scary things are about to get. The segments in the woods before "collecting", made me really anxious. I kept thinking something was about to pop out, or if we backtracked, something unexpected might happen.

I really love the foreshadowing of everything to come by noticing the "interesting" items around Lillian's wagon. At first, you might think maybe these herbal medicines might include unconventional things... and then It Happens(tm). 

At first, the whole idea of Lillian actually being someone who's 'at the wrong place at the wrong time', but we get a glimpse of what really was going on after we learn where she's from and it's past tragedies...whether it was truthful or not. Actually, that's something I really loved about this: how unreliable of a narrator Lillian even was. 

She's coy but stoic enough, and speaks casually enough or confidently that you wouldn't really think to assume the worst of her. I really like when she lied about being visited earlier, too, in the later half of the game. One might think that was some kind of error, but no, she's just (: biding and waiting.

I think in this way, she's like a spider or another type of animal or creature that does What She Does(tm), or like a pitcher plant or venus fly trap. I wonder if there was inspiration for that in the plant motifs? There's tons of unanswered things about who Lillian even is. How did she get this way? Was she someone else entirely before she got into The Collecting? Did she pop into existence as this THING? Another way of looking at it could be people's perspective on weeds:

They usually suffocate and kill other plants around them to be able to get the best possible opportunity to grow and thrive, especially vine like weeds. Some really hate them, considering them ugly, a "flaw" in an otherwise "perfect" lawn. But then, they also have their role in nature, right? 

Some of their flowers, weeds that is, are very vibrant and beautiful (re: dandelion or morning glory or even #shoutout blackberry shrubs).

Carnivorous plants are also really cool in this sense. Did you know venus flytraps usually sprout their flower far, far away from their "mouth" parts? they don't want to be able to "eat" their pollinators. I wonder if we can look at Lillian in the same light, like some being that feeds off of others in some shape or form...but still needs humans in general to thrive.

If she's not human, what exactly is she? If she IS "human", what exactly lead to this kind of behavior? All this went through my head while figuring out more about her, or therelackof.

And of course, I loved all the different characters! Everyone had different quirks and uniqueness about them, and they felt very fleshed out despite the short time we had with them.

Something in particular I also enjoyed was the idea of no one knowing what's going on. Being in an 'old time setting', we don't have the luxuries of cameras, phones or anything besides intuition and rumors. Pretty much an almost lawless land, these times. Back when you didn't have to be too clean, could get your hands dirty with mulch or a freshly dug grave and no one would even know it was you.

I think that's another horrifying factor: no one will ever know. Not for sure, at least, that it was Lillian or that she could be able to do ...well, anything! Near the end, we see a mob of people, ready to question or maybe even kill Lillian. Like, another factor that goes along side of "you used to get away with anything", in terms of say, burning someone at the stake because she showed a bit of ankle idk.

Lots and lots of tense and heavy atmosphere, and with so much beautiful background images and character art...I just love seeing it so much!! I've yapped to you about that separately but I wanted to make sure to mention it here again (:

If Lillian keeps going, I hope she'll become some huge, powerful being or creature that can have a big garden. Yeah, she'll be #evil about it but idk abt you guys but I support women ^w^

Anyway, even though Lillian was ultimately not what she seemed, I think I really love her as a character and maybe possibly metaphor. Oooh looks x way but behaves y way, that sort of thing. I love it. I LOVE IT!! Part of me also wonders how she'd be in the world of Invasive Species (#goatedgame)... 

'Nother banger from you, Chevie!!!!!!111

Oh, thank you so much for queuing up some of my other stuff! Id love to see the playthroughs, when you get to them ofc! As for the interpretation, I like that kind of idea as well! (I suppose it meant a lot to me too, sorry for the yapping haha!) Also, thank you so much for your kind words! 🫰🏽

Hello! I just got done watching your playthrough! Thank you so so much for playing! The whole time, I was smiling like "You don't know how right u are about some stuff coming up... (: " 

I have a habit of making bittersweet endings. I wanted it to seem like, her only way of "escape" was to literally give up her humanity. Become something inhuman to escape human nuance and emotion, live as a "creature", something that doesn't think the same way as us, something comparable to how an animal would think. 

I feel it's like being backed into a corner...when you're panicking, threatened, sometimes you lash out and scream, cry, anything- and someone might call that hysteria, while others would call it "survival instinct". If all odds were against me, I think I'd wish I could turn into something that could protect myself. 

