Thus, Always

"The world is ending, and I intend to go with it."

That was the intention, at least - but all the best laid plans often go awry. Created for The Thoughtful Jam, Thus, Always is a visual novel regarding the burden of legacy: the passing of torches, the inheritance of flawed systems, and ceaseless cycles of fate.

You are an isolated man living alone far from the few remaining pockets of civilization. Having lived long and seen much, your only wish is to be left alone. However, it's not meant to be; in the very last days of the world, three heroes arrive on your doorstep with one mission - to save what remains. You have no choice but to set them up for success to the best of your ability, in the face of annihilation. Your fate is intertwined with theirs - thus, always.

Get the Game!

The game is available free on itch.io for download or browser-based play:

Thus, Always itch.io page

Credits

by tiredgalaxy and WaysofReading

Developed in Ren'Py for The Thoughtful Game Jam

Sources

Engine

• Battle engine: consulted "RPG Battle Engine for Ren'Py" by Habitacle - https://github.com/Habitacle/battle-engine/tree/master - License: MIT license
• "images/combat/icons/*":: game-icons.net

UI

• GUI elements: "Dark Elegance Ren'Py GUI template" by Skolaztika - https://skolaztika.itch.io/dark-elegance-renpy-gui

Art

• "images/backdrops/backdrop_mist.jpg": based on "Misty Mountains" by Bradley Weber - "Misty Mountains" - https://flickr.com/photos/41294655@N00/30781941791/in/photolist-NU6uSk-AnDFwL-2ozYimH-WwBw4F-Ru2DCu-2ck6dJM-R7J8dT-GG89Aw-JfcttQ-zF7gtr-2kG3USj-M2cEVJ-NjejVW-yCgUFd-Qq6yNR-Py1JNu-8ws63g-2n89YXF-5wvncM-2i312dc-pQcvhb-p9YFf9-RQu7zQ-BhEjJm-21QxZZo-L7VDDN-2o8kjgv-N6nYKt-LYGozB-2msQpEg-2o73rjq-2gvDmWj-2ohQroB-ZvvPf8-2ofv3tW-BimQoM-M2cBj5-a3tEuM-2kv9VQB-N39Zqh-2dw3rZ6-8TYKJt-2oazBzH-q4b5jr-ETXKNr-2nfGreF-2gf8s18-bxuypa-2mJ1jrv-GZcBsN/ - License: Creative Commons
• "images/scenes/cabin_interior": based on https://pixabay.com/photos/western-country-style-fireplace-143213/, https://pixabay.com/photos/iceland-moss-nature-landscape-3866699/
• "images/scenes/cabin_exterior": based on https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-field-cabin-colour-blue-1585177/
• "images/scenes/ruined_building_interior": based on https://pixabay.com/photos/windows-hall-abandoned-building-5678769/
• "images/scenes/lab_*": based on https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/location-underground-laboratory-7f70eebd1f044277b91c197fb17c513e#download, https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/sci-fi-portal-gateway-58d2570e88c642bba8ef92f3175391cf, https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/science-lab-lowpoly-e0d65331317b424ca82d317c27652f7f#download
• "images/scenes/wasteland_night": based on https://pixabay.com/photos/desert-rock-formations-erosion-1730077/
• "images/scenes/kitchen_*": based on https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/old-kitchen-the-grandmas-kitchen-9cf1f9177c554799bc09bbc8a77efe76#download
• "images/scenes/burning_city": based on https://www.pickpik.com/city-disaster-end-of-the-world-apocalypse-fire-lightning-43506
• "images/scenes/hidden_darkness": based on https://pixabay.com/photos/city-buildings-alley-street-urban-7091688/
• "images/scenes/cabin_window, door_window": based on https://pixabay.com/illustrations/architecture-window-old-curtain-2391977/, https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/wooden-door-0643dee368fe4ed983910cf182ff64b8, https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/hand-painted-log-cabin-wall-6303c2fdfbb0405a93dfe63479f77046

