Mind the gap is a short and simple graphic novel puzzle game make for the Make Anything Game Jam (7 day).
We came up with the idea of a mysterious train to the afterlife (or not in this case) in a folklore snowscape.
I concepted the character storylines, some of the dialogue, and designed all the artwork.
Our programmer put it together in Twine and submit to Itch.
Play it in browser on Itch in just 5-10 minutes!
The Story
The player character wakes up on a train filled with curious characters that don’t seem to belong together. The train staff member asks you for your ticket. You realise you don’t have one. He says it would be a shame to leave you out in the storm, and recommends you speak to the train conductor at the front to sort it out. To get through the door, you need a four‑digit code. You then have the option to talk to the characters who will tell you about their deaths and give you a hint for the numerical door code. The twist is that you’re not actually dead. You wake up in a hospital.
The Characters & Their Demise
The retired witch doctor, Baba and their Student, Emiola, the new village healer.
Baba → Joyful, caring, honest and kind.
Emiola → A worrier, patient and exacting.
Emiola and her friend accidentally gathered inky caps instead of shaggy caps for a remedy. Both she and Baba had been drinking; the combination turned poisonous. They believe you are the friend who disappeared when they realised the mistake.
Sato, the Onsen Owner.
Sato → Careless, caring, flirtatious and fun.
Likely slipped or passed out in the water whilst drunk in his own hot spring bath late at night. He seems to have a ‘thing’ for a lady name ‘Kaori’, which he mistakes you for.
The lighthouse twins, Eda and Eli.
Eda - Suspicious, honest.
Eli - Protective, straight forward.
Eda accidentally took Eli’s shoes in the dark in their shift exchange; he slipped on the stairs, she rushed to help, and both fell. The lighthouse light went out. They believe you’re their grandmother, the person who always scolded and comforted them.
Writing Sample
Baba:"No sense in all this weaselling around. They deserve to know!"
Emiola jumps forward, trying to stop the inevitable but it's too late. Baba leans in and lowers his voice.
Baba:"You were helping us gather some Shaggy Cap mushrooms for my stomach remedy, remember?"
Emiola: "It was dark, the storm was coming in. We were rushing! There was a few baskets with different species, four I think."
Baba gently places his cool wrinkled hand on your arm and pats it firmly.
Baba: "And someone grabbed the wrong basket to take back to us."
Emiola trembles, her voice growing quiet.
Emiola: "We didn't realise they were Inky Caps until after we'd all warmed up with the soup and Baba's homebrew."
[Player input] → "What's wrong with inky caps?"
Baba tuts and shakes his head.
Baba: "Inky caps and alcohol don't mix, my dear. They're poisonous when consumed together. Especially potent within one hour of each other."
Emiola: "If you hadn't have left so suddenly when we realised, maybe I could have done something, but my vision was fading... I couldn't..."
Her shoulders tense upwards. Baba leans over to pat her on the arm, comfortingly.
[Player input] → "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me."
Emiola exhales a long breath and relaxes. She closes her eyes briefly and looks up at the carriage ceiling.
Emiola: "Thank you. I think I needed to hear that."
