Once Upon A Mind - A Little Too Friendly
A downloadable game for Windows
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VOICE ACTING AND GRAPHIC NOVEL UPDATE IS HERE NOW!
Once Upon A Mind: A Little Too Friendly
A short, story-driven psychological horror experience
Emily, 23, moves to Brooklyn in search of a fresh start her own space, her own life. The apartment is cozy, the landlady is kind, and the small café around the corner offers her a quick job. Everything feels like it’s falling into place… until it isn’t.
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Features:
🔹 Voice Acting – Most lines of dialogue and monologue is now voiced, bringing the story's tension and emotions to life when needed.
🔹 Graphic Novel – Dive into key story sequences presented in a fully voiced, stylized graphic novel format for deeper emotional impact.
🔹 Grounded psychological horror – No ghosts. No monsters. Just people.
🔹 Narrative-driven – Experience a chilling story told through dialogue, monologue, and immersive atmosphere.
🔹 Short & focused – Designed to be completed in under an hour.
🔹 Realistic tone – Inspired by real-life situations of obsession, control, and unease.
🔹 First-person exploration – Interact with your surroundings and uncover the story at your own pace.
🔹 Cozy Style Graphics.
🔹Calm café gameplay – Experience gentle, peaceful moments during café shifts.
For queries email on cardiorastudio@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram @onceuponamind.game
Reactions:
CaseOh:
Kubz (Jay):
Eddie:
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $3.99 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Development log
- Graphic Novel Monologues + Voice Acting Are Here!34 days ago
- Exciting News!43 days ago
- Patch Update + Need for Voice Actors!46 days ago
- Small Update regarding NPCs49 days ago
- A Little Too Friendly RELEASED51 days ago
- 2 Days to Go – Don’t Miss It! "A Little Too Friendly"53 days ago
Comments
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I loved it!!
Hello Zeal, I want to be honest, I didn't fully like the game, I can see potential, it's a good start, but I'd like to give some friendly advice:
- The overall animation of the NPCs can throw you off a bit, when drinking coffee, walking, I think I know what you wanted to do, to make the city feel alive and give that PSX vibe, but sometimes less is more in this kind of stuff.
- The coffee shop mechanics are a bit meh. Again, you don't need to always have a minigame in this kind of horror games but if you do, try to give it some more meaning, conversations with the customers, different types of drinks, having to actually take the money from them when Sarah's not there.
- I love that you include voice actors in the game, I get that you can't have every character voiced, but it would be great to have it constantly, what I mean is, if you have the protagonists voiced, every line should be voiced, that's my honest opinion.
I don't mean to be harsh, I think that you have potential but I wanted to give some advice as someone who knows a bit, just a bit, about game development and voice acting. I think you can make great games if you try to improve some details.
Keep up the good work. I'll keep an eye on your future releases and probably buy and try them.
PS: Loved the Max Payne styled comic slides ;D
Thank you so much for taking your time and writing advice! I appreciate it. I will always keep these points in mind for designing my upcoming projects!
I loved the game and it's very tense, especially since it's based on real events, This was the most tense horror game based on real events that I have ever seen, especially since with each passing second, I felt like there was going to be a chase every time.
I love when developers make something that's more real and mature instead of the flashing lights with cheap jumpscares there was a little weirdness with some characters here and there but that's ok this is your first game so I'll give it a pass (for now lol)
This game was absolutely incredible. I loved the comic book cutscenes as well for the story. Keep up the amazing work!
Can't wait for your next game!
I just wanted to say how much my chat and I truly enjoyed playing Once Upon A Mind on stream. "Cozy horror" resonated with me and my community straight away when we read it. The whole game felt eerie,and immersive. You can tell how much heart and effort went into this, and for a first game, honestly, it’s incredibly impressive.
What I loved most was how the game focused on telling a solid, suspenseful story rather than relying on endless puzzles or constant jumpscares. The pacing was perfect, and the atmosphere kept me nervous and on edge. And David 100% gave me and my chat (especially all the girls) serious heebie jeebies. That creeping dread stuck with me throughout the story.
