I'm an enthusiast and creator of the project "Keeper of Time". Specialize in translating visual novels and comics into Russian. I understand if, due to the current terrible situation, you immediately stop reading after this. I'm writing with a proposal to translate ur games into Russian. I don't sell translations and leave all links on authors, I also do not take money from the owners of the original for my work. If you want, I can show you my project list.
Honestly, this visual novel is amazing. I love the detailed writing, the art, the world building, and the characters. I'm excited to see more about the MC's illness & more of Kier + Cirrus. I'm also interested in learning about the 'fancy stranger', even if he doesn't have a route now I'm very eager to learn his story.
P.S. The aftercare is lovely, so thanks for adding that.
OKOKOK, I did a quick search and I actually realized that the condition that MC has translates/relates to having a fractured soul... idk if its what it means for the game but the condition is a combo of real words so... I also don't know what that means for MC and why they're gonna supposedly die but ig we'll find out
haven't played keir's route yet so i dont have a full review but uh. 100000/10 for Cirrus, i am down SO bad for this priest it's insane, i AM the target audience you aimed for when he was made, I need more of him so bad oh my sweet lord
Absolutely amazinggg!! I was having such a good wholesome time on the keir route and then switching to the cirrus route afterward had my jaw on the floor... The choices had me speechless but it's so intriguing. I love the storytelling, the wordbuilding, the art, the sprites and can't wait to see the full game :)
omg i love keir wtf i got his best end on my first playthrough and i'm gonna try out the other endings later! i am so very intrigued to see what comes next! i haven't seen the fancy stranger or cirrus yet so i'm excited to see how i can interact with them as well :) also even though i have done literally one ending so far, i am so so interested in the world of this game?? i am so invested already.
ALSO ALSO THE AFTERCARE BUTTON??? i just clicked it to see what it would do and omg it's so sweet, i love it sm.
I'm in love this with project!! I played through Cirrus's route so far and the safeword/aftercare screen is really amazing of yall to have put in. The art is beautiful and I cant wait to see more about the story of the market and the illness our protag is dealing with
okay sooooooo, I literally made this account to tell you about how amazing and the emotional rollercoaster I went on this game... likeeeeeee AAAAAAA
*SPOILERS SO DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED*
okay
1. the aftercare button was the most best thing i've seen in the gaming experience and I really want to thank you guys for that and the storyline was absolutely amazing... question is... are you guys going to make this game free once the game finishes??? I really hope so, but I understand if you won't. (I'm broke tho soooooo)
2. ya'll..... on the Cirrus route when the uhhh scene happened and then the aftermath of the MC questioning how you feel after.... I HAD TO LITERALLY SIT THERE FOR LIKE TEN MINUTES AND TRY AND COME UP WITH THE ANWER I LIKED.
either way this game was AMAZING!!! I can't wait until you guys finish the game :)
writing this after playing through the whole demo yesterday and resisting the urge to have another playthrough of all the routes........
first of all. the amount of work you have put into this is astonishing and you have managed to create a piece so spectacular i can't believe it is only on its first chapter?
i live for the world building, the little details allow you to fully immerse yourself and i think that is one of the main determining factors that make a good story actually *good*. i am so intrigued to learn more.
the main character feels so real and a witty, headstrong (and mouthy since everyone insists on saying so lmao) character who actually has goals and -dare i say it- a personality outside the pursuit of a LI is always appreciated. that being said, the LIs are appreciated as well!! (lmao) their designs are so nice and complement the characters so well (am i just saying that the masks are sexy? perhaps.) no but really. i think they are very interesting in their own ways and i love that the choices you make allow you not only to shape the story in different ways and take different paths, but they also influence your relationship with the other characters in very fundamental ways. following the same sentiment as before, i don't think LIs should live and breathe for the mc only, so the fact that they can be literally like 'idc if you die' is so great (that is such a strange thing to say) and i find it incredibly funny (the bad ends of later chapter may make me more upset, admittedly) but also actually plausible.
i also really enjoy the interactions with the side characters and i can't wait to see how those develop as well. the timed choices and the ability to turn on hints are a very appreciated detail. and seeing as the music is one of the first things i take notice of while playing a new game, i was immediately hooked on what i found here. it really sets the tone for the game from the start, so nicely done on that. and on everything else!
i am very excited for more, but in the meantime thank you for the time and effort you guys spent on this game, i can't wait to see what's next!!
Wow... never fell in love with a game so quickly just by playing the demo. The music, atmosphere, main characters design and their personalities, the MC and the writing's style. I loved everything. Can't wait to see and learn more about the story, i am completly sold.
Sorry, I just wanted to ask: will the love interests react in some way differently to the mc, depending on which sex(pronouns) you choose? Or they don't have any preferences whether you're a male or a female?
I loved the game a lot, I will be so happy to see more of it!)
The world, music and the characters are fantastic - that dark mystery feeling through all the game. I liked so much all of the characters (and Vesper the most❤️).
I also really liked that there is not a fully obvious way to reach Cirrus best ending while not being completely happy with him)
I'm so in love with your writing. It fits so well with the visuals and it got me into the story within 10 minutes of gameplay. Wonderful work 🥰
The LIs…. They woke things inside me….. and I'm very pleased about it 👀👌❤️ but I want to highlight Cirrus because I am now his loyal follower and I'll bark at his command 😌❤️
Also! I love the safe word feature!!!! It is so cool!
You guys did an amazing job and I'll be here lurking in the dark and praying to see more of dadd- Father Cirrus in the next updates 😳🙏
While i love the game and everything, im a having a little trouble.
