Loop

Loop is a short visual novel about Deirdre, who enters a dark Irish forest to find her husband, sworn to become its king, and demand an explanation for why he married her. The forest is magical, and its inhabitants follow different rules. As Deirdre explores this other world, she discovers more about it and herself.

Story and choices

Your choices shape Deirdre’s fate. You can replay the story to unlock all five unique endings, which are saved in the main menu for tracking.

The forest is home to quirky characters, including The Tree, whose thoughts and role in mortal fates are uncertain. The story draws on ancient Irish mythology, including the sidhe, the main roads of Ireland and how they came to be, and shapeshifters. It also weaves in modern myths and references from the works of Seamus Heaney and James Joyce.

Myth and literature

Loop retells half-forgotten Irish myths and beliefs. One character and some dialogue draw inspiration from Seamus Heaney’s bog poetry, while the game also includes quotes from James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake.

Visual style and play

The dark fantasy forest setting takes inspiration from the classical fairytale illustrations of Bilibin. The game uses classic visual novel gameplay, with dialogue and choices carrying the story forward.