Maybe it's more fantastical, or childish, thinking of "if only I had xyz ability, then I'd be powerful!" Or something. Anything to feel like you're not totally exposed? Vulnerable? Alga became something else entirely, and now she'll never have to deal with anything human in her life. Not in the same way, at least. 

Traded her humanity for a "weapon", or that she *became* a weapon, maybe? I like to imagine it's open to interpretation. 

Thank you so much for all your kind and funny commentary, and the video in general! :> 

Thanks for playing! None of it really made much sense, but a part of me thought it was too redundant to have every veggie be found in a patch. A barrel seemed silly and fun (:

 the cave in was just an excuse to isolate the player (ex: i asked myself, why doesnt the player character just leave or go to the store? Bam, cave in lol)

Everyone is just strange and quirky, and I thought that felt more whimsical than anything completely grounded in reality! Just silly stuff, nothing too serious, all for fun 🫰🏽

haha that's alright!! i've been lurking in the discord for a few years, so I'm aware of all the cool new stuff that's been made available, and Im really excited to play more, (especially the conclusion of RH!) and that sucks about the pricing situation on itchio's part, but I'm glad to know it was just a hiccup though! Happy to help!! :>

hi why is this game now almost $1000? I'm glad I already own it on steam, but I was wondering if this was some sort of gag or something.

LOVED IT!!! I love all the colorful pieces of furniture and the oppressive feeling looming overhead... like you can just tell something's Not Quite Right(tm). I love the BellaDonna motif throughout and I love how every thing you do counts towards a specific end, but it's not difficult to try for all of them which I appreciate! 

SPOILERS!!11

It's a short experience but I really enjoyed it, and could feel myself getting tense being around this "Donna" person.

Maybe if she were a bit more of a charming person (which she tried at first!), she'd be more trusting to "Bella", but if what she's saying is true, that we've just routinely "lost our memories", then I can also understand the frustration of having to go through the same song and dance again and again... 

But there's always this paranoia, especially with the flowers everywhere, the gas mask, the boarded up windows...it's hard to tell just what's going on out there, and I'd be worried too, but I think personally, I'd feel like a trapped rat and would want to claw my way out!! "Bella" KEEP ON RUNNING I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!

Another lovely BroodyGaming game if I do say so myself (:

oh wow, thank you so much! 

hello! It was asking how many of the yellow flowers are visible. I know it's hard to see in the sunset overlay,but: The answer is 12 :>

thank you for letting me know. Ive reported the game!

Aaauuurraaaaaaahfhr Oxy you've done it again!! Made my heart soar with this really intricate, detailed analysis!! Pretty much everything you've mentioned was spot on- and I wholly appreciate you liking my writing style, even if this "game" was less that and more a visual novel..sort of!

I felt, like with some sort of analogy with snow or thinking winter is almost over... only for something to change and the weather gets really bad might coincide with Var's feelings of "is this right? Is this OK? Am I allowed to be this happy, when I've shut out everyone?" 

Var was always a lonely individual. I think he especially moved out to the mountains because he was both sure no one would "try to find him", but also, somewhat creating this "obstacle course" of a trek it would take- like, 

"no one cares about me. But if they do, then they'd have to prove it by making the effort to seek me out." Even though he craves human connection anyway.

 Like he's purposely torturing himself because he thinks he deserves it- he should be "punished" for "daring" to think he'd be someone worth being friends with, communicating with, and so forth. 

I always wanted the idea of Bora to be like an enigma- I love the interpretation some have gotten of whether he was even real to begin with. Was Var just that lonely that he'd imagine up some kind of individual that would make the effort? The kind of person who would unabashedly listen to him, talk to him, SMILE at him?? Maybe. 

Var never believed he "deserved" things, a lot of it stemming from childhood trauma, as represented by his father's silhouette- like "Ah. Needing comfort and safety/the warmth of another human, familial or otherwise, is selfish. I see." And he was always struggling with figuring out whether that was really true or not.

I like to make lots of flavor text to help shape a character- what goes on in someone's head when they think about the things in their home, what certain things meant to them, especially Var in this instance because, if he moved here with his personal belongings, just what did he bring with him that meant anything/was sentimental enough to make the effort, if that makes sense? (Like why bring specific books? Do they mean xyz to you etc.)

