Pygmalion Lied
- Press the right arrow key to begin the story after the foreword -
Learning how to mourn is hard enough on its own. Rediscovering a long-dormant truth along the way makes it all the more complicated.
Playtime: ~20-30 minutes
cw: some mildly strong language, mentions of mourning and death, sensual themes.
--
Vivian's sculpture modeled after Chauncey Ives' Undine Rising From the Waters (1880)
Special thanks to Sean, ducky, Josie, and the Bitscord for help & support <3
Bitsy is a tool created by Adam Le Doux.
External tools and hacks used:
image to bitsy
avatar-by-room
bitsymuse
dialog choices
dialog pause
exit-from-dialog
long dialog
transparent sprites
Status | In development |
Platforms | HTML5 |
Rating | Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars (37 total ratings) |
Author | Isa |
Genre | Visual Novel |
Made with | bitsy |
Tags | 2D, 8-Bit, Bitsy, LGBTQIA, Short, Story Rich |
Comments
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Wow. This was so beautiful. I'm almost crying, how did you make a story both so heartbreaking and soothing?
The glimpses we get of the relationship between Martin and Vivian are so touching, I hope they had true moments of joy and peace in their relationship - it seems like they really did love each other, in a way, and that sort of queer solidarity / platonic love (at least that's how i interpreted it) always makes me emotional. Thank you for including that brief moment with Claude - it's really moving too, how Vivian and him both mourn the man they deeply loved.
I feel for Vivian, being stuck for so long in denial and probably ashamed of herself - even if I'm glad Martin and her found each other and could at least make it work for a few years. It's both terribly sad, to think Martin never had a chance to live freely as who he was, and comforting, to know he still knew love and at least had a peaceful, loving relationship with his friend (at least that how their marriage sounds like from what Vivian describes, it seems like they both truly cared for each other).
I don't know, maybe I'm overreacting and projecting my feelings on your game, but I find this kind of soft, hidden queer story so beautiful and moving. It also makes me feel really lucky to live in a time and place where at least I don't have to hide my relationships (even if I know it's not the case everywhere, and it is never granted forever - but for now, I can hold my partner's hand in public and that's something, at least).
Thank you for making this game - also on a side note thank you for the link to the inspiration statue because she's so beautiful, I don't know how it's even possible to carve such *soft* textures from hard rock. I'm often fascinated by how sculptures manage to represented delicate textures like drapes, hair or water... and also by how beautifully, lovingly sculptors carve human bodies and shapes. In a way, it helps accepting my own body too, to see that so many artists have spent hours, days, weeks maybe, creating long-lasting works of art honoring the beauty of human bodies.
Thank you for such a beautiful comment, I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)
That was so... poetic and beautiful. I just don't know what else to say. I love a game that can make me feel calm and make me think and this is definitely it. Beautiful. Just like the statue...
By the way, I played this a few years back and now that I've replayed it feels like there's some kind of discovery... I don't want to assume but are Vivi and Caro... in love? That's what I interpreted at least. If that's not it I'm sorry just curious! Whatever the case, you get 5 stars from me!!! <3
Thank you!!
god so much yearning packed into one statue!! this hit home, especially seeing art as self discovery <3
Thanks for playing, Ken!
poignant and aching, sometimes amusing (that feeling of "oh you fool. it's so obvious!" when you've gone through the same process of realization). truly incredible
Thank you so much! Hahaha that feeling ain't it just the worst/best/something in-between!! I'm pleased you enjoyed it, thank you for playing <3
god that was a beautiful experience
Thank you!!
This was absolutely beautiful and I'm so glad I took the time to play it. The way the player discovers the narrator as they themselves do is absolutely incredible. Thank you so much for creating something so excellent!!
Thank you so much for playing! I love that you felt close to Vivian's discovery <3
✨✨✨ WOW WOW WOW ✨✨✨
Thank you!!!! I'm so glad you liked it <333
This was. Such a worthwhile and resonant experience to go through. Thanks for making something great!!
Thank YOU for playing, I'm really pleased you could identify with it ^^
This is exceptionally well polished!
Thank you so much 😄❤️