It's so interesting that in the "happy ending" when you check the menu, you see that Lera's portrait is missing. I don't know if it was intentional, but to me it seemed to symbolize the dissolution of her own identity into the fleshy hive mind necessary to achieve that kind of artificial happiness. This game was beautifully crafted, so much so I can imagine a movie version of Flesh, Blood, & Concrete with real life actors lol. I think regardless of background, a lot of people can relate to the idea of wanting to do anything to get away from pain, which makes Nika's arguments persuasive on the surface. But the sad reality is that the only way to have pleasurable happy experiences is to open yourself up to the possibility of displeasure and discomfort, at least sometimes. Also on a side note, it would have been so easy to make Nika the typical deceitful creepy child horror archetype. But the fact that Nika wholeheartedly believes the things she's saying because that's been her reality for decades and that's the way she's coped adds so much to the themes. The relationship between Lera and Nika is honestly one of the strongest elements of the game.
Hi. I made an account just to leave a review about this game. This is one of the best games I've played in a long time. At first, it's very deeply unsettling and as you play, you get this growing sense of dread that something bad is going to happen at any moment. I am not easily creeped out and gore/body horror has never bothered me, but there were undertones to this that were just viscerally uncomfortable in a way I can't quite describe. I should note that technically the content isn't that bad, but the way it's presented is done very well. Constant saving because I was prepared for literally anything. But as you play, the story gets deeper than that. Truly a beautiful game. I took the time to explore all possibilities for the game. There's a whole lot to unpack in this story and so much deep symbolism to it. I really love how it was done. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good, short game.
Hello. Me and a friend have played this game a month ago, but I couldn't write exactly just how impactful and beautiful this game is. I think I never will be able to do it fully, but I still want to tell you that you have created a masterpiece I never want to forget. We spoke of it until sunrise. Both of us are from different countries, but we both felt this "something", the feeling of a post-Soviet dilapidation and nostalgia! It's incredible that you're not Russian (I assume), because I'd never expect someone from outside the Eastern Bloc to understand this feeling so well. Or this everpresent feeling of an empty life, where you are afraid to die, but think about how good it would be to go out peacefully, without suffering. Or this twisted, but good, but needed, hope and optimism for something in the future, or at least a desire to live, to exist. Anything I say now will be pointless, because your game has said everything for me.
I've read your journals and saw your other beautiful artwork. It is incredible that you are not only a great game dev (something that already needs several different talents like artistry and coding), you are also a biologist and study Russian, you have so many passions and skills that other people would struggle to contain within them. I know I do.
I have already forgotten the names of the two main characters since last month. I am very bad with names. But I want to let you know that I'll never forget their bond of friendship and what they meant for each other.
Thank you for this wonderful and thought-provoking game and, more importantly, thank you for existing, for bringing your talent and your passion into the world.
I didn't grow up in Russia, but it is the closest a video game ever got to feel like my childhood. I am from Berlin and my teacher used to be an ethnic German from Kasachstan. Me and many of my friends speak Russian or another slavic language like Polish or Ukranian. This game gave me tears as for a moment it brought me back to that time. The atmosphere of the game felt some places in eastern Berlin. (I was bron too late to see the GDR, but even in the 2000s, you could still see the remains of what used to be Der Osten)
Thank you for this wonderful game ♥
PS: I felt like going crazy when I was in the third floor and started hearing Голубой вагон quietly playing in the background. It makes me feel how much Lera misses her childhood that even while dying this song was playing in the back of her head. Neither Lera nor Nika acknowledged it was playing, but I am pretty sure for the ones that grew up in the east, this was a needle to the heart)
This game makes me feel the most comforted I ever have, it captures how I feel and I love it..I keep playing this game over and over again. I love you for making this, I genuinely hope you have an amazing life, please make more games like this, and if you need anything, or anyone I'm here, for you and for anyone else who sees this. Thank you
after leaving the building, you can go straight to second one, without talking to Nika, I did it first time (I replayed that part to talk to her) and it was confusing that she suddenly started following me when I though I was alone
I have only one thing to say about this game. Confusing at first, but beautiful in the end. I have never felt this way towards any game. Thank you so much for this feeling and this amazing game
← Return to game
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
Help guys how do i get out of rhe room with the shifting walls? They aren’t moving for me but maybe I'm slow 😭
---SPOILER WARNING---
It's so interesting that in the "happy ending" when you check the menu, you see that Lera's portrait is missing. I don't know if it was intentional, but to me it seemed to symbolize the dissolution of her own identity into the
fleshy hive mindnecessary to achieve that kind of artificial happiness.This game was beautifully crafted, so much so I can imagine a movie version of Flesh, Blood, & Concrete with real life actors lol. I think regardless of background, a lot of people can relate to the idea of wanting to do anything to get away from pain, which makes Nika's arguments persuasive on the surface. But the sad reality is that the only way to have pleasurable happy experiences is to open yourself up to the possibility of displeasure and discomfort, at least sometimes.
