If You Love Me

answers the question of "what if someone who's extremely good at crafting atmosphere decided to tackle the circles of hell, probably the concept that's most ripe for crafting atmosphere in all of human history?", and the results are just as viscerally horrifying and thought provoking as you'd hope :D

seriously though, this was REALLY great!!

(SPOILERS)

i love how little backstory you get from these two characters. you just know that they were a couple, that one of them passed away, and that you will do anything to bring them back. we only get bits and pieces of what they were even like, but that's not what matters. what matters is that you will find them. i think you nailed the feel of "you will do this no matter what" and the lack of exposition of why do you even love them in the first place is a big part of that (at least that's the way i interpreted it haha). i also love how the main character NEEDS to repeat to themselves that they're the hero, that they're doing a good thing, that they will find them... obviously you know they're just doing some HEAVY rationalizing, but it just adds to the tragedy of their character. all in all, the story's simplicity really works for the tone that's being built, and i was at the edge of my seat wondering what would happen when i'd finally get to the end!

obviously i couldn't make a review without mentioning the visuals, and... honestly i came into this game already expecting the art to look super cool, and you STILL managed to surprise me haha. i love not only how dark, moldy and rotten everything looks... but how DIFFERENT everything looks. every single section looks so distinct from one another, whether it's an infinitely deep ocean, a red and scorching forest, a stormy wasteland, a frozen world... i think you made hell truly feel like a place with infinite spaces and ways to torment the souls that live there, instead of the typical concept of "red place with lots of fire", if that makes sense? (it's also an AMAZING use of color palettes, i mean my god i don't know much about color theory but i can confidently say you use colors extremely well-) and the way you depicted said souls was so awesome; really love how you see rough sketches of human bodies in the background, in the foreground, reaching for you, full bodies, twisted limbs. such a genius way of making them something that's always present, but barely have a form at the same time. and i really liked the weird creatures you encounter! they have really creative designs and i like how they're not explained, they're just there vibing and you have to accept it haha (the ones in the ocean level jumpscared me lmao). just fantastic stuff, as always :> (also didn't know where to put this but i LOVED the boat sequence where the screen keeps zooming out, such simple but effective visual flair)

the sound design is amazing too!! love the drony, almost echo-like ambience you hear at all times. put me in the mindset of "oh shit, this REALLY is hell huh". and VOICE ACTING WHAAAAT?? srsly tho it was really well used haha. you and hawk are really good at sounding soothing but subtly creepy, and the final scene with both voices at the same time was super cool. overall 11/10 in the presentation aspect.

you said in another comment that you were inspired by the divine comedy right? i haven't read it so i got kinda confused with some parts lmao. but it was also kinda cool at the same time? like i'm watching punishments that i can't begin to understand, souls saying things i can't begin to comprehend... really fitting with what would actually happen if someone went down to hell haha. i do really like how the gameplay in each section is different, really clever and each part is creative in its own right, but i admit it became a little repetitive after a while... ik hell having "nine levels" is from the book and it's out of your control haha, but i would've liked if there was some tangible progression to make you feel like you're actually advancing. maybe by having the rose become wilted over time, or the character look more "dead" or something like that (the narration that talks about the character's growing doubts is neat, but i think having some more changes would've helped). it's probably my biggest problem with the game, and it sadly brings down the total score from 5 out of 5 stars to a measly 5 out of 5 stars.

i really liked the ending! don't feel like i understood it fully but it made me reflect on how life and death can be viewed as a relationship, and i really liked the "you find someone who will take turns" line, it's pretty profound.

(i feel like i said the word "really" like ten thousand times, i just have passionate opinions about your games ok- XD)

overall, this was a super disturbing and atmosphere-heavy experience from the master of disturbing and atmosphere-heavy games. thank you for making it! <3

and next time i go to hell to rescue my dead lover i'll be sure to superglue the rose i'm carrying to my hand so it doesn't fall :D

Sorry babe, I know I'm supposed to like save you or something but I have the loosest grip in history and my emotional support rose keeps slipping from my hands.

The vibes are immaculate, the visuals are incredible, ratatata foaming at the mouth, this is sooooo good 10/5 would love the disembodied voice again.

Chef's Kiss!

It was a very enjoyable game to play and watch. The levels were fun and the art was beautiful and unique.

I guess it's mostly inspired by the Divine Comedy, nice!

It felt like a gothic romance, made me want to see more of that genre sjsj

What else can I say, enjoyable gameplay, interesting story and beautiful art, 10/10!!

.... I really loved it :3

sorry... but i have to say... i cant find words to describe how awesome this is!!!😭💔 best game ever! i hope it wins the jam!