Aw, this was very sweet! Anthony is adorable, I love the general vibes and the music, and it managed to feel cosy despite being about a pretty serious subject. It feels very sincere and heartfelt, I enjoyed it a lot!
Hi Ebi, thank you so much for your feedback, I'm glad you appreciated the game! I think the "late night" setting and the music participate in the cosy atmosphere it has! Thanks again for these kind words!
(Play and rate the game! It'll only be about 10-15 minutes of your time, and this is worth 10x's that!)
[Spoilers]
Gosh, I really love how simple and well executed this little game is! I love the speech bubbles and def think you should bring them back at some point!
The message of this VN was clear to me, but I have a suspicion that won't be true for most people. Just because it's such a common issue in modern relationships. Man oh man.
Anthony is a capital 'C' Cutie! Love that he's part of the "Namida" story line and I can see both him and Katekyo again! Eeeeeh!
Your themes always resonate with me, Idk if it's because you and I are were separated at birth, have a lot of similar experience as both writers/queer people or you write them all so well. (It's probably all 3)
I love stories about exes in a more positive light, and you were able to accomplish both the positive and the negative here in a satisfying way!
This is like an appetizer so good you don't even need an entree' I swear you've been able to make me feel so good in under 10 mins when it takes most triple A VN devs like actual weeks to make me feel as attached to their characters as I do to yours. No lie!
Your stories are just equally creative and beautiful as they are raw and human.
I detail a lot more of my one to one silly thoughts in the video I sent you <3 thank you for this, I've had so much fun going through your catalogue!
"It'll only be about 10-15 minutes of your time, and this is worth 10x's that!" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH THAT IS TOO NICE, THANK YOU?
Yes, I had a few feedbacks of people getting the bad ending first because of that final choice (answering wrong automatically leads you to the bad ending)! But I'll admit the description of the game is kinda misleading with its "seduce back your ex if you think it's the right thing to do..." but it's obviously not in this context for me, haha!
"I can see both him and Katekyo again!" Funnily enough, Anthony is a minor character in Katekyo's route, haha (Anthony's boyfriend, the MC of this game, actually named Wyatt, is a more important character)!
"Your themes always resonate with me, Idk if it's because you and I are were separated at birth, have a lot of similar experience as both writers/queer people or you write them all so well. (It's probably all 3)" I can confidently say it's at least the first two!!!!
"I love stories about exes in a more positive light, and you were able to accomplish both the positive and the negative here in a satisfying way!" Yes!!!! And you know that's something I loved in TNT haha, so this game is kinda about that too: navigating a relationship with your ex in a healthy manner!
"This game isn't meant to be played on phone" well I disregarded that completely, it's definitely not the optimal experience but it's doable, so, just reporting on that.
To the game itself, I really like the "ex experience" when both of the parties aren't jumping at each others' throats, as it's often portrayed, so this storyline was a treat. Really nice bittersweet flavor, which I enjoyed as well. Good bite-sized dish, I recommend this restaurant and I will be coming back.
And thank you! I didn't want the story to create an opposition between them, as the whole point is actually about being supportive, without pretending past has to be forgotten.
And the restaurant will gladly welcome you back anytime you want!
I finally got around to playing this (been a little,,, overwhelmed,,, these last few days alas) but i really like the sentiment of this!! You do a really good job setting up the MC's relationship with Anthony and conveying just what exactly fractured their dynamic in the first place (and also how things in life aren't perfect, especially in romance, and bonds between people can easily be fractured by things like society's expectations or one's own journey to better understand themselves in spite of maybe finding out they've still ended up going against those expectations).
The use of Renpy's speech bubbles was interesting but so fluid I didn't even really think about their inclusion until now (that is: i was so immersed i just realized in hindsight that you used them because they flowed so naturally into the game lol).
I definitely felt like Anthony was very human in this. He's still finding himself, still trying to own up to mistakes he's made and people he's hurt. I find that really endearing in characters - the ability to recognize one's own faults and act on resolving 'em - and I think you nailed it perfectly. So good job!!! And thanks for making this game!!
