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.
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
- Build 3 is Available on Itch!7 days ago
- Build 3 Itch.io Release Date12 days ago
- Build 3 Available on Patreon37 days ago
- Announcing Build 340 days ago
- Build 2 is Available on Itch!66 days ago
- Build 2 Available on Patreon97 days ago
- Version 0.1.1 is Out with New CG and Bug FixesNov 23, 2023
Comments
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BOTTOMCORE
MOMMMMM!! THE GAY DEMONS ARE AFTER MY SOUL AGAIN!!!
AND ITS WORKINGGG!!!
In all seriousness, this was an entertaining read. It was angsty (with Cadgan) but also delightfully horny (with Ranzkai). All I can really criticize about is some of the lore exposition scenes are a bit too wordy, but I didn't mind them as much, and I know they're necessary for the lore. Either way, I enjoyed the story so far and can't wait for the next update.
*Spoiler!
There are so much information,like the MC just get one dream of the desired cadgan and he is "captured" by ranzkai, but we can see in this chapter Cadgan had dreamed of MC the whole 8 years... Had he already traded with the demon? And the demon get new description in this chapter that they are not just evil creature, they are outside world creature. He can easily influence in Erinin's place(leaving message on the book),does this means the he can drain power from his believers？I firstly consider the demon influence mind in last chapter,And maybe they feast in the emotion energy,who knows. But now I see they also interact with the nature world. So looking forward to what's next.
Amazing game! Can't wait when we can enjoy a relationship with Cadgan.
I love it, very good job. The story, art, characters... everything is great, this visual novel is a good discovery.
The only drawback (for me) is that the MC is, like most VNs that I have been able to play, sub bottom. As a top, it shocks me a little to read certain parts of submission and being a bottom.
The same thing happens to me for example with "Far Beyond the World".
It is true that, as has been said in a comment below, there are more VNs where the MC is top (or it is possible to be top), such as By Your Hands, Lust Odyssey, Lustful Desires, Small On Top... But I have played many more and the majority are usually a sub bottom MC.
But outside of all this, thank you again very much for this great VN, highly recommended!
PS: My fantasy would be to have Cadgan and Ranzkai in 4, that would be wonderful (yes, I love big bottom dudes)
I wouldnt say most FVNs focus on sub bottoms, merely bottoming is not the same.
Those parts that possibly shocked you are likely because this FVN is more specialized for sub bottom readers with specific tropes, situations and even words that are designed specifically for us and arent as common in most fvns where the MC merely bottoms.
I really enjoy this FVN as a sub bottom cuz its not trying to please everyone and knows their audience, many fvns have the MC give very strong bottom vibes but also dont want to make him an easily manipulated pushover so they try balance him by having him throw some temper tantrums on occasions which just...doesnt really balance things, usually makes it feel more like a manchild than a more vers/dom individual. So i would just say it can often be more of a writing problem.
Plus the main husbando in those fvns is often some inexperienced clueless guy who doesnt even understand his own feelings which is very far from the strong reliable individual presence Ranzkai has, they are very different.
I understand, totally agree with your comment :)
I think it's great have diversity of content in differents VN for everyone!
And even having said that in my previous comment, I will continue playing this VN with great enthusiasm, since I want to continue discovering what is going to happen!
I am over 6 feet tall and I like furry vns. But I don't entirely relate to MCs, human ones especially because for the most part, they over 5 foot 8, frail and at a large disadvantage compared to the giant 7 foot tall love interest in vns like Adastra, Far Beyond the World, and others. I think many people who watch furry vns are small bottoms.
Okay honestly I understand that the devil might be the love interest but I'd rather have Hector with c a d g a n
#TeamCadgan will get some nice treats next update.
Gonna leave this for future internet historians: this is where bottomcore started. You reached your destination!
