Are you looking for a game to scratch your Zero Escape itch?
Exit/Corners, by Canadian-based Moon Moth Games, is a free visual novel/puzzle game available on itch.io and playable in web browsers.
You play as Ink, a student who wakes up alongside four other strangers to find himself kidnapped and locked inside a mysterious abandoned hotel that's rigged to explode. They can escape, as long as these 'Contestants' solve a series of riddles and puzzles within a 24-hour time limit. Or, they can die.
Without spoilers, this game surprised and delighted me. It's 29 episodes, takes several hours to complete, and has detailed art and a custom soundtrack. I can strongly recommend it to anybody who enjoys character-focused mystery stories and simple but satisfying puzzles (and who doesn't have an issue with dark themes or depicted violence).
None of the puzzles felt 'unfair', as the game has a great hint system where you can ask the other Contestants for advice or their opinions, which gives you extra insight into their characters as well as providing hints. If you get really stuck, ask them enough times and they'll eventually spell out the answer for you.
The relationships that develop between the Contestants, positive and negative, form the emotional core that the plot needed to keep the reader invested. At first most of the characters are abrasive, stressed, and either insulting to or dismissive of each other. The only friendly face is Aether, the girl who woke up in the same room as you, but she has her own secrets she's keeping. As you can imagine from people picked to play a deadly game, all of them have hidden depths that they're unwilling to trust the other Contestants withâincluding Ink. Uncovering the pasts of each Contestants is as much part of the mystery as who brought them together, and why.
Generally I found each backstory reveal satisfying, placing each character's previous actions in new context. There was one particular reveal that worked so well on a meta-level that I felt genuinely called-out by the fact I hadn't realised what was happening. Actions that felt unrealistic or confusing could often be explained through later information, as well as the high-stakes situation revealing the best and worst sides of each Contestant.
The mystery plot was excellently foreshadowed. As new information is revealed, through Ink's internal monologue the reader is also gently reminded of relevant points they may have forgottenâallowing them a chance to put the clues together as Ink does without being excessively heavy-handed. Many of the biggest twists were hard to predict, with enough clues that I could guess some of the elements, whilst the actual unveiling left me staring at my screen in shock as my mind went over all the clues I'd overlooked or missed. The plot started slowly, picked up the pace as revelations started stacking on top of each other and revealing the shape of the plot, and in the last few chapters definitely sped up as the different mysteries converged together. The ending felt a little rushed, but each major plot thread and mystery was neatly resolved when the true purpose of Exit/Corners was explained.
This won't be a game for everybody, but for a completely free game that doesn't even require a download? If any of this interests you, give it a try. It might surprise you.
Spoiler-free warnings: This game includes depictions and discussions of graphic violence, depictions and discussions of mental illness and suicide, derogatory language, and internalised bigotry.
What's next for Moon Moth Games? Although they have a demo for an upcoming game called 'SĂŠance: Spectral Noise' on their itchi.io page, there have been no official posts since March 2022. A twitter post from January 2023 stated the project ran into legal difficulties. There have been no subsequent updates.
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Ask game strikes again 2, 7 and 25 for Reko and/or 2, 18 and 25 for Beth from e/c (I wanted them to have same questions but it's hard to say what fandom does to Beth)
REKO YABUSAME
2. Favorite canon thing about this character?
I think I love the most how caring she is for those she deems weaker than her. She knows they deserve the kindness and soft words. She cared about Kanna and Gin from the beginning (and that's why it was so vexing to me that the rest of the cast didn't think something is wrong when (then fake) Reko didn't care that much about Gin and was mean sometimes)
Oh, and I love that she plays bongos. I don't know, it is just so silly to me. I was so surprised when this was firstly mentioned... I wasn't expecting that at all. But I find it endearing and really interesting (I still wish she could get the bongos in the game)
7. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?
I love how they make her the ultimate big sister figure and show the relationships she could have with others if there was more time for it in the game! How sweet she is to Kanna and Gin. I also love seeing cute ship fanart with her and Nao! It is always a treat seeing embarassed Reko (and happy Reko)
25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?
