Devil's Gambit
A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android
Devil's Gambit follows Hector, a badger healer returning to the little town of Rannai, the birthplace of his fondest memories. He holds dearly his time with the mischievous yet friendly wolves, the stories they told, the fertile forest east of town, and the mist that heralded every sunrise. Most of all, he remembers Cadgan: a wolf a bit younger and smaller than himself — an unrepentant troublemaker who left in him a bundle of emotions.
But that was nine years ago, when he was just a teenager. Upon his return, Hector finds the town transformed by the new duke's reign, and a Cadgan that has grown into a cold, distant mountain of a man. As he works as a healer and reignites a long-forgotten passion, Hector notices something other than love in the air.
The trees' roots stir with his every step.
Devil's Gambit is both a romance story and an unorthodox mystery. Both aspects are linked, and one wouldn't be a complete story without the other. Do you have the heart to unravel the secrets of Rannai's past and present? To get to the bottom of the phenomena affecting the town?
While Devil's Gambit will be a mostly linear experience, you can influence Hector at certain points of the story, possibly leading him to different outcomes for those events.
Though we offer the option to censor on-screen explicit content, the sex in this story will be relevant to the characters' story, as well as rather frequent.
If you like the game, please consider supporting us on Patreon or SubscribeStar. Starting with the first tier, our supporters will get:
- Access to the latest Patreon/Substar build.
- A key for the full game once it is complete and released.
- A special, Patron-only role in our Discord server.
In our higher tiers you'll also get access to art streams and WIPs, an early look at select pieces of the game's writing, your name added to the credits and, at a later date, a 4K resolution version of the game and more.
With your support we'll be able to develop this game to its fullest potential, and hopefully, work on it full-time.
Thanks to our dedicated fans those translations are available for Devil's Gambit:
Translation to Chinese kindly provided by LJansen:
Mega: May require a VPN for players in Chinese Mainland; contains PC (patches), Android (apk file) and Mac Versions. 中国大陆用户访问可能需要科学上网；本链接内包含 PC 版（补丁）、安卓版（安装包）及 Mac 版的汉化文件。
Baidu Netdisk（百度网盘）: Recommended for players in Chinese Mainland, but it only contains PC patch files. 百度网盘链接，方便大陆用户访问，但只包含 PC 版汉化补丁，无安卓版及 Mac 版。
Please note that fan made translations are linked here for our readers' convenience and are not directly supervised by the Devil's Gambit creative team. Have you worked on a fan translation and want to be featured in this list? Contact us here on itch or our social media channels and we'll be happy to hear you.
If you'd like to keep up with news about the game or see more work from the people involved, you can follow our socials!
Roddio, Writer and Programmer: Twitter, Bluesky
Alpha0, Artist and Character Designer: Twitter, Bluesky
Minoanon, Producer: Minotaur Hotel, Sex Drive
Download
Development log
- Fan Translations!12 days ago
- Build 8, "A Thousand Fish" available on itch!18 days ago
- Build 8, "A Thousand Fish" is out!61 days ago
- Build 7, "Atop the Mountain" available on itch!76 days ago
- Build 7, "Atop the Mountain" is out!Dec 06, 2024
- Build 6, "Demon's Roots" available on Itch!Nov 16, 2024
- Build 6, "Demon's Roots" is out!Sep 30, 2024
- Build 5, "Borne of Blood" available on Itch!Sep 15, 2024
Comments
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So, Hector is having a threesome with 2 brothers!?!??! Jesus fuck dude, lucky Badger!! Cadgan is the demon, not Rian! So, did I miss a chapter or skip over something? When did Cadgan come clean to Hector about being a demon himself?! Or was that maybe a misprint and they meant to say, he told him Rian was a demon?
While they were in the woods having sex, Cadgan did tell Hector that he was a demon, but it did not seem like Hector was really paying attention to what Cadgan said.
Mmmmm, he didn’t really come out and say it. Ive watched that part a few times and I can't even properly pick out a point where one could say, thats where he confesses it.
