Basicbean send me here, so I had to try this. This is so gorgeous!!! The book frame, the handwritten letters, how you included the game title in the scrawled out text, the hover texts, each of the dressing elements. You draw so beautifully and I love how well you emulated that medieval illustration style.
The game page is great as well and I’m smitten by the font you picked here.
That was pretty cute indeed. The art was really compelling. I loved how you conveyed this mixture of kinda cool but also insecure in the character designs. Also impressed by the sheer amount of sprites you drew and how well they worked with the backgrounds.
On a different note: Wow, gatcha games are frightening in how they are able to extort money from folks O .o
it’s been quite a while since i finished my playthrough of this game. i listened to the “leaving the party” podcast recently and was reminded of how much i vibed with your game.
i played it together with a friend and we had so much fun voicing the different characters. the way they are written really made that easy. i continued playing through the game on my own and still kept reading out the voices aloud (a good opportunity for voice training).
i normally look at a character from a distance and at max relate to situations they experience. with ghost i often felt quite connected. she felt like me or how i want to be in many situations. when i read how you imagined her in the art book this made even more sense to me. i love how she is – despite her troubles – a very positive, genuine, and curious person.
the variety of styles between character portraits, bgs, and scenes were lovely. i also liked the ui flourishes like the achievement sprites, and the gorgeous button hover effect (that i only saw in the beginning as i started to use number inputs after a while – shame on me).
gameplay-wise i was really stressed during the first two days and only started to go on whimsical adventures on the last two days. the gender clinic scene was so uncomfortable and it made me thankful that i didn’t need t go through these questionnaires to get my name changed (i live in germany and there was an improvement regarding name changes last year – that is already being contested).
the music was pretty memorable and together with your writing and art you played so many of my emotional strings.
llrpg was my entry point to trans games, so it holds a special place in my heart (especially because it was such a lovely experience).
thank you for crating and publishing this game.
That was a very well written essay. I liked the visuals and music you picked. It is interesting to hear others describe their relation to magical girl media. As a pre-teen I was really drawn to Sailor Moon. This affection also came with anxiety that others could thinking it was cringe. I missed the chance turning to magical girl media in earnest during my teen years. I was able to read my sisters manga at least. But I think I didn’t apply these fantasies as a possiblity for me. I enjoyed the vibe but I felt a distance between me and those stories.
Thanks for reading it all. I’m glad I was able to share some of these thoughts about the process. I only discovered some of the mirroring of the music and story only while writing this postmortem. Sure, I did have an idea what I wanted the music to do, but connecting it to the emotional journey I went through during the conversations I had was something I didn’t realize before. I’m glad that this reflection helped with depening your connection to the music as well ^^
It is remarkable that even though the 3D aspect of the game is one that is pretty unique, I didn’t mention the process of asset creation at all >.< But, I remember taking all these screenshots in the process and being really motivated by how everything came together step by step.
It really has a lot of similarities. While writing I thought mostly of other conversations, because they happened in person. But, forming the friendship with Snek really is inseperable with the development of 2cmb. Next entry I should mine that even more : D 2cmb sequel: Two bowls of vegan pho please ;3
I went to Japan last year—for the first time as an out trans woman. And I related a lot to Haru’s anxieties. I ended up just using the men’s section as I had only started HRT. Playing the game I was reminded how anxious I was each time. I tried to ignor the other guests and they did the same to me, which made it okay-ish—though I was asked to go to the women’s bath once (which felt quite euphoric even though I had to still go to the men’s bath after all). It was still worth it, as it is so much fun to use all the different soaps and shampoos and sit in the hot water while also being outdoors. But if I want to travel to Japan again and use an onsen I would be really unsure how to decide. I would be off in either section. So, I really appreciated the hints to book a private slot or go on the very outer edges of opening hours.
I don’t remember the ending number I got, but I was really touched by the encouragement and help Haru received from various people during my playthrough.