I've always been a fan of old GBC type games, and specifically had an idea of something reminiscent of the 2nd gen of pokemon as my main inspiration for the limited palette- the Gameboy green was really fun to use in this instance as well as capturing a liminal feel that felt almost contrast to the heavier atmosphere of the meat of the game- (I recall a comment my mother once made, holding a small cartridge of a Gameboy game, she said "are you sure you want something so tiny?" As if the size of the item, or in this instance, the "look and feel" of the pixel/simply drawn genre isn't conducive to how emotional a story can be. Basically: I love games made in rpg maker, because you can tell a huge story with just a few pixels!)

I always struggle with stories that include some sort of "supernatural entity", because the logical part of my mind always thinks of plot holes or "but how would anyone know or not know about this" or "why does xyz thing happen to just one character- what made them so "special" that something "supernatural " would happen to them anyway?"- forgetting that mystery, horror and of course, fiction on general, allows for any kind of creative writing- a big thing I tried to let go of was the "how" or "why" the supernatural thing happened, and more like "sometimes things happen that you can't explain in words alone, or even in a way that people would believe you."- that kind of thing. 

I think I stifle myself by being too literal sometimes. Forget the "why does xyz fantastical thing happen", and letting myself mix a bit of "fantasy" in an otherwise "realistic" world.

As a matter of fact, I *am* working on an alternate universe game with these two, because I also grew rather attached to them j _ j which is rare for me with Rpgmaker characters- they're usually one shot/single use characters I create for the game they're made for and then that's all, but seeing as how myself and my husband cried at my own playthrough of this silly game, I felt especially attached 😭 😭 😭 

Giving my own characters the opposite of torture...what a concept! Haha! I love your wishes for what Var could become later- someone who could move on or find happiness in his own way... it's a rather optimistic outlook that I haven't read from many other interpretations, and it's very sweet to think about how maybe, someday, he can find that feeling- even if it's not in the same world. 

Aaaah thank you again so so much for such a beautifully written comment (well, commentS) about my game!! I hope you'll look forward to Var and Bora's alternate story eventually ^w^

Wow thank you so much !! 

I really wanted to make it a story about how whatever a mermaid was, was something inhuman ofc, but at the same time, something that meant being without the burden of human empathy- a real "animal".  

To give up your way of being...if it meant not having to deal with the bruden of her current life, versus what Alga had set before her, i feel Alga would forever live in regret having not at least tried.

This way, she's no longer tied to the humanity based expectations of her life, *and* she's not alone. Sorry for the silly babble, I appreciate your comment and thanks again sm for playing! ^w^

Hello! There is only one ending (: thank you for playing!

thank you so much! ❤️ 

Wao thank you so much for the kind words abt...well everything, haha! Chevie did awesome at the level design, and I was so happy to work together with her on such a heartbreaking game j _ j 

capturing the mind of a child who clearly isn't able to communicate their feelings very well was a major point we wanted to tackle, in particular, checking again and again due to a feeling of: "maybe I didn't check the right way? Maybe if I look again, I'll see that they're home? Maybe I'll see why they're not there?" And so forth. 

thank you so much for your compliments, I'm shy about my art in particular ahaha but Chevie knocked it out of the park with her adding emotions for Poppy as a way for her to communicate without outwardly doing so, yet still convey to the audience how she's feeling. 

I always love reading your detailed notes on things, it makes it feel like our planning and depth that went into making the game feel more worthwhile like "yaay, someone noticed!" 

I hope Poppy and her father can learn to come to terms with everything and heal together in the future...

Thank you again so much :>

thank you so much!  (:

😏🤫 

Thanks so much for playing!! :3 sorry for rippin ya'lls hearts out, but if it's any consolation, I'm planning on a WHAT IF game with them in the future! Might not be for all ages, but it's something!

Wow thank you so much!! Im sorry about the blackout bug, that seems new! Ill try to fix that sometime soon;; 

Var is definitely still controlled by his father, even after all this time- I think he doesn't know what it's like to *not* be constantly thinking about the issues he caused him his whole life.

Though rushed near the end, I feel very strongly towards these guys myself, so I really appreciate that you enjoyed their dynamic, too!