Ive played through Keirs route without any problems, but as i was starting over to go cirrus´s route, the game closed itself and deleted both launchers (Obscura and Obscura-32). I was unable to find those anywhere so i tried to extract the files again, when that didnt work, i redownloaded the files and extracted those. It worked for a little while until the same thing happened.
Thanks for the comment! We're so glad you've been enjoying Obscura.
As for the crashing and missing files, my first guess would be an overzealous antivirus program scanned the game and decided it shouldn't be allowed. Some antivirus programs do not recognise Ren'py games and treat them as a potential threat. We're not a threat. You can check your antivirus logs to see if any files were deleted or quarantined or whitelist the file location to see if it's something like that. Hopefully that helps!
phenomenal, thats all there is to say about this game
the art, the music, the setting and world building, the character design; all top notch
my only constructive feedback so far is when it comes to name selection, if you could please have it default to Vesper instead of leaving it blank? i had no idea the protagonist had an official name until someone else told me
absolutely keeping an eye on this for updates, especially anything with daddy cirrus
Honestly, I am looking forward to seeing how the story progresses. So far, I really loved what I've read. I like darker themes, so this (especially Cirrus, who I really shouldn't like since I don't like organized religion, but ... *shrug*) fits the bill. I am especially interested to see just what is influencing the MC in some of the dialogue with Cirrus. I have a theory, but I kinda don't wanna think about it too much, I like to be surprised when I am reading.
Keir, and those you're introduced to in his route, were especially easy to like. As an elder millennial, I appreciated the hints being offered for that route, lol. I remembered some of it, except that crucial first step.
The art was really beautiful, and added a nice backdrop to a world that already has some strong world-building foundations in it.
I would caution that if people have triggers, please do pay attention to the warnings. Things can get a bit intense.
Had fun playing the game and both available routes! The art is gorgeous and the music is cool! I enjoyed Keir's route (when he mentioned the Witchrings, was that a reference to the Witchblade or am I going crazy?) Cirrus's route was wild though; I ended up having to use the guide to get his best end (I kept getting the neutral end lol)
I love love love the game! The writing, music, UI, and pacing are wonderful. I'm so intrigued by the plot I want to know more. Now, I do have to say that I originally played the game pre-1.01 update. I saw there was an update to Cirrus' route so I replayed it to see what it was like.
----
[EDIT I FINISHED KEIR'S ROUTE] OHHHHH I LOVE IT!!!!!! The found family vibe...the banter..... *chef kiss*. While Cirrus' route is more my vibe for ~spicy~ things, after doing Keir's route I was just like "damn I want Keir and MC to hold hands. Now kiss." It was extremely refreshing to do after doing Cirrus' route! It also balances out Cirrus' route. His route punishes the player for too many snarky comments, while Keir easily meets them blow for blow. I really felt connected to the MC and their reactions! Top tier MC 10/10.
----
I also want to give a BIG shout out to the writing team, because the handling of Cirrus' route was clearly done by someone with a decent familiarity with it. There is a lot of attention to detail to the actual role dynamics that I don't typically see in similar style games. It deepens the immersion in a pleasantly surprising way! Especially the descriptions of the mental state of the MC...I loved those.
I like the concept of the aftercare system, but I do suggest that the safeword input/selection be moved to the beginning of the game. It's rather jarring and unintentionally amusing to walk in a church and suddenly be asked for a safeword. Setting it at the beginning would make it less intrusive. This could also allow people to access the feature on other routes.
My other suggestion would be to make the safeword hover-to-appear or similar. Actually, on second thought, it would actually be a great idea to make the safeword an icon instead of a word. It is something that remains on the screen for long periods of time, so it needs to be unobtrusive.
I get that it's meant to help people who aren't into that kind of stuff navigate the content, but for people who ARE into it....having the safeword (which is typically very Unsexy) on the screen can kill the mood of a scene. Imagine...being at a climatic scene...the intensity of the moment at its peak....and you accidentally look up in the corner and see "mcnuggie" or something equally outlandish. POOF, the moment is gone. All the built up tension is out the window! I would keep the location the same though so people remember it's there.
All in all, I really do enjoy the game! I can't wait to find out more lore and dig deeper into the routes. I'm also REALLY EXCITED to find out more about....cutie fancy stranger....he's so cute.... Thank you all very much for your hard work!!
Finished going through Cirrus' endings and currently going through Keir's, very interested in seeing where everything is going I absolutely love the setting and MC.
Just wondering but would you consider having an android version too? I much prefer being on my phone/tablet than my potato laptop, but I understand if it's something you don't want to do.
I have hella THOUGHTS on this VN! THIS WILL DEFINITELY BE INSANELY LONG AND HAVE HELLA SPOILERS SO PLS DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED IT LOL
This is also gonna be a scattered ramble of my incoherent thoughts so APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE I NEED TO SCREAM INTO THE VOID ABOUT MY OPINIONS BC THERE ARE MANY
THIS IS NOT A FORMAL REVIEW IN ANY WAY ITS PURELY A WOMAN SCREAMING WITH FEELINGS
God so Cirrus right? Walking red flag, biggest red flag I've ever seen in my life, but ho boi put me on color correcting glasses because I've never cared LESS about a man being problematic.
Okay I cared a little but it's fiction and I'm safe so it's completely fine
ON THE TOPIC OF SAFE ACTUALLY CAN I JUST GUSH ABOUT HOW MUCH I LOVE THE AFTERCARE PAGE LOL?
Being able to talk to the MC and also just the checklist variant of the aftercare segment was incredible. I didn't personally need it because none of this content was especially triggering to me personally, but I did have moments where I was genuinely uneasy and I took the time to go to the aftercare corner to take a breath and also see what it was like, two birds with one stone and all that.