The art on this was luxurious!! Your story highlighted the struggle of navigating this gauntlet well: Picking a save answer and trying to put as much compassion into it without endangering you or the other person. Or going with an answer that will cause you harm in order to help someone else. I really liked that your speech highlighted how capable the other teachers are, and how these arbitrary boundries make them drop all of that, because they believe it is the right thing to do …
It is so sad to read this, because navigating relationships in general can be challenging already. But then adding to that the masquerade, the stress of dropping the facade, and the risk of hurting others … that is quite a lot.
On another note: I loved how you included the dress up UwU Also, also: Loved your voice acting <3
The mixed media style looked so great. I thought the idea to print out the pictures and adorning it with washi tape, stickers, and colors was really beautiful. It gave the whole story such a dreamy vibe. When you showed the actual colored photgraphs during the exit interview it wonderfully contrasted it. It made me realise the story took place in a (fictionalised) real place. I really appreciated this glimpse into an area I have little to no knowledge of.
The writing had such a literary feel to it. I’m not sure I always understood where in the timeline I was at a given point. I think there were jumps forward and backwards in time, but I realised this only pretty late into the game. It felt very mature and surprising in tge context of a visual novel. The “lighthearted” visuals — to me contrasted — the severity of the text. The three protagonists’ different ways of being dishonest with each other and rationalising it to themselves hurt so much more than the abandonment of the island. That was some really skillful writing.
I liked the music a lot. It was used sparse but to great effect and gave off such a lonely but calm atmosphere.
I wished for those three to end up in better places … seeing them where they are at the end of the story felt very crushing — especially the result of Alba’s (in)decisions. Again, great characterisation and writing.
Thanks a lot! I really like that everyone is sharing their thoughts and stories about this. Your’s is a really cool take. It’s so true that the second time around you are much faster and often times can get rid of flaws of the original draft.
Thanks again for playing and taking the time to comment <3
Thank you for playing my game, and thank you for sharing your thoughts and history with me!!! I’m so happy that this little jam entry was able to connect with people.
It is funny, that now that I made this game, I find myself thinking more about old pictures and projects I made. Some of the music I composed can’t be edited anymore as I don’t have the software anymore. Sometimes I never exported the songs, as I felt they were not ready yet. But, now I only have the memory and the disconnected files left. I recently exported more unfinished projects. Not sure I have a clever file structure for it, but it is nice seeing the progress and being sure, I can listen to it, even if I lose a virtual instrument plugin, due to incompatibility …
This was beautiful. It was sad and painful. It was scary. And it was hopeful.
I played the game over three days (didn’t find the time to play in one session) on a recommendation by Abbie, and I had no clue what expected me. The story was soooo good. The music was fitting so well and created such a great atmosphere. I loved how you contrasted the fear and self-doubt with encouragement. She was facing so much, and it never felt like she could overcome these things easily—if at all. But still she faced them. That was such a powerful motive. There were so many strong lines in here. The pixel art helped so much, with creating the atmosphere. The moments you switched from full screen to in-game view worked really well. I was afraid I might become stuck at some moments, but the game always led me to were it wanted me to go. So being stuck never was an issue. (I did seem to skip the credits somehow it seems >.>)
Thanks, this was a really touching experience.
thank you so much. i’m glad you could relate. and i’m sorry for your loss.
letting go of such lost media is often times such a struggle—especially for an adhd brain. in such cases mine becomes so obsessed with trying to salvage more. which makes the process even more tedious. like shouting “i can still save them” while everyone else just shakes their heads and tells me, its too late, they’re gone, move on. maybe a bit over-dramatic ^^ but this obsessing might be just another way of saying goodbye.
now that i write it like this i wonder how i will react to losing people in my life? will it be similar or is this process exclusive to my digital possessions?
aaaaanyway … thank you for playing my little gane and having such nice thing to say about it :3
I’m sorry to hear that you feel despised by the left. I can relate to that feeling. But, I think what makes approaching the left more difficult for men is, that it demands something. It demands to look at one’s own contribution. And that is really painful. Especially since forgivness and grace is something we don’t foster enough as a society. Forgivness also doesn’t come without working on the issues. And their is also the issue of gaining trust. Men get away with a lot, and the receiving end are all the described groups. So, leftist groups need to be sure, they won’t get thrown under the bus. Because they certainly don’t enjoy the same advocacy by established forces if that happens.
