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.
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
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 💜
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)
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.
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.
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
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
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.
Quite the reveal! i'm certainly not expecting that. while i do know that both cadgan and ranzkai are connected at some points, but who knows that the relationship will be that intimate. I do wonder, cadgan and ranzkai are shown to be able to switch control over the body, is ranzkai some sort of cadgan's alter ego? or is he just a demon who can freely possess cadgan?
I really love the world building and the complexity of the different places, factions and magical sorta systems. The feature of a notebook/encyclopedia really makes it all the more immersive and I cant wait to see what else gets added to it.
The horny scenes are just enough to be genuinely hot and enjoyable but it never drowns out the story.
keep it up, cant wait for more updates in the future!
YAY !!! Thank you Mr. Alpha0 for cooking up this scrumptious delectable meal. Personally my favorite vn at the moment and probably will be for a while. Might have to look into that patreon in 30 days then 👀
(If you only have 100 fans, i will be 1 of those 100 fans. If you only have 5 fans i will be 1 of them. If you only have 1 fan, it will be me. I will see this vn until the very end and will be actively reading all of it)
The art is amazing. I didn't expect that certain part of the story, but I love the writing. Ranzkai might be the hottest character I've seen in all the VNs I've played.
Thank you for putting the time to write this review! Being just the artist I can only say that UI improvements are definitely in the pipeline, it's just hard to juggle them and the massive amount of art I already do for DG.
← Return to game
Comments
Log in with itch.io to leave a comment.
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...
第地一次游玩，在前两章节中对于Cadgan 幼年时的病状“能量向外流动”和性格变化，我便猜测存在“另一个人”的存在;后面对 Cadgan 的“体香”进行描写，与后面ranzkai有一样的描述，我便确定两者是一体的。本次更新证实了我的猜想，更期待下次更新！！
非常敬佩作者在文笔之间留下的线索和小提示，最后对与cadgan与ranzkai的亲密关系感到好奇。再次感谢作者的奇思。
Spoiler Alert!!! Read at your own risk.
Quite the reveal! i'm certainly not expecting that. while i do know that both cadgan and ranzkai are connected at some points, but who knows that the relationship will be that intimate. I do wonder, cadgan and ranzkai are shown to be able to switch control over the body, is ranzkai some sort of cadgan's alter ego? or is he just a demon who can freely possess cadgan?
you guys are doing an amazing job so far
I really love the world building and the complexity of the different places, factions and magical sorta systems. The feature of a notebook/encyclopedia really makes it all the more immersive and I cant wait to see what else gets added to it.
The horny scenes are just enough to be genuinely hot and enjoyable but it never drowns out the story.
keep it up, cant wait for more updates in the future!
Love the art and story allot please make more I can't keep on waiting 😭😭
天哪，我真的很喜欢这个游戏，虽然我听不懂这些语言但从他的游戏外演示来看真的很不错，所以我真的希望这个游戏能有中文翻译版，因为我的母语是中文，谢谢！
We were contacted by people doing an unofficial translation and we agreed to it. I don't have a link but I hope you can find it!
Really, that's great. Thank you very much! I'll try to find it.XD
Damn that was intense. Can't wait to see what's to come
Not my delusional ass checking this page everyday praying that the development log has a new update ...
15 days.
Then the most mind-boggling update will be public. And 15 days later the horniest will be on patreon/substar. It's a mighty good time to be into DG ;)
YAY !!! Thank you Mr. Alpha0 for cooking up this scrumptious delectable meal. Personally my favorite vn at the moment and probably will be for a while. Might have to look into that patreon in 30 days then 👀
(If you only have 100 fans, i will be 1 of those 100 fans. If you only have 5 fans i will be 1 of them. If you only have 1 fan, it will be me. I will see this vn until the very end and will be actively reading all of it)
Sorry for the yap lol xd
I CARNALLY CRAVE FOR RANZKAI AAAHHH
The art is amazing. I didn't expect that certain part of the story, but I love the writing. Ranzkai might be the hottest character I've seen in all the VNs I've played.
i love your vn so far but could you pretty please give us the option to change the font in the journal, cursive really hurts my head to read.
maybe the font it gets replaced with could be the opendyslexic font please thank you <3
actually giving it a second look its not as bad as i thought tho id still like to advocate for the access ability for the whole vn
OMG its already implemented nvm thank u dude <3333333
stop playin wit em' ranzy
nice work on the game, enjoyed playing through it! here's my review on my website: https://purkka.fi/fvn_recs.html#devils-gambit
Thank you for putting the time to write this review! Being just the artist I can only say that UI improvements are definitely in the pipeline, it's just hard to juggle them and the massive amount of art I already do for DG.
that's super understandable, you can tell a lot of work is going into the art!
Ok. I dos not see Minoanon was in the credits. Their fingerprint all over this VN.
This is a Very Very good Reading time. Without being too spoilery, you can expect a lot of the current build.
I am yet to touch this VN, but the presentation is outright inspired.