A little while ago, you commented positively on my SKG jam entry and asked to know what I think of yours. I don't respond to all such requests in the jam comments, but your jam comment was the first one. Fortunately I think this is a very cute and worth-observing game.

What I'm about to start saying may sound insensitive. I hope it doesn't sound insensitive. See, I have good things to say about this game, but I'll be talking about the less glowing things first.

I realize that this game only uses one button, however it was also a bit unintuitive in spite of that, and when trying and failing to reel in the hook I often didn't know what I was doing wrong. Even reading the game description now I find things that I don't understand. Also I don't feel very comforted to read about the way it has a possible softlock (which luckily I never encountered) , however in this month I can't really talk: I uploaded a game to this very same jam that has a broken update loop which without an update will be potentially unplayable in 20 years.

After getting far in Banff, I found that some text was cut off, leading me to believe that the online version has some sort of "overscan" on it.

But I liked it. Mostly because of the artwork and characters. As weird as Banff's gameplay may be in "video game" terms as far as games go, I like it anyway because of the overhanging feeling. It's got this nice background with terrain and tones of near-nighttime encompassed in a consistently pixelated render (I think) and as a bonus it's also very dithered. I like the dithering. Even though the foreground is in some places not at that same pixel-bitting resolution. The music helped it as well. I guess the sound design was pretty good. In July 2025 there's no real triggers for me at least. It's a chilled-out game, though you will probably never hear me sincerely refer to anything in the world as "relaxing" because the description "relaxing" in general is just a sore spot for me. If I was one of the people who like using that word I probably would call Banff relaxing.

Those characters about 68% speak to me. I wouldn't call them relatable, but their story resonated a few times. Of course the young guy is an indie game dev who shares his games with his dad... I wish my dad was as interested in playing my games. The best thing about the characters is that they talk nice and have a simplistic/rustic but charming and cute appearance. I'm very glad that they're not "malmy sprites". It has sprites that could be called "low-effort", but they're not "annoying" simplistic sprites. For an event like this, graphics like that are all you really need.

I don't know if you can see my rating, but I rated it. Out of many people who pass judgement with their votes on websites, I'm one of the more demanding folks. I'm a real fussy bitch.

Even if Banff is not something to play as a challenging sturdy game, or even if it's got some jank as a mere chilled-out virtual experience, the thing remains that this is just a really cute and emotionally-grabbing thing to turn on. I need more games that are aesthetically and thematically similar to this one to give me some reprieve in this nightmare world. I might even try to make a game jam game cute in tone next time I join one, if there ever is a next time. It's a very pretty game, I'm gonna put it on the fridge.

Today was not my first time playing. I actually touched this and some other games in the jam a few days ago, but didn't really go anywhere. I didn't expect to finish this game, but today I did. And when I saw the guy alone on the wharf I immediately said out loud "Agh shit!" before the monologue started. It definitely affected me.

I still don't know why it's called "Banff"...

Also the "2038" was a nice touch. I think I know what you meant by that.

I really like the art style. May I ask what software did you use for the background?

Nice game! I LOVE the sound design! Truly the best I've seen in any jam I did so far. Can I ask what you used, or if you have any recommendations? I often struggle with original music in my games and I just resort to using loops (that I have licenses for ofc). I would love to learn how to do full track by myself.

Honestly in the first minute of the game I wasn't sure how the theme is relevant, but then it hit me. Again, amazing game!

I would also appreciate it if you could rate my project if you found some time :)

Beautiful game, the art style and sound design compliment the story perfectly. I don't think any other game better encapsulates the theme. This is by far my favorite! 

Hey bro I loved this game ! good luck...

I will be happy if you rate my game too : /jam/stop-killing-games-game-jam/rate/3724252

That was wonderful. Sad, but wonderful.

I love how you caught the old-style pixel art graphics, with the sounds and music mixed well together. The story, as the details, are also written well. Great work!

While I'm definitely NOT the target audience, I can appreciate this for what it is - The art, music and SFX are all perfect, and the writing is solid. I just personally enjoying my fishing games to be a bit more involved lol

what a relaxing experience, i like The fishing mechanic, the art style and the sounds match the game theme

This is amazing. The graphics style complements the game perfectly. The story is touching and very well written.

Ok so I have a lot to say... First, this game is really cute and I appreciated each seconds of it. 

First i really loved the simplicity of the game, just one screen, two characters, one music, one gameplay variation but I think it really helps the point of the game. Maybe I go too far into the analysis but this repetitivity, this simplicity, its usually how we perceive spending time with our family. We can think at first place that it's boring or not fun but nothing is eternal, and that's when they're not here that you noticed how these repetitive and boring moments were unique and precious. That's why when the dad died, the son just returns to the same place but everything changed but NOT the music which is really cool because you could have just cut the music but you kept it and it shows how much, even in the dark, this place is still associated with bright and good memories. Because peoples never really disapear. This place will forever remember this music even in the dark because his son will never forget either and will continue to come. 

The story is simple but good. A bit predictable but still really well written. The dialogs are natural and we feel conected with them. The only problem is that I was playing on a laptop with a small screen and the text was REALLY small so it was a bit annoying to read. And also the dialog box of the son and the dad are at the same place (or almost) so it's hard to tell who's speaking when you are focusing on the fishes. 

Also the fact that you can miss the fish (I think? Because i got softlocked one time) is not a really good idea on a game focused on automatic dialogs.

I think that's all I had to say, conragts for this jam buddy and keep making games :)

I wasn't expecting that. An intimate, almost ethereal game that has an incredible simplistic and touching beauty. I liked the human way in which you approached the theme of JAM and how you managed to create such a profound story with so little. Congratulations, bring back more games.

Cute art style and a touching story to boot, nice work on this!

This was wonderful! I can tell you are a wonderful person. I really liked the pixel shading.

A beautiful experience with a message that addresses the theme well, while focusing on what truly matters. I loved the graphics, and the soundtrack fits the mood perfectly. The gameplay is very simple, but it matches the game's purpose perfectly. Overall, a wonderful game — I enjoyed every second of it.

A short but beautiful story with gameplay that complements it, well executed. Congrats!