Thank you again for the video, and I hope you feel better soon!!

hello! Yes I'm aware of the bug, I haven't been able to patch it just yet but thank you for the report! Also, thank you so much for playing! I've grown very attached to these characters, and I'd like to do more with them someday! Haha, I'm sorry for the heartbreak jwj 

wow, thank you so much for such another heartfelt and detailed comment! Or commentary, rather!

I feel you and some others are really able to dissect and Understand the complexity of what it meant for var as a person and how he represented himself in a way all the way up on the mountains- 

Purposefully isolating himself in a way to protect himself from harsh judgment and abuse, and so he decided to barricade himself up on the mountains, covering himself in a metaphorical spiked shell like a porcupine or some such (re: the hedgehogs dilemma, wherein, though he wishes to truly be known and seen, he ultimately ends up hurting himself or those around him. Even if that were only the case with his father or how Var was made to perceive his life.)

I love the notion that Bora is not only his visual "opposite" but the person in his life he never knew he needed. Someone who would openly poke and pry and not be bothered- the "thorns" or "spikes" aren't there, or were never there to begin with. Var never had an opportunity to know before the events of the game.

Bora, I feel, was meant to be sort of a shining light- a "too good to be true" type of situation. Because, for all Var knew, thered be no one around who would dare or bother to figure him out. No one around to try, seeing that he made sure "no one" would be able to- event though, in his heart, Var wanted more than anything to be accepted. To be seen, heard and loved. 

I wanted Bora to be the one thing Var always wanted or needed. Maybe I'm a hopeless romantic in that; I like to believe there's "someone for everyone". That, despite all our flaws and experiences, there's someone out there, in the near vastness of humanity ever changing, or something- that there's someone who would love and cherish another. Or I believe people deserve to be cherished.

And to have it all ripped away, immediately after finding resolve, Var blames himself for even daring to believe for a second that he could obtain said happiness. When, it was never on purpose. It was an accident. And accidents, mistakes, happen. Regret and pain are a part of love, too, in a way- and I like to imagine Var just...didn't get to really feel what that all meant or how to accept it all till the very end. Maybe.

In my heart, I want to believe these two meet again. Some world, some universe or "after", that he'd get another chance- he'd get to see Bora again and tell him from the start what he meant to him, what he was able to learn about and cherish Bora- and I think Bora would openly accept him. Bora and Var are fleeting moments, like a bubble in icy weather or frost or a breath in the snow. A "blink and you'll miss it" moment in Var (and probably the world's) life. 

Thank you so much, and the music made me want to cry when applying it to the character of Var- I want to do more with these characters. I want to give them substance beyond a game that focused on the bad or major mistake(s) that occur, even if in some way, that may reduce the original "impact" of the narrative-

 ultimately, I love my characters, and I like to treat them as a dollhouse of sorts- they can be anything, or do anything, in a way, because I'm the one who holds the strings or conducts them in a play or scenario- a show; in that, I'm especially grateful that people could enjoy or feel some strong way about this particular story. ...

Basically; I want to do more for them. With them, *for* them. Because I think they deserve it. 

Or maybe I'm just a big baby and want to give character alternate universes or "what if" situations whenever I get attached, haha

❤️ 

oh thank you so much! I'm always pleased when I can write the way people speak as more "natural" or "realistic" feeling, so I'm glad that was conveyed in this little entry of mine! Thank you for playing! 

cHEVIE..... I'm glad this one ended in a way that was hopeful, at least ; _ ; I'm still sad ofc about the poor woman lost in the snow, alone but it's nice to know that they were both "found" and maybe "at peace".

Parts of the game were definitely scary, esp the thing chasing the player! I wanted to note, though, that at one point, if you're being chased by it, you can't backtrack to the first area (unless that was intentional?) So when running from it, it gives you the text about how you should find a stick/more sticks first. I felt it was a bit funny in the moment, like "hey, i know you're being chased by The Entity, but dont forget those sticks!" 

