I really enjoyed this game. The shifting of environments and how Elly interacts with her surroundings had me engaged in her story. I actually live close to Harborview Medical Center, so the locale added an extra layer of interest to the game, as if Elly could be any of my neighbors. I hope you continue to make Playdate games and I look forward to seeing what you produce in the future.
Just beat the game (both endings) and I enjoyed the atmosphere and puzzles. It was definitely spooky, and a standout on Playdate.. I'm just not quite sure what exactly happened... ***Spoilers ahead*** Was it all just an allegory? Was it some kind of fungus taking over the city? Was Elly hallucinating the construction and the tree? What came out of the CT? Was it a form of Elly? Was it "her depression" and she had to kill it or leave it? I just don't know if I'm looking too much into it
You are absolutely not reading too much into it: it's intentionally incredibly dense. However, I'm a big post modernist, so whatever you want to take away from it is valid.
*spoiler warning*
The one question I will answer definitively is that the thing that comes out of the CT machine is just... also Elly. It's allegorical, but it's an allegory specifically for autoimmune illness, which is my particular flavor of chronic health problems. The exact diagnosis is never made clear (intentionally) but the doctor notes underwater point to autoimmune if you know the medical terminology.
Because something went terribly wrong, something that you *know* to be your own body is being perceived as alien and awful and needing to be destroyed. Elly isn't sick because she has something foreign inside of her, she's sick because she is unable to recognize that thing as just her. To try to destroy the other without acknowledging it as a part of yourself is tantamount to death, and the "correct" choice is to simply... coexist with it.
just played through the game for the first time. very, very good, really enjoyed it. i'm curious; is the police chief being named molly borowski an intentional night in the woods reference?
A standout among Playdate games for sure! Very well crafted and immersive, but that being said: this is exactly the type of games I'd never expect to play on a Playdate. Those warnings at the start? No joke. This is actually a heavy-hitting, propper psychological horror experience, so if that doesn't sound like a good time to you, it probably wont be. And that goes double if you are bothered with themes of illnesses and hospitals.
"Nightingale" affected me more than I could've ever expected, which serves as testament to how well it is made. But it's absolutely not for everyone.
Thanks for you feedback, and sorry the experience was unexpectedly rough.
Do you feel like there was something I could have done that gave a clearer picture of what you were in for? Want to do everything possible to prevent people from having an experience they regret.
Hey there! Thanks for responding. I appreciated the story for sure, but I simply didn't expect this well crafted of a psychological horror story on the the yellow console with the crank that has tons of games about dogs doing cool things. But in reality, maybe that is what enchanced the experience so much.
If you feel like adding something to the warning screen, I'd throw in a few warnings about people with sensitivity to hospital stays, illnesses and conditions. The way you used the concept to subvert expectations was masterful, but it was the most stressful part to me for sure. I think you get what I mean.
That's why I wanted to come back and leave a review, highlighting that this is a very well made game, but it is true-horror. Consider my suffering a form of praise.
I don't think I've ever been as engrossed in a Playdate game as I was with this one for its running time. It's impressive what you've done with atmosphere and setting using the Pulp engine. I was a ball of stress (in a good way). The writing and dialogue - top-notch. It reminded me of Silent Hill 2 and a smidge of Lynch and also reminded me I need to watch Jacob's Ladder soon. I also wouldn't be surprised if this is based on some real-life hospital experiences because it completely nailed the feeling of some recent ones in my life (including my wife's post-op from back surgery, where the nurses almost made her OD by mixing drugs they shouldn't have. Yeesh)
Really hoping you use some of what you've learned and built here to make another game in this vein. I didn't want this to be over, I wanted to go deeper into the muck... actually I might replay as I'm a bit dense and the ending went over my head, ngl.
Thank you so much for your feedback! You're right: I've spent a lot of time personally in hospitals and its VERY autobiographical in that sense. If you have questions about what I was attempting, happy to answer them, but I'm encouraging people to create their own takeaways from it.
If you go back, make sure you get both endings! Also, did you water Chuck?
Cool! I'm happy to create my own reading of it, and it's probably best if you don't over-explain IMO :)
I did get both endings (at least the "knife" vs. "walk away" ones - you helpfully provided the ability to replay the final sequence). I did not think to water Chuck though!
This was excellent. Strange, affecting, impactful, and super, super resonant. I think this is my new favorite Pulp game. Thank you so much for making/sharing this.
I just spent as long thinking about the game and speculating on its story as I did playing it through, so this definitely got into my head! A very well put together first game that brings some worthy representation in the genre to the Playdate. Recommended!
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I really enjoyed this game. The shifting of environments and how Elly interacts with her surroundings had me engaged in her story. I actually live close to Harborview Medical Center, so the locale added an extra layer of interest to the game, as if Elly could be any of my neighbors. I hope you continue to make Playdate games and I look forward to seeing what you produce in the future.
