Pain Killer

In the endless cycle of helping others, who heals the healer?

River, an overburdened psychological counselor, is haunted by surreal nightmares. Strange whispers call to him from the depths of these fractured dreamscapes, urging him to ease the burdens of others.  As the “Painkiller,” River ventures through unsettling worlds — a crumbling amusement park, a desolate school, and a stifling workplace — where he confronts manifestations of anguish: a mischievous child, an insecure student, and a broken office worker.

Each encounter reflects emotions River has long buried, leading him to a final, poignant confrontation on a sunset-lit beach. In this blurred line between dreams and reality, Painkiller becomes not only a mission to heal others but also a journey of self-acceptance and breaking free from the cycle of despair.

(This demo was created for the 2024 Global Game Jam. )

Game Designer: Mathilda

Art Designer: 朝圣, 楚, Leo

Programmer: WhiteDove