Journal
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
WARNING: This game may not be suitable for all audiences. Player discretion is advised.
GAME IS ON HIATUS INDEFINITELY.
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Journal is a semi-linear, romance, fantasy visual novel with a major focus on character growth and daily life struggles.
You’ll follow the life of Lucas, an 18-year old trying to forget the past and move on from painful experiences.
At first, it all appears better with the protagonist adapting to his new school and living his teen life, but when a certain event triggers, things that shouldn’t be possible occur yet again, shaking our reality as it is.
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The game features a total of 3 dateable characters . All three of them are students in the high school our "hero" will be attending for his last year in highschool.
Indulge in this story full of unique characters, joyful personalities, and a universe that will make you question reality.
And remember, don’t make the same mistakes twice, Lucas.
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You have to be at least 18 to play this game.
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This game is in a very early stage of development, some things may be subject to change.
If you found a typo or a mistake in the code you can report it on the official discord server or through my Twitter.
Twitter: @Aless_Dreem
Discord: https://discord.gg/Bt4QawXZKH
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JournalVN
Application Form: https://forms.gle/Hd9a3vWTHGSx32uE7
The game, for the time being, has no update schedule. I recommend you to follow my Twitter since it’s more likely I’ll make an announcement there.
Thank you for playing!
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Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- [Public Release] Derrek day 4 + Hiring!Aug 06, 2023
- Update for Niko (Public release) and Derrek (Patreon Release)!Jul 25, 2023
- Niko Update! (Patrons)Jul 11, 2023
- 5th Update! (Zack Day 4) [Public Release]Jun 09, 2023
- Zack Update! (Patreons)May 12, 2023
- Patreon!Nov 19, 2022
- Update 4!Nov 08, 2022
- Update 3!Aug 01, 2022
Comments
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Will the game continue to be updated? I see patreon is also suspended
When would be the next update? I am excited to know what happened next both for the story and the characters
Its on Hiatus
thanks 👍
If you see updated files it's just a hotfix of a bug with a sound running in the background even after the scene is over (Derrek day 4).
Sorry for trouble!
Yo, i have a problem, when i try to play the 3rd day of the basketball club i get an error message.
Oh, that's because the 3rd activity for derrek is not out for the public just yet (Currently on patreon for one dollar!) it's releasing to the public this monday tho :>
What are the secret scenes? Are they like alternative events from the day they are?
I recommended this visual novel a couple months ago I understand why there is a lot of intern monologue in the beginning I want to give it a another shot I hope it does get better because I was told the story was really good so far
Hope you enjoy!
I never thought I'd say this of a visual novel, but this is a hard game. This game is something that makes me feel restless, it seems that every choice I make is much more than in other games of the genre. My anxiety rises every time I have to make a choice, because the results of that choice are not as obvious as usual. I feel pain. I feel panic. I feel an emptiness that eats me up inside. I feel fear. I feel the torture. I feel alive. This is a masterpiece.
Aw thank you so much for your kind words! There's a LOT of thought coming into almost EVERY choice in the game and how they affect the later parts of the story, so it's nice to see appreciation in that regard.
But remember! This is just a game, so please try to not get too stressed and just enjoy your experience! The game is supposed to be more on the lighthearted side (at least for now), so it should be relaxing and fun!
Glad to know you're enjoying the game :]
Is translating possible for this? I know I would have so much fun doing it. BTW, I really ike this novel. Thank you!
For the near future, there's no plan for translation. Once I finish the prologue I'll look into translations :]
Very well. Thank you.
The dialouge for the characters are amazing
Just a reminder that I've not uploaded new files for the public! There are a lot of people downloading the game through here even though its the same file from 7 months :P
so you do not plan to update here anymore? Should I wait to buy the final version of the game?
I do plan to update here! So sorry for the silence, finals week is absolutely destroying me :(
I'm going to try to finish Niko's update for patreons so I can have an update in patreon at the same time Zack's update is live for public.
even if I can't finish Niko for patreons, the Zack update goes live this friday
also im planning to expand my team to pick up development time right after day 4 is completed for all characters :]
this is awesome, is there any news about the game?
it's pretty creepy that the secret mode knows my name
How
How do I get this
On Day 8 you'll get to choose which character's free time events you want to complete! Also, the Affinity room, which simplifies many of the presented concepts, is coming on day 4, so be on the look out for that!
I will
bruh is That Sileo??
Yes it is
Secret mode is so good and so dark and I hella love it❤🔥
I'm dumb inferno thank you🫶🫰🪷
Derrek look so fine so fine it blow my mind🫶🫰🪷
Curious, how is it coming along? I'm exited for the next update!
