
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
| Updated | 11 days ago |
| Status | In development |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
| Rating | Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars (781 total ratings) |
| Authors | roddio, Alpha0, Minoh Workshop |
| Genre | Visual Novel, Interactive Fiction |
| Tags | Adult, Bara, bottomcore, Erotic, Furry, Gay, LGBT, Mystery, Romance |
| Content | No generative AI was used |
Download
Development log
- Build 15, "The Ruin of Us All" is out!11 days ago
- Build 14, "Awakening" is available on Itch!12 days ago
- Build 14, "Awakening" is out!72 days ago
- Build 13, "Nine Years" is available on Itch!73 days ago
- Build 13, "Nine Years" is out!Dec 20, 2025
- Build 12, "Nine Years, Part 1" is available on itch!Dec 20, 2025
- Build 12, "Nine Years, Part 1" is out!Oct 31, 2025
- Build 11, "Rian" is available on Itch!Oct 19, 2025




Comments
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How do I unlock all the CGs from the scene with the crap? No matter what I do, there's always one image missing.
so all the avatars are basically gay and obsessed 😂
This cracked me up because Rian and Silvareth FOLDED almost immediately 😭😭
Definitely silvareth 😂 he was ready to risk it all for some guy he just met (and did)
hi um how to I install the build with the previous one
I fell in love with this VN and it worries me that this VN will ends up stop in the middle like many other VN. I hope this VN reach its ENDING
We will. We're actually very close too!
Props to you for having a set line to the finish, instead of extending it continuously until you lose interest
More authors could learn how to do that
Starting to be convinced that, Rian, as nice and has an innocence or naivete about him that makes him endearing. Is not in actuality, using that to manipulate both Caddy and Hector for something big that most likely will not end well for one or both of them very soon. The way he belittles Caddy to keep him unsure of himself, killing any confidence he's had or has, telling him he will just do X wrong, that "he's just a stick in the mud." How he rarely uses "us" but rather "I or me" when he talks about wanting to talk to Hector again. Not helping Caddy understand that, Hector had fallen in love with BOTH of you, not just Rian. He couldn't have not, as he didn't know you were two beings at that time. He did notice the subtle differences, yes, but it didn't seem to bother him. He knew it wasn't Rian when you'd read together and such. He did see Rian in your eyes, that spark, that fire you'd get in your eyes. He knew something was up, just not what at the time. Or during your walk in the woods to the ruins, when he called you Badger 🦡🦡, a name only used by Rian. Perhaps he didn't want or maybe he just couldn't see that clue and at least ponder the idea of something being a miss‽¿ The night of the festival, how could those feelings be only for Rian if he didn't know of his existence? He doesn't know of an "old Cadgan," so how could be clinging to anyone else besides just Cadgan, if he doesn't know of an old one? He still sees you as you, no one else is even remotely possible in that moment. YOU'RE the one who assumed where he's feelings were directed, you assumed he couldn't or doesn't love "this Cadgan." Even with how much you think you've changed, he still said he loves YOU. YOU not what you were, but who you are now and I think Rian is to blame for you feeling like this.
I know your comment has some dislikes, and people may see it another way, but I genuinely think that you have a point to make, specifically about how Rian can be so misleading and deceitful towards Cadgan and Hector both.
(spoiler warning for the story in both comments btw)
~-Understanding Rian-~
- By me -(o.o)-
I will expand more on it. Please hear me out: In the sense that I, too, think that Rian is at fault for many misinteractions as well. At first, I thought his dialogue was sweet and endearing. I was starting to think being 'TeamRian/Ranzkai' was the way to go about it... But, the more the story advanced, the faster I realized he IS lowkey a bit messed up. Even if he didn't mean for it to come out that way, the things he says and does are suspicious, and I truly get what you think, but then, and here comes my thought about it...
I mean, who wouldn't be at least a little messed up on his shoes to begin with? I think that we first need to understand how it was for him from the moment his existence began; all he knew was darkness, and then, when he gained a semi-transparent physical form, he held nothing other than the past disgust, wrath, rage, and fear Cadgan made him hold. I mean, what other choice did he have? None of course. Then came the years together with Cadgan alone. Rian learned from the memories of the past Cadgan, and surely he could soon speak and do stuff for himself as he possessed control of their body, but things were quick to become different as someone else got into the picture, and that being, of course, Young Hector.