But, it is worth doing that work. It is worth being part of a community that builds each other up. It is so healing to receive compliments and acceptance. That is something that often happens in queer communities. Through sheer necessity. But it doesn’t examt them from working through their own to negative contributions to relationships and society at large. They often times, just see the need to do so faster, because society doesn’t provide for them as well.
In your words I see you don’t want to align yourself with Wally—noone does. But, so many of the points you made align with the character’s believes. A nation is something you were randomly born in. Most people feel an attachment to their country. Understandably so. The way you learned to live only works in that context, you hopefuly met friends there, and you’re benefiting off the achievments the ones that came before us. Additionally, in a different country you start at zero, and suddenly feel ostracized. And that knowledge should motivate one to share. On a national level but also on an international one. At least in one’s mindset. The wars in the middle east where fought mainly for control of oil. So yes, the US had no business to be there. But business was exactely what led them there. And the US didn’t contributed in the wars of its allies if there wasn’t some major benefit for them.
I can understand the doom-y outlook on the US. A country who’s populatino is militarized to such a degree is a powder keg. But, that is not the be all and end all. Connecting with people, becoming active in action that benefits your neighborhood can prevent this. It is especially difficult because the US doesn’t offer that many public spaces and connected neighborhoods. But just because it is difficult doesn’t mean it is not doable. My estimation is that this connecting work is mainly done by women. Why not join and help there? It is certainly a very leftist notion. And there are helping hands needed. It can be very rewarding to feel like you can actually contribute to some positive change.
Just some food for thought. I’m not even sure you will come back to read the replies to your comment. But I saw it and felt this game really stirred up some discomfort in you. And I wanted to encourage you to not just put it to the wayside and be satisfied that the left is not welcoming and the systems are not working. But look at were you saw something in yourself that you want to get rid of and how to make a contribution to something better.
(Kind motivated myself here to also check if there isn’t something in my district that I could join to make it better—such is self-reflection >.<)
I want to write something about this game, but I’m not sure what exactely.
It was very well written. Tying the individual radicalization to large scale developments made all of this so visceral. It was scary to read about this blatant hate and violence, that just seeks to find an outlet, while the individual actors still see themselves in the rights. Wally still seemed alone at the end, eventhough he so desperately tried to appeal to that group. It is such a sad existence. Made even more sad by the fact that—to distract from said lonelyness—they hurt others. Such a waste.
The outlook was somewhat hopeful, but definetly not painless. I’m not sure I got the outro images. I think I’m missing context. It seemed like a back and forth?
The music and selection of images was superb!!
thank you ^^ using external hard drives came more out of necessity and i tried for some time to become decent at photography. so that hard drives crash also had the added layer of losing some of my art.
i’m not even sure if i commit anything to memory deliberately—maybe i should. i think it often just either sticks or goes. maybe that’s why i enjoy pictures? i sometimes scroll through old folders and get surpised by motives i took or people i met.
i’m glad my little story helped you find words for your choice and gave you resolve for your non-external hard driven life ;3
funny side-fact: i lost a month worth of conversations on my phone this week due to my accidentally turning of my computer while my phone was still updating >.< and the best part: i considered for a moment to create a phone backup but thought it should be fine ^^
Oh god! This was a lot of things.
