Darling, Darling... Dead?
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Yandere x yandere, a vampire-themed Visual Novel.
WARNING for DARK fantasy + romance, including themes of obsession (reciprocated), confinement (consensual), blood drinking and cannibalism (quasi, cross-species), vampirism, constraints (consensual), death, wild animal death(s), suggestive themes (consensual), murder (not consensual), faked amnesia, drug and alcohol use, strong language.
Summary:
Today is the day when you’re totally, definitely, for sure, going to break up with your... not quite lover. You expect contempt, an argument, or a complete lack of reaction, but what you get is—
A murder attempt* and a proposal?!
*you might or might not be an unreliable narrator
What’s in store:
- not safe, not sane, but definitely consensual yandere romance
- customizable yandere protagonist (name, sprite)
- two (2) yandere love interests
- around 14k words (demo), and approximately an hour of playthrough
- unlockable POV extras
- over 60k words (full game), approximately 5-8 hours of playthrough (depending on your reading speed) for 100% completion
- 3 routes (X, Levon, mixed) with 2 branches per route
- 8 branches/endings of varying lengths
- In-game guide included in achievements, after completing one ending
- 9 CGs and 13 item images
Rating: 18+ (see warning)
Characters:
MC:
A bitten vampire, saved by Levon from a group of monster hunters. Sheltered in the mansion of Levon’s soon-to-be (dead) betrothed, MC developed a label-less relationship with his/her/their savior, which grew strained over the years. Currently working as a monster hunter.
Levon de Nisau:
Coming from a lowly background, Levon rose to power and fortune by the means of inheritance. Merciless, selfish, and oftentimes harsh, he used to navigate life by adopting a charismatic social butterfly persona. Now, being one of the richest and most affluent men in the country, he no longer bothers with such pretense.
X:
Formerly an orphan MC saved from being killed in the witch trials, now a young man who refuses to seek a better future for himself, stubbornly staying in Levon’s mansion as a servant. Despite that, X is rather cocky and brash, even towards his employer.
Credits:
- Engine: [Ren'Py by Tom Rothamel]
- Writing: [PDRRook], [Dom]
- Art Assets, GUI Design: [PDRRook]
- Coding, GUI Coding: [PDRRook], [Dom]
- Music and SFX: Nicolas Jeudy of DARK FANTASY STUDIO, Ovani Sound, Joel Steudler
- Fonts, Free for Personal and Commercial Use: [Prince Valiant], [CAT Altgotisch], [Atkinson Hyperlegible]
- Kinetic Text Tags Code: [Wattson]
- Splash Stock Videos: [Vecteezy]
Disclaimer:
This is the official Itch.io page for the Demo of the "Darling, Darling... Dead?" game.
- Any version of the game downloaded from a different page (besides the future official Steam page) is not ours and was redistributed without permission.
- We are not responsible for any malicious software or viruses that may appear when visiting and/or downloading from sites having non-official distributions.
- Streaming is only allowed for the DEMO with commentary added to it. Streaming the FULL game is NOT allowed.
Links:
- Individual Studio Carrd: [PDRRook], [Dom - The Cottage Workshop]
WARNING: If you’re accessing this page from a different domain than ITCH.IO, you’re downloading an unauthorized version of the game that might be harmful to your device.
FAQ:
- Q: When will the full game be released?
- Q: Will there be a Steam release?
- Q: Will this game be paid?
- Yes, this game is a commercial project. The final price depends on the number of assets, script length, coding time, and additional costs like Steam fees and licenses.
Download
Development log
- Wishlist on Steam ✨5 days ago
- Small Demo Update + How to Reach POVs Guide35 days ago
Comments
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love the game! when will the official be released, and would there be a price?
Thank you 😄!!! We answered the release question below, but here's a copy and paste: "Steam's in the middle of approving the build, so we don't know how long that will take, but soon 👀!"
As for the price, it will be commercial, yes, but we’ll know for sure what it’ll be once we take into consideration the expenses like the work time, assets, fees and licenses, etc.
so so good so far!! and the different pov's are such a nice detail! i cant wait for the full release of the game! X3!! when do you think it's going to be released if i may ask!
Thank you for enjoying it 😄!!! Steam's in the middle of approving the build, so we don't know how long that will take, but soon 👀!
I love this game. But I was taken aback from it because I was so confused by the MC's face. I could not, for the life of me, tell if they had their mouth open the entire time or if the red was their bottom lip. But then sometimes i'd see what I can only assume to be some teeth?? Sorry I got off track. ANyways I loved the rest of the art and story!
Thank you for your comment 😄!!! We've updated the mouth in the full game :)
Thank you so much for this big readable font! Love the color you used for the dialog name abbreviations, such a juicy pink. The soundtrack is very pleasant as well as men in lace and aprons. Bless you
Of course! And thank you for your comment 😄!!!
"Men in lace and aprons" ngl, sounds pretty catchy 🤔
beautiful game with incredible atmosphere! i cannot over exaggerate how much the different hair textures are so meaningful and improve the experience as a black player sooo much
Aww, thank you so much for liking the hair textures 🥺!!!
