Grotesque notes written not by Fyodor Dostoevsky, but by a "certain person".
The developers present the story of Fyodor Dostoevsky's short story "Bobok" through an interactive, text-based format. Players progress the narrative by simply clicking to advance the text, aligning with the game's classification as a kinetic visual novel where the focus remains on the storytelling.
The hand-drawn, illustrated backgrounds and character portraits effectively set the tone and atmosphere, while the ambient soundscape and musical score further enhance the overall immersion.
As players encounter unfamiliar terms or concepts within the story, they can access a helpful glossary that provides explanations and additional context, improving their understanding of the narrative.
The developers have made efforts to localize the experience, allowing players to enjoy the original Dostoevsky story in their preferred language, including Simplified Chinese and even pre-revolutionary (imperial) Russian.
Reviewers have praised the game's faithful adaptation of the source material, the effective visual presentation, and the useful glossary feature. With a 97% positive rating on Steam, players have found the game to be an immersive, text-based storytelling experience that allows them to engage with Dostoevsky's distinctive literary style and themes.