Depending on your browser, the web version may feature graphical glitches and/or sound issues. For the best possible experience we recommend downloading the game.


A grieving father relives memories of days long gone in a short, kinetic experience that is sure to leave an impression.

Contains depictions of loss and grief.

Less than 1000 words, 5-10 minutes to finish.

Made in one week as part of O2A2 2022.


 Writing and programming: Tymedust
 Artwork and visual design: Alcinus
 GUI and user interface: Skolaztika 
 Music: Crowander (edited down to a slower tempo)

This story is canonical to the events of Pitstop in Purgatory, but you do not need to play that first in order to enjoy this.



StatusReleased
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, HTML5
Rating
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
(41 total ratings)
AuthorTymedust Games
GenreVisual Novel
Made withRen'Py
TagsHand-drawn, Kinetic Novel, Minimalist, Narrative, Painting, Ren'Py, Short, Singleplayer, Story Rich, Text based
Average sessionA few minutes
LanguagesEnglish
InputsKeyboard, Mouse
AccessibilitySubtitles, One button

Download

Download NowName your own price

Click download now to get access to the following files:

the_painting-1.1-pc.zip 93 MB
the_painting-1.1-mac.zip 59 MB

Development log

Comments

Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.

(+2)

Extremely heartful and sad. I like how while Asrid's life is the main focus, and all the portraits center on her, the narrative paints an even more detailed portrait of the father. His constant anxiety about missing milestones and wanting every second to count is so earnest and relatable

I'm happy the story resonated with you. :)

Thank you so much for playing! <3

(+1)

WOW, your art style is amazing!!

Thank you so much! :) <3

(+1)

It's so beauitful!!! love the music! the first line was gripping and the grasp i let out when it drops the fact that it's been 10 years

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

;-;

Thank you ;___; this game means a lot to me so I'm happy that it resonated with you!! <3 <3 <3

(2 edits) (+2)

Incredible, heartfelt game

I played this immediately after 'Guidelicious' and enjoyed it so much. Everything from the art, to the music and of course the narration was beautiful and moving. Admittedly, the last photo made me cry, but it was so worth it. Highly recommend this to anyone looking for a short-yet-sweet visual novel game. Will definitely play more Tymedust Games' creations.

Thank you <3

I’m happy that you enjoyed it! :) This short little story is definitely close to my heart so hearing that it moved you to tears means a lot to me. :) <3 Thank you for playing and for leaving this lovely comment, and I hope you’ll have fun with the other games as well! <3 <3 <3

(1 edit) (+1)

It's so great to have an independent dev who responds to all the comments, I'll definitely leave one for Guidelicious (sorry I called it by the wrong name on my first comment) too :>

Oh of course!! I just can't help myself, getting comments makes me so happy so I feel like replying to them is the least I can do?! LOL XD And OH no worries!! I honestly didn't even notice <3 Thank you so much! :)

(+1)

AMAZING

Aww, thank you so much! :)

(+3)

A wonderful exploration of grief. Especially because you don't see depictions of grief from afar, after you've done some healing.

Thank you! <3

(+3)

MMMM I WAS EXPECTING IT BUT WHOO BOY. This really broke my heart, especially getting to see it through the father's eyes. So many stories I've read had the grief be narrated by the mother and I got used to it. But here, having it narrated by the father and seeing that he too experiences the grief so painfully and agonizing made me want to bawl because he was so vulnerable looking at reminiscing over the pictures. My dad also missed out a lot of things in my life, and though he tried I suppose he couldn't find a way to connect with us so he relied a lot on my mom. And I wondered at some point if he cared about us, or if he missed us, or if he wanted to even be with us (his children). So many fathers have gone through the part where it is normal to be so far away from your family, working to provide them, and when I played this game and seeing how the father was so ready to let go of his job in favor of his family, damn was I jealous of Astrid of having that kind of father. A lot of people are jealous about my mother but I was so damn jealous about Astrid's father who readily turned to his family and selfishly chose them. I know there are different circumstances and people, but reading through the father's inner dialogue made me wish so bad that Astrid knew how loved she is, not only being blessed by a cheerful mother but a loving father who cared so much about her. Amazing visual novel with wonderful visuals, and a brilliant script/writing. Excuse me while I go and listen to my comfort playlist.

