Tala'ub

A short visual novel about the slow erosion of trust.

You meet someone by chance. A shared moment over a packet of biscuits. A conversation while waiting for the rain to stop. It feels like the start of something real.

Over the course of a year, you'll navigate a relationship that gradually shifts beneath your feet. Conversations are remembered differently. Promises are denied. Your own memory becomes something you can't quite trust. Nothing aggressive. Nothing obvious. Just small contradictions that accumulate until you no longer know what's true.

Tala'ub is a narrative experience about gaslighting; the subtle, systematic manipulation that makes you question your own perception of reality. The game spans from a first meeting to a year later, following the slow progression of a relationship that becomes increasingly difficult to recognise.

Features:

• A complete narrative spanning nine time periods, from first meeting to one year later
• Meaningful dialogue choices that shape your experience
• Atmospheric backgrounds and a gradually shifting tone
• BBCode text effects that convey emotional weight
• A story that unfolds through small moments rather than dramatic reveals

Content Warning:

This game contains depictions of emotional manipulation and psychological abuse. It is intended for mature audiences (18+) and may be distressing for some players. If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional abuse, please reach out for support.

Playtime: Approximately 15-20 minutes

Controls: Click or press Space to advance dialogue. Click choices to select them.

Tala'ub (تلاعب) is the Arabic word for manipulation or deception — a fitting title for a story about the ways we can be made to doubt ourselves.