"You and me, we're a dream team. Nothing can change that."
BE STILL MY HEART MC I LOVE YOU and it was nice to have that moment of reassurance.
"Also, I'm completely safe. Always was and always will be." MC YOU ARE A LIAR BUT ALSO IT WAS VERY APPRECIATED IN THE MOMENT LOL
Also Cirrus' aftercare segment was a HUGE pleasant surprise! Having the multiple options and seeing how he was willing to fulfill whatever specific need the character had did wonders to ease whatever tension I was feeling from the aftermath of the scene. (I've referenced this feeling twice and I do want to stress that for me, this is a very good thing, I'll touch on it again soon.)
Seeing that he was willing to adapt to the MC's needs (even reluctantly, when asked for space) was so nice, and while I wouldn't call it WHOLESOME It still felt very sweet and did make me feel more secure in that moment.
I loved everything about that scene. The intensity was great, had me in an actual metaphorical chokehold the entire time, the pace was incredible and I actually physically felt that tension to the point I had to tab out and just do something else for a few minutes because I thought I was going to combust.
AGAIN, IN A GOOD WAY LOL I KNOW IT SOUNDS BAD BUT I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT
I enjoy darker content, quite a lot actually, though I understand why it's not very popular and I'm not one to put my own wants above the needs of other people, fantasy is a safe place and I can see why darker themes would be too much for some.
It was nice being able to just indulge in a scene like this though, a story like this, beautifully written and engaging and perfectly paced with the intensity of the narrative. I was completely enthralled.
ON TO WHY IT WAS GOOD THAT I FELT UNEASY BEFORE I FORGET TO TALK ABOUT IT LOL
I'm not a self-inserting kind of person, I love looking at the MC as their own character and looking into their dynamics with the rest of the cast, that's how I get my enjoyment out of the stories I read and the VNs I play. As a result, however, it's pretty hard for me to actually become immersed in a VN. I don't consider this a bad thing, but sometimes it does impede my ability to really grasp the tension of a scene, it's easy to dismiss the conflict when I don't really feel involved, when I don't feel the potential consequences.
That was absolutely not a problem here. When MC was caught eavesdropping I was so STRESSED man I WAS SO WORRIED I WOULD GET THEM KILLED OR IN TROUBLE LOL I SAVESCUMMED SO HARD BECAUSE OF HOW NERVOUS I WAS, CIRRUS HAD ME HOLDING ON TO MY CHAIR FOR DEAR LIFE
And that tension carried beautifully throughout the rest of that punishment sequence, I was physically tense the entire time, to the point that when the aftercare started and I had begun to relax, I could feel the ache in my muscles lmfao but it was such a good experience, it was both thrilling and kind of horrifying, I wish I had better words to describe it
I don't even think I could begin to describe what a rush that realization was, I hadn't even noticed I was so sucked in until that moment. The music contributed to it perfectly by the way, I definitely haven't put enough hype on the soundtrack but MAN does it sell the atmosphere.
So to BRING IT ALL BACK BEFORE I GO OFF ON A TANGENT
Having those moments where I felt uneasy and uncertain was wonderful, It's not often I have the luxury of being immersed like that, so even after closing the game the fact that it still lingered in my mind while I was just going around doing different things was wonderful to me, I love having experiences like that, I love when those experiences sneak up on me and I'm not ready for them to stick as well as they do, and this one has quite thoroughly latched onto me.
ALSO?? THE DIALOGUE OPTIONS?? "YES" "YES" "NO YES" I ALMOST LOST MY MIND LOL FREAKED ME OUT IN THE BEST OF WAYS AND IT HAPPENED TWICE
ALSO x2 It was nice to have an MC that could be receptive to this sort of thing. The options to lean into it and enjoy the punishment were actually very fulfilling, and almost validating in a way? The whole "I didn't take you for a masochist" and "You didn't ask" thing was so nice to see, I'm excited to explore that more and see where it leads.
My fragile little heart wants a happily ever after so damn BAD but I'm so thoroughly ready for the absolute PAIN I KNOW IM GONNA GET PUT THROUGH LOL BOUTTA CALL MY FRIENDS UP ON DISCORD AND MAKE THEM PROVIDE ME EMOTIONAL SUPPORT WHILE I PLAY THESE CHAPTERS
CAUSE I DON'T TRUST THIS MAN EVEN HALF AN INCH BUT HE'S GOT ME UTTERLY HOOKED HOW DID THIS HAPPEN I WAS SO CAUGHT OFF GUARD HOW DARE THEY WRITE SUCH A COMPELLING AND ALLURING CHARACTER ITS SO RUDE
Have I rambled enough about Cirrus yet? I think I lost my train of thought, I WARNED YOU THIS WOULD BE SCATTERED
SO ONWARD TO KEIR! WHO WAS THE FIRST ROUTE I TRIED
I think for future content updates I might save Keir's route for after I finish Cirrus.
I love the dark stress that I get from Cirrus, the tension, the unhealthy dynamic, it's so compelling and alluring.
But, it is still a wee bit stressful, which is not a bad thing at ALL I HAVE TO STRESS THIS VERY HARD I DO LOVE IT A LOT LOL PLEASE DON'T LET THIS COME OFF AS A BAD THING I HOPE IVE MADE MY THIRST CLEAR
While the route with Keir starts off a bit rocky, it very quickly turns into something more comforting for me. This might very well change later on! I have no way of knowing! But so far it does carry a sort of found-family vibe to me, and it was very sweet and GOD THE BANTER IM NOT READY TO GO INTO ALL THAT YET BUT IT WAS SO GOOODDDD
So I think for me personally, in terms of play-order, Keir will go after Cirrus for the sake of my sanity.
