A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux


They Call is intended for adult audiences, no one under the age of 18 should play. Please check the content warning before playing, and take it seriously. You’re responsible for what media you consume.

synopsis

In the past, ghosts, fae, gods, and everything in between were things of fiction. The “veil between worlds” was something mystical; something intangible.

That was before the boundary between physical and metaphysical came crashing down, and all those things turned out to be real. 

Already too wary of the world, the change adds another layer of uncertainty to your life that you’re barely able to handle. As the situation deteriorates globally, you feel your sanity steadily slipping away. 

And amidst it all, they call for you.

features

  • Word count at [...] (still counting) 
    (DEMO AT ~49k)
  • Customizable main character: name, pronouns (it, they, he, she), & appearance 
  • One possible love interest 
  • Romance and sexual content are both optional and can be mutually exclusive
  • Three possible good endings + epilogues 
  • [...] possible game over/bad endings (still counting)
  • [...] unlockable CGs & gallery (still counting)
  • Timed choices, which you can disable in preferences
  • Achievements
  • Stats
  • Music
  • Guide
  • Monster fucker options!!

Some features are not available in the demo.


notable characters

your protectormurieldeegan


content warning

Graphic depictions of violence, nudity, sex scenes, explicit CGs, strong language, insects, player death (hanging, beaten, shot, eaten alive, decapitated), player suicide, suicidal thoughts, body horror, gore, blood, murder, abduction, enslavement, drug use, alcohol use, police, guns, cursing, paranoia, stalking, anxiety, depression, screen shaking, self harm.

More warnings will be added through development, please check this again at full release!


credits

Release date: To be determined.

(This is my first time, please be gentle!)


Download

Download
theycall-DEMO1.0-pc.zip 371 MB
Download
theycall-DEMO1.0-mac.zip 366 MB

Development log

Comments

Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.

(+1)

The art, obviously original, is imaginative, pure, and refreshingly crisp: The lines and colour are vibrant and detailed without being overwhelming which compliments and balances the dark, shadowy underbelly that seems to permeate the story and game play.  I can see the love and artistic passion in every panel and appreciate the hours of work dedicated to its production. 

The story rich dialogue is both relatable and easy to read.  In particular, the portrayal of anxiety is declamatory and accurate, (sometimes uncomfortably so, but does not detract from the story, rather it is quite supplementary.)  

The character customisation is integrated into the gameplay and is detailed without being stilted and I appreciate the many options available to make the protagonist feel personal.

I look forward to purchasing and playing through the game in its entirety, though I suspect my old self may have to find some pearls to clutch for some of the promised action.

<3

Thank you so much, aaa! 🧡🧡🧡

(+1)

Absolutely loved the demo and I'm excited to see where the full game goes! The story is interesting, the character relatability is on point, and it's so hard to find world building that doesn't actually feel like world building. Great job!!

Thank you so much! 🧡

(+1)

That was great! Integrating the character creation organically into the morning routine is so smart.As the other commenters mentioned, your writing from a first-person perspective on anxiety is really relatable, even without the supernatural elements, it do be like that sometimes. Can't wait to check out the full release!

Thank you so much! 🧡 And it really do be like that sometimes.

(+1)

Wow. Just... wow. Everything about this game is brilliant, this might already be one of my new favourites just from the prologue alone. I loved how much customisation there was for our MC's appearance and their personality was utterly relatable. The atmosphere was incredibly tense right from the start, I quickly found myself feeling just as paranoid and anxious as the MC. In fact I have to say that this is one of the most impactful depictions of anxiety I've ever come across, it genuinely had my whole body on edge all the way through. Even now I feel a bit weird. The worldbuilding is also amazing, you kept drip feeding enough details to help flesh this setting out and keep the story going without getting lost in exposition. I was riveted from beginning to end, there's already so much here to get me hooked and I am thoroughly excited to see how things turn out in the full release. Definitely keeping an eye on this game. 

(+1)

Thanks so much! 🧡 

It makes me happy knowing it's coming across as intended (also maybe a lil sorry for playing with other people's anxiety lol) and I really appreciate you trying it out! I hope you enjoy the full release just as much.

(1 edit) (+2)

I love this and goodness gracious lol 90% of this is too relatable and it just make's this even more immersive for me, I love the way the character customization and personality customization was implemented and doll-gone the story is extremely interesting for me and I am looking forward to update's! Keep up the good work! (sorry for the bad grammar btw)

Thank you so much! 🧡