SPOILER QUESTION
Okay i feel like i either missed something or i just forgot.. Treasa is aware of Rian's existence and presence in Cadgan..? like literally i can't remember if there was any previous ANYTHING about just.. the whole thing 😭
Spoiler
Treasa gifting 2 shirts 😉
Nah they didnt explain it, nor did they explain why Rian asked Cadgan why he told Hector hes a demon, not talking about Rian but Cadgan. Cadgan apparently told Hector he, himself is a demon, no clue where or when he said this.
spoiler if you haven’t read all the way through yet..
So i remember Cadgan saying that to Hector.. but he said it in a way that could just pass it off as weird sex talk.
i'd like to help with translation! i find this vn amazing, its making me think and wonder so much, as if it had awaken so many emotions on me, it made me cry and i feel so emotional towards it! i want to donate but i cant so i would like to help translating!
Thanks you, that's very appreciated!
All the text of Devil's Gambit is in the game folder in plain text files, so you don't need any special tool. As for finding more people who are interested feel free to check our discord!
Does anyone know the method of unlocking the upper right corner of the Gallery in Page 6? Pretty sure I went through every possibilities during the C x H scenes.
It's based on the dialogue choices with Cadgan in the first dream sequence (in act 1)
Thanks :3
So, im just guessing here, but is this story supposed to be loosely based on the colonialism of the British and Spanish? In say, the America's and others like Australia?
We took inspiration from the Portuguese in South America, but we didn't literally reference it,making this a more open ended story about colonization and the colonized.
Fuck, so I was right!!!! I knew it!! The spanish came in, guns blazing, killing everyone and failed. The Portuguese came, gave the locals trinkets, other shit they had never seen. Gained the trust of the locals that way, then wormed their way into the society ultimately taking it over right before their eyes.
Close?
Here's a question. Who thinks Cadgan/Rian will come clean to Hector? Or, will Hector find out on his own? What if he finds out without Caddy and Rian knowing? Will he have the stones to confront them, or will he keep it to himself in the hope that they will come clean, kind of as a test of honesty and transparency? Will he continue to stay once he does know? Or, will he feel too hurt, too betrayed? Will he feel stupid for not picking up on it? I mean, Cadgan and Rian did lie by omission to him several times. He asked what happened to him but never got a straight or believable answer from either of them. He knows something is up with the 2(?) 1.5(?) of them, he's just to love blind to dig deeper. Which is odd considering that's what badgers do, lol. Has Cadgan ever called Hector just Badger? If not how did he not catch that obvious clue that who he was with that night wasn't who he thought? We know they can't both be in the body at the same time so it couldn't have been the old Caddy Hector is hoping it is.
Interesting. Havent played yet (didnt know it was a spoiler 😅) but this give a good chunk away. Im a bit more interested in trying the game out.
OMG I'm so sorry 😞 😔 😟!! I just thought it's been out so long most have seen it, even though I only found it months ago. I guess because I'm old, I haven't figured out these VN's yet nor that people actually read these comments, lol. I haven't got past this chapter though so who knows, I could be way off the mark. It's still an exceptional VN, up there with titles like, Adastra, echo, and Arches.
hey I know you mentioned that the story is mostly linear and certain choices will affect what happens but will the ending remain the same regardless? It’s made me curious.
Most VN's the ending changes based on then choices made, that's kinda the point.
Does the game contain nsfw scenes ?
m a n y lol
Espectacular brooooooo tremendo trabajo hicieron 10\10 me encantó la NV la historia,como esta se desarrolla,la intriga y el sentimiento de querer saber más es asombroso,habrá más actualizaciones de casualidad? Con el fin de este capítulo quedé con la idea que la NV terminó 👌😎🤘
Hahaha I came to tell you how great of a VN you have, but people already did so it wont feel as good heh, I am not the kind of person that likes to be driven by emotions, but this story had made me go trough such a nostalgic journey, it makes me feel goo
WHAT SIZE IS CADGAN? in terms of height and Yknow ;3 size, because i'm making a book all about him RAAAAAA. Thanks though :D
Size, yes.
He's like 8+ft tall and guessing 400ishlbs of brick shithouse. Everything can be extrapolated from there lol.
真的是惊为天人，故事文风画风都十分戳我xp，故事几度差点令人落泪，难得一见的好小说！
Thank you!
-Cool story/setting
-Hot & Horny situations
Not even finished but already killing it, A+
I just finished reading through this for the first time in Build 7, and wow—I absolutely loved it. Devil's Gambit is an incredible VN, and everyone involved in its creation should be so proud of what they've achieved so far. I’m eagerly looking forward to future updates, and I highly recommend this to anyone considering giving it a read!