SO THE BEGINNING
"Do you trust me?"
NO OFC NOT BUT I HAD TO PICK YES BECAUSE IM A SHITPOSTER LOL
"The fuck?"
I wheEZED SO HARD I CANNOT HIS REACTION WAS SO FUNNY LOL
THEN HE CHASTIZED MC FOR IT AND IT WAS HYSTERICAL
I did go back and pick no because it made the most sense to me, but that was definitely a clue about how much fun I was about to have on his route AND I WAS SO RIGHT I HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME LOL
This route was what cemented this MC as my favorite MC ever btw. I love wit and banter, I've seen it done phenomenally in other games, but absolutely nothing could have prepared me for "You look like a throw pillow fucked a jewelry box"
I sent a screenshot of that line to my friends and absolutely lost my SHIT I was laughing so hard
Griff: It wasn't that funny
me: NO IT WAS ABSOLUTELY THAT FUNNY LOOOL
I'm an absolute gremlin and I'm so proud of it bc that was HILARIOUS
I don't think I've ever laughed so much at an MC before, and the bright wit compared to the completely dark setting for the story is pulled off so damn WELL. It didn't take me out of the story at all, it didn't feel out of place or forced, 10000/10 I love MC
(Also if this part of my rant seems a little more organized and detailed it's bc I'm going back and replaying Keir rn so it's a little more fresh in my mind, which is why I have more direct quotes compared to when I babbled about Cirrus)
AAAA ALSO THE POSES? FOR THE SPRITES? THE DYNAMIC POSES WERE SO GOOD I LOVED SEEING THE CHANGES IN POSITION especially since in VNs we rely so much on facial expression, so being able to convey that much emotion through body language instead to compensate is really clever I feel, and it was done very well the art is beautiful and very eye-catching.
I mentioned it briefly before, but the found-family thing (assuming that's what it is, it might wholly just be my perception, either way I still enjoy the dynamics with everyone) felt incredibly fulfilling. It's clear they're still keeping the MC at a distance, but it was wonderful to see by the end how they began to warm up to them, just a little.
Kind of like a slow-burn but for friendship? I thrive off of that, especially when there was as much emphasis placed on how hard trust is to earn, it felt gratifying to see the change after a difficult job done well and getting to see some of that tension and distrust melt away.
AND! THE! SCENE! AT! THE! END! WITH THE HEADPATS! AND THE SAPPY TALK! AND THE EMOTIONS?!
Keir's route so far feels so emotionally fulfilling and validating while still maintaining that dark and dreary setting from the rest of the story. Thing's aren't bright and happy just because of one good job, but that happy moment felt fuckin EARNED!
Cirrus feels, permit me this NSFW thought, sexually gratifying in a way, though that's something that I imagine is unique to myself and people who have similar tastes. Neither route is comfortable, per se, but they balance each other well and god I'm so EXCITED
TO SEE
WHERE IT GOES
SKDJFVBHJFD I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE WORLD BUILDING AND THE LORE AND I WANNA SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH MC?? AND THEIR SICKNESS? WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER (IF) THEY GET CURED? DO THEY HAVE TO LEAVE? THE ANTICIPATION WILL KILL ME BUT I WILL WAIT VERY VERY PATIENTLY (or try to)
while also screaming into the void on occasion.
Whew this was definitely very long I'm so sorry I screamed so much lmfao I just had a lot of feelings and WANTED TO PUT THEM SOMEWHERE
TLDR I think this is a beautiful, wonderfully concocted story aND IT WAS ONLY ONE CHAPTER THATS INSANE TO ME, both of the characters are so appealing and intriguing and I JUST KNOW IM GONNA GET HURT BUT ILL HAVE TISSUES AND ICE CREAM AT THE READY
now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go write some NSFW Cirrus fics to cure the brainrot going on in my head THANK YOU FOR INDULGING MY SCREAMING HAVE A NICE DAY EVERYONE
I really love the way it flows right now! The writing is really enjoyable and both visuals and sound have a very disctinct feeling to it that builds the atmosphere very well. I cannot begin to express how charmed I am by the protagonist and Keir. Kudos to the entire team!! I'm excited to tag along for the journey and see where it takes us :^)
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Hello!
I'm an enthusiast and creator of the project "Keeper of Time". Specialize in translating visual novels and comics into Russian. I understand if, due to the current terrible situation, you immediately stop reading after this. I'm writing with a proposal to translate ur games into Russian. I don't sell translations and leave all links on authors, I also do not take money from the owners of the original for my work. If you want, I can show you my project list.
u can contact me: keepersoftimerus@gmail.com
Honestly, this visual novel is amazing. I love the detailed writing, the art, the world building, and the characters. I'm excited to see more about the MC's illness & more of Kier + Cirrus. I'm also interested in learning about the 'fancy stranger', even if he doesn't have a route now I'm very eager to learn his story.
P.S. The aftercare is lovely, so thanks for adding that.
OKOKOK, I did a quick search and I actually realized that the condition that MC has translates/relates to having a fractured soul... idk if its what it means for the game but the condition is a combo of real words so... I also don't know what that means for MC and why they're gonna supposedly die but ig we'll find out
Started with Keir's route, and so glad I did--he's def my type. Loving this game and am eager for more!
haven't played keir's route yet so i dont have a full review but uh. 100000/10 for Cirrus, i am down SO bad for this priest it's insane, i AM the target audience you aimed for when he was made, I need more of him so bad oh my sweet lord
I am in love with this game! So excited to see more :D
I love this! The art and story is so interesting and beautiful! I cannot wait to see where this goes!
