Where Winter Crows Go
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux
DISCLAIMER
Do NOT reupload, resell or redistribute my game or any of the assets used inside it in any shape or form.
Streaming the game and/or making gameplay videos of it is allowed, though, and even welcomed, but ONLY if commentary is added to it.
Review, analysis/essay and recommendation videos are allowed and welcomed too!
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WARNING!
While the game doesn't have any NSFW content, it's recommended for people who are 17 or older due to having strong language, drug use, general violence & blood.
Player discretion is advised.
PLEASE, be sure to read the TRIGGER WARNINGS and reconsider if this game is for you. Play responsibly.
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GAME WALKTHROUGH
If you're having trouble getting any of the endings or just want to play with a guide from the beginning, here's a walkthrough of the game!
GAME'S SOUNDTRACK
A lot of people have been asking me about the soundtrack so I decided to make a list with the themes I used! While all of the music is royalty free, some themes can be downloaded for free while others have to be bought in order to access them (mostly through a Storyblocks license, please check the post for more details).
OTHER FAQ QUESTIONS
If you have any other questions, please check out my FAQ + General Information section on my Carrd first. I won't be answering questions that have already been answered. Thank you for understanding!
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STORY
Needing a break from their usual routine, Aspen decides to take a one-week holiday trip to Frostpeak, a town famous for its ski resorts. Unfortunately, on the way there, their car breaks down and they have no choice but to walk to the nearest place available... an isolated log cabin in the middle of the woods.
The cabin turns out to be the home of an environmental researcher who's studying partial migration among other things .
Will Aspen stay with him or risk finding another place in the freezing weather?
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FEATURES
- Original sprites
- Food Art Mini CGs
- 9 CGs & 1 Chibi CG
- 3 different endings
- Partial voice acting
- 25k words (around 2-3 hours of playtime)
- A mysterious
yandereresearcher who calls you 'snowflake'❄️ - Play as Aspen (nonbinary MC with side-image sprite) or an invisible MC (choose your name & pronouns)
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TRIGGER WARNINGS
CLICK HERE FOR TRIGGER WARNINGS
- Strong Language
- Emotional abuse (manipulation, isolation)
- General violence
- Depictions of blood
- Drugging
- Depictions of death
- Shaking screen
- Implications of Aspen being burnout, overworked & harassed at their job
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CREDITS
Writer & Creator: Pri Karin
Programming: Pri Karin (Main), CyberSe7en, Kristi "HusbandoGoddess" Jimenez
Logo: xxmissarichanxx
Voice Actors: Reece Bridger, Bryce Buckley
Crowe's Character Design: Ant, Pri Karin
Crowe's Sprite Art, Chibi & CGs: Ant
Cover Art: Kyleechii
Bird Sprite & Mini CGs: Florisam
Music: Dova Syndrome, MusMus, Ontama-m, Pocket Sound, Storyblocks
SFX: Storyblocks, Pocket Sound, Freesound
Pronoun Tool: npckc
Proofreaders: Carrot Patch Games, Kristi "HusbandoGoddess" Jimenez, Snakkiez, CyberSe7en
Beta testers: Carrot Patch Games, Florisam, Snakkiez, Vivi Contrast, Kristi "HusbandoGoddess" Jimenez, Ty Coker, CyberSe7en
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GET THE ARTBOOK!
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $5 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Development log
- Where Winter Crows Go's 1st Anniversary!!30 days ago
- WWCG Bundle Sale to raise funds for Killer Trait!88 days ago
- WWCG has now become paid!Aug 09, 2024
- WWCG will become paid on August 8th/9thJul 31, 2024
- Regarding Android Ports & Piracy in generalJul 26, 2024
- Keychain preorders close soon!!May 01, 2024
- 10 days until keychain preorders close!!Apr 23, 2024
- KEYCHAIN PREORDERS!Apr 01, 2024
Comments
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I use to have this game before it became paid I really liked it I wish I could support but lost it due to my data loss but I hope one day I can play again <3 thank you so much for making the game <3
I played this game when it came out and I LOVED IT SO MUCH i wish i could play it for the first time again
is that a horror game?
Thriller is probably a slightly more accurate description, but definitely mind the content warnings if you're concerned
THX
so happy I got this game before it cost money yayyaya
played the game in one sitting, i want to support this creator more in the future cause they are so good, the quality of this vn is amazing, very well done, i wish you the very best - also, how come the protagonist feel so familiar, i loved their personality and Crowe is o cute too aaaaa
edit spoiler?:
lettuce head hahaPlayed this game before! I LOVE Crowe so much...
