Technical Information

Developer: Ondřej Sýkora, Emil Gašparec, and Jaroslav Meloun (writing), Emil Gašparec (programming), Ondřej Sýkora (graphics), Jan Fryštenský (English localization)
Release Date: 2015
Download: https://pleasewait.itch.io/take-a-shit

You sit down on the toilet and let out something really massive. After finishing, you realize there isn’t enough toilet paper, and what little you have left is completely covered in scribbles (with game instructions on it!).

This game is a digital version of a gamebook created for the Game Jam Prague 2015.
It was made available for free download on itch.io (link above).

Final Thoughts – Analyzing the Work as a Whole

Graphics and UI

The visual aspect of the game is very simple.
Literally, you’re looking at pieces of toilet paper with the choices written on them.
I wouldn’t call it minimalist, but rather extremely creative and efficient.

The game was made in Ren’Py and possibly because of that, it includes multiple save slots and a standard interface.
Pretty unnecessary, since the game is short and gives you the freedom to jump to any section you want.

The game also includes options to adjust the volume and text speed (which honestly don’t change anything hahaha).

Take a Shit! features two languages: Czech (the original language) and English.

Soundtrack and Sound Effects

Unfortunately, the game has no music.
There are only a few sound effects (which make the narrative slightly more immersive).

Gameplay

It’s a narrative game created during a game jam.
I was genuinely impressed, because this game shows how it’s possible to deliver quality even with very limited resources and an extremely tight deadline.

With each section of text, you must choose an action (each one has a number identifier). Your only interaction is typing that number, which takes you to a specific point in the story.
Behind it, as expected, there’s a branching decision tree.

After playing for a while, you realize that some routes converge into the same ending. You eventually memorize the numbers for the bad endings and start avoiding them.

The paths are as crazy as they come. It’s a game with a strong comedic vein (and downright bizarre at times), I really enjoyed it.

Replayability and Game Retention

It’s a quick game with no real graphical appeal.
It was clearly made for people who enjoy narrative games, no doubt about it.

I really enjoyed the experience! You can complete all the routes in a single sitting. Believe me, it won’t take you more than 40 minutes.