"Oh, she looks like a mean person", was the first thing I thought. She was really harsh at the very begining and looks really intimidating, I guess, but she was also scared. She was kidnapped and woke up in a weird place with strangers. I think we can jusfify her in that regard
Now I really like her. I think she is really sweet and an amazing person. One of my moots is obsessed with her so that automatically makes me an accomplice in reko-loving (and I am not mad about that)
BETH
2. Favorite canon thing about this character?
She is a typical (well, maybe not that typical taking in consideration she is in a death game ect but yeah) grandma character and I love it about her. She is sweet but can also be strict. She is the one to stop fights, rise her voice to silence the screams, and she is the one of the most responsible people in this mismatched group. Even if she is calm and reserved the most of the time, she really has a big impact on the group and story. And she really loves her family, even if everything went the wrong way
18. How about a relationship they have in canon with another character that you admire?
I liked her interactions with most of the characters. I don't know who would I chose as a character that I admire if I'm being honest. I love the characters but not to admire them in the sense of looking up to them. But Liza and Rae are my favorites so I will consider this question with them in mind
It is funny that they are my favorites as Beth is usually the one to stop arguments between Liza and Rae
I can't really remember many interactions between Rae and Beth (not counting the fights of him with Liza), but she saved him during the game that was made for him. Summerizing, their relationshim was okay? In my opinion they all had nice relationship for strangers locked in a death game, it could be much, much worse
With Liza her relationship is really important to me. Especially after we got list from Beth and things got hinted to us about her relationship with Liza and her father. It is a shame that they won't ever be propertly introduced as family members...
25. What was your first impression of this character? How about now?
"Oh wow, she's a grandma". I was surprised seing an old character like her in a game like this. I wasn't a fan of her, but if I'm being honest, I wasn't a fan of anyone really at the very beginning
In the end, I like her. She isn't on the first place of my favorites but she is really important to me. It was really sad what happend to her (before the game and during) and she really deserved better
đłď¸âđ lgbt+ headcanon: he is so bisexual it's not even funny. also i think post ai1 he stops giving a shit about gender. he still uses he/him pronouns but he's so detached from himself he literally doesn't care. new flavor of nonbinary
đ fluffy headcanon: the nikujaga isn't the only thing he's good at cooking. he's not like, a five-star chef, but he's really good at home-cooked meals. he's one of those parents who makes those cute lunch boxes for his kids. he cuts mizuki's apple slices into rabbits
đ angsty headcanon: he haaates mirrors. he can't stand seeing his reflection- because it always looks like someone else
𧸠hurt/comfort headcanon: he craves physical affection a lot. during the worst of it, aiba will forego charging at night to stay near his neck. she may be small, but she's some form of contact, and that's enough
đŞ silly headcanon: iris does eventually get him to play minecraft. he sucks shit at it but he plays it with her anyways
đ¤ sleep headcanon: he doesn't usually dream, but when he does, he'll sleeptalk
⨠a ship i like with this character: date/hitomi :] date is the milfhunter of all time
đŞ a ship i don't like with this character: date/ryuki. sorry. the power gap is weird, date just sees him as his subordinate. and date likes his men thick and milfy too, and let's face it. ryuki is a sad little twink
đ something i think they're afraid of: fireworks, and the sound of explosions. whoops
đŚ overall feelings about them: he's everything to me. jesus fucking christ. if i was in a room with him i would make him leave with new pronouns
đ˘ favorite thing about them in canon: the fact that he adopts mizuki. that's his DAUGHTER!!
𧨠least favorite thing about them in canon: the... uchikoshi-isms. [gesturing towards the speaker thing]
đŹ favorite line they've said: "i hate you, aiba. i hate you, and i never want to see you again."
đ unpopular opinion: even though his body is 42 post ai1, date continues saying he's 30 because it feels better. just because he regained falco's memories doesn't mean they feel like his, and he's spent so long calling himself 30 that it's easier to just stick with it. post aini, his body is 48, but he just calls himself 42. it's a halfpoint between saito's age and falco's
đ a song that reminds me of them: 45 by shinedown
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"I'm going to write something short," I say, and then come out with nearly 1300 words of Angst. But this really was the perfect line for some good angst, and so I hope you like it! (and please excuse any typos, I very much have not done any editing here)
Thanks, Sparrow! :)
Send me a randomly-generated line of dialogue and some characters, and I'll write a (relatively) short fic!
............
Itâs raining. Thatâs the thing that Phoenix notices, firstâthe way the water collects on the pane-glass of the window, the office dark and silent otherwise.
How long has he been in the building for the weather to have changed so drastically? How long did it take to extricate himself from the aftermath of the trial, to escape the celebrations and cheer once heâd noticed the conspicuous absence where someone should have been?
Long enough for the cup of tea abandoned on the desk to have gone stone-cold, he realizes, when he presses his fingers gently against the side of the delicate china vessel. Long enough that Miles Edgeworth might be long gone by now, and heâd have to ride his bicycle home in the storm, without even getting a chance to check in with his oldest friend.
