Bittersweet sapphic longing; the fictionalized and embellished retelling of an autobiographical moment.

Dear Rosalia is a micro short story in visual-novel format created for O2A2 2023 in a single week by Rascal  with a single graphic asset (a beautiful painting by Eugene de Blaas), one music track, one sound effect and 1k words.

Includes dyslexia-friendly font options.

StatusReleased
PlatformsHTML5
Rating
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
(32 total ratings)
AuthorRascal Devworks
GenreVisual Novel, Interactive Fiction
Made withUnity
TagsAmare, Female Protagonist, Historical, Lesbian, LGBT, Romance, sad, sapphic, Short
Average sessionA few minutes
LanguagesEnglish
InputsMouse
AccessibilitySubtitles, One button

Development log

Comments

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(+1)

absolutely loved this. played it for a second time hoping that rosalia and the mc would get together at the end even though i knew that wouldn't happen. what can i do? im a hopeless romantic💔💔💔

(+1)

Thank you for the lovely comment ✨ I'm happy to hear you liked the game!

And yes... it was not meant to be 💔

(+1)

A beautifully written story enjoyed the music and the graphics. Great job

(+1)

Everything in this was really lovely —the slightly animated portrait, the music and sound effect, the ooetic and whimsical writing, the story.

I’ve gotta restate again what SJ said in the comment before: the longing in this, the longing, such pain…

The contrast between the somewhat disillusioned, passionate but burdened MC, and Rosalia’s whimsy, light-heartedness was really good. I can see what drives her so much to Rosalia in spite of the ensuing pain, it was really compelling, and I’m glad she has her in life, even if not to the extent she’d like!

(+2)

Thank you so much for the kind words!

Your analysis of the two characters made me so happy, it's spot on! 😭✨

(1 edit) (+2)

Love the ui and classic art!!! GENIUS!! the typing sfx is so satisfying! waaaa the longing!! the poetic longing!! 

(+1)

Aaaah, thank you so much for the kind words ✨ 

Glad you liked it!

I love the idea of using an classical painting =)

Amazing and very creative!

(+1)

Thank you ✨

That painting is so stunning, it immediately inspired me when I saw it!

(+2)

Using the painting works so well! Tons of great historical atmosphere for this intimate moment.

It feels like something off the Lesbian Historic Motif Podcast (which you should check out if you don't already know it!): https://lesbianhistoricmotif.podbean.com/

(+2)

Thank you so much for the kind comment 😄

I did not know about that podcast, it absolutely sounds like my jam!!

(+1)

Your game is beautiful! The presentation is amazing and so is the writing, as well as the little details with the UI and the menu. Well done!

Aaaah, thank you so much! I'm happy you liked it ✨

(+2)

What a lovely VN! The writing style feels very period appropriate without being too overwhelmingly intricate, and the UI is lovely. The single music track suits the tone of the story nicely, and the use of a classical art piece feels very fitting too.

Also, for all the MC calls Rosalia selfish or fickle, she seems like a really good friend at least. The way she tries to console the MC is very sweet!

(+1)

Thank you so much for the kind words! ✨

And yes, I wanted Rosalia to be like those good friends that never seem to hold down a partner, ahah

(+1)

It's such a lovely experience that we -- the protagonist -- try to get to hear Rosalia's feelings. She's like that beautiful butterfly amidst of the blooming rose garden! I hope the protagonist would find happiness. Thank you for releasing this!

(+1)

Thank you for the kind words! I'm so glad you liked the game ✨😊

(+1)

Your team did a great job overcoming the limitations. The writing was really excellent and it was so easy to feel sympathetic for the main character. The way the UI matches the paintings used makes the experience feel very cohesive.

(+1)

Thank you so much! I'm happy you liked this little game ✨

(+3)

Oh, this was absolutely gorgeous! I'm in love with your choice to use the painting (as both your sprite and menu) -- it truly felt like stepping back in time, and not only that, like, a magical, bittersweet moment in a romanticized past. My mind was instantly taken to movies of my youth like The Secret Garden and how they'd have this sort of secret, beautiful, yet tragic quality to them, all awash with this colorful, delicate nostalgia. And your beautiful UI only added to it!! The design is absolutely lovely, especially with all the flower motifs.

GUH THE STORY THOUGH. I shall weep. It was simultaneously warm and lively while at the same time dripping with a sort of hopeless heartbreak -- much like Rosalia herself tbqh. How she's so upbeat and coy and joking with you while simultaneously turning you down and breaking your heart. It filled me with many emotions laksjdflaskd The writing itself was just so lovely, too! Something about the words was very soft to me... and the tone meshed so well with the saturated nostalgia of the painting and UI. And the music, too!! A gorgeous piece that fit with everything so well. I sat on the main menu both at the start and then again at the end for a bit just to let myself travel with it for a while.

Overall just an incredibly beautiful piece of longing. It's going to sit with me for a while!! Thank you for bringing this poignant little moment to my day 💕

(+2)

OMG 😭✨thank you so much for the lovely words!!

I'm so glad to hear you liked the UI, I fought with it for hours

The writing is the only thing I can really take the credit for AND YOU'RE TOO KIND! 😭

Thank you for making my day ✨

(+2)

I really liked this, the pining was tangible! Great O2A2 entry

Thank you for the lovely words ✨

(+1)

Hi, I played the game and wanted to share feedback!

First of all, I really enjoyed the artistic direction! Editing an actual painting was a very good idea and really gave a unique vibe to this visual novel! The music track was also very well-chosen, and I liked the GUI!

Now, I really felt the longing of the main character. Loving someone from afar, although they are so close... It really felt bittersweet, especially when Rosalia starts saying she wished she could "love a woman"!! Aaaah, I felt so bad for MC!

I really enjoyed this entry, congrats on the good job!

(+2)

Thank you so much, I'm glad you liked it 😭✨