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A raw, genuine lens into the life of a Mormon missionary in South America. From the endless info dumps and the deep insights into the MC's mind, you can tell the creator(s) is quite familiar with the context the story is based on. It was an intriguing new perspective that evoked a lot of nostalgia, at least for someone from a similar'ish religious background. Some good, some bad.

The plot started off with a very charming feel, slowly introducing the reader. Then when it picked up, it really picked up. I was completely hooked. The unexpected twist really took me by surprise and filled my mind with so many questions. But despite the insane plot progression, the plot remained cohesive. Everything fit so well together, from the tiny art details (omg the shadow cg) to the various symbolisms. It was just poetic.

Now to try and tackle what it all meant (for me at least). Acceptance of self. Reconciliation with religion. Reliance on others. The setup was meticulous: little hints here and there. And then the presentation of the MC's inner conflict with the rest of their world. Honestly, I was so engrossed by the "regular" bits of the plot that all of this was just added bonus.

Maybe I need some more time to digest it all, but immediately after finishing this it felt a bit, unresolved? Yeah there's the bit where he finally opens up, and how his companion swoops in to save the day (night). But then that's...it? What about the whole point of the conflict? How does Hartley reconcile himself with his beliefs/teachings? Does he keep pushing it down? I guess there's no (easy) answer, and maybe that's the point? Or maybe there's other routes I need to explore...hmm...

Not gonna lie, my social anxiety was killing me the entire time, but somehow I read on. From Swift's optimism/determination, to the variety of colorful (and fun!) characters or cause of the fact I've never been to a con, something kept me going. Despite all the awkwardness and stress, I really enjoyed the read. I felt safe the entire time, not sure how to describe it. Experiencing it through Swift's eyes was very freeing in a way, reminding me of my past social adventures. It was pretty realistic imo, especially how it ends. A very eventful, unapologetic lens into what going to a con might feel like.

Spooky. Loved how the little clues/details added to the suspense and mystery. Forcing the reader to click to Step and Breathe was a cool immersion trick. The art was great too. The music choice during some of the more intense scenes (imo) was...interesting. But the slow, eventual reveal of the plot and context was concise and satisfying.

Incredible visuals! It's absolutely stunning that the team was able to churn out such quantity and quality within the jam duration. Sheesh, reading this for free feels like I got away with robbery. Really enjoyed how the plot gave us the full context/story in such an effective fashion. Setups, flashbacks, etc. The m usic, word choice, UI (omg I loved the textbox!!!), it all came together really nicely to create that wild west feel. I was so invested and that final (literal) cliff hanger had me at the edge of my seat. Minor issues with some grammar and timing (auto would go too quickly on the ellipses, but manually sometimes I wasn't exactly sure if a scene was over yet or not). But overall great job!

This was uh...an interesting one. Can't say much since it got too intense for me, but seems like the creator(s) had fun!

A deliberately paced slice of life with some interesting characters! There's quite a lot happening in this one, so it feels somewhat like a (longer) novel. For some reason, it reminds me of when I read the Twilight series way back. (Which is a good thing imo! I actually liked that series lol.) The characters are all very likeable and I got more invested as I read. I do have to say some of the narration felt a bit too much tell and not enough show. And some plot points felt a bit forced (i.e. When they first meet in the forest and they say something like "Let's get to know each other!") I get the intention behind all these instances, but I guess maybe it could've been more subtle/natural? Overall, it was a great read with great art (the unfinished bits did NOT affect my enjoyment).

Choices in VNs usually stress me out, but this game...I'll make an exception. The dialogue was so smooth and genuine, I honestly don't believe that the MC was awkward at all. It was cute, the pixel art and low bit music, to the characters themselves. Then the plot with the cool UI and "gameplay". I honestly kinda enjoyed it, making the choices to test my own social skills. The plot twist was surprising and done really well to add more depth to the story/characters. Also enjoyed how cute the ending was. What a great game!

Such a bittersweet story. I especially loved how real everything was, no simple black and white situations. The addiction(s), social pressures, relationships, finances. So much nuance and complications with no easy answers. The time jumps were implemented very well, making the short story feel much longer. Also, who doesn't love musical cut scenes? Art was phenomenal as well. Not too sure what to think of the memory device bit, but I'm relieved that it ended on a positive note. Great job!

Omg! This was so CUTE!! It was such a great vibe, the art was adorable, the UI was a perfect match, and the sound effects were *chef's kiss*. The diary was such an ingenious way to give insight into the MC's thoughts. It was a simple story with simple characters, but everything was so charming. I'm a happy camper now.

The characters have an astounding depth to them. The way they talk, how they react to each other, it's all so refined. The reveal of the mirror was completed unexpected, but worked into the story so well. (The animation!) Flipping back and forth (a bit too much imo) and their manner of speech reflecting their timelines and contexts kept me hooked. I think the story felt a bit flat, despite being such beautifully written. But overall, this was definitely an experience.