Well, the reason I've been taking quite a bit is that I have a surprise for you all! The surprise was actually scheduled for the end of january but I've been really busy ;-;
As for the update itself, I'll probably announce the release date when I'm a couple of days away from finishing it :]
Okay! Take your time!!
Be carful, he really takes his time X3.
Hey, when you rush you might mess up, and we don't want that.
What animal is Lucas
An arctic fox!
Gallery is broken
Working on the patch :]
I've played this before, but in this last update I "managed" to get the "Secret mode". Today is already late in the night to read, but tomorrow morning I'll see (or read :v) what awaits for me. Thanks for this, I still find the story very entertaining. Amy is like that friend who makes people's day more enjoyable.
Wat is the secret mode?
Don't give name to the mc at the start
how would I do that isn't it required
una persona me recomendo jugar este juego, supongo que no tienes problemas en gente haciendo gameplay de ello o si?
Of course I don't have a problem! Hope you enjoy the game :]
Claro que no tengo un problema! Espero que disfrutes el juego :] (this was with google translate :p)
Thx :D
Hmm, i could make you new sprites if youre interested message me on twitter @Gravits_Draws
Question, cause im trying to determine if the update is working properly: Does the most recent update end with "I went to sleep dreaming of a hot guy." ?
Hi! I looked into it and realised it was a mistake on my part, I apologize for the inconveniences.
I've had a lot of compatibility issues with the code but I'm pretty sure the game should be perfect now.
The updated code has been uploaded to itch. Please download again and make sure to tell me if you encountered any other problems :]
Hope you enjoy!
Your VN is really good. A friend recommend me this game. I cant wait for the next updare <3
Glad you liked it!
Update has been finalized and beta testers are currently looking for errors. The game should be available for public around 24 hours from now.
You are going to need to check all Nametags, there seems to be a lot of wrong character speaking. Lab, overly energetic, Check! Cat??? What Cat? He looks like a fox! Lack of tail isn't helping either! And even for me its impossible to not Judge him already, sheesh! Wolf yay! but opf very silent.
It feels like the info on the clubs given is quite little and arbitrary, main issue being that we are given a choice of three options first day, then 4 options with 3 of them being new ones the next day. Also there are three love interests, and it unclear at this point who the are, but to join Amy is to join Zack. Its pretty easy to guess which 2 of the remaining 3 the other 2 are in, which leaves a fourth option up in the air, since we can already associate someone with the three others. I don't know its a bit confusing and misleading, making the choice unclear, without even saying that the choice is meant to be unclear.
If the MC can see a character (depending on direction their head would be looking/peripheral/line of sight) then if that character has a sprite they should be shown. This could also instead be a CG if you feel its a good spot for one.
Hmmm... quite the Philosofox after my own heart! Zack has an uncanny look that reminds me of a Character in another VN... oh and his name was Zach too... I also take it you have yet to add in tails for the sprites, can be tricky. Checking oneself out in the mirror, perfect spot for CGs!
Do feel free to post links to he survey even on the update release message too! More places the better! After next release, may feel compelled to join the Discord, and, if needed, can help with ideas if you struggle somewhere, and I will do it FOR SCIENCE! and good quality characters and time with them too... >.>
Hello! Allow me to answer some of your questions and concerns!
First off, all of the name tags on this Itch page are correct! You will just have to reach a certain point in the story for them to make sense :]
About the looks of the characters, well I can't say much without spoiling but all of their looks have a reason for being that way and most of this is actually going to be touched upon in this next update!
About the dateables, Well, I'm sorry that you felt misguided into doubting if the characters were dateable or not! I'll make sure to be clearer on that :]
The reason the sprites are shown in a specific way in the VN is merely to facilitate coding, but since now I know some of you are really into details with them then I'll try to be more attentive.
About the CGs, I decided to make the first three CGs of the game in the extra-content mode. The reason for this has nothing to do with the story itself, I just wanted to give said content more emphasis so people keep an eye out! If you must know, there are plans in a VERY near future to make CG'S for the main story! Hope you keep an eye out for them :]
And lastly, thank you so much for all of your feedback! Some creators don't like receiving them but I have to say the way you expressed your issues was constructive. Thank you, and I hope to see you in the future.
Aless
So, what up Aless?
Everything alright with you, the update or the surprise?
Yeah, everything is alright! Thanks for asking. Here's the progress of the update.
The beginning and ending of the day is done and coded alongside Niko's activity. I'm halfway done through Zack's and I don't have much progress with Derrek yet. Out of the 5 new sprites I currently have 2 coded in, 2 that need coding and one that I'm still doing the design.