For Rian, at least at first, he was just another small, unknown boy. But as Hector kept trying to get to know him and get closer, Rian found himself observing the badger with caution and something else he couldn't name. Because he never felt it. Nor did he knew he could ever "feel" more than the stuff Cadgan led him carry. Days passed, and in between walks around the manor of the duke, and medical examinations/visits, they would converse more. At this point, Cadgan, of course, would soon start pretending to be Rian once it was his turn with the body. This "Clinical Letargy" illness was more so by the fact that their mind, both Cadgan's and Rian's, were severed, unwilling to commune together in the same body. Cadgan refused him and hated him after all, back then, of course. A few days passed, and finally, the walks and hangouts on the lake happened between Rian and Hector.
Right up to that point, they discuss more about their past. Rian would get flashes of Cadgan's memories sometimes due to their shared connection, and then he would become too sad and start crying each time; he didn't know how to control it, of course. It was then that Hector would proceed to comfort him with his calm and quiet presence, and just then, we read about how Hector meant a lot to Rian in those little moments. And the moments that would follow afterwards. And then those moments, too. They start playing together, Rian teases him sometimes, and Hector would humor him gently.
And then we get lines like,
When he wishes Hector's words weren't so shy,
Hector says to Rian that he can have a place beside him if there is none for him in the world. And the deciding one from Rian to Hector in his thoughts, something like;
"When Hector is around, the world makes sense, and the question of whether I'm Cadgan or Rian stops mattering. Because whatever I am, it might be alright if he's near me. If we can keep laughing, and make new smiles, then maybe I won't need to yearn for old ones anymore..."
They would then pass on to become close. Hector would start feeling things for Cadgan, thinking he's been hanging out with him all along. This wasn't true for the most part, Cadgan didn't really think anything too romantic when hanging out with Hector.
And then months passed, and as Hector left to accompany his father, Rian never forgot Hector. In fact, he seemed to acquire a fascination with the Badger. It would then turn into ramblings about him, the sent letters, and everything.
I can take all of this as evidence to prove that, not only Hector, without meaning to, helped Rian understand that there were times he could feel at peace, but also proves that Hector would go on to become his sole, truly good experience ever since he began existing. The moments with Hector marked him for life.
If you take all of this into account, Rian wanting Hector all to himself years later starts making way more sense. Curiously, one of the only times we see Rian speaking with the use of "Us" or "Our", that is, including Cadgan too, was when Rian said to Cadgan, "Our boyfriend," referring to Hector, so that's that...
Conclusion;
I think deep down, Rian fears that Hector would start loving Cadgan too much and drive all the attention away. And on the contrary, that Cadgan would also love Hector back even more.
I needed to show my understanding so far, at least from my point of view.
Thanks for reading, love y'all that beared with me in this long ass message😭😭💕
very slight spoiler
I just wanted to write this here before I forget it, but I'm in Act III right now (I don't know how long this VN is, nor how far in I am so far) and I can't help but notice all the similarities this story has to Umineko. So much so that it feels like an intentional inspiration. And it's great! I just wanted to say: I see you, I see the vision. Rian's backstory felt familiar to me, but it broke my heart all over again. Hats off!
PS: I caught that "without love it cannot be seen" reference around the end of Act II as well. I jumped out of my seat when I read the line.
Spoiler ahead...
How do I get the 63rd CG when Cadgan and Hector are having sex? I think I missed some choices, but idk where. This story is too long for me to go back and forth, so I'm kind of in need of help to figure this out.
I don't know if this is the official way to get it but it worked for me with these decisions:
-Nuzzle foreheads
-Kiss him
-Conley needs more spice
-Stay silent
-Ranzkai's definitely bigger
-Stay silent
Will there be a chapter selection?
Spoilers
Dude PLEASE can we see from rian's view on when he first ACTUALLY got to see hector face to face? When cadgan first met bro was like "HECTORHECTORHECTORHECTORHECTORHECTOR" and AHHH its so cute OMG. Rian acted like an actual puppy when seeing Hector after so long, what about when they finally got to meet face to face
Just read this VN. It’s absolutely PHENOMENAL. I got choked up at so many points in the story and couldn’t stop about it with my freinds. The art compliments it so well. I cannot wait to see where the story goes next. Absolutely a 10/10, A must read!
love the story, can't wait for more update.
I'm curious to know approximately how many chapters this game will have.
And please sir, please give them a good ending.
I might cry if they can’t stay together.
We're heading towards the conclusion of the story. It's going to be a wild ride!
Amazing story so far, I'm hooked! Need more!
Does this have weight gain
No. It features fat/musclegut characters but no gain.
OMG,what a wonderful story
Whats the update schedule or when do updates usually release for the game? I wouldn't mind keeping track, I'm very immersed in this world, and I have fallen in love with the story!
Bi-monthly, with the patreon/substar update being 2 months earlier.
Oh ok, awesome thanks!
rereading hector and ranzkai old dialogues had me giggling like a steoreotypical japanese schoolgirl now ☺️
We put in so many fun clues :P
Really good!!!!
