Technical Information

Developer: Angela He
Publisher: Angela He
Release Date: May 20, 2019

On an ordinary workday, while you’re trying not to lose focus, “goth gf’s iPhone” decides to send you memes… meanwhile, your roommate May seems to be arguing with her mom.
Missed Message is a visual novel that explores themes of depression, suicide, and decision-making.

Final Thoughts – Analyzing the Game as a Whole

Graphics and UI

The game features a very unique art style inspired by watercolor painting. Despite most scenes conveying warm colors, the prevailing sensation I felt while playing was one of relaxation.
The entire game includes only two or three animations, originating from a scene where your roommate appears.

The UI is extremely simple, requiring only a few decisions.
The menu itself is clean and straightforward.

Soundtrack and Sound Effects

The music blends perfectly with the game’s atmosphere. Additionally, you can choose what plays in the background.
In my opinion, this was the only element that felt lacking: there is no sound during the dialogue scenes.

Gameplay

The gameplay is simple, relying solely on mouse controls.
During my first playthrough, unfortunately, a minor bug occurred in which the dialogue overlapped with the choice options.

The story, despite being very short, is deeply engaging and impactful. Those who have had close contact with people dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts will certainly relate to the dialogue. The game addresses these themes in a way that encourages reflection—not only about ourselves, but also about those around us.
It makes us think about small gestures and moments we overlook due to selfishness or because we’re too absorbed in our own concerns. Are our problems really as serious as they seem when compared to the pain that people close to us may be feeling and hiding?

I’m not someone who gets emotional over games, but this one truly hit me hard. I don’t know if it’s because it’s so direct or so realistic, but I found the experience very intense.

Replayability and Game Retention

The game is quite short; in about one hour, you can complete all four different endings.