A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, and Linux

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📝 About
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Share your hopes, insecurities, and favourite albums as you navigate an online friendship between two isolated high school students. 

Brandon is a recent transfer at his high school, having been torn away from his friends and hometown upon his parents' repatriation to Hong Kong. Rejected by his peers in his new environment and struggling to adjust to his parents' home country, he openly vents his frustrations on his blog for the world to see.

Sam (renameable) is a born-and-raised Hong Konger with an eclectic taste in music, who spends most of their time lamenting the lack of warped tour dates in their local area. By chance, Sam comes across the blog of Brandon, who loves all the same bands and lives in the same town...

so obscure; is a visual novel played through the interface of Sam's computer, where the majority of the game's story is told through a series of chat conversations.

💻 Overview
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  • 1280x720 resolution
  • 12,000+ words
  • ~20 minutes playtime
  • 4 endings
  • 4 appearance options for Sam
🔍 Walkthrough
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Trying to get a specific ending? There's a full walkthrough on Patreon!
📜 Credits
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Writing, Art & Programming: Yam
Writing: Tsu-Li Liew
Trailer Music: "roswell" by Fog Lake (Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0)
🎮 Related Games
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Curious about what Brandon is up to in 2007? Find out in summer haze/glory days!
StatusReleased
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux
Rating
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars
(159 total ratings)
Authoryam harvest games
GenreVisual Novel
Made withRen'Py
TagsCasual, Multiple Endings, Narrative, relationship, Ren'Py, Retro, Slice Of Life

Download

Download NowName your own price

Click download now to get access to the following files:

so_obscure-1.1-pc.zip 182 MB
so_obscure-1.1-mac.zip 165 MB
so_obscure-1.1-linux.tar.bz2 171 MB

Comments

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Viewing most recent comments 4 to 43 of 73 · Next page · Last page

CONGRATS! YOU HAVE FOUND THE FIST INTERNET CHECKPOINT SPREAD YOUR FAVOURITE BANDS SONGS AND SINGERS WITH NO HATE ONLY ON THIS INTERNET CHECKPOINT!

does anyone have any tips?? i've only been able to get ending 1 and idk how to get the good endings grrr

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ik there's patreon walkthroughs but unfort i'm too broke for that LOL

lol same

yooo this was such a good game i cant even describe it fullyy. it's so nostalgic and i am OBSESSED with the soundtrack, like please post a link(s) to these songs because i loved them all so much <3 i love the  characters and the story was very well written, i definitely was able to imagine the scenes of them being at home in the glow of their old school early oughts CRT monitors listening to alt rock, school, clubbing, out in the city. so far i've only played through once and got the plot twist ending! gonna have to come back to this one and get the other 3 endings.

ive downloaded it like 5000timeshow tf do i play it

use the app or extract the files and play the .exe

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reminds me of my own internet experience... good game, and the athmosphere is nice!

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i loved the soundtrack to this game. is there anywhere i can listen to it?

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this game means everything 2 me. also made me fall in luv w/ the band Fog Lake lol

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sorry to bother but can u please change the line'country:Hong Kong'to'Country:Hong Kong,China'?It's really a serious problem to my experience

BUT it really is a good game it just opened a door for me gosh

i'll share it 2 my friends————————

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Hong Kong and Taiwan are my favorite, independent from China, places <3

(1 edit) (+1)

I'm well aware this is going to be a long review, but that's what all great games deserve. This game made me write my first review on itch.io. Five out of five stars. A YouTuber called Gloom recorded a play through of this content, which was one of the reasons I decided to give this a try. It's the first game I've ever played from this website and it is no disappointment. The name is quite unique and I love the graphics and music. The first song really hits, though. I managed to accomplish getting all four endings, even though the third ending was most difficult for me. I completed ending four, then two, then one and three. In my opinion, ending four is the best and ending one is the worst. However, I love how all the endings teaches not only Brandon, but us players a lesson each time. The plot is really thought out and I appreciate everything about this game. From its foreshadowing to everything! I love being Brandon's friend and listening to his relatable feelings. Even though it took many tries that lasted a couple days to get ending three, it was worth it. Damn pop collars. I probably would've made it easier to myself if I got help from Patreon, but I have no green papers. Either way, I wouldn't have completed the game if it wasn't for the developer helping other people in the comments. Thank you!

