Watch the Road (DEMO)
A downloadable Road Trip for Windows, macOS, and Linux
you're just a humble trucker, used to the lonely roads.
deliver the cargo, follow the route, make quick stops if needed. that's the crux of your typical schedule.
but tonight, a blizzard hails down on you. while you're exhausted, none the less!
through the snow, your headlights glint on something--wait, no, someone.
a man stands by the roadside with his hand raised. a hitchhiker.
at this hour? in this weather?
will you give him a ride, and if so, how far are you willing to go for a stranger?
❅ a road trip with choices that matter
❅ around 20k words for the demo
❅ multiple endings
❅ 5 days of captivity (for the full release)
❅ original illustrations
❅ ilya’s playlist - jams
content warnings (click to show, SPOILERS)
note: the demo’s most intense content is in the full release.
although this game does not contain NSFW or 18+ content, it has a lot of violent imagery and potentially upsetting content, and was created for a mature audience. please be advised. NOT for children or those easily disturbed.
❅ written/drawn/coded by me (mari)
❅ sound effects: pixabay, zapsplat
❅ music: "come out and play" by darren curtis, "neon quarter #4" by scott arc, "dramatic diary" by 蒲鉾さちこ, "sleep time" by rafael archangel, "emotional soft piano" by hitslab, "winter morning" by tomomi_kato,
❅ chinese localization: copiklaGrogu *after changing the language in preferences, close the game and re-launch it.
this is my first ever visual novel or game in general, so it's a smaller project! please be kind :) you do NOT have permission to reupload the game files anywhere else. streaming it/making playthroughs is perfectly fine
im a solo dev, here are some places where you can find me!
tumblr ❅ twitter ❅ patreon ❅ discord❅ ko-fi (donos incredibly appreciated)
Download
Development log
- devlog #04: patreon launch 𐙚Sep 12, 2025
- devlog #03: demo walkthrough & discord 𐙚Aug 15, 2025
- devlog #02: glitch fixes & motel route progress 𐙚Jul 17, 2025
- chinese localizationJul 10, 2025
- devlog #01: small patch notes 𐙚Jul 03, 2025
Comments
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can someone tell me how to get the second to last neutral ending???? i cant figure it out for the life of me please </3
here's a link to the walkthrough!
I'm very sorry to disturb you. In the game, if players choose the Chinese text, it will turn into garbled characters. Could you please fix this?😢😢😢
hi! no worries. i actually did fix this issue but it's not made public yet xD for this older version, after you change the language in preferences, close the game and launch it again. it should work properly!
I JUST FINISED ALL THE ENDINGSSS AHHH THE GAME'S SO PEAKK AND ILYA IS SAUR CUTEEE
This is genuinely one of my most anticipated releases. The art and story are gorgeous and lure me in for sure. One of the only games I've joined a server for just to be a part of the community. Thank you so much for the demo ❤️
AHHH your words are so so kind and sweet! thank you so much <3
0THIS GAME IS AMAZING!! i genuinly can not describe how well written and drawn this game is, personally i really would like a story about the cashier couple people, (they are so damn cute oh my god) but thats prob just me, i really really love this game, i love how its not NSFW its refreshing to see a horror yandere typa game without the weird stuff i dunno im really excited for the full release!! keep doing what your doing.
I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE CAPTIVITY ROUTE!!!!! i only managed to get 2 out of the three and i have 2 left of the neutral endings (ive been playing for like 3 hours, gen cannot figure it out) but DAMN!! this is such a good visual novel, and game in general, and the playlist is fire too. whoever worked on this should be proud of themselves, im definitely excited for the full release when it happens!!!!!!
so so happy to hear that, thank you so much!! <33
This is one of the best visual novels I've ever played and I've played a lot!! The writing perfcts the atmosphere, the art looks amazing, and the way Ilya acts seems so realistic. Great job and good luck completing this ^^
ahhh thank you! made a lot of progress this week, so this comment warmed my heart :D
just checked ilya's playlist !! man's got taste, cant wait for the full release >q<
hehe thank you sm!! <3
PEAK!!!!!! PEAK I SAY !!!!!!
Omg I really really like this game I cant wait for the motel part AHHH He's so cute and the artstyle is calming atleast for me ehe
Aaaaa I love this game so much even if it's not completed yet, I cant wait for the full game's release <3 The artstyle is also so cutee
Will there be an Android version? I love Ilya and can only watch videos of other people playing it (;-;)
absolute PEAK! can recommend this to anyone wanting to play. Also, I'm really excited forthe full game! I love how differently he reacts with changes in dialogue, even just the subtle hints and everything. I'm not sure if I just haven't found the option yet, but I'd also love if there was a way to view unlocked CGs from the story
Cant wait for the full game, I love the whole vibe and the artstyle is beautifull :
I love the story
Love the game and the artstyle!!
Love the art!! Cannot wait for full game!
Jugue esto sin saber que era horror yandere, escuche que lo es! No lo se realmente, pero al jugarlo me dio una sensación de tranquilidad inmensa, se sintió un poco irreal, no se como describirlo realmente, solo fue hermoso, rozando lo onírico y etereo, me gusto mucho, probablemente de mis demos fav („• ֊ •„)
很喜欢，期待完整版
the demo rly makes me fall for ilya more (even tho there r obv signs to stay away from him😭😭) not getting my hopes up but am so super excited for the motel route and the upcoming endings 🫶🥹 waiting for new peak update 💗💗
this game is so peak🙏
Loved it !! Currently trying to get all endings. I love Ilya's design, and the artsyle of the whole demo. What caught my attention was the butterfly on the cover. They're my favorite animals, so I couldn't help but feel intrigued, and even more so upon discovering the themes of this visual novel. I wonder if the butterfly will be relevant to the story. Also, I'm a huge fan of Ilya's name. It sounds so soft. I love this type of character... Very excited for a full release.
That's so good. The atmosphere, graphics and artstyle along with narrative blend into something so catchy and amazing. Can't wait for full release, i believe in your project!
ele é tao cunt, uma pena q é uma demo
Is this BL?
not everything is about bl yk, u can choose the gender so if your mc is male then yes
they were asking a simple question. no one said evey thing has to be bl el oh el
Thank you. I and yes I was just asking :/
No need to be a douche
6 downvotes is crazy itchio community is so toxic there's NOTHING wrong with JUST ASKING ABT THE GENRE
thanks for understanding! Honestly I don’t know why some people got upset, I was just curious XD
HES SO HOT OMG
adoreiiii
YOOO this was such a fire experoence!! Cant wait to see the full game! <3
PONERLO AL ESPAÑOL PORRFAAAAAAAAAAVOR :(((((((((((((((((((((((((
really loved it ) can't wait for more
currently obsessed with ilya omgg TT
I loved this demo! Very atmospheric and did a good job building a foreboding feeling. Excited to see where the story goes!
esta en español o neh?
Good lord I only played this for like an hour and I'm so completely hooked. Might even say I'm a Captive to this story. The dialogue was very interesting to look back on when picking different routes/orders. I'm very intrigued by this and I'm excited to see the full game!
is this novel safe for mac?
pretty sure, I just downloaded it, along with a bunch more, as long as u click the apple download any game u get on here should be good
This game is so fun. The art is gorgeous, and I'm so curious to find out what Mr. Red Hair's dilemma is with us. I hope this game gets an update soon. I vigorously enjoyed all the dialogue as well.
i dont know his issues but this man is so beautiful im going to crash this truck
beautifulll
beautiful art, can't wait for the full game
its absolutately amazing, love the whole vibe and the look of the characters! I cant wait for more
love this, really hope it gets finished smoothly. <33