I ALT+F4ed multiple times in the opening hour from critical cringe damage (I mean this in the best way, Damien is written almost too well), but goddamn if this wasn't worth it. 10/10 would get killed again
I've only done Raine's ending at this point, but I think I have to stop. The writing is superb. Raine's feelings and the gruesome descriptions stab so deep, I'm genuinely really disturbed, to put it politely.
I'm really impressed, but I'm too scared to read more.
this is why you never get between two girls in the middle of a toxic relationship. incredible story on all points, and my god that soundtrack is so good (vi's ending song!!!!!!)
FANTASTIC WORK! Each route's writing is super engaging.
I'm not quite sure who to create the final sprite designs to, were they drawn by Foil? Everyone's visions collided very nicely to make some fantastic character designs. Seeing Gabrielle's gloves immediately placed the games time period.
Awesome work on the sound design as well. The beginning riff of Marshall's theme sounds really familiar and it scratches an itch inside... Just generally pleasant and "of the time," maybe?
I haven't gotten into The real classic Japanese visual novels yet, but the game's art perfectly gives of the "vibe" of them I have in my head. Especially my subconscious association to the more recent subversive stories like You and Me and Her and Doki Doki Literature Club
The UI works so wonderfully. The day/night counter is so charming. It immediately gives the feel that this is going to be a 7 hr long dating sim where you have to juggle gift giving and mini-game segments. And of course, that damn 2nd half UI shift made my stomach drop.
All four routes, the second half I got unintentionally matched the character I tried to score the most points with, so I thought, "interesting, all the girls I pursue think I was trying to obtain the other one, is this a theme about projection and insecurity?"
So it was surprising to read in the postmortem that the actual functionality is that the second half matches who you have less points with, which makes a lot of sense
I was impressed by how much the game committed to the premise of incel protagonist who really wanted to get some chicks. It was fascinating to see in how much he would do everything he’s learned from Marshall (who needs his own route), even in circumstances like what happens in Ollie’s route. There’s a kind of feeling that he’s walking into hell, disrupting the already established relationships between the girls. He’s just unwanted trash.
And the game doesn’t try to salvage him at all. I was skeeved out, even when he tried to think he’s better than Marshall. The reason these girls are so hostile toward him is very justified. It almost feels like a revenge fantasy for the kinds of bishoujo game heroines who just want these kinds of PUA guys out of their lives.
I also thought the soundtrack was very inspired, with the samples. And the CGs that do exist are fantastic.
I’m surprised this was made in the span of a jam. It’s a very good debut game. I hope you all make more stuff.
I love when I play the getting killed game, try to not get killed, and get killed anyways. That said, this was an awesome experience even if I'm not into all of this getting killed thing the quality of the writing made me replay it 4 times to get every bit of it. Thank you so much for making an incredible work!
As for the writing, I am a torture and gore aficionado, so its a spot where I end up with a lot of thoughts and opinions, but I enjoyed my time with this game a lot.
I appreciated this game a lot for the different elements of things like how, for example, Marshal was RIGHT for the sake of the game. Make a girl jealous, focus on one, and you get the ending for the other. I also feel like the writing throughout the entire game was very strong. I enjoyed it just as much as the bad ends, or sometimes even more, just because seeing Damien as such a bumbling, extremely mid guy was amusing. I also appreciate that, unlike some dating sim games, you get to see most things for all the girls, and even get to have two endings from one set of choices. It was satisfying to see it play out that way, instead of getting locked into a route really early on.
Absolutely gripping game that had me glued to the computer from start to finish. This game just has so much to say about mid aughts anime fandom, questionably homoerotic friendships, the dance of relationships expected from this genre, and the painful awkwardness brought about by the interjections from a Nice Guy (and the catharsis of it all when the erohorror kicks in :chefkiss:)
this shit was wild, had a great time hanging out with these scary girls. i really liked how every interaction they have with the protagonist is with (barely) disguised contempt. "where's my hug?" line made me laugh. effective characterization of an idiotic man, evil through thoughtless ineptitude in a "mid-oughts" kind of way. these boys rly didn't have any shame!!
can't say i found it very Hot, but it was thrilling (and maybe too thrilling, in vi's case, which i did have to skip past) and that's no bad thing.
presentationally Excellent, full marks. looking forward to what yall cook up next !!
← Return to game
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
I ALT+F4ed multiple times in the opening hour from critical cringe damage (I mean this in the best way, Damien is written almost too well), but goddamn if this wasn't worth it. 10/10 would get killed again
I've only done Raine's ending at this point, but I think I have to stop. The writing is superb. Raine's feelings and the gruesome descriptions stab so deep, I'm genuinely really disturbed, to put it politely.
I'm really impressed, but I'm too scared to read more.
Thank you for the nightmares.
this is why you never get between two girls in the middle of a toxic relationship. incredible story on all points, and my god that soundtrack is so good (vi's ending song!!!!!!)