Part of the flower(?) is visible behind the icicle, which I'm unsure was also intentional or not, but seeing it there, obscured by the icicle, I thought I had to touch or collect it for some reason? Maybe it just stood out to me and i was surprised that it was just for visuals haha

The art was beautiful ofc, and I loved just how freezing cold everything felt! I could feel my fingertips and chest get cold just thinking about wading around with that big heavy, wet dress in the freezing cold auuuugh i'd freeze for sure! You're very talented, using all these original assets/drawings for your games! It's always a real treat to see, and this game was no exception ^w^

A part of me also thinks "i sure hope people dont think the protag. was the one who k*lled someone, out there with all those bones ; _ ;" Either way, people let this be a lesson not to lean too far on rickety railings over a rushing river 😭😭

I also want to say, I'm so, so sorry about your loss. Fuck cancer indeed, and my condolences ):

This one was so sad ; _ ;

SPOILERS FOR PPL WHO HAVEN'T PLAYED YET:

 I kind of wish we got to see what the "creature" was, in the end. I was really shocked when I saw Gregory had left the way he did...after knowing they they were trapped and probably wouldn't live much longer after their food ran out, it was only a matter of time, I guess. Of starvation or going mad from being cooped up so long.

Very short, yes, but I feel there might've been more that could've been added. Or maybe, I mostly felt like some story elements were lacking- I would've loved to get to know Gregory more as a character, and Thomas as well. I think he was pretty harsh about Gregory, but at the same time, I can understand his frustrations.

Maybe they'll be able to reconcile or talk it out more in the afterlife 😭😭

This game was really beautiful to me! I felt like I could relate to Clara in a lot of ways, mentally and unfortunately, in other areas as well. I think her character was written very well, very real and like her conversations with Addie (especially through text messages!) felt organic.

I loved all the different art and the differences in the characters as they aged! The story itself was so sad- I felt frustrated at one point, unsure if what may have happened at the party was indeed what I assumed but...its an unfortunate truth in many spaces, especially in college parties ): 

Part of me feels, with how real Addie's character is written, that maybe she would be both mortified but stuck- the way she still tried to reach out and be close with Clara, since they were kids, meant a lot to her. I think for myself, I felt relatable to Clara in that; how could a soft-spoken person like herself even begin to explain just ...all of it.

And the character of Josh was well- I liked that, even though it was awkward and stifling feeling for Clara; he still made an effort to be mindful of her boundaries when needed (beyond things he just couldn't reasonably be able to tell without reading her mind.) I liked that he wasn't a brutish, dude-bro type guy- though the explanation of the expedition makes sense that he'd be the type of person who wouldn't be that way to begin with, but still.

I really liked how chatty and friendly Addie was to Clara when they met as children...it made what happened between them feel even more bittersweet )': I think Clara did the right thing, though...for herself. Even though it hurts. I wouldn't begin to know how to breach that kind of conversation with a former close friend- I think I'd be too broken to even want to attempt.

 Moving on and cutting people out, even though they meant so much for so long, can be an awful, awful feeling....but mirroring what they said at the sort of beginning, that if they were around one another a lot from the get go, might have made things more strenuous. Maybe that's what ended up happening anyway, even though Clara was trying to open up, if not for a bit of herself, then for Addie. It's hard being the more introverted friend to a social butterfly. Which is probably why I thought their friendship was so sweet... that Addie cared so much for Clara, that she reached out and let herself into her "space" often.

And then it ended up feeling like a cycle- I'm not sure if I'm making much sense, but I feel like it's all incredibly painfully metaphorical, after The Incident and Addie still coming by (not knowing, of course).

As for the gameplay; I really really enjoyed the mechanic of the light/heat source getting dimmer as you travel- the arms/enclosed feeling was very eerie and I felt my heart race as the hands got closer and closer with the timer running out! I thought the crane game was really cool to add, too! I know some people have a hard time with stories that jump around in time to piece together a bigger picture, but I for one love them a ton. It feels more impactful that way- like a bigger explanation to why things are the way they are, like burning a candle at both ends  to meet in the middle aaa

The music at the ending was particularly beautiful, and the times we see the aurora felt good as both a serious/beauty of the world type moment- like despite the shit that happens, the world can still create something pretty. I think it was also a powerful representation during Clara's "confrontation" of the creature; knowing what it "was" more or less.

I'm glad Clara could find some kind of closure, despite it all. At least, I hope she could ): Maybe things will be different when enough time has passed? Or maybe she can at least still be someone who can be happy in life, sometime. I hope ;  _ ;

Very powerfully written; i really enjoyed this game!! We hate Wes in this house

wow, thank you so much for such a detailed description of my little entry! I'm sorry about the visual bugs especially, I was very rushed but that was my own fault. I knew the idea(s) I wanted to explore and try and make into a coherent entry with using my own assets and didn't get to polish it as much as I'd have liked aaa

Apologies for the spelling and such;; as for Var and his father's situation, I feel like he was so desperate for a feeling of acceptance that he wanted to use it as a beacon or a "see? Someone else can care about me and not make me feel bad.", more leaning into his own, self appointed "tantrum" or "childishness".