My only negative critique is that I had trouble getting this game to stream as a game capture or window capture in OBS while live, I could only use desktop capture, however that could also be a me-problem, I'm unsure.
I really hope this isn't the last we see of Once Upon A Mind. I’d absolutely love to see it evolve into a full horror series, something like Fears To Fathom but with your personal touch. You’ve got talent and something special here, and I can't wait to see what you make next.
Much love from me and the chat!
you really made my day with this message. all the best to you! and thank you to the chat aswell, really sweet of them<3
♥ ♥ ♥
Hi there! I would love to translate your game for free to Spanish LATAM. I am game translator, and I am trying to build my portfolio, I have translated a couple of games on this platform, you can see them on my profile. If you are interested let me know and I will be happy to help!
Presentation 10/10
Gameplay 9/10
Creepiness 11/10
Atmosphere building 9/10
I am looking forward to playing next episodes in this series of episodic horror. I played this game on my channel (video is in Hindi if any of my fellow Hindi speakers would like to watch the gameplay and support Zeal).
Thanks and keep up the good work!
Hey! I'm glad you liked it. Its definitely inspired from Max Payne, even I'm a huge fan of that series! Especially the first two games. Thank you for playing the game.
This one was so creepy! As the third game to be awarded S tier on my Indie Horror Tier List, this is one you have to check out!
Much love to the creator Zeal!
Amazing game. The only thing I thought was weird is my first playthrough there was no voice dialogue, and when I watched others play it, they also had no dialogue, but my second playthrough there was dialogue. Was it something that just got added besides that amazing game, hands down?
Yes the game has been updated. It has full voice acting and graphic novel for the monologues! I'm glad you enjoyed the game<3
Heyo, if you plan on making any future games with verbal dialogue I'd love to voice act for you for free. For reference, I voice acted in a game named "Lurking Danger" by Farelas. I'm looking to voice act in as many games as possible, good and bad. Lmk if you're interested, and we can dm about it!
@Zeal:
I have several problems with this game:
1) I cannot save the game or go back to the menu? That disturbed me the most!
2) Mostly it works NOT to place the Cup in the Coffeemaker with 'F' and that is really annoying!
3) CPU and GPU are running at almost full speed, even though the game has rather average graphics. Different settings (high or medium) do not change anything. And I have a new CPU/GPU (AMD Ryzen 9800X3D and RTXC 4080)
Otherwise the game looks interesting for this price.
hello! I'm sorry that you had issues, the GPU and CPU issue is due to the framerate not being capped/ V sync not enabled, I will fix it right away. The Coffee Cup is placed with 'E' I will add so you can press F too. Regarding the save system I will see what I can do cause my game was never built to implement saves.
Hello!
Thank you very much for your really fast answer. Regarding the save, What if I don't want to complete the game in one sitting? I wonder why other players didn't mind.
And the instructions on the screen say: place with 'F' , throw with 'G'. All you have to do is replace “F” with “E” and the problem will be solved…
Regarding the framerate, I've found a solution on my own: I limited the framerate through the graphics-driver.
The game is very interesting indeed. Hope there will come more...
I kept the on screen instruction as the same, now you can have use E and also F. I fixed the issue of GPU usage, I had no idea about the GPU usage issue, but due to your feedback I changed it. I will push the update once the build is completed! Thank you very much for feedback!
As for the save feature, I am still learning I really don't know how to implement it, cause the way my game is built having that feature will cause alot of issues. In my next projects I will add the save feature for sure!
Hello Zeal!
Thank you very much for your effort on the issues.
I didn't expect you to react so quickly.
And for the save: I've now played the game through.
It is short, so no need for a save now.
Last time it was already late and I wanted to continue playing at the same spot the next day, hence my wish.
Good luck with your future projects, I will look for it!
I pushed the update, hopefully it won't cause issues anymore for other players. I want to improve that's why I always reply to feedbacks! Thanks for giving me your time and for being patient, I really appreciate it!
Genuinely very impressed by this! Let me know when you cook some more up Zeal!!!
just curious what the name of the song was at the beginning in the taxi sequence? Thanks! Great game!
ave maria
I totally understand and I'm sorry it ruined your experience. I will work on those glitches right away.