Thanks! I'm glad the relationship between the MC and Anthony showed! I really wanted to tackle this melancholic feeling, this kind of nostalgia that could exist between two ex-lovers who don't each other but can't say they ended up on a good note. And Anthony has still a long way to self-discovery and to own up to his own actions, and I'm glad you saw that in him and let him the chance to actually do so.
And I'm happy for the bubbles! It was a bit of a fight, but I'm a bit dumb sometimes so I won't blame them too much but I'm happy to have this tool! And I thought it suited this game quite well indeed... Somehow, it makes everything feel more immersive? (And frankly, imagine the game being titled "Out of the suitcase" without being able to see the suitcase... waste, that's what it is!)
Thank you for your gentle feedback, it means the world!!!
This was beautiful. Sometimes a story is poetic enough that it pulls you into the moment and you just enjoy the raw emotions of it. That is what this game was.
A moment in humanity and genuine feelings between two people. And it warmed my heart to play through.
Thank you for making this game <3 I'm glad I played it!
Oh my, this comment is so kind and moving! I had a bad day today and you definitely made me feel better! Thank you so much!! And I'm glad this game was a positive experience for you too!!!
Ugh, this was very good!! There's so much emotion and history between the MC and Anthony conveyed in the short runtime. You can really tell how Anthony has struggled with his identity. His inability to connect with anyone (hence running to his ex in his time of need) is sad, but completely understandable.
From a production standpoint, I loved the way this looked?! The animation on the start menu is so smooth and satisfying, and I love how the dark red/purple hues on Anthony contrast so well with the dark blue of the background. The rendering/shading on Anthony looked so good as well! And I loved the incorporation of the Renpy speech bubbles; it fit this game and made it feel more immersive.
I also really enjoyed the difference between the endings! As the player, it's tempting to be extremely proactive, but in the end giving Anthony the space and the ear that he needs is what gives you the "good" ending. (This story is SO sweet but also I absolutely cried with laughter at how Anthony's short-shorts and his crop-top somehow became plot relevant. I thought it was just fanservice...)
Yes: they have history and memories together: happy and sad ones. Therefore, I thought such relationship was the perfect base for some bittersweet writing!
And Anthony's solitude kinda broke me too: to think that he tried so hard to please others that, in the end, he ends up all alone... Poor boy!!!!!
And thanks! This game is a bit lighter in terms of GUI, but I'm glad with how subtle yet efficent it looks! I'm so happy with the animation on the main menu! It's not too much (which would feet other games, but clearly not this kind of subtle and modest stories)! And thanks for the speech bubbles, THEY WERE A FIGHT!!!!
And yes, I really wanted to offer the good ending to players who realise this whole situation is about Anthony, not about the self-insert MC (whose actual name is Wyatt, but nevermind). And I thought it would be fun to actually incorporate the crop-top as self-expression in the storyline, haha! But the first joke about it made me laugh when I wrote it, I can't lie!
edit: which would *fit other games, obviously; but for the prosperity of humanity, i'm letting this iconic typo stay.
This has affected me greatly. There's something so short and poignant about it. Dripping with this sort of bittersweet nostalgia and ending with either a hopeful outlook or the dreadful realization that you've just ruined things. I enjoyed both endings I will admit -- the melancholy one because I'm a sucker for having my heart ripped in two, and the hopeful one because I'm a sucker for bittersweet optimism mixed with convoluted feelings.
I quite enjoyed how simple this all was -- on the outside. But that once you start talking to Anthony and uncovering all these bits and pieces of the past, not only about your relationship with him but his relationship with his parents and friends, his struggles to figure himself out, of fighting against who he really is, and how that ended up ruining what he had with his fiance. And just... how Anthony himself feels so lost and confused and guilty about all of this. About everything. You can tell even just from the responses he gives and the way he carries himself how much built-up guilt he carries and these feelings that he's the one responsibility for all the lost relationships he's had over the years.