Hope u get the funds and support, dev !1!1!
ohhhh mahh goodddddd i love this game sm !! and i love all of ur other visuel novelsss ugghhh <3333
I loved this game, Crowe is so cute, he's more normal than I thought (I thought he'll be really crazy, well I have to see the bad end yet but anyways), but I like it too. Well the story was really interesting, time passed fast while reading it, I loved the moments where we get to know the characters and how they live daily. A cabin far away from civilization, where a man lives, searching for nature knowledge...well I love that kind of things, and you even taught us a few simple but interesting facts about his studies! Among other things...I really liked the game. Thank you very much!
im so glad got this game for free
I had this game in my collection planning on playing it for a while but just now got around to it, I don't mind that it now costs a few dollars because I saw so many great reviews and I'm glad I bought it. It was a very fun game, I could games as "good value" if they're ~$1/hour and this game lasted about 4 hours (on auto, played all the routes but used the skip feature on the other routes); I bought it half off but would have happily paid the full $5. The game feels polished and high quality and I like that there was even a "good" ending (obviously that's open to interpretation but I was worried all endings would be horrible). I really enjoyed my time and will now go look at this creator's other works.
Played this when it was still free, but as soon as I can get my online funds sorted out I'll buy it 100%. For anyone who is hesitant or somehow hasn't been convinced by the countless comments praising this game, PLEASE!! BUY IT!! it is SO worth it. The story is wonderful, the art is breathtaking, the VA work is probably my favorite out of any visual novel I've played? usually most VA work makes me cringe because the VA's tone doesn't land or the VA just doesn't sound right for the character. That is NOT the case here, at all.
There has clearly been so much love put into this work. Please please buy this VN to support prikarin, that way she can keep making beautiful stories like this!
This has been stuck in my head so I'll leave a spoiler-minimal long comment or mini review.
Basically, get it. It's on sale right now but even full price it's what I got it for plus a drink. I want to see this small team funded to do more and longer games.
The writing is good, backgrounds are pleasant, CGs well done, and the story revolves around two really cute characters. Somehow it manages to compress worldbuilding in a short runtime, as well as different moods: it can go from cosy to exciting to adorable in a matter of textboxes without being jarring or needing to pull a "5 hours later I had calmed down" thing.
There are really not many negatives to speak of, I found it quite short, 25,000 words passes really quickly especially if you're a fast reader, the "2-3 hours" is what it took me for 3 endings and a self-insert playthrough But this is NOT to dissuade you getting it, it's short; ergo it's cheap, so the only real sore point is some emotional pain when I started getting attached then the credits rolled.
(Since some people were curious: self-insert is the same story but no side sprite and you choose name and pronoun.)
Some of the music was also a bit stock with one rock song that's "this famous one but off-brand" which made me chuckle at times I don't think I was meant to, but really no hate, I produce music so I noticed but it really wasn't that jarring. Generally the audio is just ambience, also the VA work is light but high quality. I liked that you can tell the creator's favourite scenes because they had more or full voice acting.
[Minor spoilers in this paragraph] There is also a slight lack of player agency, I guess. There's no 'successfully escape' ending, also I like Crowe but by being naturally hesitant on my first/headcanon go, Aspen took on a hostile attitude and tried to run when I personally wouldn't have. Still I got the yandere ending and I like yanderes so joke's on you. ;) - I get it though, why would a 2 hour game have impactful choice after impactful choice?
Crowe is well done, there's a few yandere trope scenes but I think he was unique especially in appearance. Aspen was a tastefully done and adorable gender-neutral character and I picked up on some things mentioned in the artbook (which is also worth it due to lore exposition and dev commentary!) like the pale skin and bags under eyes, yet they remain well-presented and sharp conveying their willpower to survive and thrive.
Neither character is too 'triggering' - Crowe isn't a psychopath, just protective for reasons this spoiler-minimal mini review won't get into. The story manages to feel mature without needing gore, sex, or hard drugs.
That's all I have to say. Short summary: Short but sweet, totally get it if you like visual novels. The small scope of the game left me wanting more but that's partially a good thing since it's not a self-contained universe. Potentially tropey but actually well-drawn and lovely protagonists.
So buy it, and consider it a donation towards longer better titles.
Gosh, reading this put a big smile on my face, thank you so much!! 😭💖💞
my friend bought me it its so good, great job ! !
