Story

Thrust into a world stuck between life and death, Christopher has been chosen by an entity known as 'The Baron' to unwillingly participate in a trial that could reward him with the contract of his dreams.

'Trials of the Betwixt' is a short supernatural-horror game that contains one main ending with multiple optional ones sprinkled throughout. The game was made within a month, with an additional two weeks for version 1.1, for the Spooktober Game Jam 2023.

Please note that the game contains possibly disturbing content that includes dark themes, violence, blood, jump scares, audio some may deem uncomfortable, various depictions of death and flashing lights.

Features

  • Around 12K+ words (Roughly 1 hour of playtime)
  • 5 optional endings (A to E) and 1 main ending
  • 6 CGs (4 contain variations)
  • Hand drawn sprites (humans + creatures)
  • Modelled and rendered backgrounds
  • Original soundtrack

Versions

For the latest bug-less version, please download the files that contain 'TrialsoftheBetwixt-1.1', the patch notes are highlighted in a dev log below!

For the original version, please download the files that contain 'FLAWED-VERSION1.0'.

** While a web version is available, I'd recommend downloading the files for the best experience as the web version tends to miss audio cues, pixelate images and mess up transitions. **

Credits

Developed by CripticBite.

Original soundtrack composed by Potion Of Midi.

Additional sound effects and tracks from Pixabay

Thanks for taking the time to play my game! (´꒳`)♡

Download

Download
TrialsoftheBetwixt-1.1-win.zip 208 MB
Download
TrialsoftheBetwixt-1.1-mac.zip 214 MB
Download
TrialsoftheBetwixt-1.1-linux.tar.bz2 200 MB
Download
FLAWED-VERSION1.0-linux.tar.bz2 169 MB
Download
FLAWED-VERSION1.0-mac.zip 183 MB
Download
FLAWED-VERSION1.0-win.zip 177 MB

Install instructions

  1. Download the zip file based on your operating system.
  2. Double click the downloaded zip file to open it up.
  3. Right click and select Extract All.
  4. Choose an installation location of your choice, then run the game (the 'exe') from the folder you extracted it to. (The file should no longer have a 'zip' next to it!)

Development log

Comments

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(5 edits) (+1)
Spoilers

​CHRIS NOOOO THE BARON TOOK MY CUTIE AWAY AT THE END. Gosh, I could go on and on about the character designs, your art is gorgeous. Also, can’t believe Chris thought he needed to change his hair color to look the part of a band member cuz im sure HE LOOKS GREAT EITHER WAY my son just needs more confidence.

Overall the vibes of the game were perfectly spooky and I can honestly say that I didn’t see Ajay being the true target coming. Also, how dare the guide try to basically kill Chris like that, I know everyone else is a huge fan of his, but he’s really on my shitlist.

Love your games, can’t wait for what’s next <3

SUDACHYY thank you so much for the kind words!! I'm really glad you enjoyed the experience! ♡ 

Also the guide being on your shitlist is so valid LMAO

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It really gave me the chills! Keep it up <3

Thank you so much! ♡

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I barely get on here to play games, but this game really got me hooked! I loved the character design and how it reflected each other's personality and demeanor. I also loved the way there was interactive puzzles to keep us hooked,  the storyline also was wonderful as i got hyped reading the text boxes, Its a fun game i played and i wish more to come! 

Thank you so much, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it! (´ ω `♡)

(+1)

Great game, I had a lot of fun during my playthrough! I really love your art style, you did a great job at creating some creepy character designs. I'm assuming that as we get made into an Arbiter, our appearance would become more monstrous like the other; I'm really curious what we would look like and what trial we would set.

You did a really great job on this game! I'm looking forward to seeing what you create next   

(+1)

One of my absolute favorite games from this year’s Spooktober Jam! The artwork is super polished and amazingly done, especially the character designs for the Baron, Collector, and Guide (looking through the comments, glad I’m not the only Guide simp 👀). The story was super engaging, even if the puzzles were a bit more on the simpler side, and Christopher’s characterization was super interesting. The sound effects for each of the arbiters was also really killer. Awesome job <3

Yippeee, thank you so much! 