My heart hurt so much for him and everything that he's been through. And especially that feeling of just... not knowing where to go from here. Or what to do next.
I found it quite fitting that rushing to return to the idea of love is what ultimately sends him packing (yet again). And instead, not judging him, not rushing him, not pushing him into anything -- literally just giving him space, giving him room to talk, is what ultimately keeps him there and makes him feel secure enough that the thought of a renewed relationship is even within the realm of possibility. It was really nice and very sweet.
Just overall really really lovely. I assume this is just a quick one-shot and you probably won't be returning to these chars, but I really enjoyed this little glimpse into their lives and how much we came to understand them even despite the short length. I enjoyed this a lot!!! 💕
So, yeah, that's basically the plot: guilt of having ruined the past, and the maturity to examine things as they are instead of trying to rebuild a past that already failed. Anthony just needs some help to figure out who he is, and an ear to listen to him, so I figured out the bad ending would be obtained by instrumentalising his conflicted feelings to try to seduce him again. Sometimes, we just have to be empathetic and to let things go (and perhaps they'll come back, who knows)?
I also enjoyed writing Anthony at a turning point: now that he's revaled everything, now that he decided to stop trying to be what society expects him to be... what awaits him? He doesn't know and that's what he had to return to the last time he was that person he tried to reject, but that he's ultimately becoming: with the insert-character.
Now, part of me wants to give Anthony a happy relationship, but it's only because I grew attached lmao, the game is supposed to be a one-shot! So, if I find myself randomly writing a 1,600-words game, like this happened for this one, why not, but overall, I'm glad you enjoyed this glimpse!!! And THANK YOU for your detailed and very gentle feedback, it means so much!!!!
← Return to game
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Aw, this was very sweet! Anthony is adorable, I love the general vibes and the music, and it managed to feel cosy despite being about a pretty serious subject. It feels very sincere and heartfelt, I enjoyed it a lot!
Hi Ebi, thank you so much for your feedback, I'm glad you appreciated the game! I think the "late night" setting and the music participate in the cosy atmosphere it has! Thanks again for these kind words!
not bad At all : )
my heart is going to explode, this is adorable and i love your work.
Thank you so much, your words mean so much, I'm glad you appreciated this game!!
aawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. cute!
Thanks a lot, I'm glad you appreciated the game!
(Play and rate the game! It'll only be about 10-15 minutes of your time, and this is worth 10x's that!)
[Spoilers]
Gosh, I really love how simple and well executed this little game is! I love the speech bubbles and def think you should bring them back at some point!
The message of this VN was clear to me, but I have a suspicion that won't be true for most people. Just because it's such a common issue in modern relationships. Man oh man.
Anthony is a capital 'C' Cutie! Love that he's part of the "Namida" story line and I can see both him and Katekyo again! Eeeeeh!
Your themes always resonate with me, Idk if it's because you and I are were separated at birth, have a lot of similar experience as both writers/queer people or you write them all so well. (It's probably all 3)
I love stories about exes in a more positive light, and you were able to accomplish both the positive and the negative here in a satisfying way!
This is like an appetizer so good you don't even need an entree' I swear you've been able to make me feel so good in under 10 mins when it takes most triple A VN devs like actual weeks to make me feel as attached to their characters as I do to yours. No lie!
Your stories are just equally creative and beautiful as they are raw and human.
I detail a lot more of my one to one silly thoughts in the video I sent you <3 thank you for this, I've had so much fun going through your catalogue!
Hey Joy, thank you for your feedback!!!!
"It'll only be about 10-15 minutes of your time, and this is worth 10x's that!" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH THAT IS TOO NICE, THANK YOU?
Yes, I had a few feedbacks of people getting the bad ending first because of that final choice (answering wrong automatically leads you to the bad ending)! But I'll admit the description of the game is kinda misleading with its "seduce back your ex if you think it's the right thing to do..." but it's obviously not in this context for me, haha!