Motion, from the corner of his eye, and Phoenix swings around to a previously unexamined corner of the room, in the shadow of the vibrant pink sofa and the framed jacket on the wall. A hiding place, of sorts, and for half a second he feels the chill of adrenaline through his veins as he wonders if heâs about to be attacked in Edgeworthâs office, victim of a trap planted for the prosecutor and not for him.
But he relaxes, as much as is possible, when he recognizes the figure slumped against the wall by his distinctive cravat, his steel-grey hair. Miles Edgeworth, looking distinctly miserable, but Phoenix will take it if it means heâs here.
âOf course youâd manage to find me,â the man grumbles, and Phoenix laughs, awkwardly.
âWell, you know what they say about defense attorneys,â he jokes, hand combing through the hair on the back of his neck. âAlways sticking our noses where they donât belong.â
Miles huffs, as though he canât be bothered to dignify that with a response. With some trepidation, Phoenix moves closer, kneels next to him, attempts to put himself on a level with the prosecutor. He doesnât quite reach out, the way he so desperately wants to, because heâs never quite sure where exactly he stands with Edgeworth, these days. Heâd hoped, that since theyâd cleared up the history behind the DL-6 incident, that they would have properly reconnected, butâŚ
Well. Itâs unfortunate that they only ever seem to see each other at opposing ends of the courtroom, or so it seems.
But Edgeworth looks so downtrodden that Phoenix canât help but want to help him, and so he crosses his legs and leans against the wall, nearly casually, and risks his life to ask his next question:
âWhatâs the matter? Why arenât you out with everyone else, celebrating a job well done?â
âWright. Really?â
âWell, yeah, maybe it didnât turn out quite as well as it could have, but...weâre still a step closer to fixing the justice system, arenât we? Sure, the Chief ProsecutorâsâŚ.in jail, and the Police Chief is...alsoin jail, but--â
âWright, Iâm going to stop you before you can jam your foot even further in your mouth than it already is.â
âThatâs...probably a good idea, yeah.â
They pause, for a moment, listening to the wind and the raindrops against the window. A distant lightning strike illuminates the office, and Phoenix is reminded of quite how high up they are.
âWould you come to my funeral?â Edgeworth asks, apropos of nothing, and Phoenixâs head whips around almost faster than he can process the words.
âYourâMiles, what are you--â He canât form a full sentence, finding his mind blank even at the prospect. Edgeworth sighs, deeply, and leans his head back against the wall, eyes closed.
âMy funeral, Wright, itâs not that difficult of a question. At such a time as I perish, whether through natural or unnatural means, would you attend the event that I assume someone would inevitably arrange for honoring my memory or other such tripe.â
Phoenix is still stuck processing, the very prospect of Edgeworth and death and funerals all sparking associations heâd rather not think too hard about, calling to mind the ceremony theyâd had for Mia not even six months agoâand, even earlier, the image of a far younger Miles Edgeworth in a black suit, surrounded by arrangements of lilies and with an unreadable expression.
âIâwell, in a purely hypothetical scenario, because you arenât going to have a funeral anytime soonâin that case, of course I would come to your funeral, Miles, what do you take me for?â
âTruthfully, I donât know. Iâm notââ and Edgeworth pauses, clutching at the fabric of his sleeve as he averts his gaze to the opposite corner of the room. âIâm not exactly a paradigm of innocence, and your reputation for...wellâŚâ
âAre you still trying to say that youâre guilty when weâve proven that time and time again to be untrue? Miles, câmon, thatâs bullshit. Andâmy reputation?What, do you think Iâd even care, if you wereââ
âWright, surely youâre not that much in denial. Iâm as much guilty of evidence tampering as Lana Skye. And worseâyou know the tactics us prosecutors employ. I did not gain the name Demon Prosecutor for nothing. Iâm notâyou shouldnât even associate with me.â
Phoenix frowns, eyebrows furrowing. Heâs clenching his hands into fists, he realizes, as he takes a deep breath and focuses on trying to have this discussion rationally, as much as possible.
âMiles Edgeworth, you canât blame yourself for doing as you were taught. You were only a child, you should have been able to trust your mentor figuresâit wasnât on you to be able to construct a detailed critique of the legal system! And you think that I wouldnât associate with you because of that? I guessâŚâ he swallows, looking away from the prosecutor. âI guess you donât know me as well as I thought you did, then.â
The silence is almost tangible, as they let Phoenixâs words sink in, settle around them in the dark office. In his mind, Phoenix begins to count the seconds that itâs taking Edgeworth to answerâone, two, threeâŚ
âI suppose I donât,â he finally supplies, and thatâs it, then, the kind of sentence you donât continue a conversation from. Itâs not the only thing he seems to want to say, Phoenix notes, but itâs the only thing he vocalizes, letting the sound of the rain fill in the empty spaces.