Keir has my heart! <3
I LIKKKKKKKKE IT
迫不及待地想了解更多关于这个故事。另外，我将来有机会听到卷云的声音吗？
我在哪里可以看到更多的Obscura的艺术作品，拜托，我需要更多
Literally diserve more attention . The graphic in this game pleased my aesthetic lol. I CAN'T EXPLAIN, IT JUST AMAZING
AND IM ON MY KNEES FOR CIRRUS
Oh wow, just in love with Keir.
I can't wait for the full version, the whole vibe o this game is just <3
Absolutely amazinggg!! I was having such a good wholesome time on the keir route and then switching to the cirrus route afterward had my jaw on the floor... The choices had me speechless but it's so intriguing. I love the storytelling, the wordbuilding, the art, the sprites and can't wait to see the full game :)
omg i love keir wtf i got his best end on my first playthrough and i'm gonna try out the other endings later! i am so very intrigued to see what comes next! i haven't seen the fancy stranger or cirrus yet so i'm excited to see how i can interact with them as well :) also even though i have done literally one ending so far, i am so so interested in the world of this game?? i am so invested already.
ALSO ALSO THE AFTERCARE BUTTON??? i just clicked it to see what it would do and omg it's so sweet, i love it sm.
Same no clue how, never interacted with the others
I'm in love this with project!! I played through Cirrus's route so far and the safeword/aftercare screen is really amazing of yall to have put in. The art is beautiful and I cant wait to see more about the story of the market and the illness our protag is dealing with
aside from my other comment i really love this game, it just gives me a vibe other games like this dont...its truly amazing
i love keir so much hes just gorgeous i love everything about his design!! and the way he pats mc's head is just so adorable i just wanna cry
this game is so good i cant even put how good it is into words (or maybe thats my tiny vocabulary's fault)
i literally just did keirs #9 ending and its not showing?? help please lmaoo
i followed the ending guide as well
okay sooooooo, I literally made this account to tell you about how amazing and the emotional rollercoaster I went on this game... likeeeeeee AAAAAAA
*SPOILERS SO DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED*
okay
1. the aftercare button was the most best thing i've seen in the gaming experience and I really want to thank you guys for that and the storyline was absolutely amazing... question is... are you guys going to make this game free once the game finishes??? I really hope so, but I understand if you won't. (I'm broke tho soooooo)
2. ya'll..... on the Cirrus route when the uhhh scene happened and then the aftermath of the MC questioning how you feel after.... I HAD TO LITERALLY SIT THERE FOR LIKE TEN MINUTES AND TRY AND COME UP WITH THE ANWER I LIKED.
either way this game was AMAZING!!! I can't wait until you guys finish the game :)
Thank you for making this game.
I did not expect that to happen in cirrus' route and I really thank you for having a panic button. It really helped me.
writing this after playing through the whole demo yesterday and resisting the urge to have another playthrough of all the routes........
first of all. the amount of work you have put into this is astonishing and you have managed to create a piece so spectacular i can't believe it is only on its first chapter?
i live for the world building, the little details allow you to fully immerse yourself and i think that is one of the main determining factors that make a good story actually *good*. i am so intrigued to learn more.
the main character feels so real and a witty, headstrong (and mouthy since everyone insists on saying so lmao) character who actually has goals and -dare i say it- a personality outside the pursuit of a LI is always appreciated. that being said, the LIs are appreciated as well!! (lmao) their designs are so nice and complement the characters so well (am i just saying that the masks are sexy? perhaps.) no but really. i think they are very interesting in their own ways and i love that the choices you make allow you not only to shape the story in different ways and take different paths, but they also influence your relationship with the other characters in very fundamental ways. following the same sentiment as before, i don't think LIs should live and breathe for the mc only, so the fact that they can be literally like 'idc if you die' is so great (that is such a strange thing to say) and i find it incredibly funny (the bad ends of later chapter may make me more upset, admittedly) but also actually plausible.
i also really enjoy the interactions with the side characters and i can't wait to see how those develop as well. the timed choices and the ability to turn on hints are a very appreciated detail. and seeing as the music is one of the first things i take notice of while playing a new game, i was immediately hooked on what i found here. it really sets the tone for the game from the start, so nicely done on that. and on everything else!
i am very excited for more, but in the meantime thank you for the time and effort you guys spent on this game, i can't wait to see what's next!!
Wow... never fell in love with a game so quickly just by playing the demo. The music, atmosphere, main characters design and their personalities, the MC and the writing's style. I loved everything. Can't wait to see and learn more about the story, i am completly sold.
Finally some dark, kinky stuff!=))
I'm so in love with this project! It looks like a masterpiece)
Guys, will the full game be 18+ with some sexual content?
I need more of daddy Cirrus)
I love the MC! I like their mouthiness and wittiness. It was a delight to play as them.
I think I'm a very bad girl... Is it normal that I want so badly the priest? :)
He's one of the sexiest 2d beings I've ever seen!
p.s. I'm so happy with the content warnings! Eventually some mature, dark game with some gore)
The developers of this game are amazing!
Sorry, I just wanted to ask: will the love interests react in some way differently to the mc, depending on which sex(pronouns) you choose? Or they don't have any preferences whether you're a male or a female?
Whether you pick she/her, he/him, or they/them as your pronouns, the love interests will treat you the same ❤
bro i played this game blind and my entire reaction was like "what the fuck did i stumbled into" idk what to say my mc died immediately lmaooo
saaaaame
This is incredible 🤣 !! Thank you for the lovely Fanart ❤️✨
aww, thank you for the lovely game! <3
I loved the game a lot, I will be so happy to see more of it!)