Hi, finally got around to play this lol, pretty cool yandere VN! ^^
The game gets pretty immersive from the get-go, really liked Aspen (didn't do the self-insert path, so idk how much of a difference it makes), and the first scene sets the stage in an engaging and fun way, making them a pretty likeable protagonist right away. Aspen is actually my favorite character of the VN honestly, now that I think of it, they have a good amount of depth and funny antics while still being relatable enough to be a good stand-in for the reader.
The rest of the intro gets the "how is it going to go wrong?" idea across pretty well, and while I knew Crowe is a yandere from the start because... idk, I saw the game page and content warnings lol, there's still the feeling that he's pretty nice. His interest in nature is well-developed, and the research put into it to make this interest shape his character up is really well-executed! His relationship with Aspen is also pretty good, the cute moments being consistently well-done, but the tense moments are a bit more hit-or-miss in my opinion. This probably comes from the fact I'm not too much of a yandere guy, but sometimes Crowe just felt a bit too tropey, despite the clear attempt to separate him from the average yandere clichés, but then again, I guess yanderes are a pretty limited trope to play around with, so it's more of a personal preference thing if anything. The exposition near the endings definitely points out a will to make something different, but I feel like at this point, I've just went "oh yeah, Crowe's just a yandere" and it felt a bit like too little was done too late, and the occurences of foreshadowing like the wound in Day 2 just feel a bit out of place and like it's leaning too much in the yandere aspect on first playthrough in my opinion (although I could understand why it may not be the case for some people). One of the endings especially (the bad ending) feels a bit more like yandere fanservice in a way that feels both out of character for Crowe, who is still at the end of the day a nice person towards Aspen, and like it dials back on the idea of making a more fleshed out yandere character, which is a shame because the other two endings are pretty good closers! So overall, I'd say Crowe is still likeable and I completely get his appeal, I'm just not that into yanderes. I can appreciate him still though.
The supernatural elements in around the last third of the story help spice the story out in a way that feels mysterious and interesting, but I honestly wish it was introduced a bit better, as that dream scene with the crow (AKA our first introduction to these elements) felt a bit out of place. It was kinda like I was reading a small creepypasta in the middle of the VN, with all the word spam happening. Again, it does pick up though, making the last days the most interesting ones in my opinion.
Speaking of writing style, the writing was constantly immersive, helped by the great VA work and art, as well as the pacing in Days giving out appreciated little "chapters" to the story and the research in nature themes. Just solid style overall, and a pretty enjoyable experience! ^^
Hi, Esbi! Thank you so much for such a detailed review! I'm happy that you liked Aspen so much 🥰
Yeah, looking back, there are some parts in the story that I could have done better 💦 there are some scenes that I would rewrite if possible but I also want to take the learning experience in this story and take it to new VNs to see how much I can improve 💪
Thank you for all the feedback and I'm happy you enjoyed the VN overall! 😄
No problem, I'm glad you liked reading it! ^^ And hey, noticing that you could have done some stuff better only shows that you've improved enough to not do the exact same thing again, each VN is a learning experience for the next ones, looking forward to what you're doing next! :D
THIS COSTS MONEY NOW?
Yes, I gave an explanation as to why a little more than a month ago on my devlogs.
ohh ok
i'm ready to waste all my money ( i love crowe)
Love this game so much.
I finally got a new laptop so I'm able to play it again, happy to say that I'm still in love with this game and Crowe 🥹🥹🥹🥹
I need help I don't know how to download
Hello! I just played this game and I love it so much. I love that the main character's not a pushover or a weak willed individual. And that (Depending on your choices ofc) they really really communicated their feelings and thoughts with Crowe (if your MC really ends up liking him) instead of the usual games with this theme where the MC just runs and cowers in fear or ends up listlessly being chained to the other guy's side. (For the ending I got) They just had the healthiest dynamic ever despite the uh, circumstances they're in.
Thank you so much for the game!! I enjoyed it a lot.
I played this game a while ago and remember really enjoying it! I found it very easy to get through and it really keeps you interested by feeding you just enough information at the right times. I always felt like I understood what was going on without the story being predictable.
If I had to give a (minor and specific) point of improvement, it would be the following:
SPOILERS
The twisted ending shows Aspen and Crowe attracting more visitors so that Crowe can keep doing what he's been doing. I have no problems with this turn of events and it fits the choices that lead to it well enough, but I would have liked some more buildup to this moment regardless. It's not that I don't find Aspen's cooperation believable, just that I would have liked to see more of a transition. Perhaps a scene before the time skip, where Aspen and Crowe argue about whether there really is no other option. The way it stands now, Aspen's final development is not really shown and that's a shame because this was always done well in earlier parts of the story.