"I can see both him and Katekyo again!" Funnily enough, Anthony is a minor character in Katekyo's route, haha (Anthony's boyfriend, the MC of this game, actually named Wyatt, is a more important character)!
"Your themes always resonate with me, Idk if it's because you and I are were separated at birth, have a lot of similar experience as both writers/queer people or you write them all so well. (It's probably all 3)" I can confidently say it's at least the first two!!!!
"I love stories about exes in a more positive light, and you were able to accomplish both the positive and the negative here in a satisfying way!" Yes!!!! And you know that's something I loved in TNT haha, so this game is kinda about that too: navigating a relationship with your ex in a healthy manner!
And excited to watch the video!!!
"This game isn't meant to be played on phone" well I disregarded that completely, it's definitely not the optimal experience but it's doable, so, just reporting on that.
To the game itself, I really like the "ex experience" when both of the parties aren't jumping at each others' throats, as it's often portrayed, so this storyline was a treat. Really nice bittersweet flavor, which I enjoyed as well. Good bite-sized dish, I recommend this restaurant and I will be coming back.
Ha ha, I see we have a rebel here!
And thank you! I didn't want the story to create an opposition between them, as the whole point is actually about being supportive, without pretending past has to be forgotten.
And the restaurant will gladly welcome you back anytime you want!
I finally got around to playing this (been a little,,, overwhelmed,,, these last few days alas) but i really like the sentiment of this!! You do a really good job setting up the MC's relationship with Anthony and conveying just what exactly fractured their dynamic in the first place (and also how things in life aren't perfect, especially in romance, and bonds between people can easily be fractured by things like society's expectations or one's own journey to better understand themselves in spite of maybe finding out they've still ended up going against those expectations).
The use of Renpy's speech bubbles was interesting but so fluid I didn't even really think about their inclusion until now (that is: i was so immersed i just realized in hindsight that you used them because they flowed so naturally into the game lol).
I definitely felt like Anthony was very human in this. He's still finding himself, still trying to own up to mistakes he's made and people he's hurt. I find that really endearing in characters - the ability to recognize one's own faults and act on resolving 'em - and I think you nailed it perfectly. So good job!!! And thanks for making this game!!
Thanks! I'm glad the relationship between the MC and Anthony showed! I really wanted to tackle this melancholic feeling, this kind of nostalgia that could exist between two ex-lovers who don't each other but can't say they ended up on a good note. And Anthony has still a long way to self-discovery and to own up to his own actions, and I'm glad you saw that in him and let him the chance to actually do so.
And I'm happy for the bubbles! It was a bit of a fight, but I'm a bit dumb sometimes so I won't blame them too much but I'm happy to have this tool! And I thought it suited this game quite well indeed... Somehow, it makes everything feel more immersive? (And frankly, imagine the game being titled "Out of the suitcase" without being able to see the suitcase... waste, that's what it is!)
Thank you for your gentle feedback, it means the world!!!
This was beautiful. Sometimes a story is poetic enough that it pulls you into the moment and you just enjoy the raw emotions of it. That is what this game was.
A moment in humanity and genuine feelings between two people. And it warmed my heart to play through.
Thank you for making this game <3 I'm glad I played it!
Oh my, this comment is so kind and moving! I had a bad day today and you definitely made me feel better! Thank you so much!! And I'm glad this game was a positive experience for you too!!!
Ugh, this was very good!! There's so much emotion and history between the MC and Anthony conveyed in the short runtime. You can really tell how Anthony has struggled with his identity. His inability to connect with anyone (hence running to his ex in his time of need) is sad, but completely understandable.
From a production standpoint, I loved the way this looked?! The animation on the start menu is so smooth and satisfying, and I love how the dark red/purple hues on Anthony contrast so well with the dark blue of the background. The rendering/shading on Anthony looked so good as well! And I loved the incorporation of the Renpy speech bubbles; it fit this game and made it feel more immersive.
