I really like this game! I think this game has the best suspense/build-up I've seen out of all of your games. One thing I think could have been done better was the ending. It felt very empty and didn't necessarily answer any of my questions. I thought one of the endings would let me see why everyone was so obsessed with the water, but it just didn't. I am a sucker for open-ended games, but I feel like the story just plummets off a cliff at the end.
i've started playing just yesterday and i love it!! but the problem is it won't let me save on mac i have re-read the download instructions and made sure i've done what i need to do to be able to save but it still won't let me what do i do?
I'm trying to play this game, but for some reason, the game is very blurry on my computer. I'm playing the Windows version. especially the text and UI are all kind of fuzzy and blurry, like they're stretched out (but I'm playing it in the window dimensions the game launches in... I couldn't find a full screen option.) It's not as sharp as the screenshots on the game page. Does anyone have any ideas how i could fix this? Thank you.
I couldn't play the game. Like I managed to open the game and I saw that the game is open from the icon but I see nothing on my screen. I tried this with other games but only the SIG games are unable to open. I play on mac and I switched to the new version recently. I don't know if thats why because I could play the games before switching. I don't know if anyone else has this problem or if it's just me. Im on mac sequoia 15.0.
I have a lot of thoughts about this game. (SPOILERS AHEAD)
I understand that this is mostly a metaphor for toxic friend groups and relationships. There are other people in the comments who have explained it a LOT better than I could (Kirby's Explanation is a good source). And there are a LOT of stories where it doubles as horror but also as a commentary... But I think that attempt here, is what makes the game falls flat.
The build-up was AMAZING. Genuinely eerie and sets up this air of mystery that I LOVE !!! Seeing the slow change in June's friends, the mysterious encounters, it was all very exciting. The scene of everyone walking out to see gave me intense chills. I was so ready to see what everything would build up towards, and then - it built up towards nothing.
I've seen other people say the Rachel made this with an open-end on purpose, but imo, this is TOO open ended. It doesn't answer any of the questions it sets up. The only thing it answers is why people were eating metal; to assumedly sink in the water. That's it.
You might be saying, "but it's a commentary! The ending makes perfect sense with what it represents". And that's true! It completes the commentary side of the narrative, but not the actual STORY. It made me feel like everything the GAME's in-universe narrative set up didn't matter at the end. Which really sucks, because I was super invested in the mystery and the characters.
This isn't to say I hate the game! I think it's great, but because it's so good, it makes me sad that the ending falls so flat (for me). It would be super cool to see this expanded on in the future.
Man, I know this was a game jam, but I hope you expand on it in the future. It reminds me a bit of Junji Ito. I wish the endings were more detailed, and there was more time for character development. I hoped to have a chance to save each character, maybe depending on dialogue choices you make with them. Like convincing them, or idk, drying them with a hair dryer lol.
And also I want to know a couple more details about what's going on.
It took me 25 mins to complete, btw. I am a fast reader.
It's def foreshadowing, you can even see how they are all doing smth that they were seen doing in game when they were going insane. Even Ryan was looking at her, he knows but he got consumed regardless.
the thing i most liked about it definitely was the ambiance and character presentation, i'm the type of person that is less theories and more visual content but it doesn't make me like less the game, i really wish it was longer and i wish i could see more about the cuties because i literally loved all of them, although they were the reason of the protagonist's distraught, there isn't anything other than the metaphorical part that would make me dislike them, loved the experience, once again another banger SIG<3
i loved this game sm but i wish there was more interactable moments T-T, i spent most of the game on the edge for quick time events after the fountain scene but nothing else really happened.
Hello! May I have your permission on translating your game into Thai? I've fallen in love with your game and I'd love to have more people in my country get to play it!
this game freaked me out so much I absolutely LOVE Studio Investigrave games! Both of those ending are so..aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!! Theyre so mysterious and sad at the same time!! o7 to Ryan
(Also has a cursed commentary version of mine I guess.) I guess many already had said the same things about the game, but I will say some of them as well again. I love the characters, graphics, and artstyle. I love the vagueness of the story, with some pieces of you can guess what's going on and theorize, with possible of multiple perspective viewing the story. But I guess the most important, is lovecraftian type of writing in this one, which I more leaned into (honesty, I have not read lovecraftian, but kind of know a bit with some other media and game/s I've played/seen). Also back to artstyle, including the music, I love it has so much care to it, especially with each day the environments' devolving to rotting aspect, hence true to the title. Overall, a pretty great experience!
Edit: I also forgot to mention this is a blind playthrough and I went in knowing absolutely nothing about this game. Absolutely loved this game! Got both endings as well! I think the moral of the story is how toxic relationships can destroy a good person. I do wish there was more explanation as to who "she" is and what exactly happens to the protag is she chooses to go with the others. Maybe a possible sequel?
Good game!! I took it as an allegory for friends who become toxic over time. You can go drown in misery with them or leave them behind. Reason I think this is the message is because of June's cousin having to cut off her friends despite it being hard being mentioned. Seemed like a small detail but hit me when Ryan said the others shouldn't treat June the way they did.