In all honesty, I didn't intentionally make Bora as ambiguous in relation to avian dimorphism, but that's really cool that it ended up being read that way- maybe a subconscious decision? Still-

I think I have a hard time making stories that balance both a type of "mythical" or "unexplainable phenomena" along with "but that wouldn't happen irl  right?" Like I take it all too seriously and when exploring possible factors of supernatural cases (in the instance of say, monsters or what Bora was or represented) occur, it can be confusing or hard to grasp, as a story element, even for me while writing it. 

I love hearing everyone's interpretation of it all, it makes me feel as if I've succeeded in making a story with some kind of meat to it, even though it ended in such a way. 

In my mind, I feel if I were the one who seemingly found "happiness" in someone else for the first time, only to have it more or less be ripped out of my hands, and especially after having a mental confrontation like Var did with his father...I feel I'd also fall apart. I couldn't see a possibility of Var *not* feeling complete despair- like he had a taste of acceptance and love and it left as soon as it came. Maybe like snow melting, in a way. 

Bittersweet in that, he was able to feel that warmth he'd always needed, but then it left so easily- it felt, to Var, like a cruel joke. Like he, in his mind, felt that "maybe my dad was right or cursed me.", like he never had much confidence and when he had a taste of it, he knew he'd want to be spoiled in that feeling- too fast, maybe. 

I really loved these characters myself, and I'd like to draw them together sometime too- maybe Var, in some world or some universe, can be as happy as he felt in those few days just a bit longer.

Thank you again so much for your thoughts! I love hearing everyone's different interpretations! This was very pleasant to wake up to, and helpful for creating further, I feel :> 

Thank you for playing! ❤️

Ohh I look forward to the bonus content then!! (: I'll be sure to try and get around to playing the Sowa game you mentioned, too! It's not at all a bad thing to make a game for yourself, of course, it was just a critique but as someone who's already played most of your other games, I feel I'm in the minority of that factor (as in, I know I and others in the server who've played your games know the lore, but others might not is all I meant :> ) Not a bad thing at all ofc! Also, it's cool when creators can post a game that wasn't initially made for a specific jam, but upload it anyway- more content to play!! ^w^/

also, hearing you're working on a "finale" makes me feel a bit bittersweet! All stories come to an ending at some point, but I hope your characters can live on in some way/shape/form (ofc they will as video games, but I mean more in a metaphorical sense haha), and I can't wait to see it! <3

This was phenomenal!! I loved all the art, the narrative, music visuals- everything was so beautiful!! The creatures in the forest were so terrifying and I was so panicked I got lost like twice haha! I also loved the grave puzzle, it was easy to comprehend- Everything felt so somber and desolate..really captured that "everything really is dying" kind of feeling.

I love how everything just felt like it all fit in with it's surroundings- the playable character meshed well with the surrounding dark tones, and I had this nostalgic, melancholic feeling when overlooking the cliff by the "stars". I wish I could have known what this world was like before things became so hellish- the beginning and ending were so beautiful, I feel like ...to compare it, would be something like looking at something that has worn down from continuous usage like a wall with chipped paint where people touch often, only for the outer parts to be in pristine shape- like you're looking at something that's had a lot of love and loss but surrounded by things that haven't been as picked apart or worn away.

Hopefully I'm not getting too introspective about it, but I dunno, this game is really, really beautiful to me. Thank you for sharing such a cool and wonderful experience!

One thing to note; if you're done with the game and start again, only the blue sky will show and you can control the player (footsteps are heard) and the menu is still accessible- I'm not sure if this was intentional or not, and if so, please disregard!

Ohhh this was such a treat of a game- I love the idea of a BAD END sequel! Very unique idea you don't see very often! :> One thing I forgot to mention in my last comment on the Purge/prequel; I think it's really fun of you to include a bonus folder for when people are done with the game(s)! (The password ref was really funny, if not heartbreaking for poor hank 😭

I really like all the extra details for the character movements like when holding items like the knife, bowl etc, as well as different head movements- it makes it all feel a lot more immersive and less "he just stands there...MENACINGLY" The body horror was suuuper creepy and well done, bravo for making me go "EYUGH OH NO!"

