It is my first time writing on the Itch site, but I had to with this game. I can't believe how well this was written about dealing when everything is at an end, especially with each character's response to you about what they desire the most, I guess it makes sense when remembering the intercom, all 4 actions are in a way a sin, but is their ideal way to live in that moment. The art helps deliver the fear and tension, making it rough and the use of colour is done excellently well, even the music is perfected for each scene. I'm glad I have the chance to check it, I can't wait what you have plans for next Keith, same goes for you too Phowg and Red. I hope you three are doing well and that 2025 be good for you, take care!
fucking beautifully written and presented. every route is unique but so incredibly relatable and really provokes some uncomfortable thoughts about finality and what we're doing with the time we have in this world. hoping to see more from keith!
god, what a game. i don't think i've encountered anything else that touches the specific nerve this did... made me feel simultaneously dreadful and cathartic about the current state of things.
This story and all of its endings are super lovely! Each character had a great deal of depth to them that I enjoyed. It was great to see both the level of characterization and uniqueness for each member of the cast, it made the journey throughout feel both frightening and lovely when it needed it to.
others write how Edgar's route was the most provoking for them
idk, i had a friend like that (not sure if i was a good friend) and that's unnerving and you try to distance yourself otherwise you risk driving yourself into the abyss or something
anyway, for me Val's route was the most dreadful and scary and soul rending. this desperation just seeps through you....
also the epilogue is ingenious but i can't place my finger on it or it's creation. it kinda takes you out of a picture, as if you take one more step from "reality"
I've watched Keith's video essay taking hours to analyze Adastra in-depth and I love it so much! Keith's writing is definitely top-tier. It's not a surprise to find this FVN a masterpiece.
And I also love the art and music. The very aesthetics of liminal spaces, post-modernity, the selection of movies (like 2001), and the hauntological figures of AI and AI-generated spaces fit the narrative so well.
The characters and the writing. Seeing each of the characters react and cope with the existential dread from the end of the world made them feel much more alive. Hell, it even made ME reflect on myself as a person with how philosophically heavy it got.
I liked how abrupt the endings are when the THE happens. It genuinely felt like, "Oh shit, that really just happened.".
Overall, this is a 10/10 masterpiece. The writing gives you so much to think about. (This probably doesn't make any sense but I'll type it in anyways: this VN felt like pillow talk.)
This was pretty great I liked Edgar's monologue the Prose felt very Keith Ballard (yes haha obvious, but like I dunno the writers voice felt familiar to when I read the adastra video essay script) The juxtaposition of the text describing the surroundings as feeling AI generated next to the background being one of the least AI-generated feeling (I mean it was partially in sketch mode) was pretty awesome It was a visual spectacle and a nice foray into 4 Different Ways To Cope With The Apocalypse. Now that's a title that sounds like a Pizza movie ;P
This is really, really, really shocking. When the game automatically quit after I finished the four ending games, I stared at the screen for a long time. Although there is no Chinese translation of this game, I can't say that I fully understand it. But it really impressed me. I really like your writing style and hope to see more of your work in the future.
this may be one of the most shamelessly indulgent things ive seen. and i mean that with utmost sincerity and positivity. it impresses upon me as if it is what it needs itself to be, for itself.
i felt like i was understood by someone who's never known me.
I genuinely didn't expect this to move me the way it did. Not because I didn't expect it to be good, I've loved your essay videos since I've discovered them: Don't undervalue yourself because you're new at this. You did great, all of the team did. It's hard for something this short to have such an impact.
Every character felt real, I love how each of them reacts a different way to this apocalypse. I wish I could respond to these characters, to interact with them, to know them better. As much as I want to disagree with them, to say I would keep on living as much as I could until the very end, how can I promise to do so in such a situation? Their final wish, with impacting big bold text, really shined, specially in my first route.
And the ending comment from you, inspiring people to make art for themselves, for it to be self-serving with no strings attached. I will make queer media, for myself and for others. I wish I'll one day make something as great and touching as this.
Hope you continue making more projects that you love.
DUDE... this was such an amazing game. it really went to 0 to 100 so fast yet so slowly. every single ending was beautifully written, i really liked edgar's, terribly sad. thank u for making this i love you.
Story, art and music all knocked it out of the park, even more impressive given the time limit imposed for the game jam, hope you consider future projects similar to this
I just wanted to say I really loved this vn. The characters, the story, the setting- it's all great. In fact, I loved it so much I went through and made a list of all the edits/fixes I thought of while reading through with explanations + I made a little review at the bottom.
oh wooooowwwwww I really like this, short, introspective, haunting, there's a really good sense of "oh, I think I know where this this is going" while still hitting really hard, really nice cinematography too! made it really feel like no scene was just filler. good job!! :3
My favorite type of story is one where every line matters. One where every scene matters. This game's synthesis between all it's components (writing, art, sound, usage of lyrics and quotations) is absolutely indelible. It was an really cohesive experience, which I found sort of ironic by the end given the themes of the novel.
Incredible job. I'm grateful to you guys for making such an excellent piece of art, and I'm grateful to be alive today to play it. Will be replaying for a long while to come. Fuck.