I also really enjoyed the difference between the endings! As the player, it's tempting to be extremely proactive, but in the end giving Anthony the space and the ear that he needs is what gives you the "good" ending. (This story is SO sweet but also I absolutely cried with laughter at how Anthony's short-shorts and his crop-top somehow became plot relevant. I thought it was just fanservice...)
Hey, thanks a lot for your feedback!
Yes: they have history and memories together: happy and sad ones. Therefore, I thought such relationship was the perfect base for some bittersweet writing!
And Anthony's solitude kinda broke me too: to think that he tried so hard to please others that, in the end, he ends up all alone... Poor boy!!!!!
And thanks! This game is a bit lighter in terms of GUI, but I'm glad with how subtle yet efficent it looks! I'm so happy with the animation on the main menu! It's not too much (which would feet other games, but clearly not this kind of subtle and modest stories)! And thanks for the speech bubbles, THEY WERE A FIGHT!!!!
And yes, I really wanted to offer the good ending to players who realise this whole situation is about Anthony, not about the self-insert MC (whose actual name is Wyatt, but nevermind). And I thought it would be fun to actually incorporate the crop-top as self-expression in the storyline, haha! But the first joke about it made me laugh when I wrote it, I can't lie!
edit: which would *fit other games, obviously; but for the prosperity of humanity, i'm letting this iconic typo stay.
GUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
THIS IS VERY GOOD.
HELP.
This has affected me greatly. There's something so short and poignant about it. Dripping with this sort of bittersweet nostalgia and ending with either a hopeful outlook or the dreadful realization that you've just ruined things. I enjoyed both endings I will admit -- the melancholy one because I'm a sucker for having my heart ripped in two, and the hopeful one because I'm a sucker for bittersweet optimism mixed with convoluted feelings.
I quite enjoyed how simple this all was -- on the outside. But that once you start talking to Anthony and uncovering all these bits and pieces of the past, not only about your relationship with him but his relationship with his parents and friends, his struggles to figure himself out, of fighting against who he really is, and how that ended up ruining what he had with his fiance. And just... how Anthony himself feels so lost and confused and guilty about all of this. About everything. You can tell even just from the responses he gives and the way he carries himself how much built-up guilt he carries and these feelings that he's the one responsibility for all the lost relationships he's had over the years.
My heart hurt so much for him and everything that he's been through. And especially that feeling of just... not knowing where to go from here. Or what to do next.
I found it quite fitting that rushing to return to the idea of love is what ultimately sends him packing (yet again). And instead, not judging him, not rushing him, not pushing him into anything -- literally just giving him space, giving him room to talk, is what ultimately keeps him there and makes him feel secure enough that the thought of a renewed relationship is even within the realm of possibility. It was really nice and very sweet.
Just overall really really lovely. I assume this is just a quick one-shot and you probably won't be returning to these chars, but I really enjoyed this little glimpse into their lives and how much we came to understand them even despite the short length. I enjoyed this a lot!!! 💕
AAAAAH THANKS CARROT!!!!!!
So, yeah, that's basically the plot: guilt of having ruined the past, and the maturity to examine things as they are instead of trying to rebuild a past that already failed. Anthony just needs some help to figure out who he is, and an ear to listen to him, so I figured out the bad ending would be obtained by instrumentalising his conflicted feelings to try to seduce him again. Sometimes, we just have to be empathetic and to let things go (and perhaps they'll come back, who knows)?
I also enjoyed writing Anthony at a turning point: now that he's revaled everything, now that he decided to stop trying to be what society expects him to be... what awaits him? He doesn't know and that's what he had to return to the last time he was that person he tried to reject, but that he's ultimately becoming: with the insert-character.
Now, part of me wants to give Anthony a happy relationship, but it's only because I grew attached lmao, the game is supposed to be a one-shot! So, if I find myself randomly writing a 1,600-words game, like this happened for this one, why not, but overall, I'm glad you enjoyed this glimpse!!! And THANK YOU for your detailed and very gentle feedback, it means so much!!!!