The references to other creators' games was another fun touch, but I will say, there was so much text during the tv scene, that I found it hard to focus without an accompanying image/character art- it was a whole lot of sitting and waiting for the tv show to end/be able to continue with the story- though I know some of it was necessary to remind/tell the audience about what lead to what.

I'm also impressed with the usage of another save slot to achieve a different ending- it feels meta, like we can see what Hank would really do in situations if he had everything laid out properly/time to take a breath and think.

I think I'd also snap and look for any means to "bring my son back" if he went the way he did in this scenario )': Poor Hank...good thing this game isn't canon aaa

Either way! Nice tie in for the main game, and definitely spooky!!

Woah this was really cool! I've only seen the first Purge film, but I think that's enough to understand where all this is coming from, inspiration wise. I love how much Hank cares for his son, especially with how hesitant he was to commit crimes to be able to keep him safe. I was shocked at the bad ending- I felt so bad waaa but also, I jumped hard when the bad guys knocked Hank out right when he came home- really good scare haha

I like everyone's expressions, it was a nice touch to have Hank "look" in the direction of the wrench, for example. I also really liked the different sound effects for the flooring, something I use in my own games often (:

One thing I'll say though, is it felt a bit lacking in music, though I know it's mostly used in tense/important situations. At times it just felt a bit empty, but I did appreciate all the people running around and the yelling/screaming/things on fire- really paints the picture of a purge going on, haha! This was really cool, nice entry!!

This was pretty cute! I was a little bummed at how it ended abruptly right before we got to see Varem's performance. I feel like this was a big buildup to something really great, though! I'd love to see it more fleshed out or to see how the story continues beyond what we see in this game (:

I will say, some parts of the text took me out of immersion a bit, mostly due to some grammatical errors and my personal thoughts about using the  typing/writing style of "Yeah" as "yea"- it makes the writing feel somewhat amateurish, if that makes sense? But not a big issue! That, and the absence of punctuation threw me off a bit as well. 

Another thing; without the usual arrow at the bottom (or other indicator in the default System/Menu settings), it was hard to tell when a character was done talking or if the sequence/scene was going to continue without key input (basically, i sat there after a character was done talking with their talk window still open bc I wasn't sure if it was going to clear itself haha)

I liked the artwork, but some parts were a bit dark- I wasn't sure what I was looking at in certain points, but I think that's forgivable due to them being in a cave-like system. Also, I feel this would've benefited from having maybe more CG/character graphics during the sitting and chatting scene with the tomatoes- it felt a bit empty in my mind, but I did enjoy the casual conversation. I also liked how Varem was obviously still mourning the loss of his parents, but was steeled in that he knew he had to continue for their sake- very nice! I also liked how his hair is just everywhere and how he eats rocks, hahah what a silly little guy (:

Thanks for sharing! <3

Woooaahhh this was insane in how creative and scary it was??? I, too was surprised by the rtp at first, and then I was shocked at the sudden turn of visual events!! I got scared so often, I jumped a few times when I got "caught", haha!

SPOILERS BELOW IF U HAVEN'T PLAYED!

I lovelovelove the idea of a cult coming together to try and summon a demon through a video game- especially so with the retro gameplay and soundfonts- I really felt like I was playing an old DOS game! Each time the game would change, I was on the edge of my seat thinking 'oh man something's going to jump out at meee' 

One tiny thing I'd say was how the flashing part in the end made things sort of difficult to see till the very last moment (for me, anyway), but I was so relieved when I was able to get the code in the end ;w;/ The glitchy colors and effects were a great touch with this all being a whole "computer game", especially those from the 80s with it's limited colors and play-style.

Super unique gameplay, super scary "enemies", everything was very spooky indeed!! I also liked how the "devs" talked to eachother with notes within the game. I felt so bad for Ashley ; _ ; but I hope everyone can be at ease with the "happy"(?) ending! I still cant believe this was made with MV- fantastic presentation!! Thanks for sharing this cool entry!!!