(1 edit) (+2)

Thank you for your kind words, I'm happy you enjoyed the story! <3

Being male myself, I suppose it came more naturally to me to channel the emotions through a father rather than a mother, but that's a good point that you don't see that explored as often. I hadn't thought about that. :)

(+1)

It's one of those games that didn't truly hit me until the end. It's like the emotion needed to grow stronger with every word just so it can overflow when it's all over. Really moving piece, I cried, highly recommend.

Thank you so much! :) I'm happy to hear that it moved you. <3

(+2)

I happen to squeeze in a complete playthrough of "Pitstop in Purgatory" just before O2A2 started (when I played VNs from the otome jam), so I know the context. But even then, I feel like you don't need it to understand the universal emotion of family love and the loss of a loved one. This is a great emotional piece that shines through with beautiful art (nicely framed through pans over family photos on the wall that show Astrid growing up), fitting piano music, and sincere writing fully capturing the feelings of a father who lost his child, and all the same it's a celebration of Astrid's shortcut life. Very profound of bringing up his time-related regrets since worklife balance is a relevant topic for many.

(+1)

Thank you very much for your kind words! :) 

Yes, it was important for me to strike a balance because I didn't want new players to feel lost without the context that PiP provides. It's reassuring to hear that you felt that way, coming at it with the perspective of having played that before.

I'm happy you enjoyed the story! <3

(+1)

So sad, so heartfelt, so beautiful. 

Thank you so much! <3

(+1)

Thank you for this little gem of a game. Beautifully written, as always.

I love that you chose the perspective of the father that was left behind (it's something that I feel doesn't get done enough). You broke me at the second photo, couldn't help crying from just how sweet it was.

And now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go back to sobbing 😭😭😭

(+1)

Thank you! I'm happy you enjoyed it my friend! <3

And I agree, that perspective is a bit rare to see. I guess it was a bit easier for me personally to connect that way, hehe. :)

(+1)

10/10, cried T^T

(+1)

D'awww!! :(

Thank you so much for playing!! <3

(+2)

it's not often that a visual novel actually makes me cry like a baby, but this one did. i nearly lost my brother a few years back, so the feelings around time and grief really sat with me in a way that had me going "NOT FUNNY, CRIED". thank you so much for something so gorgeous!

I'm sorry to hear about your brother! <3 But also humbled that the story resonated with you. It's indeed a heavy subject that many of us can relate to in one way or another. Thanks for playing, and so happy that you enjoyed it! :) <3

(+1)

Wow! This little game was inceridble. I really enjoyed the slow music under it and it was good to see this sad story unrevaling before my eyes! 

Thank you for this little piece, it was really motivating!

Thank you so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) <3

(+1)

TEARS IN MY EYES, AGHHH..... im so glad to learn where astrid got her winning personality, even if it was through heartbreak <3 wonderful game

Aww, thank you so much! <3 :)

So glad you enjoyed it!

(1 edit)

Hi! :) So sorry for replying to this again but there's not really a way on itch.io to contact people so I think this was actually the easiest way?! 

I just saw your lovely review/thoughts on Ezrebeth, and I was wondering if you could possibly post them as a comment on the game's page as well? This is because as a review/rating comment, people won't be able to see it, and it made me and the team so happy so it would be awesome if more could see it! :)

Thank you so much and hope it isn't a problem and sorry for disturbing you! :)

Thanks for playing the game(s) and for your lovely words + support! <3

/Tymedust

(+1)

i downloaded this game thinking "tymedust said he cried while writing this. is this really that sad? is it going to make me cry? i hope so" because it's difficult to me to cry over a piece of media (at least that's what i like to think) but well

i cried

so i'm satisfied!!! :D

I take that as a *big* compliment!! :) 

I'm happy you liked it! <3