A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android

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The current release features Chapter One of all routes, as well as Chapter Two of Ranzo & Griff's. Chapter Two releases for all other routes will be coming soon.

This game features a soft-route-selection approach. The route is chosen during Chapter 1 at the Wheelhouse, with the option to switch routes to a character who appears shortly after.

For progress information, follow the project at @DawntideVN on twitter.

---

Riley's spent his whole life in Porthwarren. He flows with a steady pace, drifting from one part-time-job to the next. As certain as the tide rolls in and out, Riley's resigned to the ebb and flow of this routine. 

He's grown up with a good group of friends, but time and circumstance has brought distance between them. Ranzo works abroad on cargo ships, Billy studies north of the County, Sal has made herself busy with freelance work and Joe's settled into his cloistered museum job. Like the old boats that sway in the harbour, memories of the group's better times are moored loosely, and risk drifting off for good.

Walking familiar paths around the town, Riley is reminded of somebody he clung to like a rock in stormy waters. Someone outside the group. Someone he'd loved. Though after ten years apart, memories of him are painted in fading watercolour.

As cool Spring air breathes life onto the land, the town prepares for it's yearly folk festival. With Billy on break from university and Ranzo catching a ship to port, it's the perfect time for a reunion. However, with this year's festival marking a special occasion, it may draw in more visitors than anticipated.

---

Donations are apprecciated and will assist in the continued development of the project, but are not required to play.

This story uses strong language and makes reference to topics such as alcohol, sex & drug use. It is intended for 18+ audiences.

Updated 12 days ago
StatusIn development
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, Android
Rating
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
(285 total ratings)
AuthorChoob
GenreVisual Novel
Tagsdrama, Folklore, Furry, fvn, Gay, Mystery, Queer, Romance, storygame

Download

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Click download now to get access to the following files:

Dawntide_v1.08-mac.zip 233 MB
Dawntide_v1.08-pc.zip 238 MB
com.android.dawntidevn-08-1712513802-release.apk 246 MB

Development log

Comments

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Viewing most recent comments 1 to 40 of 100 · Next page · Last page

This vn's artistry is comparable to that of Disco Elysium

Thank you so much for your work, your art already is something truly special, and I can't wait to see how you add further to it.

(+1)

As far as art and overall presentation, this has got to be one the best vns out there. What a vibe.

huge thanks for the qol tweaks! cant wait for more story content soon :] you deserve all the support in the world for this project

(+2)

This game is great, from the art style to the music

I really hope the development keeps going and going because I liked every single part of it <3

(+2)

This game is just fantastic. i've never had such a good time playing a visual novel, and playing it while i was feeling down made it even better in some way.

thanks for making this, the storyline, the way the characters are written, the artwork and the music are really great.

i love Griff and Sal !! <3

(8 edits) (+1)

Going through Ranzo's Chapter 2 story has been a great experience, and Griff's route was even more amazing to me. Excellent work on everything so far! I especially love the music you created; they are absolute masterpieces, no exaggeration.




By the way, I found out there might be some minor bugs in the script:

*SPOILERS*


- Chapter 1 -


If Riley chose to hang out with someone in Wheelhouse on the first day, then when meeting with Griff later by the end of the day, there are options asking if Riley is going to stick with his choice or change his plans.

For example, if promised Ranzo to visit his mum, then the options will be:

  • "Change Plans"
  • "Stick with Ranzo"

Choosing "Stick with Ranzo" is fine, but if you choose "Change Plans,"  some repetitive conversation will happen twice

Here is the dialogue history:

...

Riley: Ahh... Ranzo just got back and I promised I'd do some things with him, but maybe I could move something-

Griff: Hey, don't go cancelling any plans for the likes of me! I'm here 'til after the festival.

Riley (inner voice): He doesn't want to arrange anything.

"Change Plans"

Riley: It's really okay! It was a last-minute plan anyway.

Griff: Well, if it's no problem...

Griff: How about we do tomorrow by the harbour at ten?

Riley (inner voice): I would love that more than anything.

Riley: I'd like that.

Griff: It's set, then!

Riley: I'm free tomorrow. I've got the whole week off work, actually.

