Love in the Time of Spellphage

this game was incredibly short, yet remarkably impactful. both the story and the visual style felt nostalgic and immersive, and i really appreciated the writing -- you can tell the devs put their heart and soul into this one. game vibes: - point and click visual novel - covid lockdown nostalgia - college kids finding their "found family" - race rights and activism - filling your time alone with things that make you feel alive, no matter how mundane - big sapphic yearning <3 (loved it sm) i ended up finishing the game with all achievements unlocked in just under one hour. it did feel like the story could've easily kept going, i remember being sad for all three endings because i wanted to know what happened haha. but i'll be staying tuned to see what else these devs cook up, because i really liked this one.

100% completion. This is indeed quite a short VN, as the description notes. Some of the plot threads are "incomplete", mostly tantalizingly so, and least one a bit abrupt. Go in with the expectation that this is a Part 1, or Book 1, or "To Be Continued", but maybe not in a way that will literally be followed up on; that's just part of the intended vibe, I think. I don't usually go for multiple routes in VNs, but the pace of the game and the themes support trying out different approaches and choices more than most that I've played. Resisting stasis and "making completely different choices that were true all along" feels in keeping with what this game is going for. The writing is sharp and distinct, the characters feel carefully-crafted, the music is great, and the art has a charming zine-ness to it that feels very self-possessed. I want to see more from this team, whether in this "series" or something new.

Great music and sound (that vintage computer sound!), charming art, characters with depth that I want to spend more time with. Of course I had to replay with different choices to discover all the endings, and my favourite one surprised me! The retro vibes and conversations felt so nostalgic, even though my young adulthood contained no magic. I love the options to explore friendship or romance, chill activities or something more social, depending on what you're feeling. Smoke some pipe-weed and enjoy this cozy game!

Loved this! Very relatable 2020 lock down allegory story. I like how you get to decide what you spend your energy on. It made for some interesting choices.

I'm just starting a proper play through, but I reviewed the demo thoroughly, and have been eager to dive back into the retro magic punk world of Love in the Time of Spellphage! Replaying the first day felt as comforting and engaging at the demo and I'm really excited to see how things unfold. I'll update this review when I finish, but for now it's an easy recommendation.

that was very cute c:

Great writing, personal but relatable story, well done!

Short visual novel with good writing and cozy atmosphere, doing a great job balancing the daily life of a student and some real world themes presented in a fantasy context. I enjoyed all the content but I do have to say, though, that some parts feel rather unfinished. Out of 3 endings only one felt fully satisfying and complete to me. The romantic ending was kinda sudden and abrupt ([spoiler]tbh I actually thought that Kim was going to be the romance option[/spoiler]), while the third one is a complete cliffhanger. I saw that the developers already announced that their next game is unrelated to this, bit I hope that they will eventually return to this story and expand it.