The world, music and the characters are fantastic - that dark mystery feeling through all the game. I liked so much all of the characters (and Vesper the most❤️).
I also really liked that there is not a fully obvious way to reach Cirrus best ending while not being completely happy with him)
I was so looking forward to playing this game and omggg you guys didn't disappoint!!! THIS IS SO GOOD!! 😩❤️❤️
Beautiful sprites. Beautiful background. Beautiful GUI. Beautiful beautiful beautiful!!!!! 😭✨
I'm so in love with your writing. It fits so well with the visuals and it got me into the story within 10 minutes of gameplay. Wonderful work 🥰
The LIs…. They woke things inside me….. and I'm very pleased about it 👀👌❤️ but I want to highlight Cirrus because I am now his loyal follower and I'll bark at his command 😌❤️
Also! I love the safe word feature!!!! It is so cool!
You guys did an amazing job and I'll be here lurking in the dark and praying to see more of dadd- Father Cirrus in the next updates 😳🙏
While i love the game and everything, im a having a little trouble.
Ive played through Keirs route without any problems, but as i was starting over to go cirrus´s route, the game closed itself and deleted both launchers (Obscura and Obscura-32). I was unable to find those anywhere so i tried to extract the files again, when that didnt work, i redownloaded the files and extracted those. It worked for a little while until the same thing happened.
Any idea why?
Thanks for the comment! We're so glad you've been enjoying Obscura.
As for the crashing and missing files, my first guess would be an overzealous antivirus program scanned the game and decided it shouldn't be allowed. Some antivirus programs do not recognise Ren'py games and treat them as a potential threat. We're not a threat. You can check your antivirus logs to see if any files were deleted or quarantined or whitelist the file location to see if it's something like that. Hopefully that helps!
I am in love with Cirrus
AMAZING! specifically, the characters themselves were incredible. I cannot wait for more. seriously amazing stuff!
phenomenal, thats all there is to say about this game
the art, the music, the setting and world building, the character design; all top notch
my only constructive feedback so far is when it comes to name selection, if you could please have it default to Vesper instead of leaving it blank? i had no idea the protagonist had an official name until someone else told me
absolutely keeping an eye on this for updates, especially anything with daddy cirrus
**May have mild spoilers?**
Honestly, I am looking forward to seeing how the story progresses. So far, I really loved what I've read. I like darker themes, so this (especially Cirrus, who I really shouldn't like since I don't like organized religion, but ... *shrug*) fits the bill. I am especially interested to see just what is influencing the MC in some of the dialogue with Cirrus. I have a theory, but I kinda don't wanna think about it too much, I like to be surprised when I am reading.
Keir, and those you're introduced to in his route, were especially easy to like. As an elder millennial, I appreciated the hints being offered for that route, lol. I remembered some of it, except that crucial first step.
The art was really beautiful, and added a nice backdrop to a world that already has some strong world-building foundations in it.
I would caution that if people have triggers, please do pay attention to the warnings. Things can get a bit intense.
Had fun playing the game and both available routes! The art is gorgeous and the music is cool! I enjoyed Keir's route (when he mentioned the Witchrings, was that a reference to the Witchblade or am I going crazy?) Cirrus's route was wild though; I ended up having to use the guide to get his best end (I kept getting the neutral end lol)
I love love love the game! The writing, music, UI, and pacing are wonderful. I'm so intrigued by the plot I want to know more. Now, I do have to say that I originally played the game pre-1.01 update. I saw there was an update to Cirrus' route so I replayed it to see what it was like.
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[EDIT I FINISHED KEIR'S ROUTE] OHHHHH I LOVE IT!!!!!! The found family vibe...the banter..... *chef kiss*. While Cirrus' route is more my vibe for ~spicy~ things, after doing Keir's route I was just like "damn I want Keir and MC to hold hands. Now kiss." It was extremely refreshing to do after doing Cirrus' route! It also balances out Cirrus' route. His route punishes the player for too many snarky comments, while Keir easily meets them blow for blow. I really felt connected to the MC and their reactions! Top tier MC 10/10.
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I also want to give a BIG shout out to the writing team, because the handling of Cirrus' route was clearly done by someone with a decent familiarity with it. There is a lot of attention to detail to the actual role dynamics that I don't typically see in similar style games. It deepens the immersion in a pleasantly surprising way! Especially the descriptions of the mental state of the MC...I loved those.
I like the concept of the aftercare system, but I do suggest that the safeword input/selection be moved to the beginning of the game. It's rather jarring and unintentionally amusing to walk in a church and suddenly be asked for a safeword. Setting it at the beginning would make it less intrusive. This could also allow people to access the feature on other routes.
My other suggestion would be to make the safeword hover-to-appear or similar. Actually, on second thought, it would actually be a great idea to make the safeword an icon instead of a word. It is something that remains on the screen for long periods of time, so it needs to be unobtrusive.
I get that it's meant to help people who aren't into that kind of stuff navigate the content, but for people who ARE into it....having the safeword (which is typically very Unsexy) on the screen can kill the mood of a scene. Imagine...being at a climatic scene...the intensity of the moment at its peak....and you accidentally look up in the corner and see "mcnuggie" or something equally outlandish. POOF, the moment is gone. All the built up tension is out the window! I would keep the location the same though so people remember it's there.
All in all, I really do enjoy the game! I can't wait to find out more lore and dig deeper into the routes. I'm also REALLY EXCITED to find out more about....cutie fancy stranger....he's so cute.... Thank you all very much for your hard work!!
Finished going through Cirrus' endings and currently going through Keir's, very interested in seeing where everything is going I absolutely love the setting and MC.
