Rosetta and the Well
(Note: Ren'Py browser games tend to have visual and audio glitches. If you can't play the browser ver, the downloadables are at the bottom of the page)
Warning! This visual novel contains instances of:
Foul language
Body horror
Screen shaking
Death and decay
Violence
Flashing images
Story
Meet Rosetta Halloway, a kind and hardworking young adult with a curious streak and a love of gardening.
In her backyard is a stone waterwell filled to the brim with black water.
The fact that this well didn't previously exist there is one thing, but then strange noises start coming from within it, which prompts Rosetta to investigate.
Out comes a mysterious mermaid, Galatea of the Well, who appears to be particularly interested in getting acquainted with her.
So, what exactly is this piscine stranger's deal? Do you have the strength to find out?
Features
- A chat with a nice mermaid who has zero ulterior motives whatsoever (...right?)
- 8k+ word count
- Four possible endings (2 Bad, 1 Neutral, 1 True)
- Themes of love, and the myriad of forms it can take
(NOTE: If you're going into this game expecting a full-fledged horror experience, then you're probably not gonna be satisfied. I'd classify this game as being more akin to "pseudo-horror" than any "true" horror game. Again, the theme of the game is "Greek Love", and the elements here are all in service of that.)
Download
Install instructions
- Download the file that corresponds to your operating system
- Unzip the zip file and extract the folder to a convenient place
- Click the game icon and enjoy!
Development log
- Rosetta and the Well: Fun FactsJun 10, 2023
- 100+ Downloads!May 20, 2023
- Minor FixMay 18, 2023
- Web Build Live!May 15, 2023
- Rosetta and the Well: AfterwordMay 10, 2023
- Hot Fix!May 08, 2023
- Release Time!May 07, 2023
Comments
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Hello over there! Do you recognize me? I'm the one who uploaded this Rosetta and Camellia fanart on Reddit:
Hello again! Thanks again for the fanart!
I've decided to played this during the holiday and it was awesome!! It reminds me of mermaids. I started with true ending by running the whole story but didn't realize there are four endings. Honestly, we do have to make a decision whether survive or just let that entity turn us into mermaids as a fate.
Loved this little fairytale-like, I wish I could see more of this universe! I probably would have been lowkey obsessed with the story as a kid, lol, it's kinda nostalgic. I have the urge to make fanart but I am a bit lazy... I guess I'll let you know if something comes of it lol <3
A lot of promise. The premise of the story is great, however the story goes off on tangents that detract from the story as a whole. Also while the overall art of the game was very charming, the art and "animation" of the two main endings left a lot to be desired. I would love to see what amazing games you will make when you have more experience under your belt.
Um...Thanks?
But really, this is only my first visual novel, made by a RenPy newbie. I have no idea why people (like you, for example) still flock to this shit. I released another visual novel since then (Snow Angel and Silver Devil), and I am currently trying to brainstorm ideas for a potential third VN (if I can get some folks to help me in writing and art, since those are my weaker points).
Also, two main endings? The true end I get, what's the other "main ending"?
I forget the name of the ending, but it's the one where you give up your legs. I will have to check those out. Also I truly did intend for that to be a complement.
Legs to One, Mind to None? That's only one of two bad ends. The game's got four ends in total.
Maybe it's just 'cause I'm sensitive to these sorts of things (as someone whose past work was put in cringe compilations), but yeah. I will give you this: At least you didn't resort to insulting my beginner's project and call Rosetta a "dumb Mary Sue" like I've seem so many fucking times in ManlyBadassHero's comment section (lol)
I know, I got all of the endings. I don't know what a "dumb mary sue" is supposed to mean, but I am guessing it is meant to be very insulting. I don't think your game is cringey at all though. I'm sensitive about my art as well so I completely understand, but I only meant it as constructive criticism. Overall the game was quite good. As for specifics the artwork during the animated segments of "Legs to One, Mind to None?" and "True End" seemed a lot more rushed and needing more polish compared to art seen throughout the rest of the game. All of that aside, don't let people who put down your work bother you, they are just jealous because they cannot create even half of what you have and so they lash out. Your work is good, and if you don't let them get to you, and keep improving through practice and experience then some day you will be making games people will be begging to play.
Looking at it now...yeah, the artwork in some areas I'm not too proud of. But really, I lost motivation towards the end and didn't have many frames of reference when it came to coming up with CGs and such, so I just winged it...Maybe I'll get it next time.
But yeah, I'm glad you still saw potential in me. Thank you.
The game is so good! I would love to learn more about Galatea
Funny story, I actually had a sequel in mind that would delve into Galatea's whole backstory a bit more. I haven't quite gotten around to working on it, most I've got at the moment is concept doodles and stuff.
That would be so fun to play! Quick question, does the well/Pygmalion retain some of Galatea's personality/memory? Asking because "Rosa" managed to recognize her loved ones when Pygmalion possessed her but (depending on the players choice) Pygmalion shouldn't know about them?
When Pygmalion claims a victim, he consumes both their body and mind, meaning that he also absorbs the victim's memories.