I loved the video opening, the typography synced with the music. That was such a cool display in such a restrained layout. The backgrounds and sprites were off-the-charts, and the interface had such nice colors and textures. The music was really musical, while still incorporating noise (and fuzz). The story was quite a journey with such a cute ending. But you also included maybe the one body horror thing that i can’t stand reading. I had to click through fast and cover my eyes (for real) and needed some time to emotionally arrive in the calmer part of the game.
That was a really impressive first game. I’m looking forward to see more!
I love your visuals (shader work?)! It looks sooooo good. I also loved the music. The clanking noise was pretty cool. It was a nice contrast to the more harsh and loud noises I encountered in other games of this jam (including my own >.<).
It reads like a lot of being torn between states : ( But I liked the hopeful outlook at the end.
I wasn’t prepared for that (O .o)
Entering the second room got me from curious to an emotional state of feeling opressively overwhelmed (“beklemmend” was the word I said to Snek and she was very proud ^^). I found myself several times stearing towards that door just to find it blocked. It was all very effective.
While I was switching between looking at the floor—to find some relive—and glimpsing up—to look at those overwhelming marvels—I was again and again impressed by the visual creativity you displayed. Just the opening room alone was already full of character. The various textures and aurora-like mirrages looked soooo good. It was nice being able to walk around in your world.
I love-hated the whole experience. I found myself between a creeping panic, delighted enthusiasm, and observing distance. It was very cool.
(Someone should take away that wretched metal box that Snek calls an instrument. she’s too effective with it ^_^ )
This was such a great way to contrast your experiences. At first I read it like it was happening at the same time, and was a bit confused and only understood right about the end how this “split screen” worked. I played it again just to see it again. And now it made so much more sense. These two relationships really are like day and night, and I’m really glad you found a way out into a healthy relationship.
Your game really conveyed the feeling of having no other options, and a toxic relationship being better than none at all. But with the contrast of your current partnership you dismantle that lie so effectively. We are worthy to be treated well and feel safe. But this knowledge can take so long to aquire. The harm of thinking little of oneself is probably mroe intenser in close relationships. But, it is relevant in so many cases—be it with friends, colleagues, or family.
Thank you!
That was so poetically put. Thank you!
Suffering from the millenial curse of always covering up sincerity with irony my impulse reply was: I was just writing something that I hoped would sound interesting and funny—it wasn’t meant to be that deep. And your comment made me re-evaluate what goes on when writing. I think I underestimate the sincerity of my own experience. Just because that crash happend long ago, and the pain over the loss is long gone doesn’t mean it wasn’t real. Maybe having the distance made it easier to write about it. Anyway, I might have taken your comment completly wrong >.< But I felt called out to take myself serious. Not sure if I can explain my thought well.
Those moments when something/-one stirs up a half memory, but you can’t visualize it completly and instead of the contents of that memory you only feel loss. This kind of memory loss is scary, because it is able to call myself into question. “Did that really happen? I thought I was different …”
I’m really honored that my little game was able to conjour these thoughts and emotions for you. And thank you again for conjouring thoughts and emotions in me with your comment ^_^
i somehow only saw this comment now. i’m so sorry i didn’t reply earlier.
thanks for the kind words. i’m really thankful you were so persistent after the game crashed. and i’m glad that it was relateable to your own conversations. it’s pretty cool to hear that these kinds of conversations happen elsewhere too. also, really glad that the presentation made the conversation interesting. i only had about 3 animations per character and was a bit afraid it would be too static >.<
So many cool things in here: I love the endless scrolling text with that vanishes on the top. The writing style that uses no punctuation creating a stream-of-conscious (?) in which both characters melt into one. I loved the use of justified text, as I seldom see it used in games (probably because auto-hyphenation and automatic letter spacing is not well implemented yet—I digress). I also liked the dialog presentation: So simple but yet so effective. The concept of bodies speaking without words was really cool. It was a cute and hot encounter. And, it I think it is so cool, that just by the character models I could tell it’s a game made by you.