Thank you for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed it!
Just beat the game (both endings) and I enjoyed the atmosphere and puzzles. It was definitely spooky, and a standout on Playdate.. I'm just not quite sure what exactly happened... ***Spoilers ahead*** Was it all just an allegory? Was it some kind of fungus taking over the city? Was Elly hallucinating the construction and the tree? What came out of the CT? Was it a form of Elly? Was it "her depression" and she had to kill it or leave it? I just don't know if I'm looking too much into it
Thank you for the kind words!
You are absolutely not reading too much into it: it's intentionally incredibly dense. However, I'm a big post modernist, so whatever you want to take away from it is valid.
*spoiler warning*
The one question I will answer definitively is that the thing that comes out of the CT machine is just... also Elly. It's allegorical, but it's an allegory specifically for autoimmune illness, which is my particular flavor of chronic health problems. The exact diagnosis is never made clear (intentionally) but the doctor notes underwater point to autoimmune if you know the medical terminology.
Because something went terribly wrong, something that you *know* to be your own body is being perceived as alien and awful and needing to be destroyed. Elly isn't sick because she has something foreign inside of her, she's sick because she is unable to recognize that thing as just her. To try to destroy the other without acknowledging it as a part of yourself is tantamount to death, and the "correct" choice is to simply... coexist with it.
just played through the game for the first time. very, very good, really enjoyed it. i'm curious; is the police chief being named molly borowski an intentional night in the woods reference?
Absolutely it is. Glad you noticed, and thank you for the kind words!
NitW made a HUGE impression on me, so it seemed only fitting.
A standout among Playdate games for sure! Very well crafted and immersive, but that being said: this is exactly the type of games I'd never expect to play on a Playdate. Those warnings at the start? No joke. This is actually a heavy-hitting, propper psychological horror experience, so if that doesn't sound like a good time to you, it probably wont be. And that goes double if you are bothered with themes of illnesses and hospitals.
"Nightingale" affected me more than I could've ever expected, which serves as testament to how well it is made. But it's absolutely not for everyone.
Thanks for you feedback, and sorry the experience was unexpectedly rough.
Do you feel like there was something I could have done that gave a clearer picture of what you were in for? Want to do everything possible to prevent people from having an experience they regret.
Hey there! Thanks for responding. I appreciated the story for sure, but I simply didn't expect this well crafted of a psychological horror story on the the yellow console with the crank that has tons of games about dogs doing cool things. But in reality, maybe that is what enchanced the experience so much.
If you feel like adding something to the warning screen, I'd throw in a few warnings about people with sensitivity to hospital stays, illnesses and conditions. The way you used the concept to subvert expectations was masterful, but it was the most stressful part to me for sure. I think you get what I mean.
That's why I wanted to come back and leave a review, highlighting that this is a very well made game, but it is true-horror. Consider my suffering a form of praise.
I don't think I've ever been as engrossed in a Playdate game as I was with this one for its running time. It's impressive what you've done with atmosphere and setting using the Pulp engine. I was a ball of stress (in a good way). The writing and dialogue - top-notch. It reminded me of Silent Hill 2 and a smidge of Lynch and also reminded me I need to watch Jacob's Ladder soon. I also wouldn't be surprised if this is based on some real-life hospital experiences because it completely nailed the feeling of some recent ones in my life (including my wife's post-op from back surgery, where the nurses almost made her OD by mixing drugs they shouldn't have. Yeesh)
Really hoping you use some of what you've learned and built here to make another game in this vein. I didn't want this to be over, I wanted to go deeper into the muck... actually I might replay as I'm a bit dense and the ending went over my head, ngl.
Thank you so much for your feedback! You're right: I've spent a lot of time personally in hospitals and its VERY autobiographical in that sense. If you have questions about what I was attempting, happy to answer them, but I'm encouraging people to create their own takeaways from it.
If you go back, make sure you get both endings! Also, did you water Chuck?
Cool! I'm happy to create my own reading of it, and it's probably best if you don't over-explain IMO :)
I did get both endings (at least the "knife" vs. "walk away" ones - you helpfully provided the ability to replay the final sequence). I did not think to water Chuck though!
This was excellent. Strange, affecting, impactful, and super, super resonant. I think this is my new favorite Pulp game. Thank you so much for making/sharing this.
Thank you for the kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!
Very cool little piece of art you made here - great work. Love the visuals, writing, and overall vibe.
Thank you! It's my first *anything* pretty much, so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
I just spent as long thinking about the game and speculating on its story as I did playing it through, so this definitely got into my head! A very well put together first game that brings some worthy representation in the genre to the Playdate. Recommended!
It really looks promising! I'm looking forward for the release
It's up now