Thanks!
i finished all endings and i felt bad for our boyfriend and camilia the most, cant imagine losing someone you love ðŸ˜
wait, when rosetta said that her mom was a mermaid before, does that mean her mom also took someones legs? 🤨
Nah, her dad gave her the legs via magic. Rosetta thought she could introduce Galatea to him in the hopes that he could use that same method to help Galatea.
aw man i feel bad for galatea now :( in the true and ending tho
I got the Neutral ending first :c
I'd imagine it'd be pretty easy to get, yeah.
Amazingly, most people that played end up getting the True End first (haha)
i also got neutral ending at first, i aint trusting that well!!
I really loved this. I am admittedly not usually the biggest Visual Novel fan, but I was instantly taken in by the base premise and the beyond adorable artwork (which, combined with the folklore presented, gives me some major Cartoon Saloon vibes, by the way. And that's a heck of a compliment)
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I do think occasionally a few endings drag themselves out just a tiny bit too much with a little too much narration, but that's a tiny nitpick at the very worst. This whole thing was delightful, and I'd love to see more like it.
Really liked the game and the story! Very fairy and nostalgic type of story. Adorable interesting characaters and gorgeous music!
Love it! How much time did it take to make the whole thing? Want to try one too :)
A few months, if I recall. Coming up with the concept took even longer, though.
I'm not the most creative of minds (lol)
I played this a while back and I really enjoyed the game.
Yeah, I saw.
Thanks for checking it out!
Aaaaaa, I love this sm, and if you don't , mind me asking, how many endings are there? (great game btw it's actually so good)
Hey, thanks!
And yeah, as the page states, there's four endings in total (2 Bad, 1 Neutral, 1 True)
This was really interesting and fun to play :)
Wow! What a great story. I wonder if we'll see more of this world in the future?
Also random quesiton, but what app did you use to make it.
1.Your'e welcome
2.Whose to say it has to be a video game? Maybe it could be a comic instead? If you do need assistance I've got experience in art.
I've made a couple of comics before, and I've found that having to draw the same thing at multiple angles and figure out backgrounds for each and every panel is harder than it seems. Meanwhile, VNs (ADV ones in particular) have a similar setback, except the panels are now larger and wider.
I've always wanted to make games, but because I lack funds and coding experience, I feel like VNs are the only type of game I can ever hope to make...
Is there a possibility that you got inspired by Madoka Magica for a certain bad-end CG? Because if so it's a very fitting reference! Either way, your art is lovely.
If you're referring to La Rosa Blu, then no, it's a coincidence.
This game has a lovely visual style. I liked how quickly you come to understand Rosetta's character and almost wish it explored her insecurities a bit more, but it was overall still very charming!
(I want to give Camellia all the pats)Thanks so much.
I will admit writing Rosetta herself was one of the trickier parts, especially when it came to certain endings, so if some parts move slower or quicker than others, blame that on my lack of prowess in the area...
I wasn't able to post this before, but I really like the story. Good job.
This was a very fun little VN! The art style was really cute, and the use of animations in some of the CGs really helped bring it to life. I can tell a lot of care was put into the sound effects too, and the music was all well-fitting.
This is very polished for a first release; I think you did a great job with it!
Since the VN is p short, it was also fun going through it multiple times to discover all of the different endings!
Oh, this was some good stuff! Didn't take quite the turns I was expecting!
Thanks, I'm happy you liked it! I'll admit that I've made some weird(?) choices in the story, but it's good you enjoyed Rosetta's little romp all the same.
I really liked this game, and the path to achieve every ending felt like it made sense, i just wish we could have had more of a back story on Galatea. Having to attack her and her subsequent death seemed fairly tough on Rosetta, so it would have been interesting to know exactly why. Other than a few questions about the host of the well, there was really nothing to frown about. I loved the game's style, the scenes in the true ending felt like they came straight from a movie, and it was overall very fun to play. 9.5/10
Thank you!
As for Galatea, I did have some plans on developing her more in a future story, but I feel like that's waaay off into the future.
Other than that, glad you enjoyed!
I really enjoyed how this captured the tone of a fairytale.
If I could properly art I would SO try to draw Rosetta and Christopher tbh
And probs also how I imagine a few CG-less scenes to go hehe
I'm flattered by the gesture nonetheless! Fanart's always good (as long as it's within the realm of reason, of course)
ah loved it! the character designs are so cute and i rly enjoyed the horror elements and worldbuilding throughout it. great work <33
Aww, I'm very very glad!
Horror to this extent is quite a bit out of my comfort zone, I'll admit, but I'm glad it was worth going all the way!
Really enjoyed playing through Rosetta and the Well, loved the interactions between Rosetta and Galatea, along with the horror displayed being really graphical & gory.
Galatea while being the mermaid is also the victim herself of succumbing to the demon/devil that is the well itself, so Rosetta has the option of knowing the truth and breaking the cycle, or not knowing the well to its fullest extent and replaces Galatea as the vessel for the demon itself to continuously feed without needing to unleash its many hands.
Aww yeah, glad you enjoyed it!
cool
Thanks!
And thank you for the playthrough!