This game was cleverly implemented, from the 4th wall piercing personal jabs to the wide array of puzzles. That and the worldbuilding plus the fast-moving plot kept me engaged (despite me reading VNs by myself at night...). Did I mention the jokes littered throughout? The art, the UI and the transitions/animations/programming were very clean. It had a lot going for it and I'm excited to see the rest.

I was initially going to say that the plot moved too fast and we needed to see more of what the characters were thinking/feeling. Then I kept reading...

My oh my. This was a lot to unpack. There were such depth and complexity to the emotions. The way they make mistakes and how things just go mildly south is so real. How we unintentionally hurt the people we love, make stupid decisions that we regret. They all felt so real and beautiful. I could feel all their love, hurt, confusion and I so, so badly wanted things to work out for them. Gah, I'm gonna go cry myself to sleep now, it's getting too late for me and my thoughts are becoming rambly.

Some minor issues with transitions being too fast and the music abruptly stopping that one time. I do still think the story could have been expanded a bit more. But overall it was wonderfully implemented. There were a lot of great CGs, and the sprites were so fitting for the characters. The music was such a mood too.

The writing was phenomenal. I was gripped from the very beginning, then dragged along by multiple emotions at any point. It never let up, throwing intimate moments, crazy reveals, and absolutely perfect art one after the other. I am in love with how expressive the sprites are; you perfectly captured the impressions of every character/expression.

The deciphering of the video was very cleverly done. It made so much sense and flowed so naturally. I was also at the edge of my seat (figuratively) the whole time waiting for the next bit. How you programmed it to sync the sound effects with the pauses was just *chefs kiss*.

There're so many ways you can apply the message of the story, so this will definitely be one that I'll be thinking about for some time. Thanks for the awesome read!

"He was just a good friend like that."

"He was like family."
"What was his last name?"

This story's got killer lines, killer looks and actual killers. The music was super on point. What more could you ask for? Well actually, I would ask for more. A large part of the story felt serious(ish), and I think it could've used more ridiculous. But overall, had a great time reading this.

The story had so much character to it, and the relatable events made it read so naturally. I especially adored their relationship and the accurate mega church experience. Then the bits with the game and the little cutscenes, my gosh they had me hooked! Only critique is that some of the transitions/time jumps were slightly confusing. That and the fact that I need more!

Very magical atmosphere, until it turned dark at the end... Loved how detailed the art was and the refined, mysterious feel it gave off. Story was interesting too, leaving me curious about what'll happen next.

Intriguing blend of furry isekai, severence, and lethal game show. The art was pretty cute and the characters had decent personalities. I wouldn't mind having that uniform for work.

I recognize that it's a WIP, but the start felt a bit rushed/forced. It does improve later on though. The MC's thoughts are quite jumpy, but I suppose that matches up with the ADHD...hmm...

Thanks for the review and glad that you enjoyed it!

Jaw dropping visuals from the very start. And it does not let up. One lovable character after another, each delivering precisely tailored lines to craft the most heartwarming world possible. There's silliness, depth, kindness, all sorts of emotions. Like a good, good dream.

Vibrant visuals and colorful prose. Though the plot was a bit straightforward, every line felt was well written and almost poetic. The music did its job behind the scenes and perfectly complemented the mood. Only thing that felt a bit off was how fast the transitions were. Great job!

Very cute story and detailed sexy time. Appreciated how the latter pushed beyond generic porn and embraced certain more "flavored" aspects. That and the realistic rendition of being a fan of and interacting with (retro) tech carried this game.

Very cool space game! Love all the attention to the sciency bits. The amnesia thing was also effective in slowly revealing the context to the reader. This is definitely a larger project, so I'm excited for your next build!

Wow, cute characters. Interesting plot and charming dialogue. And oh, oh my...that escalated quickly, uh. I guess our horned MC knows what he wants.

A very cute, fantasy romance. The outfits were well done and the plot flowed quite nicely (and there was a good amount of it too!). The inevitable pairing of the MCs was quite entertaining/hilarious to watch unfold. To be a bit more critical, the story does focus on this relationship a lot, perhaps a bit too much. The rest of the plot is largely pushed to the side in favor advancing the romance. Then there's Dido's flippy floppy performance at the end? But overall, I had a great time in the stream.

Very cool visuals. Like others have said, the transition was done really well to build up that tension. The dialogue for the most part was interesting, though the subjects themselves were kinda typical. Have to say, I wasn't really sure what the premise of the story was until I looked at the Content Warnings and people's comments. Still not too sure what the point was...

This was honestly quite a fun read. The dialogue was fast, natural, and cryptic (for an unc like myself 😔). Music, font, and art were all tastefully selected/created. Only issue really is that the plot didn't really go anywhere. Maybe the other 2/3rds will complete it, but as it stands, it reads more like a vlog than a crafted story. But overall, well done, especially for a 1-person team.

Thank you for playing! It was a fun first project. 😁

Very much on brand, and with a surprising amount of plot to boot. It was hilarious how serious it was, despite how ridiculous all the plot points were. Story otherwise was quite simple with the message being reject capitalism?... I had fun reading this.