Just wondering but would you consider having an android version too? I much prefer being on my phone/tablet than my potato laptop, but I understand if it's something you don't want to do.
I have hella THOUGHTS on this VN! THIS WILL DEFINITELY BE INSANELY LONG AND HAVE HELLA SPOILERS SO PLS DON'T READ IF YOU HAVEN'T PLAYED IT LOL
This is also gonna be a scattered ramble of my incoherent thoughts so APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE I NEED TO SCREAM INTO THE VOID ABOUT MY OPINIONS BC THERE ARE MANY
THIS IS NOT A FORMAL REVIEW IN ANY WAY ITS PURELY A WOMAN SCREAMING WITH FEELINGS
God so Cirrus right? Walking red flag, biggest red flag I've ever seen in my life, but ho boi put me on color correcting glasses because I've never cared LESS about a man being problematic.
Okay I cared a little but it's fiction and I'm safe so it's completely fine
ON THE TOPIC OF SAFE ACTUALLY CAN I JUST GUSH ABOUT HOW MUCH I LOVE THE AFTERCARE PAGE LOL?
Being able to talk to the MC and also just the checklist variant of the aftercare segment was incredible. I didn't personally need it because none of this content was especially triggering to me personally, but I did have moments where I was genuinely uneasy and I took the time to go to the aftercare corner to take a breath and also see what it was like, two birds with one stone and all that.
"You and me, we're a dream team. Nothing can change that."
BE STILL MY HEART MC I LOVE YOU and it was nice to have that moment of reassurance.
"Also, I'm completely safe. Always was and always will be." MC YOU ARE A LIAR BUT ALSO IT WAS VERY APPRECIATED IN THE MOMENT LOL
Also Cirrus' aftercare segment was a HUGE pleasant surprise! Having the multiple options and seeing how he was willing to fulfill whatever specific need the character had did wonders to ease whatever tension I was feeling from the aftermath of the scene. (I've referenced this feeling twice and I do want to stress that for me, this is a very good thing, I'll touch on it again soon.)
Seeing that he was willing to adapt to the MC's needs (even reluctantly, when asked for space) was so nice, and while I wouldn't call it WHOLESOME It still felt very sweet and did make me feel more secure in that moment.
I loved everything about that scene. The intensity was great, had me in an actual metaphorical chokehold the entire time, the pace was incredible and I actually physically felt that tension to the point I had to tab out and just do something else for a few minutes because I thought I was going to combust.
AGAIN, IN A GOOD WAY LOL I KNOW IT SOUNDS BAD BUT I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT
I enjoy darker content, quite a lot actually, though I understand why it's not very popular and I'm not one to put my own wants above the needs of other people, fantasy is a safe place and I can see why darker themes would be too much for some.
It was nice being able to just indulge in a scene like this though, a story like this, beautifully written and engaging and perfectly paced with the intensity of the narrative. I was completely enthralled.
ON TO WHY IT WAS GOOD THAT I FELT UNEASY BEFORE I FORGET TO TALK ABOUT IT LOL
I'm not a self-inserting kind of person, I love looking at the MC as their own character and looking into their dynamics with the rest of the cast, that's how I get my enjoyment out of the stories I read and the VNs I play. As a result, however, it's pretty hard for me to actually become immersed in a VN. I don't consider this a bad thing, but sometimes it does impede my ability to really grasp the tension of a scene, it's easy to dismiss the conflict when I don't really feel involved, when I don't feel the potential consequences.
That was absolutely not a problem here. When MC was caught eavesdropping I was so STRESSED man I WAS SO WORRIED I WOULD GET THEM KILLED OR IN TROUBLE LOL I SAVESCUMMED SO HARD BECAUSE OF HOW NERVOUS I WAS, CIRRUS HAD ME HOLDING ON TO MY CHAIR FOR DEAR LIFE
And that tension carried beautifully throughout the rest of that punishment sequence, I was physically tense the entire time, to the point that when the aftercare started and I had begun to relax, I could feel the ache in my muscles lmfao but it was such a good experience, it was both thrilling and kind of horrifying, I wish I had better words to describe it
I don't even think I could begin to describe what a rush that realization was, I hadn't even noticed I was so sucked in until that moment. The music contributed to it perfectly by the way, I definitely haven't put enough hype on the soundtrack but MAN does it sell the atmosphere.
So to BRING IT ALL BACK BEFORE I GO OFF ON A TANGENT
Having those moments where I felt uneasy and uncertain was wonderful, It's not often I have the luxury of being immersed like that, so even after closing the game the fact that it still lingered in my mind while I was just going around doing different things was wonderful to me, I love having experiences like that, I love when those experiences sneak up on me and I'm not ready for them to stick as well as they do, and this one has quite thoroughly latched onto me.
ALSO?? THE DIALOGUE OPTIONS?? "YES" "YES" "
NOYES" I ALMOST LOST MY MIND LOL FREAKED ME OUT IN THE BEST OF WAYS AND IT HAPPENED TWICEALSO x2 It was nice to have an MC that could be receptive to this sort of thing. The options to lean into it and enjoy the punishment were actually very fulfilling, and almost validating in a way? The whole "I didn't take you for a masochist" and "You didn't ask" thing was so nice to see, I'm excited to explore that more and see where it leads.
