Step by Little Step

Finally worked up the nerve to play this and gosh this hits so hard. I haven't had pets of my own for years and this still hits so hard, for anyone who's ever experienced that pain, that grief...

I have to give special mention to the point in the steps where the ending changes, that hit me even harder in hindsight... Like, as you say, there's only one way it ends.

It's just up to us to decide when it's time.

Sending all the love!

Really cute game! I have a cat and this game almost made me cry, i loved every little step. The game is simple but really well made, keep up the amazing work!

Going in blind! Coming back later to report on how messed up i am later :3

I'm almost embarrassed at how hard I cried haha. Oh wow, I like, need some water. Wow. I knew it would make me cry and I am STILL Shocked at how gut wrenching and real this is. You captured the pain and authenticity of being responsible for your beloved pets life. Their comfort and safety and well being, above your own. The horrible mental gymnastics of "when is the time". They stay with us for enough time to change you on a molecular level, but never long enough. Never long enough. 

Amazing writing, amazing art, amazing music. thanks for sharing this. I'm assuming you've lost a pet and I'm sorry for that loss. I lost my cat a few years ago, 3 years as of last week. And while I cried a lot leading up to her passing I haven't cried much since. It felt too much. This was a fantastic moment of catharsis. Think I'll go to bed now haha. Have some tea.

(Also! idk if this was intentional but it reminded me of that tumblr poll from a little while ago, the orpheus tumblr poll, "I trust that she is there". If intentional, great reference. If not, go check it out! It's a cool medium of poetry, a tumblr poll haha)

I enjoyed every ''step'' of this game

Amazing game. I've never really understood why some people relate to/are moved by the story of Orpheus and Eurydice to such an extraordinary and personal degree, until now.

Great game, I really enjoyed this reinterpretation of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice! But this ending made me very sad. I almost cried.

It's crazy how, with such limited resources and game length, you were able to invoke strong emotions in the player. Kudos, and I'm looking forward to the other things you'll create! :)

This game is beautiful, and makes me feel incredibly sad. As someone who has owned a lot of cats throughout their childhood (I think, including my current ones, I'm up to 9 now), this hits hard. I hate that we can't bring her home, though I understand why, and I appreciate the powerful message you told. The music and bell jingles and purring really also bring this game home for me, as well as your beautiful artwork. They way you draw is so soft and cosy and loose, and fits the melancholy theme very well.

I loved this game, thanks for making me cry <3.

adorable and emotional!
i was a big fan of having a purring sound in the song, as with the rattle. combining sound effects with the music/theme of the game, ah thats so cool.

kitty!!

amazing game. i love this. bless your heart.

Is this based on the tale of Orpheus and Eurydice?

I tried the game, but i feel like 
[SPOILERS]


The fact that we can't actually walk beyhond and have the cat irl is very frustrating. Not because i don't understand the message, but because i'd like to see for myself if - whatever the thing that gave me this opportunity is - would take into account the pain the cat is in, or if the cat would be fine as if they were never hurt to begin with.

I felt like my choice didn't really matter, since eitherway, i would have looked back. I'd like to have had even just a nod to this, maybe having the cat come back, and then immediately collapse. Or let the cat be okay, or hell, even have the cat suffer through the same pain she went through before. It'd be cruel, and that'd be the point of why you'd want to look back.

I also struggled to empathize with the idea of "what would she think?" because i personally see animals in a more cynical light. i tend to not anthropomorphise them as much in everyday settings. So for me, a human, (or an anthropomorphic cat) would have worked better with the whole "do they really want this?"

Like, if my cat was purring, i'd assume they'd be happy to see me. And if they were getting further, i'd assume it'd be either a test from -whatever the thing that gave me this opportunity is- or just her being a cat and having brain space for 1 thought at a time (aka, either walking, or looking around)

/////////////

from a technical standpoint, i really liked the music, it's very soothing. And the SFX choice was also really good!

The visual aesthetic is pleasant, and cozy. And i think that, for people that empathized more with the choice of looking back than i did, it only adds to the feeling of helplessness. There's no sound nor visual of the protagonist. We only read their words, and through them, we think more about how the cat would feel.

[END OF SPOILERS]

i have nothing amazing to say. just that its 3am and this game made me cry. 

I had a female cat when I was younger and she was my closest friend. She had orange and white fur and her name was Sasha. She passed away when I was 9 years old and getting over her was the headrest thing to ever do. I am now 12 and decided to play this game because it looks cute, I chose to trust the cat and at the end when I realized I had to look back I started to sob. Watching the cat fade away and the sounds of the purs leaving made me so sad. For such a short game this is so good despite how upsetting it is having to leave the cat no matter what decision you chose. The grey/purple colors really helps set the mood for the game along with the music. No matter how short the game was it portrayed its message very well.

spoiler!!



I was choosing to trust her the whole time, but when i realized how much pain she was in being alive, I just had to look back😭