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i doubt the devs still respond to questions on this game (as it is 4+ years old), but i truly cannot get ending 4. i've tried every tip but nothing works. i always end up with 1/2. 

I'm not a dev, but I can definitely help you. Ending four was the first ending I got, so it should be pretty simple! All you have to do is gain Brandon's trust and try to convince him you are who you say you are. You also have to treat him with a lot of kindness and tell him how you relate to him whenever given the opportunity.

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;; the plot twist is mindblowing.. i love that!! i also love how retro it is. gave me sm nostalgia :D

I agree, I love all the plot twists. I was barely existing in the year of 2005, but I'm sure it was a great experience.

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I love it! The music was good, the whole aesthetic is amazing. I loved a lot of things about it that I wrote in my rating already. Great work! <3

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Agreed. The music made me forget about my own Spotify playlists.

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omg this game... idk how to fully express how I feel ab it tbh, its just. so good. i cant rly relate to the nostalgia of it, since at the time it takes place I was like, -3 months old lol. but i love the whole aesthetic of it. and the music!!! aaah its great. and the story obv, so far ive gotten endings 1 and 4 but im def going to be trying for the other endings as well. the heartbreak i felt when i read that last post in ending 1... 

great game dude!

Same, I was barely even existing during 2005. If you haven't already, keep trying to get the other endings! It's definitely worth it from my experience.

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this game is so cute, absolutely a 10/10. really wish i could figure out how to get ending 3 and 4 )): guess i gotta keep trying!

Trust me, ending four is the best and ending three is just funny.

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wow, I don't have words, this is the best game I did ever played. I cried at the end when he found out its not me on the profile picture I was like "please don't leave me now :(" the thing he wrote after that ... made me cry because I didn't want the story to end because I got so attached to Brandon, I really liked him so much, he was like my best friend :( 

This is my comfort game and I absolutely love it. The music, The story, and The character is amazing. Thank u for making this game <3

It does get emotional when the character's so likable - and then ripped from our hearts.

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I remember playing this game a few years ago and was so surprised by the ending! I really liked the vibe it brought me back too

This proves a key to a good game is its aesthetic.

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wow i didnt think id be this attached to brandon i

edit: I've only gotten 2 endings so far, and wow it's just... i  love it... i feel like writing a fanfic kjahskjvgdhknfvsbfgnhfsdfbghnfdbgfnhtb

Brandon is indeed worthy of being a character in a book.

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I don't know how to play help 🤣

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same

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Oi!! I really really enjoy this game so much! I found the game from a YouTuber name Gloom and I really wanted to played it for myself since I wanted to experience it and !spoiler alert! Gloom didn't get a great ending and didn't reveal all the endings, which is honestly a good thing since, when I get ending no. 4 (which was my first ever playthrough) THE PLOT TWIST MADE ME SHOOK!! It was very unexpected! and Honestly, I know it was foreshadowed but damn! I didn't expected that and I am laughing about it, and kinda makes fully sense now! It was great twist but I kinda wish that the foreshadowing needs a bit work but honestly it was good, and it wasn't that bad for a foreshadowing, bit confusing but the twist where great.

I also discovered this game through Gloom and I don't regret it! Ending four was also a breeze for me to get first.

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God this game dude... It takes a lot to make me cry, but certain games like this one make me weak. It genuinely feels so real, and it knows just how to make you fall in love with Brandon. Not sure what ending I got but it turned out good, and im perfectly happy with that lmao. As for the other endings? Maybe another time. But if you're sitting there debating whether or not to play this game, do it. You wont regret a second of it I promise <3

If the ending you got was good, it was either ending two or four. It's perfectly fine to delay the other endings because I prefer thinking I left off the game peacefully.

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this game is one of my favorites, ever. i like the layout a lot, the art is pretty, and the music is just... * chef kiss * - not to mention how realistic the messages are, and how the plot twist is so well done.

i love it. thank you for making such a marvellous game.

It was so realistic that I couldn't even understand some of the abbreviations! Just like in real life!

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HELP 😭😭 i won't disagree with you there...

