This was such a beautiful and intriguing demo! From the very start I fell in love with the aesthetic of the UI, backgrounds, and illustrations, it’s all really cohesive and so gorgeously done (like the water ripple in the menu overlay? And the water texture/reflections of the tank?? Amazing!) Not to mention that the character design of the merman is so pretty aaaa🥹🥹
The bits of world building that we can see revolving around the merman’s confinement is super interesting, and I’m really curious to see how the relationship between him and the mc develops down the line, given the communication barrier with the headphones and him trying to “hunt” MC (also him throwing the fish back was so funny LOL). The bad ends were also well executed, I could really feel that sense of dread and regret through the writing and visuals.
Very cool premise and I’m really looking forward to the update— I know you’re going to cook!
couple mistakes so far: drip instead of drop (MC's arm in first meeting), mrs. instead of selected ms. (when accepting promotion), MC name instead of Sophia's when asking if MC was given a hint about food.
overall a short demo but gives a good idea of how it may go and a quick introduction of characters and personality glimpses. im interested in a full version.
hello! The game is really amazing and i've played it a lot, that fish is just THAT cute i swear, i just wanted to ask if the game is still in development? i dont really mind waiting i just want to know to keep my hopes high! so dont worry take your time
the art is so delicious! and the characters are super interesting as well, cant wait to see what happens in the complete version, keep up the good work
looooooooooove this sm !!! nothing reigns more supreme than slowburns ! may i ask if your plan is to release the whole game @ once or do updates as you get closer to completion ? will be patiently waiting either way ! <3
YEAH BABBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY I LOVE THE MERMANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Interesting concept and I like the merman's design. I got got by him, but that's cause I'm too curious for my own good LOL. I guess I'm fish food now. Still, I'd love to see this project grow :3
I loved the game and completely fell in love with the merman,his voice is so beautiful, for a moment I was really hypnotized, I can't wait for the continuation.💙💙
This game has first been released in October 2024, so I'm pretty sure it's still far from being "over a year" lol
I'll take that as a compliment though. Don't worry, I'm still working on it, but since I'm alone and I want to do better than the first release (which wasn't great, and there are still errors there and there even now) it does take time.
Honestly it's wwwaaayyyy too short to be a demo. It was closer to a clicked through slideshow. Visual novels, because of their format and that they are essentially books you click through sometimes, need to be longer than actual games where you're actually doing something. A countable number of minutes of gameplay is too short for a demo
Bro I've played demos shorter than this, even actual games, and it's a free game, so I don't see any point in complaining. If anything, it does everything a demo should do, introduce you to the characters and make you look forward to the finished product.
I'd be interested in seeing what you'd think would be the propre length for the demo of a visual novel. I just want to say that I am not planning to make a very big game since I am working on it by myself without remuneration as a hobby (also it's my first game, so I want to stay reasonable).
(Also I'm very confused by the "clicked through slideshow" comment since it's very much the concept of a visual novel ? Perhaps you could explain...?)
Perfect! Glad you're willing to hear me out. Firstly, the artstyle is lovely and the initial meeting situation with the merman is well done. It does show the proper level of danger-light- for an initial meeting and sets up the situation of what to expect from the merman: desperate to escape to the point of reckless endangerment, will attack if near a person even if in a weakened state. Well done on immediately getting the player back into the merman scene by just skipping time. and the note of player accidently gong back tothe wrong living quarters out of habit *chef's kiss* because those small things are so important and I feel like sometimes they just get overlooked.
Now, the meat of this comment: I thoroughly believe that the normalcy of a visual novel demo being a lot of clicking through exposition or npc dialouge shouldn't be normal. This is a game before it is a story. And I feel like visual novels really take a lot of leniency of the "novel" part and really don't need to. In regards to your demo specifically the length's problem is that it was very much the realm of "I'm just moving along a pre-determing route not playing yet and I know at this rate it's going to be a while before actually 'playing will ' happen" and I could pretty much tell it was just going to go that way for a long while and then it ended RIGHT when I started thinking "oh! good! I can actually start playing now and choosing how I interact with him!" I think a demo should include the gameplay itself, not just "here's the story". That's a prolouge to a story, not a demo and I feel a demo should be the gameplay not game backstory nor just game concept being explained. It took so long to reach interacting with the merman that I was just waiting and waiting and waiting for the exposition to stop since from the first minute or 2 I could tell the entire game was about the merman.