In my dreams, I see a universe in which this game is a buildup and at the end we see that "She" was the ocean and we got to the point where we saw all the signs unfold and we were introduced to the cult and everything came together
I wish we were put in a situation in which we had to pick someone to trust and it would have been an absolute mindfuck because then, we'd actually have to think about the things we watched and make a decision based on our judgements
It's s good game, I'm just confused?? Could someone explain the story to me because from what I got this group of friends went on a vacation, but something there started "infecting" some of them - I assume it's some kind of siren. What do the endings mean and what part was the "disordered eating"??
Just my theory, but basically I believe that this game was a metaphor for toxic friendships. Notice how one of the lines that June says at the end is "I just want my friends back". I mention this because throughout the game, a theme seems to be how her friends all resent her or want space in some way. I don't know about the eating exactly, I think that's just a sign of stress (The stress of getting annoyed by June). At first June's bubbly personality was welcomed, but then gradually became something that would be pushed aside and got her yelled at. She could choose to let her friends 'go' in a metaphorical sense, or let them weigh and pull her down into feeling like a burden in a toxic friendship. That is just my guess though.
AHHH ITS AMAZING!!! this is such a wonderful, meaningful game, and even tho it is short, it has an awesome playthrough + story! i love how the investigrave studio + racheldrawsthis always have hidden messages that can mean something irl
i genuinely love this game so much, like all studio investigrave/racheldraws this games, the art is amazing, the storyline is perfect, and it’s just an amazing game in general
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I don't know if my interpretation of the game is right, but it sure made me emotional either way🥹
I really like this game! I think this game has the best suspense/build-up I've seen out of all of your games. One thing I think could have been done better was the ending. It felt very empty and didn't necessarily answer any of my questions. I thought one of the endings would let me see why everyone was so obsessed with the water, but it just didn't. I am a sucker for open-ended games, but I feel like the story just plummets off a cliff at the end.
Love the game, love ur art <3
is there a third ending or the both endings are bad ending?
(the game is AMAZING! I played many times! please continue the game!!!)
It was good but I'm confused ngl. I think I got the 2 endings already.
Ryan best boy fr btw.
ryan you goofball get back up
i've started playing just yesterday and i love it!! but the problem is it won't let me save on mac i have re-read the download instructions and made sure i've done what i need to do to be able to save but it still won't let me what do i do?
damn!
oh. my. god.
I'm trying to play this game, but for some reason, the game is very blurry on my computer. I'm playing the Windows version. especially the text and UI are all kind of fuzzy and blurry, like they're stretched out (but I'm playing it in the window dimensions the game launches in... I couldn't find a full screen option.) It's not as sharp as the screenshots on the game page. Does anyone have any ideas how i could fix this? Thank you.
have you tried restarting your device?
I couldn't play the game. Like I managed to open the game and I saw that the game is open from the icon but I see nothing on my screen. I tried this with other games but only the SIG games are unable to open. I play on mac and I switched to the new version recently. I don't know if thats why because I could play the games before switching. I don't know if anyone else has this problem or if it's just me. Im on mac sequoia 15.0.
I have a lot of thoughts about this game. (SPOILERS AHEAD)
I understand that this is mostly a metaphor for toxic friend groups and relationships. There are other people in the comments who have explained it a LOT better than I could (Kirby's Explanation is a good source). And there are a LOT of stories where it doubles as horror but also as a commentary... But I think that attempt here, is what makes the game falls flat.
The build-up was AMAZING. Genuinely eerie and sets up this air of mystery that I LOVE !!! Seeing the slow change in June's friends, the mysterious encounters, it was all very exciting. The scene of everyone walking out to see gave me intense chills. I was so ready to see what everything would build up towards, and then - it built up towards nothing.
I've seen other people say the Rachel made this with an open-end on purpose, but imo, this is TOO open ended. It doesn't answer any of the questions it sets up. The only thing it answers is why people were eating metal; to assumedly sink in the water. That's it.
You might be saying, "but it's a commentary! The ending makes perfect sense with what it represents". And that's true! It completes the commentary side of the narrative, but not the actual STORY. It made me feel like everything the GAME's in-universe narrative set up didn't matter at the end. Which really sucks, because I was super invested in the mystery and the characters.
This isn't to say I hate the game! I think it's great, but because it's so good, it makes me sad that the ending falls so flat (for me). It would be super cool to see this expanded on in the future.
I entirely agree!! it has so much potential if it were to be expanded upon
I really LOVED the game ! But.. I don't really understand the end..What happened ?
a really cool game! was fun to play it!
Man, I know this was a game jam, but I hope you expand on it in the future. It reminds me a bit of Junji Ito. I wish the endings were more detailed, and there was more time for character development. I hoped to have a chance to save each character, maybe depending on dialogue choices you make with them. Like convincing them, or idk, drying them with a hair dryer lol.
And also I want to know a couple more details about what's going on.
It took me 25 mins to complete, btw. I am a fast reader.
