I just played the game and I've fallen absolutely in love with it. I was excited about the fact there were other games with ROYAL in it to play but realized it was actually just a joke. Nonetheless in just, as the name suggests, 205 clicks I've related to and truly empathized with ROYAL. The abrupt ending was sad (mostly because I wanted more of the game) but made so much sense and really showed his (ROYALS) desire to be free from being just a "character". He wanted to be his own person without conforming to others opinions and societal views. Seeing his sad expression when 'Gay' was swapped for 'Flamboyant' definitely hurt considering how closely related it is to real world problems right now with many being forcibly kept in the closet and shunned if they attempt to come out. And his constant attempt at pursuing a normal day and enjoy it for himself but ultimately failing and going into a spiral about how he wished to be more than just a villain. The writing is GENIUS. I would say I really want another game but I feel this one is enough considering the themes it presents and ROYAL being seemingly aware of the players presence and the creator. I'm glad the game ended the way it did. Anyways, apologies for the tangent, I just really loved playing this game and when I get the chance I'm definitely going to buy the art-book.
Am I being gaslighted by the comments or is this an actual gane series... Are there more games?!?! I want more of this guy💔💔 Also, WHY DID THE "QUEER" GET CENSORED NOOOUUUUU.... 🥹
Insertdisc always has the best in metagaming, this is amazingly done and all of Royal's expressions were perfect for the devastating situation he was in
Simplemente cine. Llegó el punto en que incluso olvidé por completo que estaba jugando un juego. Las interacciones con royal se sentian tan reales y humanas que sentí verdera pena por su situación y por no ser capaz de ayudarle de ninguna manera. Mi único "pero" sería que el juego es demasiado corto, pero es que realmente esa es la gracia de esto, su brevedad. Ahora me he quedado con más ganas de saber de Royal, de saber si consigió la libertad que quería.
Certainly not what I expected from a game in the GIRLS universe, but I'm delighted to say that Royal can indeed carry his own game with some great results! There were some... unorthodox developments throughout, but after over 70 games in this franchise, a shakeup like this is just what we need! I do hope the next GIRLS game can measure up.
the dev does make other games though! they made a game called Serre (a visual novel about a girl and an alien drinking tea and falling in love), and In Stars and Time (rpg about a person on a quest to save their country getting stuck in a time loop, the game really focuses on the psychological toll timeloops would take on someone) and its companion game/proof of concept called Start Again: A Prologue (same concept but much shorter), and she's working on a game called Truth Scrapper!
Despite the short length of the game, it manages to touch on relatable and important topics and establish an engaging character in less than 205 text boxes. The dialogue is charming as always, and the art style is gorgeous. I don't want to spoil it, but the story is very, very good and relatable. There is no excuse to not play this game. Please play it. If you like to feel emotions, play it. just do.
PS: Finally a GIRLS game I can sink my teeth into now that the target audience is becoming more mature! Royal is such a good villain, I hope they explore more aspects of him in the next game! can't wait >:3
Poignant, relatable and beautiful. Just became a fan of your work through playing In Stars and Time and have been looking forward to your other games since that story blew me away. This one didn't disappoint either. Big fan of Royal the themes presented. You have such a great way of threading in different important parts of queer experiences in such beautiful ways.
Very neat short story!! Love all of Royal's sprites and that cute little outfit segment! Even if the ending was kind of abrupt- I really enjoyed it- though I worry about spoiling the experience, so I won't go into detail! I do recommend this! <3
Despite being really short, this game had such a good story!!! Very cutesy artstyle as well, I highly recommend it! (especially if you're a fan of In Stars and Time)
I downloaded this game from Steam, but I really liked it so I thought I would copy my review from there and put it here too ^^
This was really charming!! I downloaded the game as soon as I saw the Tumblr announcement, and it didn't disappoint at all, it wastes no time introducing you to its protagonist and endearing you to them, the humor is really solid, and it all leads really well into the ending! Overall it's just a very well put-together story, and easily more than worth the $0 it costs. (It's free!! Play it!!)
Spoilers below:
I really enjoyed the theme of Royal being someone who's been forced into a specific social role, who might not want to conform to its expectations, who might want to express themself in different ways, but whose expression is stifled by social norms that are enforced through the game itself changing their words to be family-friendly and erasing their queer identity. It served as a really effective metaphor for both the ongoing issues with queer representation in media, and the ways real-life queer people are forcibly kept in the closet.
← Return to visual novel
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
I loved it a lot it made me think deep, love the art!<3
Yooo i saw this game being advertised on steam and decided to check it out here! great concept, i enjoyed it a lot.
ooo interesting
i somehow loved this. 205/10!
this was sick. 205/10
My heart's still pounding from the jumpscare at the end, great game!
10 out of 10
GOTYYY
OOOOO THAT WAS GOOOD OOOOOO
-SPOILERS-
I just played the game and I've fallen absolutely in love with it. I was excited about the fact there were other games with ROYAL in it to play but realized it was actually just a joke. Nonetheless in just, as the name suggests, 205 clicks I've related to and truly empathized with ROYAL. The abrupt ending was sad (mostly because I wanted more of the game) but made so much sense and really showed his (ROYALS) desire to be free from being just a "character". He wanted to be his own person without conforming to others opinions and societal views. Seeing his sad expression when 'Gay' was swapped for 'Flamboyant' definitely hurt considering how closely related it is to real world problems right now with many being forcibly kept in the closet and shunned if they attempt to come out. And his constant attempt at pursuing a normal day and enjoy it for himself but ultimately failing and going into a spiral about how he wished to be more than just a villain. The writing is GENIUS. I would say I really want another game but I feel this one is enough considering the themes it presents and ROYAL being seemingly aware of the players presence and the creator. I'm glad the game ended the way it did.