You're so proud of it
There's so many top/vers, "small on top" games nowadays that a shameless pure sub bottom experience is a breath of fresh air imo. Thanks @Roddio, this was amazing ^^
"There's so many top/vers, "small on top" games nowadays"
Then why I felt like 80% VNs I played is made for sub? Are we even in the same universe??? 😭😭😭
You should play more. A lot of newer VNs allow vers/top content. RPGs are almost always vers. Even older works like Adastra and EA is vers. In recent games we have By Your Hands, Kulplant games, Sex Drive, Arcane Shop etc. Small On Top is effing popular. Even the "top guy" in Santa Lucia became a bottom. If you are saying about attitude then yeah, most Subs but not sex positions. Perhaps I am incorrect but I do think we need more.... POWER BOTTOM CONTENT.
i gotta agree with the other guy top focused work is rather strongly in a minority By your hands has bottom and verse routes, the two stories in sex drive are more bottom focused, can't speak for kulplant games or arcane shop, most games with top content are mostly bottom with the occasional topping scenes there are very few "pure" top/dom experiences
Damn this is like "sub bottom fantasy", the FVN
Ranzkai is just so perfect
By "sub bottom fantasy" do you mean "for sub bottom readers"? I'm debating if I want to pick up this VN or not by finding out if it is "your regular size difference" or "big-bottom-small-top size difference"
Less about size difference and more about the attitude and dominant personality of the characters, they just keep pushing the right buttons, saying the the right thing if you are that type of bottom lol.
Though of course, the big bara wolves are bigger in size also xd
So sub bottom MC, as usual?
That's what I wanna know too. Is the MC exclusively a bottom, or will there be opportunities to top some other characters?
(personally I like topping bigger dudes)
MC is definitely sub-bottom.
Amazing update 👌the art never stops giving.
this vn is so gooddd!!! I have a question tho, I supposed Hector will be always bottom?
I think so, though I do push here and there to have some more vers sprinkled in.
Thanks to this VN, I now have mixed emotions between the Devil of Rannai and Cadgan.🙃
But the experience is peak!
The next update will scramble your emotions even more 😈
😭😭😭
Meu senhor, estou amando essa VN, começei a ver quando lançou e não consigo para de pensar nela, se eu pudesse iria ser patreon com alegria!!!
I thought this would be a sweet romantic story about a couple who's been loving each other since their childhood fight againt a demon initially until I finished the first chapter. It is so heartbreaking and pitiful. So contagious it lingers in my heart eversince I read it and I yearn for further update!!! 10 out of 10 definitely recommand it!!!!!
I can't help to think the Ranzikan is the eager side of the Cadgan, (or the demon had made deal with him first to suck out him passion first and the demon is now using the emotion)and they will merge into one to become the familiar Cadgan? Sorry just my daydreaming, But the mark and the color of their face are so like opposite that makes me wondering
(SPOILERS mentioned)
I had a similar thought about Cadgan maybe having made a deal with Ranzkai as a child to cure his sleep disorder, Cadgan's side of the deal being to do with his feelings for Hector. Since it was like the day after that Cadgan and Hector shared a sweet moment that Cadgan no longer had any sleeping issues. (edit:)Cadgan also doesn't seem to have any real issues going into the valley unlike everyone else which I would think hints towards a deal.
Not sure about them merging or anything but guess we will find out!
The balance you managed to achieve with Ranzkai is amazing, seductive, and sinister while being tender and caring. That's the kind of demon who you believe gets people's souls.
What track did you guys use for his theme? The one with the minor key piano and cello.
Thank you! This track slaps so hard and fits him so well.
i just finished the game...... I have to say, i was really hoping that the demon and hector...... Just my opinion but you should put an option where you can be mad at cadgan after he rejected you, or forgive him...... Overall it was a good game and i can't wait for more!
Omg, the bottomcore tag x)
I'm so proud!
Excuse me, but what does that tag mean?
The VN is dedicated to the fine-wine appreciators of a good bottom badger, and the connoisseurs in wolf-dom husbandos. The word itself is a bit of a joke among the devs, a viiiiibe.
Okay, thanks again for your time and answer!
Is the tablet version still the original release because that's what I'm seeing on the page on my end
I'd delete and reinstall, the links are updated.
If you're confused about update 3: that is a Patreon-exclusive for a time, the itch version is update 2.
when I originally posted this comment it still said it was the first one for tablets so I don't know I haven't downloaded it yet
Welp you got me to read a visual novel. Not an easy feat. Good job~ great characters. The wording can sometimes drag a little but it's made up for with an interesting story and emotionally heavy stuff with the main character.
