Judge feedback

Judge feedback is anonymous and shown in a random order.

• Wow, what a tour de force. This might only be Act I of the story but it sets up a lot of dread, and delivers some terrifying possibilities. The art is dripping with a unique vision that enhances the tension on display in the narrative. There were a few moments that were tutorializing mechanics that didn't make it into the game in time for the jam, but those two help the player frame the experience they should expect in the next acts. A tantalizing taste to whet the appetite, and this leaves the player (and the creature) salivating.
• This entry has a phenomenal sense of pacing and dread. The color scheme and pixel art paired with the music immediately established a strong tone, and the writing took that a step further through the branching structure and small details. The first choice between the ration, battery, and vial had me evaluate possible dangers I might encounter and decide what fear I wanted to avoid most, and I didn’t even know what I would be dealing with! Even more compelling about my playthrough was that I had a general idea of what was ahead—“Virus” is in the name, after all—my character didn’t know what was going to happen. So Leland coughing, Wallop having goo on their paws, and Wallop’s hesitance around Leland all put me on edge. The detail of getting injured on that mug also made me cringe in the best way. The only downside to the cliffhanger the demo leaves on! I’d like to play the full version now! If you’d like more feedback, feel free to reach out on the Cryptic Conservatory discord linked on the jam page!