I can't wait for it to release lol, I'm really getting invested in this world and it's characters. I pray for the devil of Rannai to give me peace from his paw-fliction.
The birthday chapter has been hilarious, the highlight of the VN for me so far
-~This is a comment of appreciation to this wonderful story~-
At the time of me writing this, The 11th update was released already.
I want to start off by saying that I've been following the development of this VN some point between the second and third public update in here, I can't re-call exactly, so lets say somewhere along those times. And, it's been such a long journey since then. I am really delighted to have stumbled across something like this. <.3.>
First, I want to wish Alpha0 and every member, artist and writer working under this VN a pleasant day and night. And I want to continue by sharing many words with you all in this comment.
"Devil's Gambit", from my point of view and opinion, is genuinely one of the most wonderful mostly-linear experiences I've encountered. The narration can surely trap me into this world, the way the story moves from perspective to perspective is greatly done too. This VN proposes a sound story and it's not afraid at all to dwell on it. The atmosphere around the narration of the story being dark and this feeling of medieval-quiet is the type I enjoy seeing more in any work of fiction, as well as the way research and medicine are described in the story. That was one of the deciding factors that led me to follow along this creation.
One of our main Characters, Hector the badger, is someone I can relate to. He is nice in a way that's not over the top, is a Healer and a good man over all. besides, love to see more chubby badgers around in media. Need any other reason for him to be my absolute favorite? nope. ^.^ <3
-~Now, the following part of this comment may have mentions from slight to HUGE spoilers from the main storyline of this VN being brought, proceed with caution~-
___________________________________________________________________________________________
I also wanted to talk(And gush), about the lore,
GEZZ, I am a sucker for good world-building in any media as most of us are. It plays such a huge part whenever I find a story compelling, the way it has been implemented is wonderful, Love the names of the Lions as well. Love how mysterious and mystical Rannai can feel at times, the way the culture of the wolves that live there shines through as well. I am specially interested in the lore of how those magical crystals work when healers use them and the training one must acquire to even be a healer. AND BY GODS, love the way they aren't using the sole word "magic" for every occasion to refer to their form of energy. The story and use of "runes" being tied to the eye of the valley and the "dark" god there are also very interesting. I actually need to learn more about the "Layers" and other dark gods... PLEASEE 😭💕
Now, I want to take a moment to rant about the latest updates... WHAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT?!?!?!??!... ಥ_ಥ(My actual reaction to that)
The way Caddy(Cadgan) and Rian are is so interesting to me, especially when we learn that apparently Cadgan wasn't even in "love" with Hector at the very beginning. It was Rian("Ranzkai") that was. We know that Cadgan came to "love" and somewhat care for Hector as well so that's interesting because Cadgan cannot feel emotion per se because he passed that burden to Rian as the latest update(11th) explained. The way the story plays out really took me down. I feel for the wolf too much, Cadgan's been through a lot and dealing with Rian definitely caused more problems... Maybe even trauma at the beginning of their dynamic. Although I do have some more questions that maybe where already answered but... I SEEK CLARIFICATIONNN. When Rian spoke to Hector about the past, the whole deal with Ancient Rannai inside the valley, was he being completely truthful? or maybe hiding or making up some details along the way?... We also learn that apparently, Rian is a Shaman not a Demon? maybe both at the same time yes? that caused a bit of confusion to me... But I think Rian is both as well as Cadgan too.
Passing now through other matters..
Hector's dynamic with the two is so lovely... OH MY GOD 😭😭Hector fits so well with both, Cadgan and Rian perfectly. Their wholesome scenes burn my heart. I CANNOT be just Team Cadgan or Team Rian. When Rian, back then known as (Ranzkai) and Hector had their first seggsual night at those ruins/temple and the morning came and they where both laying down on the bed in the inn, cuddling... AWWWAHHH😭 specially when Rian hugged Hector so warmly... Loved that. Cadgan also does not stays behind in the wholesomeness, the scene where Hector and him are talking alone somewhere around cadgan's birthday I think, was very needed for them to be able to forgive themselves. And, when they both finally kissed under that moon, it was so tender and lovely, it made me question if Hector will really prefer to be with just one of them... specially now that he knows they are both the same(Sort off).
And, finally, about the future and ending of this VN...
I am really curious and excited about what awaits Cadgan, Rian and Hector next. Those three alongside this whole story are my hyperfixations as of late. If you could not tell by now... I am also cooking up some interesting theories and predictions as well. Especially as we are nearing the closing act... I'm going to put some of them down, shortly described as I had already typed A LOT by now... so here they go:
And finally,
And soo... this was all. If you stayed and read through my entire thing, you are pretty badass. Peace out-❤️
Thank you!