Incredible! Each character was crazy well written and relatable, even with how distinct they were - especially loved Nomi. I haven't had dialogue give me such creeping unease since Echo. My only complaint was that I wish there was more!
So excited for this. Any chance of making a Mac version? I believe it’s as simple as exporting as a Mac version. If you need someone to test the Mac version, I’d be more than happy to do so.
You sure did! You uploaded a version that works just fine on my M1 MacBook Pro. One other thing you can do (and this one I don't know how to do) is to set the PC and Mac versions as working on Windows and Mac OS respectively on itch. Doing this allows people to install and manage them using the itch app; otherwise, the app says there is no suitable version. I'm guessing there's something on the site that lets you specify which files work on which OS.
I was able to pay a little to get the app on here, by the way. I hope that helps to offset whatever it cost you to make the novel and pay for the art, etc. Can't wait to read it.
If you look at the Gainfully Employed page, you will see a little icon next to each download, showing which OS it works with. I'm assuming once the download is correctly associated with the OS it works on, that icon will be your confirmation that it's done.
I just finished all the endings and I'm left speechless. The best way I can describe this VN is that it is hauntingly beautiful. The narrative is really well done and Edgar's ending especially got to me.
[Spoilers]
I think the biggest proof to me that this is well-crafted is the fact that even though I had accurately guessed what Edgar's "I want you to..." was going to be, it still had me reeling after it was said. The fact that I can know what's coming and still be emotionally affected is amazing. Overall, I love how this VN encapsulates the different reactions to "the end," and how everyone does cope in different ways. I think it's great too that the cause is never explicitly stated, which leaves perfect room for the reader to imagine it themselves.
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I need to do another play through but oh my goodness. I'm in speechless....
Congratulations. More!
It is my first time writing on the Itch site, but I had to with this game. I can't believe how well this was written about dealing when everything is at an end, especially with each character's response to you about what they desire the most, I guess it makes sense when remembering the intercom, all 4 actions are in a way a sin, but is their ideal way to live in that moment. The art helps deliver the fear and tension, making it rough and the use of colour is done excellently well, even the music is perfected for each scene. I'm glad I have the chance to check it, I can't wait what you have plans for next Keith, same goes for you too Phowg and Red. I hope you three are doing well and that 2025 be good for you, take care!
fucking beautifully written and presented. every route is unique but so incredibly relatable and really provokes some uncomfortable thoughts about finality and what we're doing with the time we have in this world. hoping to see more from keith!
Shivers man, damn
No piece of media has ever elicited such an emotion from me before now. Bravo man, I'm speechless.
god, what a game. i don't think i've encountered anything else that touches the specific nerve this did... made me feel simultaneously dreadful and cathartic about the current state of things.
Phenomenal. Art, music, story was just awesome. This VN did a great job of compressing existential anxiety into a ~1.5 hr reading format.
This story and all of its endings are super lovely! Each character had a great deal of depth to them that I enjoyed. It was great to see both the level of characterization and uniqueness for each member of the cast, it made the journey throughout feel both frightening and lovely when it needed it to.
others write how Edgar's route was the most provoking for them
idk, i had a friend like that (not sure if i was a good friend) and that's unnerving and you try to distance yourself otherwise you risk driving yourself into the abyss or something
anyway, for me Val's route was the most dreadful and scary and soul rending. this desperation just seeps through you....
also the epilogue is ingenious but i can't place my finger on it or it's creation. it kinda takes you out of a picture, as if you take one more step from "reality"
I've watched Keith's video essay taking hours to analyze Adastra in-depth and I love it so much! Keith's writing is definitely top-tier. It's not a surprise to find this FVN a masterpiece.
And I also love the art and music. The very aesthetics of liminal spaces, post-modernity, the selection of movies (like 2001), and the hauntological figures of AI and AI-generated spaces fit the narrative so well.
Thanks for creating such a wonderful story.
Wow, now that was something...
Anyway, thanks for the amazing work, Keith, got me crying at Edgar's route. So much existential dread compacted in a single short VN.
And I got the memo and plan on joining in. Keep making queer art.
talk about dark and unique!
Great character writing and atmosphere! Extremely impressive for their first work.
Wow. That's all I could think; wow.
The characters and the writing. Seeing each of the characters react and cope with the existential dread from the end of the world made them feel much more alive. Hell, it even made ME reflect on myself as a person with how philosophically heavy it got.
I liked how abrupt the endings are when the THE happens. It genuinely felt like, "Oh shit, that really just happened.".
Overall, this is a 10/10 masterpiece. The writing gives you so much to think about. (This probably doesn't make any sense but I'll type it in anyways: this VN felt like pillow talk.)
Heads-up, the pc file isn’t tagged as playable on linux despite being so
This was pretty great
I liked Edgar's monologue
the Prose felt very Keith Ballard (yes haha obvious, but like I dunno the writers voice felt familiar to when I read the adastra video essay script)
The juxtaposition of the text describing the surroundings as feeling AI generated next to the background being one of the least AI-generated feeling (I mean it was partially in sketch mode) was pretty awesome
It was a visual spectacle and a nice foray into 4 Different Ways To Cope With The Apocalypse.