Griff: Lots of time to catch up, then! How's 10 sound, by the harbour?

Riley (inner voice): I would love that more than anything.

Riley: I'd like that.

Griff: It's set, then!

Riley: Do you mind if I grab your number?
...

- Chapter 2 -

In Griff‘s route, in the dialogue history during the flashback that Riley experienced at Sal's parents' house, the names of Dad and Mum were reversed, which means that what dad said was marked as what mum said, and vice versa.

This problem only occurs in dialogue history, not during normal gameplay.



I believe there might need some attention.

Again, thanks to Choob and all other contributors to Dawntide, for bringing such a wonderful VN to the world. Wish you best of luck with the next updates!

Thanks for spotting these. I'm aiming to release a bug fix update this weekend so I'll include these on the list.

(+5)

ranzo mmmmmmmm oough

(+4)

I have nothing but praise for this VN, despite being this early on development it's already earned it's spot as my favourite, I've been recommending it to everyone when I first finished it.

 The art, music and writing are phenomenal, I deeply relate to Riley as a character which is super refreshing in the FVN world. 

Keep up the amazing work!!! 

(+3)

I have nothing to say about this VN other than the highest praises, this is truly amazing. I love Griff so much, I have cried over this man already multiple times and reread his scenes even more times. His theme alone is just...perfect. It captures so much emotion that goes beyond words and I just need him so badly. The rest of the VN is great! Music, especially, I think, gets used so intentionally here and is to a degree that you just don't see as consistently in other VNs. Not to mention the art, sprites/their alterations and CGs alike are so impactful to getting the feeling behind everything.

*SPOILERS*

One thing I was curious about though, does route select sorta occur twice depending on who you hang out with after day one? I think it was said before that it wouldn't but when you go onto Griff route/hang out with no one and are free for Griff in the morning, it seems like you have no actual choice to make whereas hanging out with Ranzo gives you a choice between him and Griff. Will hanging out with Billy/Joe also leave you with only Billy/Joe + Griff as choices or is that just a temporary thing that'll change once their routes get updated?

(3 edits) (+2)

Vague spoilers for current Chapter 2 content:

Chapter 2 was originally going to have a choice to switch between any route at the pub. This was done so players didn't feel "locked in" through one decision. While this was a "fair" way to plot out a multiple-choice game, it didn't make for a very interesting or relevant way to tell this one.

The choice has since changed so that after spending a day with Joe, Billy or Ranzo, you can choose to switch to Griff. If you choose Griff on day 1, you're set on that path.

A lot of the planned "hybrid routes" didn't have a lot of payoff on their own and left a lot of established plot hooks hanging. With others needing to be re-established in the next chapter, it felt messy and unfulfilling. However, as an outsider to the group, Griff can explore those setups from a different perspective.

Griff's route being a lock-in (with a choice to switch to it from others) is also a way to show Riley's infatuation with him. Though it's a choice-based game, the player is still only in control of someone with their own wants and biases.

Simple summary: picking Griff's route means you're on Griff's route. You can switch to him from any other route in the second chapter, with some differences based on who you picked first.

(+2)

I really love this vn, the storyline, the music, especially the artsyle. They're so unique. I love that the artstyle differs depending on the mood. Love it

(+3)

This is truly the best VN I have seen in a long time. So unique, the music, story and artstyle is amazing. Can't wait for updates!

Hi, since there hasn't been any ost release so far (iirc you're planning a vol 1 once chapter 2 is done), how do you feel about people uploading some ripped tracks on YouTube with proper attribution?

Let me know what's your stance on it and I'd be happy to oblige! (It's your work after all).

(+1)

I'll have to think on this one. I know people want a place to listen to what's currently available, but I'd also like the time to make versions of the tracks that are less rough-around-the edges.

(+1)

No worries! Wouldn't want you to rush out something that you aren't happy with just to meet a specific demand. I think more enthusiastic readers can go look for them in the game files for their personal use already.

(+1)

I feel like going out for a drink with an old friends that I haven't seen in a long time.

love everything about this VN. 

Thank you for all your hard works.

(+5)

Thank you, i loved this new bit of story, and i really want to see where Griff and Riley go from here, still loving the music and im really hoping for extended versions :3c

(+2)(-1)

explodes and dies from peak 

(+2)

In so many words... Its peak.