I really enjoyed my time with this game. Lalaire’s mental gymnastics and desperade attempts to stay on top were very endearing to read. Getting to see both characters’ POV was a really cool introduction.
I liked TYPE-MAID’s approach to re-using assets from an existing game—felt very seen by the last paragraph of the games description. I feel reminded of what plunderphonics achieved within music: Taking the good and interesting parts of another piece of art and giving it new context.
As I’m a sucker for typography I was happy to see a lot of ligatures, kerning and dashes ^_^
Oh, and of course: Game was hot.
I spend about 2 months – on and off – playing this game. I find it really difficult commenting on LD. I contributed music to the game and I befriended Snek. So, I’m not coming from a neutral place >.< Regarding the story tho … It was clear from the get go, that the story and its characters would be wildly outside of my own experience.
And this is what makes it so difficult to comment on for me. I really wanted to be into the story as others described – instead I found myself disagreeing a lot with the characters. I simply lack the experience in a lot of places. It was like getting shown a different (tragic and difficult) world.
What made this read easier to wrap my head around, was writing kinda live reactions to Snek, and using the scenes as conversations starters. I found that between all the grime in the story there were always moments of wisdom and care. Also: The writing is hella good. It is funny how much of Snek’s “voice” is shining through in these dialogs. I snickered at a lot of the narrators remarks. And, the use of the multiple text boxes was simply outstanding. It really created a cinematic feel in some cases and skillfully overwhelmed me in others. There were mayne more instances were she used the interface to great effect.
I loved Blood Machine’s art work. This digital drawing-over-an-existing-painting/photograph-style was really cool.
I’m enthralled by how skillful Snek picks and uses music. The music came from three people composing directly for the game and a range of licenced / CC songs. And they still feel super cohesive and fit each scene so well.
Some closing words for this comment ^_^ : Those girls are neither in a good nor stable place. But, I think LD shows that despite everything life goes on, and it is worth sticking through, because there is tangible hope for things and people to improve.
I really liked this game. The combination of pre-rendered animated backgrounds and the 2D sprites went so hard. The worldbuilding was great as well—visually as well as writing-wise.
I loved the dynamic between the two. Their back-and-forth made them feel very much on par with each other. Each of them gaining the upperhand at some point, and willingly submissing at another.
How you integrated the sieve into the story, was really really cool.
Been a while since I read it (trans rep jam really took over my spare time). But I remember that I liked it quite a bit. I think being queer and trans outside the large cities can feel lonely (probably similar with suburbia and the lack of a car). So, I really liked how you pointed out, that in fact there are a lot of queer folks living in the country side. I got to know a few that are actually moving out of the city to live in smaller towns. I found the tips really neat. I think there is a lot of queer folk music out there that begs to be discovered. Also, the list of resources seemed helpful. I live in a major city in Germany, so a lot doesn’t apply to me, but I appreciated the glimpse into your world. I hope more queer people in rural areas get together to make moments of community tangible. Sending love from Germany ^_^
oooooooooh, thank you //^_^// That’s so kind of you. It makes me really happy.
Yes, the soundtrack is available, I uploaded it to bandcamp. The link should be in the devlog or in the game description.
I’m really happy you liked the interface and the cameras. I tried to communicate closeness and distance in someway, but at some point it was just so many lines that I wasn’t sure I was able to add any meaning through it. Therefore I’m super happy with your description and what it communicated to you. I might steal your words if I need to describe the camera system in the future ^_^
Also, super happy that you like Mia and Merle. While writing it felt like I’m writing myself twice. So it’s good to hear it felt like a conversation. Snek and I had a lot of fun recording it :3
That was so cute and beautiful. The story was so lovely. I really liked the title screen design.The snow orb design was really cool. I loved how expressive the animations were. I loved that the mech looked like it had a silly smile over its face. And I’m absolutly smitten by the use of typogaphical apostrophes and dashes!
