novena is a game about the burden of strength and the fruits of perseverance. it was made for the 14th monthly bitsy jam.

  • music: arête by brambles
  • instructions: use your arrow keys to walk around and interact
  • playtime: ~5 to 10 mins

 🌊⛈️🐦


bitsy hacks and tools used

[originally made in bitsy v4.8, remade in bitsy v7.5]

StatusReleased
PlatformsHTML5
Rating
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
(1,517 total ratings)
Authorharaiva
Made withbitsy
TagsBitsy, bitsyjam, poem, Walking simulator
Average sessionA few minutes

Download

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novena.zip 5.6 MB

Development log

Comments

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Viewing most recent comments 2 to 41 of 425 · Next page · Last page
(+1)

being able to tell such a beautiful story, in such a short amount of time, is really the most amazing talent.

thank you for making this game!
thank you for being here

i didn't expect to cry but i did

I come back every time I feel out of touch with reality or need a good cry. This game has an amazing ability to spark the apathy out of me sometimes.

I played novena in 2021 when it first came out. I never forgot it. I came back to it a few times since then. Today it is 2026. I always thought I would make a game like novena. I never did. 5 years of procrastination on something I love, is this my life? Help me however you can.

(+1)

I hope you make it, my friend. Don't forget is not just about making a game: the gift of creation opens its doors through profound, fearless recognition and through daily conquering passion.

(+2)

Don't forget that life is about living, not necessarily "fulfilling tasks"

(+1)

💯

Thank you, I will remember

really cute

(+1)

This was the first bitsy game that I played, and I was blown away. You did so much within bitsy's limitations. Awesome game.

help, it actually made me cry. you saved me. beautiful work :)

OMG! THIS IS SO COOL! I'm actually trying to make a bitsy game for my finals and this AWESOME game + animation inspired and helped me a lot. Thank you

So good!! It made me stop and think a little

Terrific writing, art and music, thanks for this

very good music, and a beautifully written story, the scene where the ocean turn red actually remind me of one time when i was watching the sunset in the beach

the music gives this so much atmosphere. i started crying and i didnt even realize until it was over

(1 edit) (+1)

such a simple thing but so special, i love it

Game touched me in the core....
We are the same, no more tears, ocean is in me now...

THX

what an incredibly moving game, music, visuals, colorway, dialogue, engine choice, all masterful. I cried. Beautiful. 

(-1)

omg

This is so beautiful, I cried. Thank you for this work. 

awesome

(+1)

I wasn't familiar with the Bitsy engine, so I looked up projects made on it and this was the first one that came up. I'm really glad I played it, it's beautiful!

I love it! The game is really beautiful and moody ♥️ Thank you for sharing!

(1 edit)

this is art

I can't tell you how much I love this game. Absolute cinema. Well done!!!

(+1)

Such a beautiful game. The story was so poetic and compelling. The pixel art especially for the backgrounds were so breathtaking. What a lovely experience.

(+1)

loved the art! and story was so sweet...

(+1)

this was so beautiful i loved it <3

(+1)

输入:I love this game

(+2)

This is amazing...

(+1)

A lovely story. And lovely arts.

(+2)

This was really beautiful! I loved the changing ocean landscapes and how you used the animations to breathe life into the scenes.

(+2)

Never played anything like this. Intense. I like it. cheers!

(+3)

Incredible. The repetition works soo well here. That final wish made me tear up.

(+2)

This was amazing. I’m looking into bitsy for the first time, I can only hope to make something as impactful as this. Thank you for the experience!

(+2)

Well it's 2 am and i wasn't expecting to end up here. I did cry, indeed.

Such a short game that managed being so delicately immersive. Each piece helping to bring the poem to life.

(+1)

Beautiful

(+1)

Effective storytelling. Nice and simple.

incredible

This is so pretty.

It's short. But sometimes stories are better that way.

This is beautiful. I like the music.

The message is cool. Take care of everyone. Even yourself.

I wish you all an awesome day.

I really liked the game, the aesthetic, the music, everything in general. As a poet, this game touched my sensitive heart (a salty drop flowed down my cheek..) That was beautiful. It's really inspiring and full of wisdom :>

Viewing most recent comments 2 to 41 of 425 · Next page · Last page