I love how smol we are compared to Levon and X lol We are just a tiny lil vamp. hngggggg I also love that we get to customize our avatar and have it show alongside other characters! I don't think there are other games that do that.
I didn't expect myself to like this game so much.
X is such a precious lil puppy (at least to MC anyway) and Levon is your (seemingly) black flag fwb that you can't help but have a soft spot for XD I can't wait for that full game <333
Tiny vamp, big stronk 😤 Aww, thank you, we think MC being in the scene is neat since they get to 'participate' in the scene😄
You described X and Levon perfectly 🤣
I love how unhinged they all are, it is fascinating
I love it and I am looking forward to a full game!
Thank you for the comment 😄!!! Yes, yes, good, we wanted an MC to be just as unhinged as the ROs 😂
played this through on a whim.. and now i absolutely need the full game. amazing work!
Aww, thank you for the comment 😄!!!
this was really cute and interesting. Seeing the other POVs, especially X's, was so cool! He is so babygirl coded but also a scarily quiet yandere
Thank you so much 😄!!! Seems like the POVs are being received well 😊!!! Ah, yes, the duality of X 🤣
super fun! looking forward to more of both of them
Thank you so much 😄!!! We're eager to write more of them, heehee 🤭
I played this last night and I loved it so much! I found myself really loving the story and the direction it was going and I didn't expect to love X so much but I do! I saved his POV for last so when I was playing through Levon's POV, I loved how cheeky he was with him but it wasn't until I did his POV that I understood his motives. Which also made me love him even more! I also love the dynamic of him being a regular human while we are the vampire. I feel like I don't see that type of perspective often and I'm absolutely loving it. I feel like I've said love a lot but I really enjoyed this vn. Looking forward to see what y'all do next!
Aww, thank you for the rave review 🥺!!!
We enjoy POVs like that often, there's a lot that can be said once you see things from their perspectives 😄
Yes! Let MC be the special non-human (at least in DDD) 😌
Hello, the description refers to MC as her despite it being gender selectable.
Thank you so much for the catch 🤩!!! It has been changed 😄
Hello, love the game cant wait for more! Sadly i cannot get the povs to work for me, Ive finished the demo and restarted but when i get to the keyhole scene nothing happens? im sure its me, i just dont know what im doing wrong.
We updated a new version of the demo and a guide for unlocking the POVs (see the newest devlog). Hope that helps!
Yeah, this is pretty good, although MC is really getting railroaded into trusting/liking the orphan, who shines like the reddest of all the red flags, she should really know better, being that old.
Oh, and will there be a steam release?
We added a few new lines pertaining to MC's background, and the fact that MC has little experience with friendships and/or other interpersonal relationships, which leaves them vulnerable to manipulation from people they consider close and/or are fond of. Hope that helps.
Yes, we're planning to release DDD on Steam as well. We'll make an announcement once we have more concrete information regarding said release.
I am so looking forward for the full game!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for the excitement 😄!!!
ooo
Thank you for the interest 😄!!!
HELLO THIS IS EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED??????? Is there a release date for the full game? The demo was amazing and I'm so thankful to be able to play on Android!
X is the best, he's perfect as a yandere, as a character as a love interest, everythiiiiing. Yes my boy, keep gaslighting the hell out of your cute vampire 👀 He's playing chess while everyone else plays checkers, I love him!!
I wonder though are the paranoia choices part of his route? I keep choosing them because it seems to fit what he wants, but maybe they have nothing to do with his romance and it only leads to bad endings eventually, kind of like a madness meter?
Anyway the pov section was GREAT because I was a bit insecure about what kind of relationship the two had but the pov was like "girl you can relax they would sooner murder each other" GOOD! I missed having antagonistic ROs.
Thank you for the comments and the love for the ROs and POVs 😂😄!!!
For information on the release date for the full game, please refer to the comments below.
The Paranoia choices will determine one of the final branchings and subsequent ending(s) in the full game. They are not locked to a particular route.
Spoilers!!
Just finished playing this game today! I really loved the peek we get into the character dynamics. MC thinking that X is all sweet and innocent when he is actually the drama is my bread and butter. Especially with Xs POV where i think its hinted that hes responsible for a lot of the relationship problems between Levon and MC. And Levon oml. Mc is such an unreliable narrator cuz I was really believing that Levon didn't care. Or at least he was one of those "I secretly care about you but I'll do everything to hurt you cuz that care makes me feel bad and only when you wanna leave then I'll suddenly have an epiphany and love you" kinda MLs but then you get to his POV and he really likes mc (and i dont think he actually cheated). He's still a total brat tho. All the relationships are so messsyyy and I'm in love with how each of them create their own problems and misunderstandings. Communication is for suckers!
also I've encountered some problems with playing this on android. When pressing on any of the text for menu, save, load etc. I've found its really hard to actually get them to work. I'll be pressing them and the text turns into a different color but it doesn't respond easily. The buttons for things are also too small for mobile I think. Also I've found that the layout and colors of the menus can be kinda hard to discern and read but that could just be my bad eyes.