Finally got around to playing this!! Sorry for the long wait! Though this game was short, I was able to get all the endings, and I really love the use of the persistent data! When prompted to skip scenes I was surprised, haha

Again, I think my memory is iffy abt keeping track of different characters, but I was excited to see a familiar face with this protagonist in this entry- it's nice to know how passionate Millena is about her work- when I got one of the bad endings, I felt so bad seeing her sad face ; _ ;

I know the lore of your games focuses around types of exorcists and mediums, but I wonder if much of this game would make sense to others who might not have played them prior? What I mean is; I know how this game ties into the theme of "Fear the Devil", but if this is the first game people play, I feel some might not get the connection about the demon/spirit in the well vs. anything else going on in this world.

Either way, it was a cute little game and I enjoyed the light music and the little chores you had to do every day. Millena is cute with a flower in her hair, too! <3 Oh, I also really loved the image/texture you used for the menu/windows when the characters speak! Very eye-catching (: 

wao thank you so much for yet another awesome review!! I'm glad I was able to convey certain aspects of the MC's life situation- I spoke in length about it in the server but; I took inspiration in some ways, from forms of isolation one can feel, especially being ostracized for seeming to appear or speak "differently" than people anticipate (autism for me), so I felt I could have some nuance to the MC's role while changing her situation to that of a curse or devils work.

The assets weren't rtp but purchased from other distributors, but I appreciate the sentiment all the same! I struggle with making things look more...*more*? Because I rely on them heavily, so with lighting, I'm glad I could show off different feelings or real "mood for the moment" during her struggle internally, and definitely took inspiration from horror films for the green room in particular (:

The parts with her mother are also something I'm pleased with being able to show in a manipulative way- the painful feelings that can come from being the one who has to raise a child on her own, only to have no idea what or how to navigate a child that doesn't act or behave how you want them to- making her anxious and ashamed, even at times. 

That's not to say MC deserved it, of course, she just was dealt a shitty hand from the get go- and maybe, if she were handled with compassion, things could've ended up differently, too. I think I wanted to show a bleak outlook on a sad person who just wanted help. Only to find out, she was pretty much screwed from the start.

In the part where you first run from the mom (in the meat room), you have to interact with the door to leave, and that was intentional to make things more stress-enducing, but I can see how that can also be a design flaw haha

As for the other time she chases you, being locked in the room (the kitchen) was on purpose. Also, there technically is a little surprise in the mirror if you look at it again after getting the gem (:

I think I really wanted the ending part to be the heaviest for her- coupled with her almost acceptance yet disgust for death and rotting, along with the helplessness her mother made her feel- like what can feel like an almost inescapable barrier due to being a child with no other resource or help. 

I knew from the inception of this story, that I'd want to write her to be already having a difficult time in life- made to feel like this is the last thing she can try (going to a church outside of town), for answers. Like she was already dangling on the edge of despair and needed some other kind of help, as she already tried seeking asylum in mental institutions and so on, obviously not getting results she'd like.

I'm glad you also liked her portrait being saved till the end- it was something I liked showing too ^w^ I feel her being silent in her own mind was a way of feeling...bitter and already split apart, figuratively, re: the gems, in that...she felt empty. 

I'm also glad the demon with casual banter was well received- I'm a fan of that kind of trope too- deities or otherworldly creatures just talking like you're pals or whatever- it's almost comical-and then feels a bit sad when the player is moved to an area where that casualness is just taken away- alone in her mind again when you have to take care of that demon. 

Just all the little things- I'm also glad you liked the nun and priest- I was nervous about how to write them, but I'm glad people seemed to like their approach- I imagine it felt strange for the MC to be so well taken care of by people who don't know her- almost like the people in her community at home are the ones to blame for her feeling outcast and shunned-yet accepted openly, even after the exorcism. That's why she leaves in an awkward fashion like ..."I'm not used to this. If I'm too happy about it, it'll be taken from me or I'll end up tainting this experience further." And just ...go.

Idk I'm just really happy I was able to make something people could see a bit deeper in, especially because ppl tend to like to speed run these things without soaking in some of the story aaa so, thank you thank you again so so much!!!

Also also; abra rules 😎

Edit: also, sorry for the dim lighting, it seemed fine on my PC but I forgot to anticipate other monitors 😭 

unless you mean the horror rpg maker gamejam discord server, I'm not sure I'll see it, if you wouldn't mind sharing the link in a reply here, that'd be great (:

thank you sm! I have a walk-through listed on my page and included in the download version (: I'll take a look at the playthrough when it's posted 

thank you sm!! ❤️❤️ I was nervous about the bust artwork for this entry, but I'm glad people liked it in the end! ^w^

thank you so much!! ❤️