My fragile little heart wants a happily ever after so damn BAD but I'm so thoroughly ready for the absolute PAIN I KNOW IM GONNA GET PUT THROUGH LOL BOUTTA CALL MY FRIENDS UP ON DISCORD AND MAKE THEM PROVIDE ME EMOTIONAL SUPPORT WHILE I PLAY THESE CHAPTERS
CAUSE I DON'T TRUST THIS MAN EVEN HALF AN INCH BUT HE'S GOT ME UTTERLY HOOKED HOW DID THIS HAPPEN I WAS SO CAUGHT OFF GUARD HOW DARE THEY WRITE SUCH A COMPELLING AND ALLURING CHARACTER ITS SO RUDE
Have I rambled enough about Cirrus yet? I think I lost my train of thought, I WARNED YOU THIS WOULD BE SCATTERED
SO ONWARD TO KEIR! WHO WAS THE FIRST ROUTE I TRIED
I think for future content updates I might save Keir's route for after I finish Cirrus.
I love the dark stress that I get from Cirrus, the tension, the unhealthy dynamic, it's so compelling and alluring.
But, it is still a wee bit stressful, which is not a bad thing at ALL I HAVE TO STRESS THIS VERY HARD I DO LOVE IT A LOT LOL PLEASE DON'T LET THIS COME OFF AS A BAD THING I HOPE IVE MADE MY THIRST CLEAR
While the route with Keir starts off a bit rocky, it very quickly turns into something more comforting for me. This might very well change later on! I have no way of knowing! But so far it does carry a sort of found-family vibe to me, and it was very sweet and GOD THE BANTER IM NOT READY TO GO INTO ALL THAT YET BUT IT WAS SO GOOODDDD
So I think for me personally, in terms of play-order, Keir will go after Cirrus for the sake of my sanity.
SO THE BEGINNING
"Do you trust me?"
NO OFC NOT BUT I HAD TO PICK YES BECAUSE IM A SHITPOSTER LOL
"The fuck?"
I wheEZED SO HARD I CANNOT HIS REACTION WAS SO FUNNY LOL
THEN HE CHASTIZED MC FOR IT AND IT WAS HYSTERICAL
I did go back and pick no because it made the most sense to me, but that was definitely a clue about how much fun I was about to have on his route AND I WAS SO RIGHT I HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME LOL
This route was what cemented this MC as my favorite MC ever btw. I love wit and banter, I've seen it done phenomenally in other games, but absolutely nothing could have prepared me for "You look like a throw pillow fucked a jewelry box"
I sent a screenshot of that line to my friends and absolutely lost my SHIT I was laughing so hard
Griff: It wasn't that funny
me: NO IT WAS ABSOLUTELY THAT FUNNY LOOOL
I'm an absolute gremlin and I'm so proud of it bc that was HILARIOUS
I don't think I've ever laughed so much at an MC before, and the bright wit compared to the completely dark setting for the story is pulled off so damn WELL. It didn't take me out of the story at all, it didn't feel out of place or forced, 10000/10 I love MC
(Also if this part of my rant seems a little more organized and detailed it's bc I'm going back and replaying Keir rn so it's a little more fresh in my mind, which is why I have more direct quotes compared to when I babbled about Cirrus)
AAAA ALSO THE POSES? FOR THE SPRITES? THE DYNAMIC POSES WERE SO GOOD I LOVED SEEING THE CHANGES IN POSITION especially since in VNs we rely so much on facial expression, so being able to convey that much emotion through body language instead to compensate is really clever I feel, and it was done very well the art is beautiful and very eye-catching.
I mentioned it briefly before, but the found-family thing (assuming that's what it is, it might wholly just be my perception, either way I still enjoy the dynamics with everyone) felt incredibly fulfilling. It's clear they're still keeping the MC at a distance, but it was wonderful to see by the end how they began to warm up to them, just a little.
Kind of like a slow-burn but for friendship? I thrive off of that, especially when there was as much emphasis placed on how hard trust is to earn, it felt gratifying to see the change after a difficult job done well and getting to see some of that tension and distrust melt away.
AND! THE! SCENE! AT! THE! END! WITH THE HEADPATS! AND THE SAPPY TALK! AND THE EMOTIONS?!
Keir's route so far feels so emotionally fulfilling and validating while still maintaining that dark and dreary setting from the rest of the story. Thing's aren't bright and happy just because of one good job, but that happy moment felt fuckin EARNED!
Cirrus feels, permit me this NSFW thought, sexually gratifying in a way, though that's something that I imagine is unique to myself and people who have similar tastes. Neither route is comfortable, per se, but they balance each other well and god I'm so EXCITED
TO SEE
WHERE IT GOES
SKDJFVBHJFD I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE WORLD BUILDING AND THE LORE AND I WANNA SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH MC?? AND THEIR SICKNESS? WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER (IF) THEY GET CURED? DO THEY HAVE TO LEAVE? THE ANTICIPATION WILL KILL ME BUT I WILL WAIT VERY VERY PATIENTLY (
or try to)while also screaming into the void on occasion.
Whew this was definitely very long I'm so sorry I screamed so much lmfao I just had a lot of feelings and WANTED TO PUT THEM SOMEWHERE
TLDR I think this is a beautiful, wonderfully concocted story aND IT WAS ONLY ONE CHAPTER THATS INSANE TO ME, both of the characters are so appealing and intriguing and I JUST KNOW IM GONNA GET HURT BUT ILL HAVE TISSUES AND ICE CREAM AT THE READY
now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go write some NSFW Cirrus fics to cure the brainrot going on in my head THANK YOU FOR INDULGING MY SCREAMING HAVE A NICE DAY EVERYONE
I really love the way it flows right now! The writing is really enjoyable and both visuals and sound have a very disctinct feeling to it that builds the atmosphere very well. I cannot begin to express how charmed I am by the protagonist and Keir. Kudos to the entire team!! I'm excited to tag along for the journey and see where it takes us :^)