Anyways, apologies for the tangent, I just really loved playing this game and when I get the chance I'm definitely going to buy the art-book.
What about a future game about the GIRLS. If ROYALS knows about the game and everything, why not the other characters or just main characters?
Well, I can only dream, but if that dream comes true someday then I'll gladly reach for it.
should prob remove the on windows 7 option on steam, does not work on the os unless in browser
Curioso.
i have no idea if i actually finished the game but this was great this is why i love visual novels sm <3
I literally GASPED in awe when Royal said, 'You have to perform the stereotypes, but God forbid you be what the creators are actually referencing.'
THIS WAS SO AWESOME! I NEED IT BURNED INTO MY BRAIN!
amazing game!! :)
Awesome game!!!!!!!!!!
Loved this! Off to buy the artbook. ;)
With the power of trauma I can make this game about unhealthy parent/child relationships
Am I being gaslighted by the comments or is this an actual gane series... Are there more games?!?! I want more of this guy💔💔 Also, WHY DID THE "QUEER" GET CENSORED NOOOUUUUU.... 🥹
its 100% not, insertdisc hasn't made any other games on this "series"
Insertdisc always has the best in metagaming, this is amazingly done and all of Royal's expressions were perfect for the devastating situation he was in
Simplemente cine. Llegó el punto en que incluso olvidé por completo que estaba jugando un juego. Las interacciones con royal se sentian tan reales y humanas que sentí verdera pena por su situación y por no ser capaz de ayudarle de ninguna manera. Mi único "pero" sería que el juego es demasiado corto, pero es que realmente esa es la gracia de esto, su brevedad. Ahora me he quedado con más ganas de saber de Royal, de saber si consigió la libertad que quería.
Cool metagame and a good premise for it also!
I loved the game but I'm going insane trying to find the previous games/comics in this series. (Is GIRLS even real????)
Omg me too!! Good to know im to alone lol. Maybe its an inside joke cuz ive been on this rabbit hole for way too long haha
GIRLS isn't real!! it was just a hypothetical series made for this character to exist in.
So what if i'm [FLAMBOYANT] for Royal?
royal has be feeling so
gayflamboyant frayo diddy?
Royal got me feeling... NOT flamboyant sadly since I am of the opposite gender.
First GIRLS game I've ever played and now I gotta go back and play the rest, it's that good
HOLY MOLY MACARONI THAT WAS GOOOOOOOD :D
jumpscared me at the end, 10/10
i have no idea who this character is but i loved this game. so much
Royal looks like an OK K.O character.
Says exactly what it must in the time it has. Amazing game!
Certainly not what I expected from a game in the GIRLS universe, but I'm delighted to say that Royal can indeed carry his own game with some great results! There were some... unorthodox developments throughout, but after over 70 games in this franchise, a shakeup like this is just what we need! I do hope the next GIRLS game can measure up.
I cant find any information on the GIRLS series, even on the yt channel, can you help :>
I think it's fake and the comment is playing along lol
k thanks :)
Kinda disapointing considering how cool this one was, specially the artstyle
the dev does make other games though! they made a game called Serre (a visual novel about a girl and an alien drinking tea and falling in love), and In Stars and Time (rpg about a person on a quest to save their country getting stuck in a time loop, the game really focuses on the psychological toll timeloops would take on someone) and its companion game/proof of concept called Start Again: A Prologue (same concept but much shorter), and she's working on a game called Truth Scrapper!
wow this is awesome. everyone should play it right meow.
Concise and hits just right. I'm glad I played this :)
Despite the short length of the game, it manages to touch on relatable and important topics and establish an engaging character in less than 205 text boxes. The dialogue is charming as always, and the art style is gorgeous. I don't want to spoil it, but the story is very, very good and relatable. There is no excuse to not play this game. Please play it. If you like to feel emotions, play it. just do.
PS: Finally a GIRLS game I can sink my teeth into now that the target audience is becoming more mature! Royal is such a good villain, I hope they explore more aspects of him in the next game! can't wait >:3
Poignant, relatable and beautiful. Just became a fan of your work through playing In Stars and Time and have been looking forward to your other games since that story blew me away. This one didn't disappoint either. Big fan of Royal the themes presented. You have such a great way of threading in different important parts of queer experiences in such beautiful ways.
I love it, and can't wait for the next GIRLS game insertdisc5!
Very neat short story!! Love all of Royal's sprites and that cute little outfit segment! Even if the ending was kind of abrupt- I really enjoyed it- though I worry about spoiling the experience, so I won't go into detail! I do recommend this! <3
Despite being really short, this game had such a good story!!! Very cutesy artstyle as well, I highly recommend it! (especially if you're a fan of In Stars and Time)
I downloaded this game from Steam, but I really liked it so I thought I would copy my review from there and put it here too ^^
This was really charming!! I downloaded the game as soon as I saw the Tumblr announcement, and it didn't disappoint at all, it wastes no time introducing you to its protagonist and endearing you to them, the humor is really solid, and it all leads really well into the ending! Overall it's just a very well put-together story, and easily more than worth the $0 it costs. (It's free!! Play it!!)
Spoilers below:
I really enjoyed the theme of Royal being someone who's been forced into a specific social role, who might not want to conform to its expectations, who might want to express themself in different ways, but whose expression is stifled by social norms that are enforced through the game itself changing their words to be family-friendly and erasing their queer identity. It served as a really effective metaphor for both the ongoing issues with queer representation in media, and the ways real-life queer people are forcibly kept in the closet.
-Summer