Taking a Bite out of Otome Jam 2023

Year after year, I compile lists of games I want to try and I often end up admiring the projects from afar. This time the stars have finally aligned and I'm able to dive headfirst into these hidden gems.

First up is Duskbound by nefferinthia:

This story orbits two characters that are bound together in the midst of a city shrouded in an endless night. How they navigate their meeting is decided by the player and results in five different endings.

Duskbound never overstays its welcome. The short nature of this game perfectly compliments the replayability and time loop nature of the plot. Each branching path allows for different facets of the overarching mystery to shine brilliantly.

Our starring characters, Pale One and Vergilius, manage to leave a lasting impression quickly. Pale One is controlled by the player, and with each choice Vergilius reacts accordingly. For example, if your lovestruck feelings coil and fall apart fearfully, his behavior sprints to a frightening territory. And alternatively, if you wave your own red flags...his won't seem so menacing in comparison.

Reasons to Love

- I personally really enjoyed Pale One's questionable actions. Understandably, the game's short length doesn't leave a lot of wiggle room. We need these two in the same place and interacting, and yet, Pale One running to this stranger's door felt natural. Impulsive, yes, but believable. Who hasn't daydreamed about chasing after a missed connection?

I love this for her! She can continue to lean into this fated love and turn a blind eye to the warning signs, or she can backtrack into reality.

No matter what, each path felt seamless and fit together for the final ending. And despite a few lingering questions, I walked away from Duskbound wonderfully satisfied with the story.

- This game quickly put me in a chokehold with it's sun and moon imagery. I'm a simple woman. If you evoke the sun, the moon, or the stars...I'm at your mercy.

On top of that, I adored the reversal of expectation. Our mortal woman is referred to as Pale One, like the moon. While Vergilius is a vampire, and he's her sun.

- From the moment you click Start the game presents you with an optional warning screen. This kind of thoughtful safety net is highly appreciated. It's easy to miss information and Duskbound made it incredibly simple to take a minute to either prepare yourself or choose to jump directly into the game.

- I can't praise the writing enough! I found myself constantly smiling to myself. There were so many lines I simply adored.

- The true ending. Who doesn't love unlockable secrets?

When this screen popped up I felt reinvigorated with excitement. I knew there was a secret ending, but I had no idea how to unlock it. So when the game told me it was ready for the next gameplay loop, I couldn't race back to the beginning fast enough.

~~~

Duskbound put me under it's spell, and I enjoyed every minute of my time spent in that trance.