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Brandon really took my heart in such a short time. I really want to be there for him! Even then I still got ending 1 on my first try which shocked even me. Honestly the whole game was full of plot twists, but I really liked it!
The game was also very relatable to me since I have gone through the dilemma's that both of them faced (either outcasted or being in a fake friend group) and it was very touching to me. Ending 2 also really touched me seeing Brandon support the MC like that, really made me wish someone would do that for me once. (Although ending 2 gets a bittersweet if you get ending 4 but we'll ignore that lmao)

I can also relate to being in a fake friend group. That made me understand the player character so much better.

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Played two endings, and I love it! Cool Twist and it really got me attached tho the character lol

Brandon is just too likable for this game.

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Played the entire game and loved it! The story had me interested. Had my doubts but damn, amazing twist.

It feels amazing to complete the whole game!

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HI

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I absolutely fell in love with this game <3 the music is soo peaceful while playing too! but could I get a little help? I've  been trying to get ending 4 but I keep failing *~* so if you could give me a couple tips or hints, that would help :) but if not, it's okay! keep up the great work <3 and if you know anymore games like this, please recommend them to me ^-^  that's all! have a fantastic day/night <3

You should definitely browse the developer's profile because then you'll find more games of your interests.

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I really enjoyed playing this ahhhhhh!! YES the plot twist was amazing, loved every moment of this nostalgic game~

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Thanks for playing and leaving a comment!

The plot twists are definitely one of the key parts!

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hi! this was such an experience. that twist was so unexpected !! (even though it was hiding in plain sight which made it all that much more brilliant,)

i love how both characters feel like real people. the dialogue was rather realistic as well, felt very rewarding to get the best ending as well!! honestly upset me a bit because of how much it reminded me of the friends from 09 :,,D 

keep up the good work!!

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Thanks so much for playing and leaving a comment. I'm happy that you enjoyed the game and managed to get the best ending!

For real. The foreshadowing did it all.

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hi, your game is probably my favorite on itchio. it honestly makes me so nostalgic of a time i barely got to experience and it reminded me of all my past internet friendships. the dialogue is super realistic, the atmosphere is perfect (i feel like i am in my teenage bedroom), and beyond everything technical, the game evokes true emotion in the player and makes them invested in what's going on. i'll go listen to some mcr and fob now :') ...thank you for making something so great! 

i would also like to ask for some help. i have been trying to get the third ending (ive gotten all the other ones) and i used the guide below, but i keep getting the 4th one even with the more expanded guide. i was wondering if choosing that i got sick on november 14 would unlock it, or if theres anything else i should have in mind while playing. thank you for your time!

(+1)

Thank you for your comment! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much.

Choosing to say that you got sick on November 14 does help in getting ending 3 over 4. You can try just being a bit more rude/stand-offish to Brandon, like saying that he's being dramatic on October 25, or just not being very concerned about his well-being (encouraging him to stay up late instead of getting rest, etc).

Hope that helps!

It's so hard to be cold to Brandon! He reminds me of one of my own friends lol

Ending three is definitely the most difficult ending to get.

(+2)

PHAHAHAHA!!!! Bro, um- Okay, so, I am a little late. Or... uh, too late... but holy cheesenoodles I am in LOVE with this game! it took a while (and too much clicking between the comments here and the game) but I finally got all four endings!!!! And now, humble little me, went straight to commenting. Because I have feelings and I need to share them.

I was basically in love with the GUI and vibe from the get-go. Like, the music in the background??? The format??? The delivery??? Y'all got me like, dead. It felt SO nostalgic, and it really felt like I got blasted back to 2005! Eeeek!!!! I really thought I wasn't into that kind of aesthetic, but this game just floored me. Oh! The characters!!! I had so much fun during the first walkthrough, and that stayed even as I played it again! (The 4th ending especially got me. It was a good idea letting the best be last, aaaa!!!!) I got the 2nd ending first, and was actually like- so dang surprised by the twist. And that twist in the last two! That was actually??? Pulled off?? So well???? (lil spoiler) Still NOT over the dialogue option of "sleep well luv." Absolutely decimated me. Pulled my wig. Yeeted it right into the sun. Here's a confession; I love Brandon and would absolutely volunteer to be best friends with him in real life. And oh my sweet little Easter Egg-loving heart, I LOVE the bits with the xenga pages!!!! That was just- so cool??? The first time I saw it (Brandon's page) my jaw dropped. Like... let me just... lay down... for a sec...