While waiting for the next update, here are a few things I loved:
All the characters feel wonderfully deep and complex. Hector and Cadgan, in particular, left a strong impression on me. Learning about Hector’s motivations and the layers behind his personality over the chapters and through the flashbacks was such a rewarding experience. Both he and Cadgan carry so much baggage, and their messy, contradictory humanity is beautifully written. Honestly, now that I know more about them, I’m tempted to start over from the beginning just to catch all the nuances I might have missed! The character writing in this VN stands out as exceptional—it’s evocative, emotional, authentic, and consistently compelling.
The worldbuilding is another standout feature. It’s subtle yet immersive, offering just enough detail to ground you in the setting without overwhelming you. The way you’ve portrayed the medieval influences—like the medical traditions and the societal relationship with God—is fascinating and feels authentic, yet there’s this unique twist with the elements of magic, nature, order, and dark gods that sets the world apart. It all hints at a broader, richly developed setting and it ignites my curiosity to learn more (even if it’s beyond the scope of this story). You’ve created something distinct and impressive here.
The unfolding mystery as Hector unravels the history of Rannai and its people also has me hooked. Characters like Rani and Ranzkai bring so many layers of intrigue, and I find myself eagerly theorizing about the what and why of this world. I didn’t expect to be so drawn into this element of the story, but it’s captivated me completely. I can’t wait to see how the mystery deepens and resolves in future updates, or to find out what truths are buried in the valley.
And speaking of captivating—there was some real good spice in here. The scenes were not only incredibly hot but also felt deeply tied to character development. I loved how Hector’s desires and kinks illuminated parts of his identity and insecurities, making these moments both fun and meaningful. The way dominant characters like Ranzkai and Cadgan were portrayed really stood out to me, too—they struck this perfect balance between being intense and feeling genuinely safe and caring, which is such a difficult needle to thread in fiction. You absolutely nailed it.
From the start, I thought I’d be firmly Team Cadgan…until Ranzkai showed up and really left me questioning that. But, maybe it’s actually false choice? Either way, Ranzkai is a 12/10 and a pleasure every time he's onscreen.
The sound design was another standout element of the experience. The tracks you’ve chosen are evocative and do so much to elevate the medieval atmosphere and emotional immersion. Some of the more emotional pieces really got to me in scenes like the dream. That said, I did notice a few moments where the absence of music made scenes feel a little too quiet, which stood out because of how good the other tracks are.
Overall, I had such a great time reading Devil's Gambit. It’s gripping, tragic, hopeful, and unique. The incredible attention to detail makes it clear how much time and care has gone into this project. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, especially for free—it’s such a gift, and I deeply appreciate the chance to enjoy it. I’m so excited to see how the story continues to develop and evolve. Keep up the fantastic work!
First ever comment on any VN I've read and it's been a lot. This one has been the absolute best for me even over all the popular ones. It also, destroyed me the most when there was none left to read. It made me feel ways that no other VN has yet to make me feel. So it felt less of a punch to gut and more like a, hit by a truck, type of feeling. I kid you not. I can't wait for the next chapter! Everything in this VN is perfect, the lore, the art and the writing style. I don't easily say that word but here, it would genuinely be a crime not to.
I couldn't help but notice it isn't very known yet and I plan on changing that. Or at least, I'd like to help by spreading the name further with my social accounts. I can't wait to see this VN bloom even more because it deserves every bit of it. Stay safe and healthy to all of you reading this and thank you.
Thank you for your kind words!
You're very welcome!😄
It's part of the fixes scheduled for the next update.
Good to know! I really love the story, and knowing that was there bothered me. Anyways, thanks for the wonderful story the you blessed upon us!
I was legit didn't noticed this error until you point it out
I know right, i noticed it when i was skipping through dialog because i already know what was going to happen when suddenly i see the hands keeps flashing so i stopped, looked at his hands, and boom. I saw it.
I'm blind. I can't notice anything wrong
Top image shows top of hand is covered in black fur. Bottom image shows top of hand isn't covered in black fur.
I must ask. Are the lions meant to represent/reference the medieval Portuguese Empire?