Since I've taken some time to release the update, I was thinking of dropping Niko's day tomorrow, Zack's next week and on the 15 Derrek's.
If it's any comfort, I'm working along side the fourth update with this third one so it takes less than the usual (2-3 months).
About the surpriseeeeeee, I don't know if I should release it along side this update, but it's finalized and waiting to be used.
I was gonna make a poll on the discord server to determine if I should release the content per week, or just wait for the full blown out update. If you wanna vote then here's the link!: https://discord.gg/Bt4QawXZKH
ALSO LAST THING SORRY FOR THE WALL OF TEXT
This update requiered a LOT of coding due to how the Affinity will work on the game and how it will affect the routes, so I hope you understand the time taken.
Aless
(sorry for grammar mistakes im kinda on a rush)
Don't worry, is good to know your are okey and still working.
In few words the update will be this month in little and several or in one and big alongside the surprise.
Perfect 👍.
Also i make a discord account.
it you see me there i have the same username.
Hello! I would like to apologize for not making an announcement, but I got sick after my move so I had to stay in bed for a week :c
I, yet again, am postponing this update. My apologies in that regard, it is becoming a common occurrence and I don't like it. I will work even harder so no more postponing happens and I can have that 5-6 weeks update schedule that most VNs have.
On another note, I have seen some of your comments on the survey and other social media platforms and I'm really happy that my game is starting to become more popular. So thank you all so much!
Now, you might be asking, why is this update taking quite a bit? You even released a build 2.5!
Well, that's because I had a mess on my code that needed an update, combine that with 5 new sprites, a sprite rework, 2 illustrations I did for the extra content along with a day3 for everyone WITH text variations depending if you did an activity the day prior... Yeah, this was a lot for little old me.
The update is incredibly close to done and I'm not sure when it's releasing so I'm not giving it an actual release date. You can rest assured that it won't take any more than 3 weeks though! (End of September)
Much love and sorry for the quick note
Aless
PD: I got a surprise for all of you in October ;)
Don't worry Aless, is good to know your are okey and not giving up with the update.
just one tip: Maybe schedule and release the next updates in 10-12 weeks (basically in 2 months)
I was thinking about it but honestly that's a lot of time, I'll just try my best within each update and see what fits better, but it really helps to have a supportive community, so thank you!
No, thanks to you Aless.
That is my job 😎.
Everything okay with you or the game Aless?
Aless, you get sick?
I hope you can recover.
Blessings 🙏 and be strong 💪.
Hello. I played the latest demo and all I can say it's pretty decent and good. The characters are very distinguishable, fun and unique in their own way and quirks. I feel that maybe a few improvements on the art style and user interface could use some... and I have no idea what species Amy is.
But anyways keep up the good work and you will make a very good visual novel.😉
Thank you for your kind words! I will continue to do my best!
Also Amy is a goat! (pun intended)
Update is scheduled for July 31st. Thanks for your patience!
Thank you Aless, for the announcement.
I be waiting for the update with pleasure 😊.
Niko daddy. 🤤
Wha- I think I forgot about myself...
There are four featured characters besides the protagonist. Which three are the dateable ones?
There are a total of 4 possible paths in the game! 3 of which are Niko, Zack and Derrek respectively. The fourth path is only going to be accessible if certain choices are met after the prologue is finished (No, it's not Amy)
Thank you for replying. I appreciate and am looking forward to the answer!
Discord invite is expired or broken.
Should be fixed now!
Invite has expired
That's really weird, I checked with an alternate account and didn't have the problem. I reccomend to update discord, if the problem persists you can add me temporarily at AlessDreem#4342 so I can manually put you in
New update?
The update is done, I'm just waiting for the beta testers to finish looking for bugs and typos
Thanks for answering.
But i really want to see your characters again, specially Derrek ^_^.
I'm glad you do! Just wait a couple more hours !
Discord invite is broken
Fixed
Do we have a time for update yet?
I'm deeply sorry for not announcing the delay, I have barely gotten time to work on the VN. The good news is that the main script, the CG, the rework of the sprites, and most of the rewrite for day 1 are done. I only need to edit and code day 2 content. I would like to give you a time frame for the release but I haven't gotten much free time lately and next week will be hectic but rest assured that the update will be out before the 31st.
Thanks for your patience!
There is no April 31. Well played
I COULD HAVE SWORN ON MY LIFE THERE WAS A 31ST IN APRIL!
Apologies, update should be out shortly
Will it have nsfw?
At a later point in the story, but yes it will.
I love this game already