This game was so hyper-realistic with the plight of what a lot of women go through in real life. It’s a scary world out there, but the developer really encapsulates this real-life type of situation perfectly! Very good first project! Please continue to create games for us to play please!
When The “Can I Get A Hug 🤗🥷🏾” Doin WAYY too much! All Endings Once Upon A Mind: A Little Too Nice 😏
I love that video title 😂😂😂
Really interesting game... Hope this is the first from a series of ''Once upon a mind''.
yes it is gonna be a series! and there's gonna be voice acting in the game real soon.
Good Evening Zeal,
How can one audition to voice a character in your upcoming games. I am currently a small time voice actor with 3 years under my belt. You can look me up on IMBD under Kyle Crary. Or contact with my email at kylecrary10@gmail.com. I can send over some of my work.
Had a lot of fun playing this one. The story was great and The jumpscares really got me. I also love how the customers wave their hands all around when handing them their drinks.
I love when the people who buy coffe start to wave their hands around
Thank You For This Beautiful Game! here is the Turkish Version :)
when this will be out on steam?
as soon as the page is setup I will put it up for wishlists, I feel like it can take nearly a month. Currently my account is under review, hopefully it's reviewed so I can finally make the page. And for the people who are buying the game here, I will email everyone the free key for steam as they have already paid for the game once.
okay, can't wait for that!
Steam Link
just bought and played this game, it was awesome!! good job, waiting for your future games)
I'm glad you enjoyed it! There's gonna be a voice acting update real soon and hopefully it will turn out well
Im curious. How long did you make this?
It took me a year and a half as I was learning the 3D enviornment (first 3d project) but hopefully it won't take that long for next games as I am experienced now.
thanks for answering my question.
do u think this will be able to come on steam?
Hey! Yes that's the plan. I'm collecting the funds for steam page only! I want to give steam keys to players who bought the game here so they don't have to buy it again on steam.
oh ok bc im tryna get it on steam since i have steam credits on there and i dont rlly have money for itch lol
Hey! The game is really great. you know the song you used in the beginning for the car ride? it sounded so good, are you able to put it on spotify?
Heyyy, I made that song using SUNO AI, I'll check if I can add it on Spotify or YT music and will update you on that. Thank you for playing the game and I'm glad that you enjoyed it!!!
could you please set the price at 1$, that's all that i have on my card, literally 1$, would really like to play it'!! :(((
I won't earn anything at 1 dollar, literally. Please email me though so I can send you the game key.
found your game through caseoh, but i stopped his video at the 14 min mark to buy the game and try it out for myself. i havent started playing yet but i already look forward to future projects!
this genuinely made my day!! I can see that u made an account just for this. Thank you so much Lin and yess next projects will be better than this!
don't love that you used ai but otherwise good game!
yes totally understandable! I didn't wann use AI either but I did not have the budget to get it all done. In next projects I have different plans and hopefully I will have budget to implement them by then! Thank you for giving ur opinion means alot to me
thanks for being honest and respectful. you did great work!
Feel free to message me on instagram if there are any sort of problems or questions regarding anything. I will do my best to help you out.
@onceuponamind.game
or you can email
cardiorastudio@gmail.com
this game is very fun thank you for making such a fantastic game hoping for more I also loved the 2 endings
Thank you!!!! I am glad you enjoyed the game, more soon!
Most Fears to Fathom game are less interesting than this. I think it's underratted great game. Cozy horror with great narration, fun jumpscares and spoopy atmosphere! PLAY THIS!
Im glad you enjoyed the game Spazious!
This game deserves more players because its an amazing game. im genuinely surprised it only came from one person its an absolutely goated game
This game was truly amazing and I loved the graphics you put into it. The story is phenomenal and I was on edge to know what was happening. The voiceover work was impressive. I recommend anyone play this game! Check it out. 5 stars from me!
Thank you so much radical!
This is truly an amazing game and piece of art, thank you for letting me play and for taking the time to make such a great game. Here is my playthrough!
Thank you so much Chris, your feedback and suggestions definitely made me improve the game so much! Really happy that you enjoyed the game.