FANTASTIC WORK! Each route's writing is super engaging.
I'm not quite sure who to create the final sprite designs to, were they drawn by Foil? Everyone's visions collided very nicely to make some fantastic character designs. Seeing Gabrielle's gloves immediately placed the games time period.
Awesome work on the sound design as well. The beginning riff of Marshall's theme sounds really familiar and it scratches an itch inside... Just generally pleasant and "of the time," maybe?
I haven't gotten into The real classic Japanese visual novels yet, but the game's art perfectly gives of the "vibe" of them I have in my head. Especially my subconscious association to the more recent subversive stories like You and Me and Her and Doki Doki Literature Club
The UI works so wonderfully. The day/night counter is so charming.
It immediately gives the feel that this is going to be a 7 hr long dating sim where you have to juggle gift giving and mini-game segments. And of course, that damn 2nd half UI shift made my stomach drop.All four routes, the second half I got unintentionally matched the character I tried to score the most points with, so I thought, "interesting, all the girls I pursue think I was trying to obtain the other one, is this a theme about projection and insecurity?"
So it was surprising to read in the postmortem that the actual functionality is that the second half matches who you have less points with, which makes a lot of sense
Thank you for the experience!
The ending a Vi's route nearly made me vomit. This is a compliment and a recommendation.
Completed all four endings.
I was impressed by how much the game committed to the premise of incel protagonist who really wanted to get some chicks. It was fascinating to see in how much he would do everything he’s learned from Marshall (who needs his own route), even in circumstances like what happens in Ollie’s route. There’s a kind of feeling that he’s walking into hell, disrupting the already established relationships between the girls. He’s just unwanted trash.
And the game doesn’t try to salvage him at all. I was skeeved out, even when he tried to think he’s better than Marshall. The reason these girls are so hostile toward him is very justified. It almost feels like a revenge fantasy for the kinds of bishoujo game heroines who just want these kinds of PUA guys out of their lives.
I also thought the soundtrack was very inspired, with the samples. And the CGs that do exist are fantastic.
I’m surprised this was made in the span of a jam. It’s a very good debut game. I hope you all make more stuff.
Made me nostalgic for college, damien is my gamer king,10/10
Thank you! That comment would make him rise from the dead so someone can kill him again. Looking forward to picking up Banality 4 soon
- A
I love when I play the getting killed game, try to not get killed, and get killed anyways. That said, this was an awesome experience even if I'm not into all of this getting killed thing the quality of the writing made me replay it 4 times to get every bit of it. Thank you so much for making an incredible work!
Thank you! We spent a lot of time pre-writing trying to decide on the killing balance. Glad you liked it!
- A
congratulations to damien for winning "most snuffable VN protagonist" at the 2025 game awards!
Thanks to the anonymous user who voted 50000 times
This music and art fucks insanely hard.
As for the writing, I am a torture and gore aficionado, so its a spot where I end up with a lot of thoughts and opinions, but I enjoyed my time with this game a lot.
I appreciated this game a lot for the different elements of things like how, for example, Marshal was RIGHT for the sake of the game. Make a girl jealous, focus on one, and you get the ending for the other. I also feel like the writing throughout the entire game was very strong. I enjoyed it just as much as the bad ends, or sometimes even more, just because seeing Damien as such a bumbling, extremely mid guy was amusing. I also appreciate that, unlike some dating sim games, you get to see most things for all the girls, and even get to have two endings from one set of choices. It was satisfying to see it play out that way, instead of getting locked into a route really early on.
Absolutely gripping game that had me glued to the computer from start to finish. This game just has so much to say about mid aughts anime fandom, questionably homoerotic friendships, the dance of relationships expected from this genre, and the painful awkwardness brought about by the interjections from a Nice Guy (and the catharsis of it all when the erohorror kicks in :chefkiss:)
help, how do i get ollie's ending?? i have everyone elses!
Ask Vi for help, return the jacket, “request a more chaste alternative” ^^
really enjoyed raine's route! i plan to go through the others later c:
How did you get to do her route? im strugglin
Flirt a lot with Gabrielle, then accept Raine’s proposal when you’re alone in her room~
Thank you!
no problem! write in if you need a more specific list!
this shit was wild, had a great time hanging out with these scary girls. i really liked how every interaction they have with the protagonist is with (barely) disguised contempt. "where's my hug?" line made me laugh. effective characterization of an idiotic man, evil through thoughtless ineptitude in a "mid-oughts" kind of way. these boys rly didn't have any shame!!
can't say i found it very Hot, but it was thrilling (and maybe too thrilling, in vi's case, which i did have to skip past) and that's no bad thing.
presentationally Excellent, full marks. looking forward to what yall cook up next !!
lovely vn, excellent writing. vi's route is my favorite but they're all great.