Here's what I think a version of the demo in accordance to what I'm talking about could have been: quick meeting with the boss, jumping immediately to redhead giving warnings outside the place where first shift with mermans happens, then the first merman incident then time skip and immediately the feeding scene. In total everything before the "out the water" scene could be handled in max 5 minutes of gameplay. Yes, that's fast. That's the aim. I think demos should be about the crux of the game, not the beginning of what the exposition is. THe current dev style of visual novels and demos neglect to actually let the player play the game experience, just that the game they're playing will include: a merman who's once jumped out the cage and throws fish back at you opposed to like ... well, whatever the game is really about. Like, you see what I mean? I can't even give a proper explanation of what the main crux of the game is because I didn't get to see it. Yes, I understand - in theory - that it's about a merman who doesn't trust you and is willing to attack you. But that's not a game, that's just the equivalent of what the redhead and boss warned the player about. Thus, the length problem: it's doesn't reach the level of what the game's going to be enough and thus makes the demo feel like it's just exposition and thus the "slideshow" feeling.
I -was- wondering about why they kept the merman to begin with, but I'm happy to see there's a reason that makes sense. (I also kinda hope you can set him free and/or run away with him at the end. lol Guess we'll have to wait and see.)
I like the mereman. And I'm curious about him. ^_^
Actually, this game makes me feel like I've somehow stepped into the charming world of Petshop of Horrors. (If anyone remember that manga series.)
I really hope there is a way to romance him. I am sure that someone as cunning as he seem to be can understand the benefit of seducing someone to help him escape. (Especially after what happened.)
Whether that ends well or tragic in five different way, well... Either way, I'd love to be able help him escape. ^_^
(Although it doesn't seem to be a magical world, so I guess if you fall in love you'll end up as that weirdo who lives alone in a cabin by the coast far from people just so you can spend more time with him. lol And that's the best-case scenario. If he doesn't just eat you. lol But people have befriended wild animals before, and he seems more sentient than any animal.)
Either way, I love this game! ^_^ ...in part because I love the ocean and everything in it. And meremen. lol
The demo was too short to be a full demo, so I'm assuming this is still a work in progress.
I'm looking forward to see what the finished work looks like. ^_^
Hi, thanks for your comment ! I'm glad you liked the game !
As you said, it's still a work in progress, so I can't say much as to not spoil ! 🤫
All I can say is that there is a way to romance him ! After all, the game is labeled as "romanc", so no worries about that ! It's just a slow-burn, so it'll take time to establish a proper relationship.
Ohh that's good to hear! I worked with Renpy like 10+ years ago so I wouldn't be a big help xD But I am happy to hear it's still worked on <3 You can do it, Ill cheer for you!
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Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This game is so good!! I love so much !!!
BELLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Is this still being worked on? I would hate to hear it was abandoned before we really got started.
the creator's Tumblr page is active, answering Q&As about the game and such. so it's safe to say it's not abandoned
so good!!!
I WANT MOREEEEEEEE
This was such a beautiful and intriguing demo! From the very start I fell in love with the aesthetic of the UI, backgrounds, and illustrations, it’s all really cohesive and so gorgeously done (like the water ripple in the menu overlay? And the water texture/reflections of the tank?? Amazing!) Not to mention that the character design of the merman is so pretty aaaa🥹🥹
The bits of world building that we can see revolving around the merman’s confinement is super interesting, and I’m really curious to see how the relationship between him and the mc develops down the line, given the communication barrier with the headphones and him trying to “hunt” MC (also him throwing the fish back was so funny LOL). The bad ends were also well executed, I could really feel that sense of dread and regret through the writing and visuals.
Very cool premise and I’m really looking forward to the update— I know you’re going to cook!
will the game be updated soon?
I'm waiting for the continuation!
OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS SM MERPEOPLE 👅👅👅 I NEED MORE
I'm sobbing. I love sea creatures so much, my name is literally sea. but there's no android version here. I hope my PC will be delivered soon
AUGHHHHH PLEASE I need more of this game so badly!! 5 stars, super excited for more updates!! :3 <3
couple mistakes so far: drip instead of drop (MC's arm in first meeting), mrs. instead of selected ms. (when accepting promotion), MC name instead of Sophia's when asking if MC was given a hint about food.
overall a short demo but gives a good idea of how it may go and a quick introduction of characters and personality glimpses. im interested in a full version.