I'm super happy to hear you enjoyed the experience! I'm also glad to hear you enjoyed the experimental style, it was so fun to work on the characters of the other realm! (´꒳`)♡

(1 edit) (+3)

Unlike most comments I'm reading on here, I hardly disagree with the Ajay conversation being long. Wasn't that like... five minutes? I really appreciate when creators take their time with dialogue. Isn't that one of the most importants points when creating a story? How are you going to appreciate characters, otherwise? I'm taking into consideration how trivial the conversation was, by the way. And it was still important, but whatever. What got me into this game tonight was the background with the chairs. The perspective, the colors and the scenario are so cool. Like, SO cool. Also, loved the black and white drawings. Was really intrigued by The Collector and The Baron, specially. Ending was great. Loved the last bit. Didn't expect that and I think it's a great idea.

Thank you for taking the time to play my game! I'm really glad to hear that you've enjoyed the experience! 

In regards to Ajay, while I was worried that I'd stretched it a bit too long at the start, I still wanted to introduce the player to the dynamic of their friendship and the normality of life before tossing them into the darkness, so I'm really glad to hear that! 

♡ ~('▽^人)

(+1)

I’m extremely impressed! There’s a really nice atmosphere to it and the writing is really strong. You tell a lot about the characters with a few lines of dialogue and the set up is solid. I think the ending was a bit lacking, it felt a little rushed but that’s my only real issue. The art is beautiful and I wish there was more of it in the game! I’d buy an art book/zine of your art. The riddles and little challenges were fun and creative. I like it when visual novels test me to make sure I’m paying attention, it makes me more invested in every little detail. I did a play through of it but itch doesn’t let me embed yt vids for some reason so here’s the link https://youtu.be/8LlsX-G2_UQ I left some links to some games you might be interested in checking out in the description. I hope my feedback is helpful!!

Hello, and thank you very much for the insightful feedback! It was interesting looking at my game under a critical lens (˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ (And yes, I did watch the whole thing haha, it wasn't awkward and you were clear! I'll have to check out the games in the links sometime.) 

I'm also really flattered to hear you enjoyed the art! ( still processing that someone would buy an art book/ zine (just looked that up) wowowow) I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the atmosphere and experience. Thanks again! ⸜( ´ ꒳ ` )⸝

(although I may be slow to respond since uni work piling up, feel free to approach me on twitter/discord!)

(+1)

Ohh your art, bgs and sprites were beautiful, I remember them from Spaghetti, but the almost painted, shadowy aesthetic of the denizens of the betwixt was amazing in its own right!

I particularly enjoyed Christopher's personal journey and how it was involved in the story you put together... What an unsettling but intriguing little world you've built here! I really enjoyed this!

(+1)

As a wise DonDonPataPon once said, "Think, Christopher, think!" 

I had a blast watching your game-play, your readings were also very entertaining! I'm super glad to hear that you enjoyed both the typical sprites and the experimental style! Your video also made me realise that providing a walk-through should be helpful to those looking for all endings, so I'll work on that.

Thank you for the wonderful feedback, I'm glad you enjoyed the experience! ⸜(*ˊᗜˋ*)⸝♡

(+1)

Deliciously spooky atmosphere? Check! Gorgeous Creepy monster design? Check! Great sound design? Check! Riddles and puzzles? Double check! The Guide? I admit...I checked him out. ✨ Goodness, this was so so much fun! Thank you for a very enjoyable game--excellent work!

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AH, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience! (´꒳`)♡

(+2)

The game takes a little bit to take off but .once it does. you are in for an amazing spooky story with nice character development, cool and scary monsters that are certain to take a fright or two out of you all wrapped up in beautiful art and nice music  and sound design, truly an enjoyable Halloween experience.

The trials are so fun and add so much to the player experience; The ending is open ended so I hope we eventually get too see what is the actual price to pay for the contract and if they ever gonna go back for the actual target.

Gotta hand it to The Collector, actual scary and ominous monster.

Keep up the good work!