(7 edits) (+1)

Ranzo is so awesome, I love him so much.

And his nickname for Riley, Ryebread... AAAAAA, MY HEART MELTED

100/10 just for him alone. 

But the music, the characters (even Billy, who I have a love-hate relationship with), the artstyle, and did I mention the music? All of it is so awesome.

Spoilers:



Edit 1: Griff's theme... It has a heartfelt melancholy that not even I could describe in words. Cozy, alluring, yet bittersweet and rueful at the same time. I love the touches on this song.

Edit 2: Shinbone. Gives very much jazzy mid-tempo hip-hop. I kinda like it. I vibe with it.

Edit 3: The hangover is going to be BRUTAL. Oh wait. Another form of hangover. Wonderful.

Edit 4: It's a fuckin'— gods above, it's a damn Jack of Spades.

Edit 5: I knew it. I knew I was gonna hate her the moment that flashback hit. And here we are. I hate her.

Final Edit: Choob, you wonderful, wonderful individual. This was a ride. And I am here for it. I swear, why didn't I discover this before?

(+4)

Ahhhhhh what a great update. I already noticed it in the earlier builds but the soundtrack and SFX are stellar. I especially love Griff's theme. Its sooooo cozy.

Good stuff Choob!

So I noticed the game was updated recently I imagine just a few tweaks nothing added to the story for any of the love interest I was wondering if it will have any more quote unquote Romance pictures also I wanted to know if you would add a hide button because I sometimes like to share pictures novels my favorite love interest is ranzo

(+2)

Do you mean an option to hide the text-box? Hadn't thought of this, but I'm sure it can be done!

The most recent update has built on the route focused on Griff. I should make an update post here to state that. I forget that not everyone comes to this page through Twitter where it's usually announced.

As for 'Romance' pictures, the story will continue to develop on the relationships between characters and have CGs for significant moments. These will include more romantically/sexually focused scenes, but I don't plan on including any explicit imagery. 

I have no issue with it and think it works well for some VNs, but it's a personal preference for how I want to tell this particular story.

(+1)

Question, is there a way to focus on sally instead of the others? I feel like her story is interesting.

(+5)

You'll be glad to know that there will be a lot of Sal in future updates, as well as choices you can make later-on to spend more time with her.

(+1)

that will be awesome, they seem so adorable, looking after one another.

(+5)

This visual novel is so stellar! I played it back in August and was blown away, eagerly anticipating the next update. The new update was as amazing as what I've played before!

My favorite part of this visual novel is the detail and care put into it. For example, how there are certain parts of dialogue with different fonts, which change how you read and interpret it. There is even a part where the text goes outside of the textbox, showing the drunken feelings of the characters in that scene. There are also changes to the previously released updates, encouraging readers to re-experience past scenes. I love this, as it more fully realizes the setting, but it also is fun for those who want to re-read a bit to take them back into the story before continuing with a new update.

The presentation is also out of this world. I love the interface so much, just to see something different than what I've seen from so many other visual novels. I also love how the CGs have motion to them, which adds more immersion to the scenes. The style is also very unique, with me personally loving the character portraits. They clue the reader into the character by seeing the pose and background details, while having a very recognizable style to it. 

Lastly, the characters are a treat to see. The dialogue seems so natural, and I love hinting at characters and situations that will hopefully be explored later. I love everybody from the main cast, and am excited to explore their past relationships with each other. 

I love Dawntide so far, and I am excited to see further updates!

(+14)

IT'S PEAK!!! IT'S PEAK!!!

It seems APK ver. is broken

(+1)

Sorting this out now, thanks!

I tried installing the apk but it says "not installed as package appears to be invalid" so I couldn't play, pls fix?

Should be fixed now!

(1 edit) (+3)

Im super excited to play the new update, but the android version seems like it might have a problem. It's giving the error "App not installed as package appears to be invalid." I've tried full uninstalling the app to clean reinstall, but that didn't fix it.

Re-uploaded and tested on a couple of devices. This should be fixed. Let me know if you're still having any issues with it.

It worked this time! Thanks for the quick fix!

