Content Warnings: Transphobia, depression, death of loved ones.

a small sci-fi visual novel for Game Boy -- set during one winter day, in a future that hopefully never comes.

story and programming - flower 

art and sound - hemlocks

StatusReleased
PlatformsHTML5
Rating
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
(57 total ratings)
Authorflower studio
GenreVisual Novel, Interactive Fiction
TagsGame Boy, Horror, LGBT, LGBTQIA, Pixel Art, Retro, Sci-fi, Transgender

Download

Download
Dead Names - Game Boy Ver.gb 512 kB
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Dead Names - Analogue Pocket ver.pocket 512 kB

Comments

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best story art in a long while - so well done. and yeah…the eyes in the window was πŸ‘ŒπŸΌπŸ‘ŒπŸΌπŸ‘ŒπŸΌ

thank you so much for sharing this work with us. 

A+ I want more!
(1 edit) (+1)

For everyone who struggles with pressing start - try left alt. 


 This story is marvelous in terms of brevity. It may be very short in the terms of wordcount. But it haunts your for a long time after. 

I felt raw emotions in my raw imperfect meat. Thank you.

oh....OH. This was incredible. my heart is broken: The script, the writing, the art... This really hit close to home, especially with how things are going for me. Thank you for this amazing piece of art!

thank you for the kind words! i'm glad (and also sorry) it was able to touch you.

I did play it now, heh. I understand it, pretty hard.

I want to play, but I can't :C

(+1)

Excellent story telling, especially in establishing how "different" the detective's kid is. The oddly formal manner in which they speak and the fact that they don't eat at dinner are miniscule details that still allow the player to quickly infer what the situation is based on the ealier context of the game. Can't wait to see what more you'll accomplish in the future!

thanks very much! we definitely wanted to make him as uncanny as possible in a short time with only a few images.

This was a pretty sad story.

(+1)

my Chromebook isn't letting me press start :( I tried 'e' and 'enter', too </3

(+1)

i don't have a chromebook, but try pressing Z or J

z worked!! tysm :D

The art here is mindblowing, and that moment with the eyes.. incredible stuff all around! 

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thank you! before we even started, the android with a serene face and flashing eyes was one of the first images i had fully formed in my head.

short yet great game with a nice plot twist, definitely worth playing

this hit home in a way i cant explain- the way ash's mother refuses to see who he(/they??) really want to be and only want to be with his/their idealized self is way too relatable..

AMAZING GAME
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Twist that I didn't expect, and the pain that resonates from within... A future that hopefully never comes and may no one experiences it...

Wow. I love this game. It reminds me of this short story I read a while ago, Chokechain by Andrew Joseph White. I imagine if this future ever comes (and I really hope it doesn't) these sorts of stories will probably be everywhere. Eugh, even saying that gives me a chill.

(+1)

i'd never read this before until you posted this, but it was fantastic. glad i'm not the only one thinking about the wonderful dystopia ahead of us.

(+1)

Just read it as well, holy crap did that anger resonate with me

this broke my heart

(1 edit)

The ending left me speechless.

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the game wont start

(+2)

hoooooly cow this hit hard. awesome work!!

(+2)

Whoa, this was incredible.

(+2)

Wow, big oof.

(+5)(-2)

Good game

(+10)(-3)

I'm really impressed by how impactful this VN is with its short playtime. The script is strong, and the music (and occasional lack of) really amps up the dread. It helps that you've chosen something that's such an anxiety inducing scenario here; am I loved for who I am, or rather who others would prefer me to be? The visuals here are excellent, and you've worked really well within the Game Boy's limitations to make something very moody. I'm a huge fan of Game Boy aesthetics, so this was right up my alley.


All in all, a fantastic little title!

(+7)(-2)

πŸ™ thank you so much for your kind words! i'm especially glad that the sound design is working the way i was hoping it would haha.