Thanks for the cool game <3
rachel said the ending is supposed to be confusing,she also said that she can't wait to talk ab rip in the near future ^^
Does the game cover foreshadow the plot? with everyone inside the blue square except for June? Or am i reading too much into it?
It's def foreshadowing, you can even see how they are all doing smth that they were seen doing in game when they were going insane. Even Ryan was looking at her, he knows but he got consumed regardless.
okay, heres my second time ever playing a racheldrawsthis game without any spoilers or anything, hah
IM GONNA END IT
the thing i most liked about it definitely was the ambiance and character presentation, i'm the type of person that is less theories and more visual content but it doesn't make me like less the game, i really wish it was longer and i wish i could see more about the cuties because i literally loved all of them, although they were the reason of the protagonist's distraught, there isn't anything other than the metaphorical part that would make me dislike them, loved the experience, once again another banger SIG<3
BEAUTIFUL GAME :D
REAHHHAHDIUDSHKJDAHDKHDSKJHDSKJDASHKJDSAHDS NEW GAME!!!!!!!!!!
90% of my playthrough: RYAAAAN RYAAAAN WHERE ARE YOUUUU RYAAAAAN
loved the story and characters and everything! i know it's short for a game jam, but would definitely love to see more of them someday... maybe...
i loved this game sm but i wish there was more interactable moments T-T, i spent most of the game on the edge for quick time events after the fountain scene but nothing else really happened.
woah
Hello! May I have your permission on translating your game into Thai? I've fallen in love with your game and I'd love to have more people in my country get to play it!
this game freaked me out so much I absolutely LOVE Studio Investigrave games! Both of those ending are so..aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!! Theyre so mysterious and sad at the same time!! o7 to Ryan
Another fun and interesting entry. You got me theorizing yet again.
https://youtu.be/ze3ktV9yIjU
I guess many already had said the same things about the game, but I will say some of them as well again. I love the characters, graphics, and artstyle. I love the vagueness of the story, with some pieces of you can guess what's going on and theorize, with possible of multiple perspective viewing the story. But I guess the most important, is lovecraftian type of writing in this one, which I more leaned into (honesty, I have not read lovecraftian, but kind of know a bit with some other media and game/s I've played/seen). Also back to artstyle, including the music, I love it has so much care to it, especially with each day the environments' devolving to rotting aspect, hence true to the title.
Overall, a pretty great experience!
how is every single game you make so good? what are you, a witch?
I love how we got a chubby protagonist ^^ she looks so cute!! I also kinda like how there's no real explanation on who 'She' is or what is happening
Edit: I also forgot to mention this is a blind playthrough and I went in knowing absolutely nothing about this game. Absolutely loved this game! Got both endings as well! I think the moral of the story is how toxic relationships can destroy a good person. I do wish there was more explanation as to who "she" is and what exactly happens to the protag is she chooses to go with the others. Maybe a possible sequel?
Loved this!
Good game!! I took it as an allegory for friends who become toxic over time. You can go drown in misery with them or leave them behind. Reason I think this is the message is because of June's cousin having to cut off her friends despite it being hard being mentioned. Seemed like a small detail but hit me when Ryan said the others shouldn't treat June the way they did.
In my dreams, I see a universe in which this game is a buildup and at the end we see that "She" was the ocean and we got to the point where we saw all the signs unfold and we were introduced to the cult and everything came together
I wish we were put in a situation in which we had to pick someone to trust and it would have been an absolute mindfuck because then, we'd actually have to think about the things we watched and make a decision based on our judgements
Emergency
I loved this to much. an played it after i came back from my own cruise! Got both endings and i loved it!
It's s good game, I'm just confused?? Could someone explain the story to me because from what I got this group of friends went on a vacation, but something there started "infecting" some of them - I assume it's some kind of siren. What do the endings mean and what part was the "disordered eating"??
Just my theory, but basically I believe that this game was a metaphor for toxic friendships. Notice how one of the lines that June says at the end is "I just want my friends back". I mention this because throughout the game, a theme seems to be how her friends all resent her or want space in some way. I don't know about the eating exactly, I think that's just a sign of stress (The stress of getting annoyed by June). At first June's bubbly personality was welcomed, but then gradually became something that would be pushed aside and got her yelled at. She could choose to let her friends 'go' in a metaphorical sense, or let them weigh and pull her down into feeling like a burden in a toxic friendship. That is just my guess though.
I think the disordered eating was when Von was eating a bunch that night, or how they mention eating metal
AHHH ITS AMAZING!!! this is such a wonderful, meaningful game, and even tho it is short, it has an awesome playthrough + story! i love how the investigrave studio + racheldrawsthis always have hidden messages that can mean something irl
first, woah, second, love it how everyone gradually got worse with whatever was affecting them. whether is be some sort of virus or not
i genuinely love this game so much, like all studio investigrave/racheldraws this games, the art is amazing, the storyline is perfect, and it’s just an amazing game in general
This was gorgeous and terrifying. I loved the growing sense of dread as time progressed. When you know you can't help anyone. It's fantastic
holy balls this was so cool and crazy and weird (in a good way)