Also on a side note, it would have been so easy to make Nika the typical deceitful creepy child horror archetype. But the fact that Nika wholeheartedly believes the things she's saying because that's been her reality for decades and that's the way she's coped adds so much to the themes. The relationship between Lera and Nika is honestly one of the strongest elements of the game.
i just got done with this game and i gotta say this is a beautiful game,
Hi. I made an account just to leave a review about this game. This is one of the best games I've played in a long time. At first, it's very deeply unsettling and as you play, you get this growing sense of dread that something bad is going to happen at any moment. I am not easily creeped out and gore/body horror has never bothered me, but there were undertones to this that were just viscerally uncomfortable in a way I can't quite describe. I should note that technically the content isn't that bad, but the way it's presented is done very well. Constant saving because I was prepared for literally anything. But as you play, the story gets deeper than that. Truly a beautiful game. I took the time to explore all possibilities for the game. There's a whole lot to unpack in this story and so much deep symbolism to it. I really love how it was done. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good, short game.
wow... I cannot believe how deep and meaningful that game was... thank you for such an incredible experience
also how many endings are ther
Someone tell Daniel Profeta about this cuz HOLY SHIT THERE'S A LOT TO UNPACK HERE
(10/10)
Hello. Me and a friend have played this game a month ago, but I couldn't write exactly just how impactful and beautiful this game is. I think I never will be able to do it fully, but I still want to tell you that you have created a masterpiece I never want to forget. We spoke of it until sunrise. Both of us are from different countries, but we both felt this "something", the feeling of a post-Soviet dilapidation and nostalgia! It's incredible that you're not Russian (I assume), because I'd never expect someone from outside the Eastern Bloc to understand this feeling so well. Or this everpresent feeling of an empty life, where you are afraid to die, but think about how good it would be to go out peacefully, without suffering. Or this twisted, but good, but needed, hope and optimism for something in the future, or at least a desire to live, to exist. Anything I say now will be pointless, because your game has said everything for me.
I've read your journals and saw your other beautiful artwork. It is incredible that you are not only a great game dev (something that already needs several different talents like artistry and coding), you are also a biologist and study Russian, you have so many passions and skills that other people would struggle to contain within them. I know I do.
I have already forgotten the names of the two main characters since last month. I am very bad with names. But I want to let you know that I'll never forget their bond of friendship and what they meant for each other.
Thank you for this wonderful and thought-provoking game and, more importantly, thank you for existing, for bringing your talent and your passion into the world.
This is one of the few games that made me tear up. 10/10 gam
I freaking love Nika!
NIKO FROM ONESHOT?
srry I meant Nika
IM NOT CRYING YOU ARE T^T (10/10 game)
非常好游戏^w^
Perfect game 12/10
wowww
This game actually brought me to tears at the end. amazing game!
Amazing game and nostalgic vibes
I didn't grow up in Russia, but it is the closest a video game ever got to feel like my childhood. I am from Berlin and my teacher used to be an ethnic German from Kasachstan. Me and many of my friends speak Russian or another slavic language like Polish or Ukranian. This game gave me tears as for a moment it brought me back to that time. The atmosphere of the game felt some places in eastern Berlin. (I was bron too late to see the GDR, but even in the 2000s, you could still see the remains of what used to be Der Osten)
Thank you for this wonderful game ♥
PS: I felt like going crazy when I was in the third floor and started hearing Голубой вагон quietly playing in the background. It makes me feel how much Lera misses her childhood that even while dying this song was playing in the back of her head. Neither Lera nor Nika acknowledged it was playing, but I am pretty sure for the ones that grew up in the east, this was a needle to the heart)
This game makes me feel the most comforted I ever have, it captures how I feel and I love it..I keep playing this game over and over again. I love you for making this, I genuinely hope you have an amazing life, please make more games like this, and if you need anything, or anyone I'm here, for you and for anyone else who sees this. Thank you
Gg
this is extremely beautiful and made me cry. thank you so much for this game
WOW!! This game made me in my feels beautiful work to everyone that has participated in the work of the game!!
i never leave comments on itch.io but i just had to say, beautiful game :,) i really felt that
This game made me quite emotional. Great effort. I think it is about hope, even though life can be tough.
first of all, phenomenal game.
second, asking for a friend. what can you do with the little items you collect? (E.G. porcelain doll, soda bottles)
after leaving the building, you can go straight to second one, without talking to Nika, I did it first time (I replayed that part to talk to her) and it was confusing that she suddenly started following me when I though I was alone
amazing game tho (:
Absolutely beautiful art, story, and atmosphere! A stunning game all around :)
amazing <3
amazing game, beautiful art
问问，为什么，我按了开始，之后，他出现了一秒，就黑屏了，是要挂什么加速器吗？
i got a true ending on my first playthru :D nika deserves the world ;;; rly good graphics n art omgomgog needs more attention
I finally found a courage to play this game...
Nika deserve better :(
beautifully disturbing
I'm not even a few minutes in and I'm already having a heart attack/j(I'm bad at horror games) but my god is ts cool
Just bc of this comment im gonna play it ^^
this game is so good. i cannot explain why and how but its so comforting but gross??? i love this game
I have only one thing to say about this game. Confusing at first, but beautiful in the end.
I have never felt this way towards any game. Thank you so much for this feeling and this amazing game
wow, got the true end first try
Me too! :D Congratulations!
Thank you! For such an amazing game! 🤩 I got easy out, I think 😅 But clearly there was so much more to do, I didnt do 🙌
This was the first visual novel game RPG ish game that drove me to tears so beautifully. This is what people mean when they say pure gold
This was literally one of the most beautiful games i've ever played. Love it so much
absolutely beautiful. i didn't expect to love this as much as i did, it was a wonderful find