Music

• "audio/bgm/bgm_cry_of_the_soul": "Cry of The Soul" by NickyPe - pixabay 139968
• "audio/bgm/bgm_dangerous_path": Dangerous Path.ogg by jhaeka - https://joshuuu.itch.io/short-loopable-background-music - License: "Free for personal or commercial use as long as you don't redistribute as your own"
• "audio/bgm/bgm_dark_ambient": Dark Ambient by stereocode - pixabay
• "audio/bgm/bgm_delicate": "Delicate" by PineAppleMusic - pixabay
• "audio/bgm/bgm_drone": Drone_BowedCybmal.wav by ceich93 - https://freesound.org/s/266414/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/bgm/bgm_drone_throb": Drone Deep 5 at epidemic sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/KgEUAOTyUJ/ - License: see website
• "audio/bgm/bgm_find_the_master": "Find The Master" by Hnedsstudio - pixabay
• "audio/bgm/bgm_frozen_landscape": "Frozen Landscape" by MeszarcsekGergely - pixabay 140219
• "audio/bgm/bgm_ghost_walk": "Ghost Walk" by NickyPe - pixabay 127743
• "audio/bgm/bgm_i_am_not_alone": "I Am Not Alone" by Monument_Music - pixabay 194621
• "audio/bgm/bgm_meditative_hang": "Meditative Hang" by JefWakeUp - pixabay 201970
• "audio/bgm/bgm_mellow_immersive_and_unstable": "Mellow Immersive and Unstable" by SamuelFrancisJohnson - pixabay 152266
• "audio/bgm/bgm_movie_score_a": "Movie Score A" by DHy-Nez - pixabay 180229
• "audio/bgm/bgm_muloto": "2 Muloto" by Premik - pixabay 164222
• "audio/bgm/bgm_rise_of_the_immortal_warlord": "Rise of the Immortal Warlord" by CharlVera - pixabay 203537
• "audio/bgm/bgm_solemn": "SOLEMNITY: A Free Emotional Music Loop" by Fablefly Music - https://fablefly-music.itch.io/solemnity - License: Creative Commons Attribution v4.0 International
• "audio/bgm/bgm_soulful_crescendo": "Soulful Crescendo" by PineAppleMusic - pixabay 205601
• "audio/bgm/bgm_standing_stones": "The Standing Stones" by geoffharvey
• "audio/bgm/bgm_tense_dark": "tense-dark-background_199278" by UNIVERSEFIELD - pixabay 199278
• "audio/bgm/bgm_the_satyr_dance": "thesaytrsdance" by samuelfrancisjohnson
• "audio/bgm/bgm_the_two_siblings": "The two siblings" by samuelfrancisjohnson
• "audio/bgm/bgm_transient": "Transient" by GuilhermeBernardes - pixabay 204416
• "audio/bgm/foley_crowd-panic": Crowd Panic Mob Distant at epidemic sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/12udqWAqPd
• "audio/bgm/foley_desert_wind": desert_wind.wav by DarkShroom - https://freesound.org/s/645305/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/bgm/foley_electric_hum": "electric-hum-141075" by SoundsForYou - pixabay 141075
• "audio/bgm/foley_fireplace": "fireplace-with-crackling-sounds-2-min-rk-178392" by RonKoster2023 - pixabay 178392
• "audio/bgm/foley_lab_ambiance": "drone-12-123063" by Bret Bernhoft - pixabay 123063
• "audio/bgm/foley_portal": "portal-idle-344022" - pixabay 34022
• "audio/bgm/foley_radio_chatter": Radio Chatter Soundscape by Speedenza - https://freesound.org/s/208436/ - License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0
• "audio/bgm/foley_war_sounds": Battle Modern War 1 at epidemic sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/vMHSaong1M/ - License: see website
• "audio/bgm/foley_washing_dishes": doing-the-dishes-56554 and washing-dishes-56153 - pixabay

SFX

• "audio/sound/car_horn": "Car Alarm Horn, Walking Past, A.wav" by InspectorJ - https://freesound.org/s/402958/ - License: Attribution 4.0
• "audio/sound/distant_sirens": "civil-defense-siren-128262" by SoundReality - pixabay 128262
• "audio/sound/door_opening": "dorm door opening.wav" by pagancow - https://freesound.org/s/15419/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/sound/explosion_nearby": "Explosion Auto 1" at epidemic sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/qiSEHGDkbC/ - License: see website
• "audio/sound/fence_hit": Chain Link Fence - "Impacts.wav" by MWsfx - https://freesound.org/s/575388/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/sound/foley_pulsing": "heart-beat3689" - pixabay 3689
• "audio/sound/footsteps": "Hiking Boot Footsteps on Gravel" by Fission9 - https://freesound.org/s/521588/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/sound/footsteps_concrete": "concrete-footsteps-6752" - pixabay 6752
• "audio/sound/footsteps_echoing": "footsteps-hallway-6417" - pixabay 6417
• "audio/sound/gasp_man": "Man Gasping" by ranman22 - https://freesound.org/s/677888/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/sound/gunfire": "Gunshot Battle 1" at epidemic sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/8Dt8AVitmN/ - License: see website
• "audio/sound/jet_flyby": "Jet Pass By 1" at epidemic sound - https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/If0OY4M5bI/ - License: see website
• "audio/sound/jumpscare": "cringe-scare-47561" - pixabay 47561
• "audio/sound/keycard_swipe": "electronic-door-opening-102496" - pixabay 102496
• "audio/sound/light_switch": "basement-light-switch-199064" by Alex_Jauk - pixabay 199064
• "audio/sound/monster_groan": "groaning.mp3" by Philip_Daniels - https://freesound.org/s/244320/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/sound/object_falling": "Plastic and Metal Bumping in Large Concrete Basement.aif" by RutgerMuller - https://freesound.org/s/104055/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/sound/rubber_duck": baby-squeak-toy-1-183911" by floraphonic - pixabay 183911
• "audio/sound/running": "Running on a concrete floor" by AlexMurphy53 - https://freesound.org/s/328458/ - License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0
• "audio/sound/science_door": "sci_fi_door-6451" - pixabay 6451
• "audio/sound/scream_man": "071989_man-screams-in-pain-61964" - pixabay 61964
• "audio/sound/scream_woman": "scremas-of-agony-142447" by SoundReality - pixabay 142447
• "audio/sound/sword_draw": "Sword Drawing 1.wav" by paulfabb - https://freesound.org/s/577619/ - License: Creative Commons 0
• "audio/sound/throat_clear": "Ahem.wav" by soundsforunianimation - https://freesound.org/s/369905/ - License: Attribution 4.0
• "audio/sound/evil_laughter": "laughter-01-105588" - pixabay 105588