AN IOU

About

AN IOU is a single player action game. It was developed by Red Room Games and was released on November 13, 2022. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Trevor just moved to the city and is determined to become a successful artist... or die trying. When he meets Mallory in his college art class, his life is changed forever. An IOU is a Visual Novel that depicts love, longing, and loss. Key Features: A beautifully written modern take on the Visual Novel. Multiple endings depending on the choices you make. Unlockable Gallery featuring on lo…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 23 reviews

story14 positive mentions

The game features a beautifully written story with relatable characters and heartfelt dialogue, creating a deeply emotional experience.
The art style and soundtrack are outstanding, perfectly complementing the narrative and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
It offers a unique blend of multimedia elements, including real-life footage and stylized illustrations, which adds depth to the storytelling.

Some players have reported difficulty in achieving all possible endings, leading to frustration and disappointment.
The writing occasionally lacks punctuation, which can detract from the overall smoothness of the narrative.
While the game is praised for its emotional depth, some may find its themes of melancholy and emotional pain too heavy or off-putting.

story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
34%
12%
The game's story is praised for its bold, creative, and emotionally resonant narrative, capturing the complexities of love and human experience through relatable characters and immersive storytelling. The combination of hand-drawn art, real-life footage, and a captivating soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere, making it a standout indie title that resonates deeply with players. Reviewers highlight the engaging plot and artistic presentation, noting its ability to evoke genuine emotions and connect with the audience on a personal level.
- “A story that anyone who has ever fallen in love can relate to.”
- “There's indecision, mistakes, awkward moments, fear of the future, and more all neatly packed into this short but sweet visual novel. Many games today are very out of the box and disconnected from humanity, but this one was just so human and the story was great.”
- “Absolutely fantastic storytelling, outstanding artwork, and a really cool soundtrack!”
- “The story is told using hand-drawn sceneries interposed with black and white real-life short videos.”
- “It took absolutely no time to get invested in the narrative, regardless of how relatively low stakes the story actually is.”
- “A very artistic and emotional visual novel about a slice of life/love story between two aspiring artists.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
25%
19%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the emotional depth and atmosphere, with many reviewers highlighting the soundtrack as a standout feature that complements the storytelling and artwork beautifully. Players appreciate the variety of tracks that fit seamlessly with the game's mood, making it a memorable auditory experience. Overall, the music is considered a significant contributor to the game's compelling and immersive qualities.
- “The art style, music, and characters make for an enjoyable and compelling atmosphere that has me wanting to get all of the endings :)”
- “The music is a lovely collection of tracks, each suited to the scene.”
- “This visual novel has a gorgeous soundtrack and amazing artwork to accompany it!”
- “Regardless of that, however, the visual style, writing, and music really all come together for such a depressing experience that makes me yearn for all the relationships I failed, friend and partner alike.”
- “The music fits so much!”
- “The music and sounds add to the atmosphere.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
22%
21%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their perfect art style, which enhances the storytelling and immersion. The visuals, primarily in black and white with selective color highlights, create a compelling atmosphere that balances beauty and emotional depth. Overall, the artwork and soundtrack contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout experience for players.
- “The art style is absolutely perfect for the game, and all sorts of visual effects add significantly to the overall feel and immersion of the story.”
- “Absolutely fantastic storytelling, outstanding artwork and really cool soundtrack!”
- “The visuals are mainly in black and white, but color is reserved for specific moments to give more emotional weight.”
- “The artwork was dark and unnerving at times, but also wholesome and cute.”
- “That said, as someone without experience, the gameplay, writing, and artwork especially reminded me of the game Rusty Lake, which I absolutely loved.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, utilizing a striking black-and-white visual style with selective color to enhance key moments. It presents a heartfelt slice-of-life love story between two aspiring artists, featuring dark yet wholesome artwork and relatable dialogue that evokes genuine emotional responses. Overall, it effectively captures both emotional pain and warmth, making for a deeply personal experience.
- “The visuals are mainly in black and white, but color is reserved for specific moments to give more emotional weight.”
- “A very artistic and emotional visual novel about a slice of life/love story between two aspiring artists.”
- “A wonderfully personal tale with believable, heartfelt dialogue and characterization.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its compelling art style, evocative music, and well-developed characters, creating an immersive experience that feels both beautiful and poignant. Reviewers highlight the effective storytelling and sound design, which together enhance the overall emotional depth and realism of the game.
- “The art style, music, and characters create an enjoyable and compelling atmosphere that has me wanting to get all of the endings.”
- “The storytelling, soundtrack, artwork, and atmosphere are truly amazing and feel so close to reality.”
- “The atmosphere, art style, and story possess a beautiful and melancholic quality.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is reminiscent of the beloved Rusty Lake series, featuring engaging mechanics, compelling writing, and appealing artwork, making it accessible and enjoyable even for those without prior experience.
- “As someone without experience, the gameplay, writing, and artwork especially reminded me of the game Rusty Lake, which I absolutely loved.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is particularly appealing to artists, fans of dark humor, admirers of The Smiths, and hopeless romantics, suggesting a niche but engaging comedic style that resonates with these audiences.
- “I would especially recommend this game to artists and lovers of art, dark humor enthusiasts, anyone who loves The Smiths, and hopeless romantics.”