Escaping the Friend Zone

Escaping the Friend Zone

GRAD_EMM_BUERGI

Through the power of a wizard's boon, you have gained dominion over time itself, and after using your newfound power to achieve a bit of vengeance, you decide to use your gift to finally escape the friend zone. Veronica has been playing hard to get for ages, but with an endless number of chances, surely you can make her fall for you!

Click the options you choose, and don't be afraid to mess up. You can keep trying to win her over for as long as you want.

Artist Statement (Please read after finishing the game):

Escaping the Friend Zone was designed to explore the concept of the titular and mythical field known as the “friend zone.” Here, the unnamed protagonist repeatedly attempts to ask Veronica out, despite her repeated rejections (both in day-to-day life and in the time loop). He is convinced she will eventually say yes, provided he finds the magical words that will make her fall for him. However, the game reveals the futility of his efforts, as it becomes clear that no such words exist. 

Every path ends in rejection. There is no future in which Veronica decides to date him, so the only way to “win” is to give up. However, this choice is not celebrated in the game. No fireworks explode, or grand trumpets play to mark the occasion as one worthy of honor and recognition, and instead, the screen only meekly reports the words, “you win.” The game does not even bother to capitalize them because your actions are barely worthy of praise. You have simply agreed to stop harassing a girl. Congratulations.