Hexes & Heartstrings

About Hexes & Heartstrings APK

As the new year unfolds, you’re poised to embark on a series of challenging tasks that will keep you engaged until the eve of All Hallow’s. Your role is to attend to your master, fulfill your duties, and occasionally insert yourself into situations where discretion might be the better part of valor. A skilled familiar knows the art of timing, understanding when to retreat and when to advance. And you, being one of the best, are well-equipped to navigate these complexities.

Content Warnings and Future Updates

This game was hastily completed within a month for the 2025 SWAK game jam. While it is functional, expect further refinement, the introduction of a second love interest, and a secret bonus ending in future updates, likely around the next sabbath. The current jam version offers a compelling experience despite its initial rough edges.

Gameplay Overview

In this version of Hexes & Heartstrings, you have the option to play as either a cat, crow, or snake familiar, each influencing the narrative, your choices, and your mysterious backstory. Your goal is to win the heart of your witch master, a journey that involves finding true love and sharing a romantic kiss over several hours of gameplay, set against a backdrop of 40,000 words. The game boasts beautifully crafted sprites for the two love interests and a highly anticipated kiss scene.

The game also features an exclusive gardening minigame where you must carefully avoid the feared mandrake while plucking other plants. As you progress, unravel a deepening mystery that culminates in one of three endings: one dire, one catastrophic, and one somewhat tolerable. Ultimately, your fate—and perhaps more—will be sealed with a single, decisive kiss.

Credits and Acknowledgments

The development of Hexes & Heartstrings was a collaborative effort. Katherine Song (saiyohara) handled the writing, editing, and marketing. Lea Sioson (lemonink) was responsible for programming, UI/UX design, backgrounds, and editing. Rae Wong (stingrae36) created the sprites, CGs, and backgrounds, while Maia Hernandez designed the logo.

We extend special thanks to Feniks for the EasyRenpyGUI and Inline Conditions tools, and to Kevin MacLeod for the soundtrack. Here is the full list of music credits:

Soundtrack Credits

“Comfortable Mystery 2” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) – Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

“Windswept” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) – Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

“Summer Day” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) – Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

“Satiate” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) – Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

“Blue Feather” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) – Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License