(+5)

LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NEW DAWNTIDE BUILD WAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWAWA

(+4)

LETS GO LETS GO LETS GO LETS GOOOOO

(4 edits) (+3)

I already love this VN.

Absolutely adore the artwork, it's unique, has it's own personality and really pops out at you. Music is also incredible and sets the mood perfectly. I love the aesthetic and tone of this visual novel. It does everything so… perfectly, for lack of better description.

By the end of chapter 1, I knew for sure this was going to be something special, that scene absolutely knocked it out of the park and flooded my heart with emotions.

Also, somehow with only two chapters worth of content, I've already fell in love with a certain scruffy dog. He is precious.

Very excited to see more!!

(+3)

This is my first VN and wow I love it!! I absolutely adore the art style, the music and in general just the whole vibe it has going for it! Can't wait to see more content from it, keep it up!

(+2)(-6)

This is the best (and only good) VN full stop. i really dont know how you manage to knock it out of the park in literally every respect. god bless the enigmatic choob.

(+2)

This VN is so BLOODY GOOD HOLY CRAP, Art direction is perfect, audio is heavenly. I dearly wish someone make a playlist of the game's soundtrack

(+2)

The next 3 updates will feature a lot of new music. Once they're done, there'll be a "volume 1" soundtrack put out with fully mastered, extended versions. 

(1 edit) (+5)

I don't know how you did it, but I am so invested in this already. I remember I saw this VN once in the past a while ago, but I put it in the backlog, what caught my eye was the artstyle and how Ranzo was the scruffiest and cutest dog I'd ever seen.
Now I finally decided to return after seeing some people talk about it and I'm so glad I did. Insanely good visuals, great music choice, gripping story and Riley and Ranzo especially.. I've fallen in love. I'm so looking forward to what gets cooked up in the future. 
Also, Ranzo did indeed live up to what I first thought, he is indeed scruffy as hell and also adorable.

(+2)

This is so good already. The entire feeling and interactions leave me wanting more. I hope this will be finished one day, I'll definitely be supporting and keeping an eye on it. You're great!

(1 edit) (+1)

You know it's funny when you find a new visual novel it's kind of sad that you don't really get to spend time decent alone time with a certain dog I fell in love with him immediately LOL perfect for Riley I I think

(+3)

So, now playing again after a long while i have to say, i love it even more, the music, the characters, it speaks to me in a level i dont quite understand, and seeing griff in the selector on ch2 made me a bit happier, idk whats planned for him but i want to know him more, he just seems.... nice <3

Oone more thing, the inner monologue of Riley is superb , im glad this project is still going strong

(+2)

I am always a sucker for "friend group reunites and explores past problems" set-ups but WOW does this hit it out of the park just from the small parts we have already. I agree with many others that there is a distinct Disco Elysium vibe to this (probably part to the fantastic artstyle and different inner monologue voices of Riley). The music is also stellar. I'm so excited to see not just Ranzo's story continued (love him so much), but the others as well. I also want to praise the characterization of Riley. He doesn't present like a "blank slate main character" that is common in VNs now, but as a PoV character that is still fleshed out and has his own character strengths and weaknesses. This is a project I will be so excited to be updated and completed! 

(+1)

The arts and audio are fabulous, the Disco-Elysium-vibe is visible in a good way. Been a long time since I've read a VN so good, truly captivating.

(+3)

Words can't describe how incredible this novel is. I'm addicted and can't get enough!!! 

(+8)

oh my God. I dont even know if I can put every incredible moment I just read into words. I can't help but just sit here, astounded.