I'm very curious how people will react to the ending we planned ;)
NOOOO! IT'S STILL HERE! I'M IN A NIGHTMARE! (〒﹏〒)

Man, I'm dead... WHY IS IT STILL THERE ioi if I'm going to suffer might as well bring everyone else with me by making them realize this is still there...
The pawgate hits again!
Also did you guys notice this?

It's been bothering me everytime i enter the game. i°i
I just fixed the pawgate and... I... I can't.
I don't see anything wrong with the first pictures? what is the "pawgate" ?
The peeking hand on Ranzkai's side isn't white like it should. This has been fixed in the latest build.
I must say that I am extremely surprised with the quality of writing and art. Please keep up with the good work!
Hello, I have a website where I translate your novel and others into Spanish and Italian, and I wanted to know if it would be okay to continue doing so.
I want to make it clear that whenever I translate any novel, I always give the appropriate credits.
It's fine, and if you contact us directly with your work we may feature it in our fan translation section. You can get in touch on bluesky or through our discord server.
Quick question, what is the time between the public release of a chapter? Genuinely want to know. •3•
It's usually 15 days before the patreon release, and considering Devil's Gambit runs on a pretty reliable 2-months time it has meant every two month.
However this month we will be a bit late because after 2 years of incessant work we decided to take a little vacation :)
Thanks for the info, and hope you guys have fun.
I just have this crazy suspicion that these two main characters will have a poly relationship, right? If it were me, I would fall in love to death.
Teh heh!
Hey Alpha0, in build 11 i hope Rians hands will be okay. I am fr tweaking.
He's a big sensible boy, I'm sure he'll manage... I hope!
The silvareth lore IMMEDIATELY shot him up to be my favorite in the whole novel...it's sad that I can't date him cuz the poor guy need several hugs. Also lock your windows and doors because I'm coming for revenge...he was still young 🥰
I really hope we can put him in a spinoff at some point. I really love the meany dragon.
The story is phenomenal so far, shouldn't be surprised since i liked nerus a lot too.
Say, a question, if i were to subscribe to the patreon and for some reason couldn't keep the subscription in the following months, would i still get a key once the game is finished?
We keep track of everybody who has ever subscribed.
potential spoiler for the nature of cadgan and rian.
Is cadgan and rian a manifestation or taking inspiration from disassociative identity or multiple personality disorder? I find it eerily similar with how it conveys.
Just something I’m mostly curious about and more like trying to understand cadgan and rian more.
We'll definitely explore how they've grown together.
It's a complicated question, and we're still discussing internally how to deal with it.
When DG is complete it will likely a paid-only project on Steam and itch, this is to avoid too many free, complete and high quality VNs to be available, and strangle this little market for new creators. But we're not sure how the transition from free to paid will work.
https://www.change.org/p/tell-mastercard-visa-activist-groups-stop-controlling-what-we-can-watch-read-or-play
There is a bill in congress right now that would make it illegal for any financial service provider to directly or indirectly prohibit or inhibit any legal transaction. It's called the Fair Access to Banking Act. H.R.987 in the House, S.401 in the Senate. Call your Representatives. Get it passed.
I hope it gets passed, damn card companies pressuring platforms to ban games as if someone asked them.
They're a money transaction company, not the moral police. They should be put in their place.
i have saved some of the furry VNs in my collection. If you guys need it, go check my profile so y'all can save it because of this shadow-banned nsfw stuff
For anyone who sees this message and has no idea what's happening in itch.io right now big card corporations are issuing itch.io to shadowban and possibly BAN every nsfw game and novel on the platform. If you live in the United States I urge you to contact your respective congressman and ask them to vote for the Fair Access to Banking Act so that these big card corporations don't ruin all the hard work these wonderful devs put into their games/novel!!!
Have you downloaded and archived devils gambit yet?
Note: the Fair Access bill is written specifically to ease financing violent groups and doesn't cover adult art or sex work (high risk activities).
yeah and yet every nsfw game is currently shadowbanned
from what i have heard any and all typed of depictions of urine and Bodily excretions are prohibided (or at least thats one of those thing that they are trying to get rid of) meaning yes u cant have sweat in ur games.... XDDDD (aside of being drunk vomiting ect there is a huge list of thing that they hate)
i was talking about visa and mastercard - just some ppl behind collectiveshout
holy was not expecting the lore drop 🤯 🤯 🤯
非常好的故事。必须点赞👍
Bro, I'm gonna go crazy...
Ranzie's white paws are my personal enemy :[
Can you fix the save files? It stops at page 9😭