Now that's a title that sounds like a Pizza movie ;P
This is really, really, really shocking. When the game automatically quit after I finished the four ending games, I stared at the screen for a long time. Although there is no Chinese translation of this game, I can't say that I fully understand it. But it really impressed me. I really like your writing style and hope to see more of your work in the future.
this may be one of the most shamelessly indulgent things ive seen. and i mean that with utmost sincerity and positivity. it impresses upon me as if it is what it needs itself to be, for itself.
i felt like i was understood by someone who's never known me.
Nice visual novel with animal characters.
I genuinely didn't expect this to move me the way it did. Not because I didn't expect it to be good, I've loved your essay videos since I've discovered them: Don't undervalue yourself because you're new at this. You did great, all of the team did. It's hard for something this short to have such an impact.
Every character felt real, I love how each of them reacts a different way to this apocalypse. I wish I could respond to these characters, to interact with them, to know them better. As much as I want to disagree with them, to say I would keep on living as much as I could until the very end, how can I promise to do so in such a situation? Their final wish, with impacting big bold text, really shined, specially in my first route.
And the ending comment from you, inspiring people to make art for themselves, for it to be self-serving with no strings attached. I will make queer media, for myself and for others. I wish I'll one day make something as great and touching as this.
Hope you continue making more projects that you love.
i sat there staring at the screen.
i think this won't leave my mind for a long while
DUDE... this was such an amazing game. it really went to 0 to 100 so fast yet so slowly. every single ending was beautifully written, i really liked edgar's, terribly sad. thank u for making this i love you.
We'll get through this.
Story, art and music all knocked it out of the park, even more impressive given the time limit imposed for the game jam, hope you consider future projects similar to this
:,3
I just wanted to say I really loved this vn. The characters, the story, the setting- it's all great. In fact, I loved it so much I went through and made a list of all the edits/fixes I thought of while reading through with explanations + I made a little review at the bottom.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kTnuu3XrreYdI2NhIb9yPYIwLAz9W38PqUZ_avw9hdA/...
forgot to add, spoiler warning for the end of the game. If you haven’t played every route don’t read this.
BURROWING time, eh?
BWAHAHAHA!
Cool!
the intensity, the characterization, the pacing, it's all so powerful and masterfully executed. calming and harrowing all at once
oh wooooowwwwww I really like this, short, introspective, haunting, there's a really good sense of "oh, I think I know where this this is going" while still hitting really hard, really nice cinematography too! made it really feel like no scene was just filler. good job!! :3
My favorite type of story is one where every line matters. One where every scene matters. This game's synthesis between all it's components (writing, art, sound, usage of lyrics and quotations) is absolutely indelible. It was an really cohesive experience, which I found sort of ironic by the end given the themes of the novel.
Incredible job. I'm grateful to you guys for making such an excellent piece of art, and I'm grateful to be alive today to play it. Will be replaying for a long while to come. Fuck.
Incredibly evocative and interesting work. Gonna be thinking about this one for a while.
Incredible! Each character was crazy well written and relatable, even with how distinct they were - especially loved Nomi. I haven't had dialogue give me such creeping unease since Echo. My only complaint was that I wish there was more!
Yeah....It's good. Short and intense.
It looks like there's an ending epilogue after reading all 4 paths. I'm not able to view it in game. I suppose it's due to linux bullshit.
But, I really take it to heart.
Thanks for writing this.
i'm terrified of crying at another vn lol god help me
This was certainly something, too bad there's no more to come.
Edgar's ending got me slack jawed staring at my screen
holy shit this is peak
So excited for this. Any chance of making a Mac version? I believe it’s as simple as exporting as a Mac version. If you need someone to test the Mac version, I’d be more than happy to do so.
I uploaded.... something. No idea if it works lmao
You sure did! You uploaded a version that works just fine on my M1 MacBook Pro. One other thing you can do (and this one I don't know how to do) is to set the PC and Mac versions as working on Windows and Mac OS respectively on itch. Doing this allows people to install and manage them using the itch app; otherwise, the app says there is no suitable version. I'm guessing there's something on the site that lets you specify which files work on which OS.
I was able to pay a little to get the app on here, by the way. I hope that helps to offset whatever it cost you to make the novel and pay for the art, etc. Can't wait to read it.
If you look at the Gainfully Employed page, you will see a little icon next to each download, showing which OS it works with. I'm assuming once the download is correctly associated with the OS it works on, that icon will be your confirmation that it's done.
I just finished all the endings and I'm left speechless. The best way I can describe this VN is that it is hauntingly beautiful. The narrative is really well done and Edgar's ending especially got to me.
[Spoilers]
I think the biggest proof to me that this is well-crafted is the fact that even though I had accurately guessed what Edgar's "I want you to..." was going to be, it still had me reeling after it was said. The fact that I can know what's coming and still be emotionally affected is amazing. Overall, I love how this VN encapsulates the different reactions to "the end," and how everyone does cope in different ways. I think it's great too that the cause is never explicitly stated, which leaves perfect room for the reader to imagine it themselves.
Really well done.