Phoenix breathes out, slowly, and stands up. His knees pop as he does, tiny cracking noises competing with the rumble of thunder from outside.
He looks over his shoulder, and Edgeworthâs still on the ground, avoiding eye contact. Itâs not like he wants to leave, butâŚ
Maybe Miles just needs some time alone. He seems to have a lot on his mind, and Phoenix probably isnât helping by bothering him with conversation.
He lets himself out of the office, vowing to himself that heâll check back in tomorrow morning, when the rainstormâs let up and the worldâs back to normal. He isnât going to let Edgeworth wallow in his thoughts for too long, at least.
Overnight, the rain fades to nothing, clouds making way for soft sunshine, promising bright blue skies for the day and uncharacteristically warm weather for February. Miles Edgeworthâs office window lets in the sunlight, where it illuminates the grand desk and the items on top of it. In turn, the light falls on a pen, a nameplate, a lamp.
A teacup, still half-full from the night before. AndâŚ
A note, with one single line of neat cursive penned in the middle of the crisp, textured paper:
Most of the audience screams when retired idol Sayaka Maizono appears on stage, but Sayakaâs radiance renders Mukuro silent and her body still. While posters and word of mouth lured the majority to this Christmas Lights Switch-on, Mukuro received a personal invitation. Her condensed breath unfurls like the blush spreading across her cheeks as she remembers the way Sayaka held her hands, her insistence that Mukuro come watch...
Sayaka presses a button on a podium. Lights ripple throughout the city square, trees turning icy blue, pavements toasty gold. Initially, awed gasps rush through the crowd, but then they shift into mutters. People point at the stage. Mukuro looks.
Large letters glow on the backdrop, spelling out a single sentence. A question.
âMukuro, will you go out with me? - Sayakaâ
Though Mukuro would like to say she ran onto the stage, dipped Sayaka and kissed her, in reality, Mukuro burst into snotty tears. The crowd quickly realises, and sheâs passed forward and helped onto the stage.Â
Suspense cleaves a shadow through Sayakaâs features as she waits for an answer.
âYes!â Mukuro manages to say, and both fall into a clumsy kiss at the same time, applause and cheering all around them.
18. âYouâre back in my life and I want to die again.â
sad boy time
***
When dealing with Sakura, Goro chooses to be as careful as he can, clumsily side-stepping her jabs and holding himself from firing back. Well, at least he's trying to. It's still hard, keeping the anger and the fire and the emptiness inside his skin so it wouldn't hurt others. So far, he has yet to spend much time one on one with Sakura - at first, they tried to hang out together with mediocre results, then mostly it's a few awkward seconds when Kurusu or Boss leave the room. That is, until one day, Goro walks into Leblanc, ready to spend some time playing chess and drinking coffee, and finds Sakura crying on the floor.
(Another hard thing: remembering that she's Sakura, not Isshiki. Her last name is now that of a surly coffee shop owner who likes to take in strays. Fitting, to be honest, with how kind Boss has been to Goro. Probably kinder than he deserves.)
Kneeling to take a better look at Sakura's reddened, wet face, Goro fumbles for his handkerchief. She grabs it and wipes her eyes angrily so she can stare at Goro with so much anger it makes his heart stutter.Â
"What?" she chokes out, sniffling.Â
"Did something happen?" Goro asks, already visualizing every possible wrong scenario. Did something happen to Akira? Is it her father? (The thought of one of them being dead makes his stomach feel tight and heavy). Maybe one of her friends. Nijima? Kitagawa? Takamaki?Â
"Jesus fucking christ," she groans. "Can't a girl have a cry because shit feels unfair in peace?"
"Unfair," Goro repeats, tilting his head. "It's always been like that. You must be aware of that."
"Of course I am," Sakura shots back. She gets to her feet, knees shaking, before having to lean on the counter. Goro moves to help her, but she bats his hand away and gives him another fierce glare. Nodding in agreement, he takes a step back and sits on the edge of a booth table. Without saying a word, Sakura climbs onto a stool and perches on it, arms tightly wrapped around her knees as she continues sniffling angrily, blood-shot eyes still piercing into Goro with all her might.
Well. The conversation is happening at last.Â
"My mom should be alive but instead you're the one alive. I can't change it even though I want to. And I know I shouldn't." She shakes her head, almost smiling. "You're back in my life and I want to die again. So yeah. That's your confession, detective."
Goro nods, unsurprised. "Do you want me to leave?"Â
"Yeah."
He can meet Kurusu tomorrow. And today, he can hide away from the world and try to digest the hard truth with all its barbed wire and old blood.