Other than that, really well done!
Im so glad that I download it when it was free :D but anyway lovely game <3 I like a the art most
may i ask how much endings this game has? 'cause when i was playing long ago, i got a different ending. and this time when i played it again it was something new and the options were different too so i dont really know
Hi there! It has 3 different endings, you can check more info about the game in this page 🌸
alright, thank you!
im genuinely curious. i downloaded the game long before it became paid.. so can i still play the game for free or do i have to pay to play it again? though i dont mind paying 5 dollars this game is so good frfr ong
Hi, there! If you deleted the game from your computer and you previously downloaded it for free, then you'd have to pay for it now.
I explain it in a bit more detail in this post but, in summary, I decided to make it a paid game to help me with game funds 🙏
Also, thank you for your kind words, I'm happy you like the game! 😊
I had to do a double take when I saw the pricetag, remembering how I downloaded the game long ago for free... But it's understandable. Honsetly, the game is so good I'm surprised it was ever free to begin with hah.
I got it (and played it) a long time ago, but I absolutely loved it andI even sometimes replay it cause it's so fun! Maybe one day, if my funds allow it, I'll buy the artbook even... Here's hoping 🥺
Generally I love your games (especially recently "Potion Pleasing" has caught my attention...) and I wish you well on making any new ones, or finishing projects you're working on right now! <3
happy i got to play while it was free!
definitely an amazing game with a beautiful art style
I loved this game!! But I really didn't expect that ending
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I'm actively playing rn, and they just finished ranting about work, this is so sweet nothing is going to go wrong.. right
5 seconds later... i see how it can go wrong :O
lol :O
YEAH I SEE HOW IT CAN GO WRONG
(after the hand being cut scene)
Ahhh after hearing so much good things about this game, I was finally able to make some time to play all three endings and I'm so glad I did! The art throughout the game is so beautiful and I love the way each route unravels. Also love the voice acting and music!! Overall this was so much fun <3
I loved the sweet ending the most (and it was the first one I got lol) but omg I lovvve Crowe's reactions in every twisted ending option, he's so cute! T^T I love him so much
Also playing it three times meant I was able to choose all the three options for food options and everytime the food pops up I legit get hungry T^T I'm with the MC here, I LOVE FOOD lol
I LOVE THIS GAME!! I had so much fun playing it<33 Thank you for blessing us with this amazing game!!
Glad i got to play it before it went paid its a very good game, if i had to money i would donate, (or just buy it when it comes paid) maybe some day.
I love Crowe sm, he always got me giggling and kicking my feet ASHGSYBDBJEDNJBSA I especially love the yandere ending cuz I love my man sweet and unhinged <33
I LOVE THIS GAME SM I had so SO much fun playing it today aighjgfhjsgjksfdh I got so into the game more than I thought I would and I LOVE CROWE SO MUCH AND THE DETAILS AUGhjGHJgjhgsjhd. The art is absolutely stunning and scrumptious and the CHARACTERS?????? The ART??????? The EVERYTHING gdhsghsgkd I love this so much. I got the sweet ending it was so so wonderful. Absolutely amazing game :3
I'm so, so sorry that someone pirated your game to put it on Android! That is so low and shows zero love and respect for what you've done. Whoever it was can't say that they're a fan because a true fan would never do that.
I also hope that more people start to understand why paying for the game is the right thing to do. In the end, it really helps us as players because you feel better and we can (hopefully) get more games to play in the future.
Thank you so much for your kind words 😭❤
este juego es buenísimo, los diseños, la música y la historia me encantaron. Lo recomiendo mucho :D
AHHH,, WHY CAN'T IT RUN ON ANDROID? 😭
You can download joyplay to instal It if you have Android!
lo ame, y saber que seas de argentina es genial JAJAJAJ todos tus juegos son buenisimos. 100% recomendado!
Ahhh, this game T^T it made me cry so much. I got the good ending, and I have never felt so fulfilled in my life. <3 The ending really spoke to me as someone who's currently going through a very big life change right now! This game is extremely well written, and the voice actors did AMAZING. The art is breathtaking as well
another great game serifs the channel⭐️ I’m IMMERSED!!!! Shoutout to the developer(s) for this amazing game and make sure you tune in to my channel for my play through