This is my first time leaving a comment on a game so I'm sorry if this is not pertaining to the etiquette of this site. Will delete if so :D
ALSO LOOOVE THE ART. SO BEAUTIFUL.
Ayo, thank you for the lovely comments 😄!!! We're glad that you're loving the dynamics and all of the characters and the art 😊
We've just uploaded a new build that increases sizes for the CC buttons and changed the menu in-game.
Wow thanks, the menu is definitely easier to use now :D
umm is there a guide? i didn't get any PoVs? and only 2 gallery portraits of Levon.. Unless those goodies arent added yet?
start the game again then you'll get the option to pick the pov for the bedroom/keyhole scene
Yes on Aise's and zigzagxox's replies, this is how you get to the POV scenes. Thank you to the both of them who answered the questions on the POVs!
There are only two CGs in the demo.
ok thank you!!!!
heyy, i have played the routs but i can find out how to get the povs, how do i get them?? some one plsss helppp (btw i LOVE the game)
click start, skipped the text, then during when you're peeping the keyhole, the choices would naturally appear.
thank you sooooo muchhh!!
I'm such a sucker for previously established romantic relationships that I was surprised by how much I was drawn to X , especially since MC has a history of seeing him in a rather parental light (truly a testament to y'all's writing—I was also drawn to Reed in Perfumare, so Rook may have made me aware that I have a type😭). I was also impressed by the depth of backstory y'all were able to fit into the demo and am super excited to see how the rest of the story will unfold. Also, as usual, the art and UI are gorgeous!
Oh 🤩? Love it when people are drawn to an RO they didn't expect to like 😊
Brats sure are popular 🤭🤣
But thank you so much for your comments 🥺!!!
Love love love!!! Everything about this was great, the art, the atmosphere, the story and!!! THE CHARACTERS!!!! I also really like that we can see the other character's POVs. I can't recommend this game enough, seriously. Amazing job!! Looking forward to the full version<3
Ayo, thank you so much for the big love 🥺!!! Aww, that's great - we love the POVs because it adds more characterization to the ROs 😄
THIS IS SO FUN AND ATMOSPHERIC?? i love the art, the current characterization, the paranoia system,,,, y'all were able to convey a lot in a little amount of time, and i love that in storiessss. can't wait to see the full game, i'll be following ya in the meantime >:]
Thank you so much 🥺!!!! Glad you love the characterization and paranoia system!
Thank you for noticing that in our writing, too 😄!!!
We hope you enjoy following >;D
I've just completed your demo inside and out. I'm truly impressed by the setting and deeply intrigued by the characters' motivations. Everything is so well-written, and the atmosphere pours right out of the screen. When do you plan to release the full version? :-)
Aww, thank you 🥺!!! Hee hee, yes, motivations are important to the characters 😂
Since we're working on this game in our spare time between work, we, unfortunately, can't give you a concrete, or even approximate release date. That said, we have most of the assets already done, and we're trying to have the script wrapped up within the next 3 months.
Omg, that's so fun! How long is it going to be, do you have a plan? Is there an estimated release date for the full version?
We have the script drafted, but it's hard to estimate how long the game will be based on the draft alone.
And for your second question, we answered above, so let us paste the answer for you here: Since we're working on this game in our spare time between work, we, unfortunately, can't give you a concrete, or even approximate release date. That said, we have most of the assets already done, and we're trying to have the script wrapped up within the next 3 months.
Thank you! Wishing you best of luck and looking forward to the release (whenever it might happen)🧡
Thank you so much 😄!!!
OH MY GOD ANOTHER GAME TO BE OBSESSED WITH I LOOOOOVED FFS Northern Duke, so I already knew I was gonna love this one as well! Anything made by you guys is always sure to be a treat <3 I'm definitely excited to see the full version for this one, the demo already has me sooo intrigued!!
Ayo, thank you for the love for both FFSAND and DDD 😊!!!
And thank you for the excitement, too, we're also super excited to continue 😄!!!
Amazing demo! Truly adore it!
Thank you so much 🥺!!!
please make this free I don’t have money 🙏👉👈🥴
Neither do we! :D That's why our games are commercial. Even if you don't think the time and energy we put into our games are worth the price, we still need to pay for assets and licenses, so it's currently impossible for us to offer the game for free.
makes sense, and ur games r yummy 😋
super cool demo!! looking forward to more !! my heart has been caught by both love interests, idk what i'm gonna do 😔
Ohhh the age-old dilemma, who do you choose 🤣 Jokes aside, thank you for the interest in both the game and the ROs 😄!!!
murder (not consensual) is taking me outjsjdjsj
Seriously tho I love everything by Rook so I just know I'm going to love this... congrats on the demo release!! let's goooo
Glad you found it funny 🤣!!!
And thank you so much for the congratulations 🥺 We're both excited to continue on with the game 😆