We wanted to reproduce some of the dynamics of south American communities cancellation and exploitation and we did model the oppressors on the Portuguese conquerors with a pinch of Spanish royalty in the mix. The specifics though are fully original and no character or group directly reference any historical person or nation.
Does this game have Chinese?
A machine translation floats around and we recently green-lighted a fan project but i don't have any link at the moment. Once it is available we'll likely link it from here directly :)
If the translation is done, please tell me at the first time, thank you very much.
If the translation is done, please tell me at the first time, thank you very much.
how many builds would it take before releasing?
We don't have a precise number because elements of the story are expanded or cut all the time, but we're past the midpoint of the story.
absolute cinema is here !
ubdate?
Around the 15th of January there should be new public release,
Hey, um, is there a delay in the public release of build 7? You did say to somebody that it would be released around the 15th of January but it hasn't happened yesterday.
I was wondering if it was delayed or if it was something else.
Truth to be told, the 15 came but we were deep in work and we totally forg-
I mean. Releasing the 16th was always the plan.
Our entire PR and marketing team comprising of a cat and strange incorporeal voices suggested it. It took a 18 hours meeting to decide.
Ah, I can understand that.
Peak writing...
Wait so is rian a completely new character or what? Im having a hard time turning my head around, or is he ranzai?
spoiler.......
yeah from what i understand rian and cadgan can share the same body.
where Cadgan let rian borrow his body so Rian can be seen by Hector as ranzkai. so in short we been fcking cadgan all along but with a different soul.
you can see at the end of the chapter where Cadgan became a soul and Rian posses his body turning into Ranzkai
Ok so I know that Silvareth is sort of an antagonist but I
reallykinda want to see NSFW art of him, hope it happens in the story at some point.The game does have sprites of him being naked in the "Images" files.
You shall not be disappointed.
Does the game have nsfw art?
Yes, but there is a censored mode for the art (check the options)
Where can we find the soundtrack for this great VN?
There is a youtube playlist that has been linked a couple times down the comments.
you guys are awaking something inside me with these cadgan scenes cause mphhhhh...
also sorry for the ass trace over I have no real talent BUT I WISH THIS WAS ME FR FR
This is the intended use, yes! Yes!
i have no idea what they are praying for
in the latest ubdate
maybe for hector's ignorance on how Ranzkai has a physical body ;3
This story continues to surprise me in the best of ways with each following update 😌 I become so invested in the tale that I lose myself to it - even if just for a little while - and I think that’s really wonderful 💜
That's for the readers to figure out as the story goes on ;)
Also: SPOILERSssss
damn now i wanna know what he said
actually i kinda already think ik what it was about so let me ask u if rian doesnt have a body how did he and hector play together? (reread the last update and look closely at what each charecter has ;3)
How tall are Ranzkai, Cadgan, and Hector? Sorry I keep asking about their statistics, but I really love the design of the characters.
True fact: i never put down official measurements. The characters are sized in proportion to each other in WIP concept art i did before the first update.
i think itd make sense if hector was the smallest of the two i mean it aint like cadgan could be smaller ;3
Going through a rough time right now, this vn genuinely brings my hopes and spirits up at shitty times and i know thats weird to admit but ig vns are how i cope. Thank you guys so much this vn means alot to me.
Spoilers . . .
After seeing them switch bodies at the end of this build, was Hector talking to the REAL cadgan in the dream and ranzkai in person in chapter 12 or am I overthinking things...
Cause if that's real cadgan and not ranzkai fucking with hector's head then hnnnggghhhh hes so fineeeee
Those scenes in the dream were so hot mmpphhhh
I think that it actually was him in the dream lol. Now I'm thinking back on all the times that Hector spoke with Ranzkai and bro was there the whole time listening lol
So cadgan deep down is secretly freaky lmao.
I wonder now if he was there during ranzkai and hector's "ritual". He knew the growth of the hazeleaf at the ritual site was cause of ranny.
Probably also during ranny's little adventure with hector
This update was such a good read, you weren't kidding Alpha0 when you said this build was going to be the most mind-boggling update yet. Ending left me shook and wanting more.
Can't wait for the next one which you hinted before will be the horniest one.
( Those cgs are gonna make me go feral 😈 )
15 days untill its up on patreon hmmmmm...