(1 edit) (+1)

Thank you for the wonderful feedback, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it!

edit: I've had a chance to watch the video today! I unfortunately didn't have the time to find testers for the game, so It was really entertaining to hear your comments and see your reaction to certain plot beats. (especially the scares hehe!) Thanks again (´꒳`)♡

(+1)

This was such a fun game! The art was gorgeous. The character designs, especially of the creepy creatures, were amazing, and the scares  and sound design were really effective. I especially enjoyed the Collector's design and the musical chairs game, which had me at the edge of my seat. Pun completely intended. 

I got all the endings. The hardest one for me to reach was Bad Ending D. I had sort of given up on finding the last ending by that time so when it happened, I was taken aback in the best way possible. 

Overall, I enjoyed this snapshot into the Baron and his minions. I was definitely left wanting more at the end. Congrats on making such a solid horror VN!

(Note: Copy-pasting this comment from the Spooktober VN Jam 2023 page.)

Deleted 1 year ago
(+2)

1. Christopher's hair has been revealed in the latest version!

2. Sister.....s?

3. (REDACTED)

4. Thank you for taking the time to play my game!♡

Deleted 1 year ago

(Spoilers!)

Ohhhh now I see what you mean! Christopher doesn't have a sister, he has a brother. The Gamemaster was referring to Ajay, which is why Christopher looks confused.

Deleted 1 year ago
(+3)

Like another mentioned, it was a bit slow at the beginning talking to Ajay, but when I was thrust into the other world I was HOOKED! Especially with the interactive segments. At the beginning of the hallway area I thought how neat it'd be if we could choose to move around, and sure enough an arrow appeared to choose to move forward! More could definitely be done with that (move left/right/etc) but for a game done in a month, damn. Kudos to you.

I'll be Kenney's friend ;_;

Thank you for the feedback, and taking the time to play my game! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the experience!(≧◡≦) ♡

I agree, having a crossroads with forward, left and right buttons would have added to the experience, and I was working on implementing it, but ultimately I had to scratch it in order to publish the game on time. (creating a crossroad model and rendering it + adding code would take too long ahhhh(╥ω╥))I'd love to expand upon the mechanic in another project, though!

Also, Kenney would love to be your friend!

Thanks again!♡

(+1)

!!Spoilers!!






The Baron 'misheard' 15 mins of fame as 15 seconds huh lmao

This was a super cool glimpse into a spooky universe and now I'm sitting here like 'what do you MEAN that's it!!!!' That last conversation with The Baron was packed with so much intrigue that we barely get a glimpse at and I want to know MORE. But at the same time I don't, because the horrors that you never understand are a treat all their own. That said, if you ever revisit this (or make a loose connection down the line - am I wrong in thinking the reuse of the name Ajay here isn't coincidence?) I'd pounce on it so fast.

Also the art for the other realm is absolutely gorgeous, I'm in love with the style, particularly on Our Friend Kenney, the bonfire talks and the end meeting with The Baron! He really has a gorgeous grin doesn't he :' )

(+1)

Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to play my game! Secondly,,,,, AaaAaaaaaAAAAAA,,,,, I'm so happy to see someone recalling Ajay's name! ⸜(*ˊᗜˋ*)⸝ I'm having fun creating interconnected worlds, so thank you for noticing. While Christopher's journey has come to an end, maybe I'll expand upon the story one day... or maybe not, hehe.

Anyways, I'm super glad you enjoyed the experimental art and experience!♡

(+2)

Spoilers!

WOOWOWW OMG LIKE!!!!

Where to start???? First of all.. hot men. Ajay cans step on me an id thak him. And dont @ me but thr guide FIMNE AS HELL> LIKE damn... emo bitch. i wont you. The Baron too.... zaddy.

I am starting  a fanpae for the collectpr. HE is so me and so cute. id give him all my eyes (2 eyes) NO HESITATION.

The story was so EFFING good, like what.. how did we go from cold spaghetti to this... LOL amazing really (really) LOVED IT.

The mucis! oh man.... THR SONF THAT PLAYED WITH THE BARON???? GOT ME TWERKING N SHI.... Props to music man u r cool asf.

SDZXFCGHJKL

(+1)

HAHA THANK YOU! (I've been laughing at this for the past five minutes) Glad you enjoyed it! Please never learn to spell so we can have more silly comments like this tytyty ( ´ ꒳ ` )☆