AN IOU

About

"AN IOU" is a visual novel about Trevor, a budding artist who falls in love with Mallory in his college art class. The game features hand-painted visuals, a beautifully written story, and multiple endings based on the player's choices. With a soundtrack from various artists and an unlockable gallery, AN IOU explores themes of love, longing, and loss in a unique and memorable way. A critic called it a "clever" subversion of horror and romance conventions, hoping for more in the future.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

story12 positive mentions

The game features outstanding storytelling, beautiful artwork, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Characters are relatable and well-written, capturing the complexities of human emotions and interactions.
The game offers multiple endings and unlockable content, encouraging replayability and exploration of different narrative paths.

Some players have reported difficulty in achieving all endings, with frustration over being stuck on a single outcome despite multiple playthroughs.
The writing occasionally lacks punctuation, which can detract from the overall smoothness of the narrative.
There is a desire for more diverse character perspectives, particularly from female characters, to enrich the storytelling.

story
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
32%
14%
The game's story is praised for its bold, creative, and deeply human elements, capturing the complexities of life and relationships through a slice-of-life narrative between two aspiring artists. The combination of hand-drawn visuals, real-life video interludes, and an engaging soundtrack enhances the emotional depth and immersion, making it a standout experience in the indie genre. Overall, players find the storytelling to be outstanding and recommend it for those who appreciate a compelling narrative.
- “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.”
- “A very artistic and emotional visual novel about a slice of life/love story between two aspiring artists.”
- “The storytelling, the soundtrack, the artwork, and the atmosphere are truly amazing and so close to reality.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
The graphics of the game are highly praised for their perfect art style, which enhances the storytelling and overall immersion. Reviewers appreciate the blend of dark, unnerving elements with wholesome visuals, noting that the artwork is both inspiring and reminiscent of other beloved titles. The combination of stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack contributes to a truly remarkable atmosphere that draws players back for repeated experiences.
- “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.”
- “The storytelling, the soundtrack, the artwork, and the atmosphere are truly amazing and so close to reality.”
- “Absolutely fantastic storytelling, outstanding artwork, and a really cool soundtrack!”
music
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere, with an excellent soundtrack that perfectly captures the game's mood. Although there are no voiceovers, the accompanying music is described as stellar, with references that resonate well with players. Overall, the combination of music, artwork, and narrative creates an immersive experience that feels remarkably realistic.
- “The storytelling, the soundtrack, the artwork, and the atmosphere are truly amazing and so close to reality.”
- “There are no voice overs, but the accompanying music is excellent and perfectly captures the current mood in the game.”
- “I loved all of the music in this game and all of the music references!”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its emotional depth, presenting a poignant slice-of-life love story between two aspiring artists. Its artwork effectively balances dark and unnerving elements with wholesome and cute visuals, enhancing the overall emotional experience.
- “A very artistic and emotional visual novel about a slice of life/love story between two aspiring artists.”
- “The artwork was dark and unnerving at times, but also wholesome and cute.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive storytelling, captivating soundtrack, and stunning artwork, all of which contribute to a realistic and engaging experience.
- “The storytelling, the soundtrack, the artwork, and the atmosphere are truly amazing and so close to reality.”
gameplay
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The gameplay is reminiscent of the beloved Rusty Lake series, featuring engaging writing and artwork that appeals to both experienced and novice players alike.
- “The gameplay, writing, and artwork especially reminded me of the game Rusty Lake, which I absolutely loved.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is particularly appealing to fans of dark humor, art, and romantic themes, making it a great choice for artists and those who appreciate a blend of wit and melancholy.
- “I would especially recommend this game to artists and lovers of art, dark humor enthusiasts, anyone that loves The Smiths, and hopeless romantics.”