Ya me conquisto jaja
I love the demo sm!!! <333 the fish man is very lovely and I hope to see more content of him in the future hehe
I need the full game!!
real (COVE MENTION
I LOVE COVE I MISS HIM SM
I can wait to play the full game.. i'm hoping you update soon!
hello! The game is really amazing and i've played it a lot, that fish is just THAT cute i swear, i just wanted to ask if the game is still in development? i dont really mind waiting i just want to know to keep my hopes high! so dont worry take your time
if anyone is wondering, tumblr page is active so the game is not abandoned :)
the art is so delicious! and the characters are super interesting as well, cant wait to see what happens in the complete version, keep up the good work
i just finshed the demo lowk this might be my new favorite vn now, anyways if you havent played it yet i recommend its really fun 👍
Loved the Demo! Can't wait for the full game!
dude... from what i'm understanding this is a solo dev, so.... yeah you gonna be waiting long when doing things by yourself.
please be more patient and understanding.
another name to my hear me out list
I have been waiting for you finish the game but.....the tempation to play this is too strong
ps:why are there two links for this game?
If you wanted for the game to be finished 100%, I'm afraid you'd have to wait for a very long time...
And there's two links becaue one is for PC, the other for Mac.
looooooooooove this sm !!! nothing reigns more supreme than slowburns ! may i ask if your plan is to release the whole game @ once or do updates as you get closer to completion ? will be patiently waiting either way ! <3
I plan to make multiple updates (2 or 3 if my maths is correct) !
Also ! Also !? Lenalee pfp ??? A fellow D. Gray-Man fan in this economy ????
no waaay ! meeting another fan is literally so rare, your taste is immaculate ! also ty for answering <3
My instagram (though not very active) is basically dedicated to the manga at this point. I'm always so happy to find more fans !
YEAH BABBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY I LOVE THE MERMANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Love seeing people get excited over the fish lol
Interesting concept and I like the merman's design. I got got by him, but that's cause I'm too curious for my own good LOL. I guess I'm fish food now. Still, I'd love to see this project grow :3
Considering your username, I'm glad the merman is to your taste ! 💙
I loved the game and completely fell in love with the merman,his voice is so beautiful, for a moment I was really hypnotized, I can't wait for the continuation.💙💙
This game has first been released in October 2024, so I'm pretty sure it's still far from being "over a year" lol
I'll take that as a compliment though. Don't worry, I'm still working on it, but since I'm alone and I want to do better than the first release (which wasn't great, and there are still errors there and there even now) it does take time.
Don't worry. Anything this good is worth waiting for. Don't stress, just take your time.
So far it's promising to be an awesome story.
I definitely did not die the first run because I swam with the fishy...
Can't wait to see more of this game!
People tend to forget about their survival instincts when faced with a pretty face, it seems. Not that I blame anyone for that.
it was so adorable!!<3 can't wait to see the full version ^_^ I love slow burn romances so much
You and me both !
Hiiii love ur game, but I found an error, "Image 'sosad' not found." (on top of image)
I just wanted to bring this to your attention just in case, lovely demo btw!!! <3
Hi ! I'm sorry for the bug, it'll be fixed for the next update ! Thanks for pointing it out !💙
Don't apologize, I'm in the midst of making a VN myself and could never get to your level lol
Honestly it's wwwaaayyyy too short to be a demo. It was closer to a clicked through slideshow. Visual novels, because of their format and that they are essentially books you click through sometimes, need to be longer than actual games where you're actually doing something. A countable number of minutes of gameplay is too short for a demo
Bro I've played demos shorter than this, even actual games, and it's a free game, so I don't see any point in complaining. If anything, it does everything a demo should do, introduce you to the characters and make you look forward to the finished product.
Hi ! Thanks for your comment !
I'd be interested in seeing what you'd think would be the propre length for the demo of a visual novel. I just want to say that I am not planning to make a very big game since I am working on it by myself without remuneration as a hobby (also it's my first game, so I want to stay reasonable).
(Also I'm very confused by the "clicked through slideshow" comment since it's very much the concept of a visual novel ? Perhaps you could explain...?)
Perfect! Glad you're willing to hear me out. Firstly, the artstyle is lovely and the initial meeting situation with the merman is well done. It does show the proper level of danger-light- for an initial meeting and sets up the situation of what to expect from the merman: desperate to escape to the point of reckless endangerment, will attack if near a person even if in a weakened state. Well done on immediately getting the player back into the merman scene by just skipping time. and the note of player accidently gong back tothe wrong living quarters out of habit *chef's kiss* because those small things are so important and I feel like sometimes they just get overlooked.