chapter 2 spoilers/////




 It's so difficult to even start with anything specific because there's just so many scenes that really just have everything going for them. Scenes where the music manages to not only set the mood for the moment, but also heightens those really intense emotions. I tell you, when Riley got into Graham's car, I was just like, "Oh, he must be giving him a ride home or something. Clearly. Obviously." and then the music kicked in and my jaw Dropped. The music made the scene feel electric, visceral almost. Another scene that really uses the music to it's full potential is absolutely Eliza's intro. The pure dread of seeing that red-cloaked figure at the top of the stairs with this almost chase-like music slowly fading in. Boy, That Makes You Feel Things. Finally seeing this character, who you've only seen as a kid or mentioned in conversation before this scene, be such an incredibly imposing figure is such an intense moment. Honestly, just such an unparalleled character intro. When she threatens to take off the rest of Riley's hand and leaves the reader wondering what she means, only for Riley to later show off exactly that when he gets angry at Ranzo, such a good reveal honestly. After that happened, the speed of which I went searching through every earlier cg or any character portraits with Riley's left hand in it before this scene was so fast. That entire thing is just such a good reveal. To get back to the music, anytime that the Keles track (I hope whatever happened at Keles Rock was worth the fireworks and fingers.) comes on makes that scene about 10x more powerful. That absolutely haunting choir or the spine-chilling gurdy makes whatever scene it's on feel like it's life or death, and whenever core/inner Riley talks during these moments, man, that's when I really get chills. God, I haven't even talked about how much I love ward, exile, and scorn yet (Another quick mention is when you finish reading Ranzo's Dad's journal and Riley has to quickly cover his tracks with Ranzo right outside the door, that music makes you Tense).

One of my favorite games is Disco Elysium, easily one of the best written games that I've played Ever, and the Riley Mind Kids just scream DE with every line. You can never have enough DE in your writing, I say. The addition of these specialized inner thoughts elevates the writing by so much. That might just be my bias speaking, but I love whenever a piece of media really lets you see into the protagonist's mind, giving you front row seats to every little conflicting thought they have. Exile showing off Riley's yearning to keep in contact and stay close with his friends, that want to just have fun and be happy, pulls at my heartstrings so badly. Ward being this kind of protective thought, the part of your mind that warns you to stay out of trouble as well as the reassuring thoughts, the calm moments where you say to yourself that you know you can get through this. A kind of self-preservative logic. Scorn being this voice of scrutinization, always second guessing the intents of other people and criticizing Riley's own actions. what a dickhead. Then there's core, man, do I love core. Core reminds me the most of DE, specifically those short, bone-chilling, quick statements from the emotions like Inland Empire or Shivers. These small, cryptic, foreboding ideas that leave you wondering what the Hell they mean. A favorite moment of mine is when, right before Riley blacks out, it says, "Too close." like it's recalling something, an all too familiar memory. Probably the most memorable line from it being during the argument near the end, where it practically screams "Don't talk to me like that!". Christ. That entire scene is just, so, so good. This is already so long, but I can't help myself from mentioning the scene where you essentially choose your route. The way Scorn tells you to make a connection right here, right now, or it's essentially over, leading into Ward asking you who you're gonna choose, feels absolutely gut-wrenching. It's like Riley is reaching out to one last person, trying in a last-ditch effort to keep somebody, anybody, at least one person, close to him, like he's at the end of his line and needs a life raft. I'm already writing my own novel here, so I'll keep the next bits short and get to my main point here. 

The art's pretty! Really pretty! Every background feels like a place I've been to before and somewhere I'd love to visit again. The character portraits are mythical almost, like they're the way Riley envisions a person's face in his mind's eye. The sprites are expressive and lively, the drunk sprites being a really cool addition that really makes all the scenes they're in pop and makes them memorable.

The characters feel like real people! It's obvious they have years of memories together just from the way they talk and banter with each other.  They clearly have more to them than just what they show to their friends as well, like Ranzo's bad feeling he gets that makes him feel like he's causing all these terrible things to happen (Is this an actual, real, kind of psychic feeling or is it just Ranzo looking back at traumatic moments and feeling like he should've done something? I dunno! And that's fun!) or his abundance of family problems, red riding hood included. Basically, can't wait to see all the little intricacies and problems all the characters have. Lovely stuff!

Riley is an artist who doesn't see any value in his creations. He says they're nothing special, rubbish, even. I think the point I'm trying to get at here is that Dawntide is like... really good art. Incredible, even. Not even two updates in and this game's writing, art, and music has blown my mind every step of the way. I haven't even talked about how much I love the incredibly vivid, poetry-like observations of the surroundings or the setting, that of which feels like it's in the middle of collapse, with countless shops going out of business, yet still feels like home. I already have to zoom out to see my entire post, so I won't go on any further. Really good game. keep up the good work <3

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