A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux

Download NowName your own price

There's something strange going on in Riva City...

You're about to start your third year at Riva High School, and things are pretty normal... until they're not. Strange nightmares occupy your mind, and visions of a ghastly apparition make sure you're not getting much sleep. Things turn from weird to dangerous when it turns out that you're not the only one who's been seeing things. An absurd, scary and captivating story with large emphasis on player choice is about to begin.

Experience Meanwhile in Riva, a game that VN Game Den calls a visual novel to keep on your radar. Chances are you've never seen anything quite like it.

Part 1 (out of 3) is available now! Playable on PC, Mac and Linux.

***This game has been canceled, but the finished portion of it will remain downloadable for now.***

Credits: 

* Writing, programming and music: Andreas "Tymedust" Borgelind
* Artwork and GUI: Alisa Rozanchugova
* Additional music: Apol, Andreas Tryman

* Game trailer: UndeadLover

Full list of additional assets used can be found here.

StatusCanceled
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux
Rating
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
(17 total ratings)
AuthorTymedust Games
GenreVisual Novel
Made withRen'Py
TagsAtmospheric, Funny, Horror, Meaningful Choices, Multiple Endings, Mystery, Point & Click, Romance, Story Rich, weird
Average sessionAbout a half-hour
LanguagesEnglish
InputsKeyboard, Mouse
AccessibilitySubtitles, One button

Download

Download NowName your own price

Click download now to get access to the following files:

Meanwhile_in_Riva-1.0-pc.zip 682 MB
Meanwhile_in_Riva-1.0-mac.zip 648 MB

Development log

View all posts

Comments

Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.

(+1)

Hi its me im back, and im just commenting this specifically to note how pathetic the sad bliss sprite is. He looks like hes about to cry

pathetic beast !!! Absolute little freak !! He looks like he would ugly cry if i told him he played wonderwall wrong 

(+1)

I absolutely love this game (i think ive said it in the discord alot), but theres something ive noticed about it, and subsequently the other games with bliss in them, and...


He dyed his EYEBROWS green??? Blisstopher i know you have mommy issues but theres LIMITS

LMAO he’s out of control!

would say I can fix him, but I know for a FACT I can't.

(+3)

I finally kicked myself in the butt to play this!!

Right away going in, I was so impressed by the level of the visuals. The animation on the title screen and then on the backgrounds felt so lush and dynamic and created this unique sense of immersion right from the start, especially when accompanied by the jazzy chill music.

Then the characters start appearing! And every single one of them is a delight. I love their different poses and expressions, the little bits of voice when they talk. Coupled with their quirky dialogue, it really brings them to life, and I found myself just wanting to keep talking and interacting with them. (My favorite is definitely Meri <3)

Another thing I love is how it doesn't stop with just the main characters. All the side characters are equally as entertaining and full of personality (and sometimes just pure oddity). All of this together gives the game this... kind of off-kilter dreamlike vibe where you never really know what's going to happen next, but you know it's going to be fun.

And of course I haven't even gotten to the fact that it's actually a horror game! Love the great build-up on the unsettling parts. And I like how you keep adding to the little bits of "something's not quite right" to start laying this creepy vibe over the whole thing.

Really looking forward to playing more when you release the whole thing! Especially given all that I've seen, such as you revamping the traits system (which is already really cool, so I'm quite intrigued to see how the even MORE sophisticated system will work!). Keep up the great work and can't wait to jump back into Riva!

Woohoo! :D Thank you so much!! I'm happy that you played it through and even happier that you liked it so much! 

It's especially cool to hear that you picked up on the dreamlike vibe, which is definitely something I'm going for. Your review as a whole really feels like you felt what I intended you to feel, which feels like a huge victory for me! Because you never really know how people will perceive things lol. XD

So thank you so much for this, really made me happy to read, and excited to keep on working to make this game truly special!

<3 <3 <3 

(+1)

I'm in love with this game, can't wait for the full version! I was on the fence about trying it for a long time because I don't handle jump scares very well, but I just couldn't resist. Everything is so good, the narration, the music and the aesthetics. Meri already has a special place in my heart <3

I did notice some discrepancies, but you might have already fixed them. If you want more feedback, don't hesitate to get in touch, I'd be happy to discuss in more detail.

Keep up the great work!

- Wavi -

(1 edit)

Aww, thank you so much for this lovely review! <3 Really made my day. Super happy that you enjoyed the game, and I think you'll be glad to know that in the next version you'll be able to turn off the jump scares if you prefer. :)

I'd love to hear the rest of the feedback so I'll message you about that, then!

Thanks again! ^^

(+1)

Ahhh this game is so good! I really enjoyed this demo. I don't do well with jumpscares but I played through the entire game just for the characters haha. My favourites have to be Isola, Cam and Mr Yumehito. The soundtrack is really good (especially the OST for The Belly), and the art is really pretty. Looking forward for the full release :)

Aww thank you so much for this beautiful review! :) It makes me so happy that you enjoyed the game, I really appreciate you sharing that on here and telling me what you liked about it specifically is super helpful. <3 

If it's no problem, would you mind also putting down a 5/5 rating for it to help my statistics? It's fine if you don't want to of course! :) Thank you again!! <3 

(+1)

1 hr in, love it so far, really got caught in the story, can't play more tonight because I have other things to do. But I adore it, posted a longer "Review" on facebook, just my thoughts and opinions playing the game without spoilers! ^^

Yaaay thank you so much!! ❤️  So happy that you like it! 😊

(+2)

Honestly, this game already flouts my boat without having played much of it. I'm a sucker for anything paranormal and the graphics are really nice. I look forward to giving it a proper review after I've played the entire demo.

(+2)

Yay, thank you so much! 😭 Stoked that you like it and looking forward to your proper review, then! ❤️