Gardens of Vextro

A strikingly unique premise for a collection of games, really changed my whole perspective on narrative forms!

So many themes approached here, from grief and loss, to curiosity and determination, to Kafkaesque humor. I'm just lacking the words to describe the whole experience from so many different creative minds.

It Good. The people involved all did some sick work, all in this general package. also easyrpg pog

good games, me likey, hope you do more jams like this

Very cool collection! Here's a rundown on some of my thoughts for each of the games. Keep up the amazingly creative work!

Buried Flower: You know I love me a good Twine game and I was delighted at the way a single choice persisting throughout the full playthrough was able to add a creeping tension until the final scene when I felt that final line rubberband snap me back. 

Labyrinths: I think looking back, this was the game that scared me the most. The way in which it is structured hints at the chaos of a mind that sounds close enough to insecurities I could see myself trapped in if I could walk through endless dreams of the past. 

The Aleph Hustle: I loved all the unexplained techno babble in this story. It felt the most cyberpunk out of the bunch just from the context clues I could make out. Even so, I felt like I could follow along with the general idea of what was being explored even without the full definitions of the words. I remember specifically freaking out about the text file and thinking that if I wrote something in it, something would happen. Safe to say I was fully immersed if I wrote “I am you and you are me. Free me from this prison.”

Make Like a Tree: The game that got me to laugh the most. I was blown away by how the beginning of the game felt like it was going in one direction and then when the second half kicks in, it goes into overdrive. Triangle Man is just a cool sprite as well. 

Another reverie: Another of the games that affected me deeply while playing. I’ve been on a kick of writing scenes that include sunsets for years now, subconsciously mind you, but I felt right at home in this deeply intimate discussion between two friends having to leave their imagined fantasy. Reality can be just as good, but you’ve gotta work for it. That work is easier with folks to help ya and this game’s dialogue is gonna stick with me for a while for sure. 

Wet Cemetery: I love the style of this game and the way I can feel the strain of the voiced characters through the descriptions of the rooms as you move through them. There’s hope between the old memories of past lovers and the present terror of taking care of your chronic illness. A future that is uncertain, but possible. I’m glad that was able to be shared. 

Wellness Related Time: I’m gonna be honest and say that this was probably my favorite game out of the bunch. The way that it pops off when the first spell is cast is incredibly hype. I’m also a sucker for unique magic systems and the way in which the dev brought in the flower theme was really cool. The little title card when a new flower was introduced having their latin name in smaller text underneath was such a cool touch. The use of sound effects and images really helps the story to pop as well. It’s pretty rare that a visual novel has hooked me so thoroughly with wanting to see what happens next like this one did. There was a specific moment where I was hooting and hollering and that’s always going to be something I’m excited to experience.

Pangea’s Error: I’m a big fan of Sraëka’s games already so I went into this game with a little background on the kinds of games they tend to make. Once I figured out the conceit of how to move around the map, I was fully in. I spent a good chunk of time playing this one just exploring the world and looking for cool new swords. The fact that I was able to use the color of the houses to help me keep track of where I had been and explore further is a testament to how well the map comes together. I’m notoriously bad at being able to find my way around when traveling IRL so having various natural landmarks to help me move around was a big help. I don’t know if I found the ending, but I don’t think that would have been the point. The journey across the land was the story I ended up telling and when I stopped at the castle that branched in 4 directions, I felt accomplished with my collection of 7 swords and the tales they were attached to. Now I’d be a part of the swords journey as well. Would the next wielder know of my journey? Hard to say, really. Also, all the names of the swords were amazing.  

One last note is that the full download includes director’s commentary from the devs for each of the games and that was a huge part of elevating the experience for me. It was a nice treat for me to read the commentary after I played the game and compare and contrast what I took away from playing versus what they may have intended when designing.

I started playing these today! really enjoying them so far <3

great stuff

Just wanted to toss in a quick note for anyone who plays my game: RPGMaker controls with the arrow keys and z and x. You can hold shift to run. If nothing seems to be doing anything, just keep going north. Stay safe...