I'd personally hope for even more information on the surrounding lands, more exploration so to speak like the surrounding lands, but this is focused on the Valley so, I'm just VERY excited to see more <3 Especially of that hot demon~
And that's why you don't make deals with gay demons
OOHHHH IM GONNA BE FOLLOWING THIS VERY CLOSELY! What an amazing fucking read, it did what not a lot of other Vns do. I got hooked on the characters, the world, the magic system, hell, even the medical lore and the political intrigue! I'm so so stoked and excited to see what comes out next!!
Well, that was nice, I'm glad if I have to be in Hector's shoes, he at least made the right decision this fast. Ranzkai is delightfully chaotic and fun to be around. I have no idea what Hector ever saw in Cadgan, when he was a dick to him as a child and is stone-faced to him as an adult. This is one childhood romance I'll gladly sit out on and take the soul-sucking demon instead.
Waah 😭 why'd it have to end there!? 😅 What a great update, I got so lost in the story 😌 xou guys have really made this VN into an entire experience, everything from writing to visuals are flipping stunning. I'm so excited to see where the story goes! 😁
I'm definitely curious to see how this progresses I'm also wondering if this is kind of like a three-way relationship.
I'm very much curious to find out how Cadgan well react to the demon and the main characters relationship to be honest I'm kind of hoping he'll be a part of the relationship too in some fashion... I wouldn't mind being squished between the two of them!😅
I have mixed feelings about this latest update, but I'm hopeful it will pay off! I definitely wasn't expecting what we have so far, and I'm excited for what comes next.
I like this VN a lot so far, and I think one of my favorite things yet is the world-building. I think the story was good at getting me invested and informing me what I need to know without being overwhelming. In particular, it's easy to get familiar with the characters very quickly, and I appreciate that!
The only thing I didn't like in particular about this VN is the flip-flopping at the beginning. I think when you get used to the back-and-forth with the past and present, it's okay. But at the beginning, I was very confused what was going on and what the story was about. If I were to change it, I might try to make the flip-flopping in the early game slower and more obvious to give the reader time to get into the motion of things.
Keep it up, looking forward to what's in store!
I hope the VN has 3 routers: one with Ranzkai, one with Cadgan, and the final one with both Cadgan and Ranzkai. XD
*Laughs malevolently*
bruh i thought we were supposed to be dating cadgan, not the demon. now i got all mixed emotions here lmao
*Spoilers for Build 0.2*
Man I'm already so endeared to Ranzkai after that last chapter, maybe we got this demon thing all wrong right?
great job guys :D
I'm on team demon daddy
peak
Not sure if it's me but it looks like the download link for Android hasn't been updated yet as I still get the Version 1 update. :/
I downloaded it and it's the right version. It might be something on your end
Oh yeah it did work nvm haha... i just saw it say download again and i immediately thought it was the old link... thx a bunch for checking it though :))
Can't d download build 2 bruhh
Absolutely adore what's here so far, PLEASE tell me there'll be a route for you know who as well, love those sorta stories so much! P.S. - A little funny that I know just how easily temptable I am now
There won't be routes in the classical furry VN sense, in Devil's you'll engage more or MUCH MORE certain characters :P
Just finished what is available of the Demo; I have to say, it's really great! The art is gorgeous, the writing and dialogue are well done, and the plot is entertaining. My one complaint would be that, for a visual novel, it seems to be geared more towards the novel part than the game part.
We wanted to focus on story flow and construction for this VN, so we went for a mostly linear experience. For future project we'll see...
You know what I'll give this game a try it looks interesting
I hope we won't disappoint :3
Incredible,i love it.
Thanks for this lovely new VN! Great story so far looking forward to seeing where things go!
I enjoyed the artwork so much I'm in the middle of doing some Ranzkai fanart and I noticed a minor discrepancy in his sprites. He loses the lighter coloration of his hands/forearms when he crosses his arms. Obviously not super important I wouldn't have even noticed if I wasn't using them as reference. Just thought I'd let you know in case it went under the radar xD
I'll take a look ASAP, thank for pointing it out... and thanks for the fanart! Can't wait to see it :)
Amazing VN i liked so much, the story and characters, Héctor, Cadgan and the demon they're so handsome.
Loved it and eagerly awaiting the next update. I may be in the minority but I REALY hope the demon will be an alternate romanceable.
Bestie Big Same im also praying for a Demon Daddy Rout