I don't know why you guys are so good at what y'all do but y'all are and that's on periodt. I've actually played Cooked with Love before this and hrnghhh!!!! Y'all!!!! I'd catch a grenade for y'all. With my teeth. :pensive_emoji:

i hope all this makes sense lolol. Would def continue lurking in a not creepy way playing y'all's games!!!! Aaaaa, gonna scream abt y'all's work in peace forever, deuces ^ ^ <3

(+1)

Ahh thanks for playing our game and leaving such a long and detailed comment!

I'm so happy to hear that you liked our game so much, and that replaying still felt fun for you. And I'm sure Brandon would be happy to have you volunteer to be best friends with him... the lad certainly needs more positivity in his life.

Hopefully we're never in a situation where you'll need to catch a grenade (with your teeth, no less), but thank you for your kind words/offer lmao!!

The Xenga pages did it for me, too! The details made this game a whole lot more accurate.

(+4)

Great, now I feel like I've lost a good friend xD
Had fun playing tho :)

(+1)

Oh no, haha -- but glad you had fun playing!

I see almost everyone in the comments stanning Brandon.

(+3)

I don't usually leave comments on games I play and stuff...but damn, this game.

Never has any game, series, movie, anything, hit closer to home than this... everything from the music, the writing, the way they form their friendship and the struggles about it being through a computer, the reveal at the end... I was crying so much by the end of this game, between how beautifully tragic it all was, and my own memories and feelings, it really broke me, but in a good way.

Ever since it came out, I've played it quite a few times, and I've made sure to recommend it to all of my online friends, as I know it will hit close to home for them, as well... this is the type of game everyone should play, not only for the nostalgia ride, but because of how beautiful and well done it is.

Easily one of my most loved visual novels ever, truly a masterpiece.

(+1)

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment and for recommending it to your friends! We're very flattered -- I'm glad to hear that the game resonated with you so much, though I'm sorry that it made you cry!

I agree, it's one of the best games that simulate around messaging from back in the day.

(+1)

10/10.

This game is perfect. Great soundtrack, great visuals, really like having saving slots and the story. I felt everything and remembered being this kid using the net when it wasn't what it is today. I really liked how the computer starts and the video call feature.

The chat is so real, every answer I gave was something real life me would say (more or less, at least). Got ending 2, will play again to get all endings.

I played for so long and still would like it to last longer lol. Def one of my favorites now, I think I'll open up my old blog and do a review haha.

I'm playing on Linux and it ran smoothly, I think it only slowed down a bit because I played it for way too long o.o. Thanks for making a Linux version!

(+2)

Thanks so much for playing our game and leaving a comment! We'd love to read your review if you end up writing it, as well.

Glad to hear that the Linux version ran okay for you! Neither of us actually have a Linux machine so we weren't able to test it firsthand.

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Seeing Brandon through video call was a very cool feature!

Deleted 55 days ago
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Thanks for playing!

That's when you know it's one of those games right there!

(1 edit) (+2)

One of those games that just STICK with you! Thank you so much for making such a beautiful game!

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Thank you so much for playing our game!

I'm glad this game is getting the feedback it deserves. The developers deserve it!

(+2)

I played this game ages ago. but I still think about it, The twist really got me. 

I should replay and get all the endings! Honestly great work. It's so realistic in its portrayal of online conversations, the imperfect grammar, the pauses, I feel like you really put work into those little parts. It really payed off. I love this game. :) Thank you.

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Thanks for playing our game! Glad to hear that it left a lasting impression on you.

Details are the best!

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ending three is so sad i just faljbfohdnpk;lndfdm but this game is so good and i love you <3333

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Thank you for playing and leaving a comment! Happy that you liked the game... even if it made you sad haha

To me, ending three was funny when it mentioned pop collars!

(+1)(-1)

this is a stupid question, but...how do i get endings other than the first one?? i've followed all the hints for different endings and clicked a variety of options but all i get is ending 1. am i missing out on something?

(+1)

You get the first ending if you behave too suspiciously, and it's the easiest to get since the game will check for how high your suspicion is before it checks for any of the criteria for the other endings. Some general tips: try not to contradict yourself, be open to the idea of meeting up, and avoid the dodgier dialogue options. Hope that helps!

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