Now, the meat of this comment: I thoroughly believe that the normalcy of a visual novel demo being a lot of clicking through exposition or npc dialouge shouldn't be normal. This is a game before it is a story. And I feel like visual novels really take a lot of leniency of the "novel" part and really don't need to. In regards to your demo specifically the length's problem is that it was very much the realm of "I'm just moving along a pre-determing route not playing yet and I know at this rate it's going to be a while before actually 'playing will ' happen" and I could pretty much tell it was just going to go that way for a long while and then it ended RIGHT when I started thinking "oh! good! I can actually start playing now and choosing how I interact with him!" I think a demo should include the gameplay itself, not just "here's the story". That's a prolouge to a story, not a demo and I feel a demo should be the gameplay not game backstory nor just game concept being explained. It took so long to reach interacting with the merman that I was just waiting and waiting and waiting for the exposition to stop since from the first minute or 2 I could tell the entire game was about the merman.
Here's what I think a version of the demo in accordance to what I'm talking about could have been: quick meeting with the boss, jumping immediately to redhead giving warnings outside the place where first shift with mermans happens, then the first merman incident then time skip and immediately the feeding scene. In total everything before the "out the water" scene could be handled in max 5 minutes of gameplay. Yes, that's fast. That's the aim. I think demos should be about the crux of the game, not the beginning of what the exposition is. THe current dev style of visual novels and demos neglect to actually let the player play the game experience, just that the game they're playing will include: a merman who's once jumped out the cage and throws fish back at you opposed to like ... well, whatever the game is really about. Like, you see what I mean? I can't even give a proper explanation of what the main crux of the game is because I didn't get to see it. Yes, I understand - in theory - that it's about a merman who doesn't trust you and is willing to attack you. But that's not a game, that's just the equivalent of what the redhead and boss warned the player about. Thus, the length problem: it's doesn't reach the level of what the game's going to be enough and thus makes the demo feel like it's just exposition and thus the "slideshow" feeling.
I'd definitely get a bad end if it was irl lol
Looking forward to seeing how this develops and how we'll be able to communicate
From the various comments people made, you're not the only one who'd jump !
The development is slow, but when it'll come, I hope you'll like it !
I -was- wondering about why they kept the merman to begin with, but I'm happy to see there's a reason that makes sense.
(I also kinda hope you can set him free and/or run away with him at the end. lol
Guess we'll have to wait and see.)
I like the mereman. And I'm curious about him. ^_^
Actually, this game makes me feel like I've somehow stepped into the charming world of Petshop of Horrors.
(If anyone remember that manga series.)
I really hope there is a way to romance him.
I am sure that someone as cunning as he seem to be can understand the benefit of seducing someone to help him escape.
(Especially after what happened.)
Whether that ends well or tragic in five different way, well...
Either way, I'd love to be able help him escape. ^_^
(Although it doesn't seem to be a magical world, so I guess if you fall in love you'll end up as that weirdo who lives alone in a cabin by the coast far from people just so you can spend more time with him. lol
And that's the best-case scenario. If he doesn't just eat you. lol
But people have befriended wild animals before, and he seems more sentient than any animal.)
Either way, I love this game! ^_^
...in part because I love the ocean and everything in it.
And meremen. lol
The demo was too short to be a full demo, so I'm assuming this is still a work in progress.
I'm looking forward to see what the finished work looks like. ^_^
Hi, thanks for your comment ! I'm glad you liked the game !
As you said, it's still a work in progress, so I can't say much as to not spoil ! 🤫
All I can say is that there is a way to romance him ! After all, the game is labeled as "romanc", so no worries about that ! It's just a slow-burn, so it'll take time to establish a proper relationship.
Wow! I love this! <33 Can't wait for more- the art and the backgrounds are amazing!
I'm glad you liked it ! I'm actually not very confident with the backgrounds, but I'm doing my best !
I want to hug the fish man (he wants to rip out my jugular)
I can't say he wouldn't do that, unfortunately.
I need more of this! I hope its still in development ><
It is ! I'm just the only one working on it and still figuring out how to use Renpy, so I'm slow, but I'm still working on it, don't worry !
Ohh that's good to hear! I worked with Renpy like 10+ years ago so I wouldn't be a big help xD
But I am happy to hear it's still worked on <3
You can do it, Ill cheer for you!
I need to make fan art now
If you do, I'd love to see it !
Thank you I'll take a hundred of em
I wouldn't recommend that for security reasons.💙