naiad
A downloadable game for Windows and macOS
the waves have brought you to her, and she knows you already. choose to trust what she tells you-- or don't. that's up to you.
space to continue, letters to make choices, and esc to leave the game (only at the end though-- work in progress)
for mac users: start and end screens may not show up in fullscreen, so just imagine that they do :)
art, writing, and code by sophie mcleod
Download
Install instructions
download based based on your device (windows/mac), unzip file, then open the application!!
Comments
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Even tho I know other people have said this already, the art style of this game is just fantastic. Especially how you combine it with the story telling, it just feels like everything mixes well together.
Like other people have said, the art really helps a lot with the game! I also feel like the sort of underwater-ish bubbly sound makes the game creepy as well, which is working. Good work!
The art is amazing! The art adds a whole new level of immersion and eeriness that is incredibly difficult to achieve with text alone. Amazing game!
The art for this game is so gorgeous! I remember seeing it on Bluesky and was super excited to play it because the imagery looked so intriguing. Love the mysteriousness of everything.
super awesome visual storytelling!!!
I love the art in your game! I saw on Bluesky that you made it yourself and that's very impressive.
thank you!! that means a lot
Love the art in this, did you do it yourself? This game feels much larger than it is, and that’s probably due to the breadth of the concept it tackles. I think you handled it very nicely.
yes!! i made all the art on procreate. thank you for your words!
I’m conflicted in my feelings for the woman in the game. In all seriousness what an amazing use of visuals, at this point I’m playing over and over it just to surround myself with the atmosphere that feels way larger than the 2D pallet it’s limited to.
I really liked this game. It gives me visual novel vibes. The music and the simple atmosphere where someone talks to you about something deep and personal is something I see from all the horror visual novels I’ve read. Really fun game!
The font you chose for the title is really cool, perfectly symbolic of a Naiad. I really like the dialogue in the game, is it eery? Is it hopeful? Do I die at the end? I really like the ambiguity to the structure/situation, I think the art style you chose for the girl really adds to this atmosphere. Her changing expressions but still emotionless eyes are very compelling... even if it's on just a 2D screen.
I agree, I like the ambiguity a lot too!!! Depending on what you picked, the dialogue can feel really comforting or really scary. The expressions where so beautifully done, too.
The eyes and expressions changing really make it feel that you are having a conversation with someone, agree with previous comments that there is a slight uncanny valley feeling. Also noticed that some choices led to the same dialogue, even though the choices were different
When I was taking a picture for my notes, the camera recognized a face!
I really like how you have to continue clicking to go through dialogue boxes before you are given some choices. It feels very immersive as each small bit of text that shows up feels like it carries more weight. The different expressions are also a very nice touch, as others have pointed out.
That so true, in this game the fewer words feel lots more powerful, and in some situations its more natural.
As some have mentioned it has an uncanny valley kind of feel. One thing I found interesting was the cut to black at the end, I wondered if her response at the end is the same or different for each choice the player has.
there’s a lot of absurdist philosophy in the game’s message I feel. I’m probably looking way too into it but the "hopeful nihilism" of it all is really inspiring oddly enough.
The art is very nice, does really well to bring out that uncanny valley vibe. The fact that the game is an encounter with the titular naiad means that the facial expressions and changes make the conversation itself seem much more "real", adding strongly to the immersion. I love the way the dialogue options were written as well - fitting the mysterious atmosphere that the game has created.
Love the expressive changes to the character's face whenever a certain answer is given. I feel like it allows you to understand her, even if just a little.
Great inclusion of a controls page in your game! Definitely gives the player an idea of how to interact with the game and probably something I should have in my own games!