No idea what to say, loved every bit of it. CGs, music, how the plot slowly unfolds, the perfectly timed flashbacks, the writing, even the content warning was on point lol. The fact that you completed this on your own is just a masterclass.

The adjusting viewport and NVL(?) mode were very well done! Very interesting method of moving the text and shifting the viewer's focus instead of manipulating the sprites. The dialogue also felt quite satisfying, like I would not have guessed what they were going to say/do.

That said, I do think the pacing was a bit too uniform/nonstop. There was no time to breath, and we were whisked from one line after another. Also, it was an interesting plot, but I kinda didn't see a point to the story other than it being a meme? Maybe the conversation with Gabriel was supposed to deliver some message and I zoomed past it? (If so, maybe slowing it down there could've helped.

But overall, I enjoyed it. It was a fun, short read as promised.

[Spoiler] Barry's secret power is bara

Super clean visuals. I love how the popouts highlighted certain parts of the text. Despite being slightly confusing at the start from being dropped straight into the action, the story did a really job of keeping me at the edge of my seat. I especially love how Kiel is aware of zombie tropes and the story addresses them directly. It's honestly quite impressive how you fit in a whole romance bit alongside all the horror elements in a short story. Both bits were really well done and complimented one another quite nicely.

It's an interesting premise and I like how you weaved in elements of discrimination into it. The transition effect was also very satisfying.

Overall, I think the pace could've been slowed down a bit. There's a lot of exposition in a very short amount of time (ex. opening scene ended before I even realized what was going on). In natural dialogue, characters need time to think and reason. But a lot of times the characters here immediately arrive at conclusions, making it almost like talking to a computer.

There's also a decent amount of telling, especially about how the Wraiths work and such. It's essential to the story, but the way it's currently presented puts a hamper on how interesting it feels. There needs to be a balance between spoon feeding the reader and letting them figure things out on their own.

Overall, it's a solid project, but like some of the other entries, has a story that is more suited for a larger/longer project.

A cute story about coming to terms with yourself and telling the world, a literal life-altering event on an otherwise normal day. It's a super stressful decision to make, and this VN does a good job at showing some of the internal/external struggles through a positive lens.

Some (spoiler) nitpicky thoughts below...

In my opinion, I think the plot moved too fast for a lot of the (really good!) points to land. It felt too much like checking off boxes in a list, rather than immersing the reader into what might be could have been one of MC's most traumatic moments in their life. For example, Richard's reaction was way too "HR suggests this is how you should respond if one of your coworkers comes out to you", rather than your deer (heh) friend finally sharing their deepest secret. (Or maybe some ppl do react like this, and it's just me?) But I think these moments can be expanded on and given more time to sink in.

A few of the other plot points felt a bit, awkward? I guess the VSV bit was for the retro theme, but other than revealing a bit of their history, it doesn't add much to the plot. (There's also the big question of why Jose kept the console till now, while MC got in trouble and stuff. Like wtf???) Then Jose suddenly developing a crush for Emilio after seeing them without their horns, felt quite shallow. Like it should be about more than just appearances, right? This also applies to the shopping route at the end. Are clothes and makeup all there is to being a girl?

Overall, it's a solid game and perhaps some of my points would require a much longer story to resolve, that would push it beyond the scope of a Jam. But good job!

Thank you for reading, glad you enjoyed it! (Hint: take a look at the screen at the end, or look at the img files lol)

Thanks for reading!

Not even the (very) flawed English could prevent me from being completely absorbed by this world.

[Spoilers below...]

MC leaves his supposed paradise in search of meaning. He willingly jumps headfirst into risk and danger. In this strange world, MC's purpose is super clear cut (to donate oil to the machine folk) but at the same time, they reject it and have no idea what they want to do. This is such a powerful paradox. Everybody else in his situation fully embraces that which they were given. They live their lives out in the Resort, they get devoured by the Forgotten, or they willingly sacrifice themselves in extravagant fashion. His ultimate decision was to give up that which made him special (his biotic/oil-generating status) and undergo the upgrade process, transcending life and death like the esteemed doctor.

But then comes the question of why? After all, the doctor (literally referred to as God by the MC) is quite unhappy with their (literally) forgettable life. Is MC embracing immortality to fill the void that the black cat left behind? Will MC and the doctor living forever together bring them happiness and satisfaction? Or is this a message about how we are not simply what strengths, attributes, etc. that we are given, but rather what we decide for ourselves? An imperfect, grim world with lots of questions, which for an effective short story, are perfectly fine left unanswered.

This was a really cool experiment! I took a peep at the code to read the rest of the script after I gave up on the third level. Storing/defining the maps in the 2D array was neat. Art was really cozy and the sprites were expressive. Dev ultimately ran out of time, so not much to say on the rest.

Short and sweet. The story's a bit simple, but the camera work and animations really make the game shine. 

Masterful storytelling and world building. All show and no tell. The art and UI made me feel like I was in a museum. Great game!