A downloadable game for Windows and macOS

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A creativity-driven RPG about a rundown theatre and pleasing its unruly clientele.

Nobody said that opening a theatre on the wrong side of the river was going to be easy! The roof may be leaking, and the audience may be armed to the teeth, but nothing is going to stop the Rainsdowne Players from becoming the premier (and only!) theatre troupe in town!


Features:

  • Correctly handle 'friendly encouragement' from your audience, in the form of thrown bottles, tomatoes and even the occasional fish.
  • Collect inspiration cards from the audience, and combine them to concoct new plays to please the pickier customers.
  • Hang out with a homeless cat who likes board games.
  • Convince the ticket desk clerk not to leave her dead end job.
  • Survive a boss battle in the form of several hundred disinterested schoolchildren.
  • Plays like if Paper Mario and Majora's Mask had a child, but the father was secretly Rhythm Tengoku.



The Rainsdowne Players is an RPG about winning hearts and minds. Explore the town of Rainsdowne and get to know the peculiar inhabitants, all of whom may have a particular play they want to see, even if they don't realise it yet! Gather inspiration in the form of cards and use it to build the narrative of your next show, but it's never quite that simple and whether dodging projectiles or surviving a sword fight, you've got to actually make it through the performance in one piece!

A note from the Rainsdowne Tourist Board:

Due to a faulty and irreversible weather charm several hundred years ago, the town of Rainsdowne does get an awful lot of rain, but don't let that dampen your spirits! There's lots to see and do around town:

  • Try and sink some questionably depicted pirates at the cannon range.
  • Take part in our lively card battling scene. There's always a tournament running.
  • Enjoy some surprisingly relaxing fishing by the docks.
  • Enjoy some surprisingly non-relaxing yoga in the park.
  • Take to the stage at the Royal Flush bar, which was definitely not a public washroom only a few weeks ago.

Also available on Nintendo Switch!

StatusReleased
PlatformsWindows, macOS
Rating
Rated 3.9 out of 5 stars
(41 total ratings)
AuthorSteve O'Gorman
GenreRole Playing, Card Game
Made withGameMaker
TagsComedy, Cozy, GameMaker, JRPG, Non violent, Pixel Art, Relaxing, theatre
Average sessionAbout a half-hour
LanguagesEnglish
InputsKeyboard, Gamepad (any)
LinksSteam

Download

Download NowName your own price

Click download now to get access to the following files:

Windows Version 33 MB
Mac Version (32bit) 33 MB

Comments

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OK, I've got all the cards except two: the two cards to the right of the "desert" card. I think I need some hints for these, they don't seem to the the ones that other players had trouble with, so I haven't found anyone else asking about them online, and they don't have descriptions on the wiki so that doesn't help me either. I'm worried they're super easy to find and I've just been walking right past them.

I haven't initiated what sounds like the finale of the game yet, though, so maybe I have to do that first? Anyway, thanks in advance!

I you haven't been to the sewers yet, then yes you need to kick off the big event plan stuff to be able to get those cards.

Be reasured that's not the absolute end of the game, and you do get a chance to tidy up any missed cards before chosing to fully end the game.

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Got it, thanks! Glad to know I can just proceed. I was worried because there was a warning about finishing up things before starting the preparations, but I guess that just refers to staging plays?

I actually really appreciate how accommodating the game is. There were several points where I thought I had to finish other things before advancing the story, but then I found that there was plenty of time and opportunity to do everything, no matter what order.

Does anyone know how to copy the save file to a different computer? I installed this on my laptop before going on travel, thinking it was a much shorter game than it is. Now I'm back and I'd like to continue on my main computer, but copying the entire game folder over does not keep my progress. I don't know where the save data is stored. Thanks in advance!

Hey! Assuming you're on Windows.. its:

C:\Users\[YOURNAME]\AppData\Local\Rainsdowne_Act_2\save.ini

(1 edit)

Awesome, thanks!

But does that "Act 2" mean this game is actually the sequel to something?

It's a legacy thing, there was originally a shorter prologue version available (Act 1), and the full game was going o be Act 2, but the game changed so much over time that I retired part 1 and remade all it's content within a single full game.

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I downloaded this game on Switch about a year ago, and it's still one of my favorite little comfort games to return to! I've 100%ed it twice lol. Both of the games you've made so far are so sweet and cute :)

Any hope of 64-bit support for the Mac?

(+1)

Hi. I'd like to get it sorted eventually, but don't really have the time or means right now. Sorry...

Thanks for letting me know, all the same! I made a Mojave partition, so I will install it there for now!

Cool game 10/10 11/10

This game was amazing! It was enjoyable coming up with different plays and collecting more cards to make more plays. It is kind of difficult finding cards but it is the challenge the game presents. I also like the minigame of dodging the stuff thrown at Orange and Blue. Love this game and can't wait to complete the cards!

Thank you for the offer, sir.

(+2)

Is there any chance this will be updated to work for 64bit Mac? 

I've been playing Rainsdowne for about a week and I'm struggling with the race and animal card clue (race and either shark, horse or bear). Is there any guides available?

If I remember correctly, Race has to be the Purpose (3rd), and the Outcome (5th) has to be whoever won the race... I think. It's been a while. Let me know if I'm wrong!

I really do like this game after trying it. I didn't like the early dialogue and just tried to do side quests for the sake of earning cards, but once the game gets going and the town opens up it won me over. Starting with the frogs, but particularly once you've done yoga and had your picture taken.

Earning cards is fun and encourages you to do the rpg Talk To Everyone. There's a day-night cycle but no time limit, people move about, and there's fun and unexpected ways of interacting with them.

There's a good variety of minigames, *mostly* optional, mostly rhythmic, always just using the arrows and one button. I don't like all of them, but I love some of them and don't hate any, which yknow is more than you can say for most minigame-focused games. I had a few minor problems, like there's a bit of the (very funny) Poster minigame where it seemed to tell me to go left, but I actually had to go up. If you can't do timing action commands then you can't play this game, which is something to know going into an RPG.

There's also a good amount of Background Lore that I don't pay attention to but I'm sure someone would enjoy. maybe you. I support the taxi drivers going on strike? Good for them?

It's a good game! thank you for making it :)

(+2)

Liked your game! I hope this video essay does it justice.

Can someone help me with my last 5 cards? They are sleep, lick, library, dolls, and explosion

I think I remember some of these:

I think sleep is in the marketplace at a certain time of night, Orange only.

Lick is for finding all the frogs (I'm sorry)

Dolls is in Marji's house after work hours with Blue... Maybe?

I'll check the source code to try and remember the others!

Sleep and dolls didn't work for me

Does anyone know what the rich girl with the white hat inside the pirate ship game wants? I have all the cards necessary, I just cannot figure out what order for the life of me. 

Heya, Location = Island, Purpose = Party, then either Encounter or Outcome needs to be Present.

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Wow, thanks for the speedy reply! I tried both combinations for the present several times, but it still doesn't seem to be working for me. Should I try changing my outfit to something fancier?

That's odd.. I have the game's code open right now and that should be the solution!

Is there a chance you already unlocked her card and you just need to speak with her?

I don't think so, she just says the same thing every time, and the checkmark isn't in snail's book yet

This seems like a charming game, but having to play an entire minigame for every trial and error attempt at putting the cards in the right spots really wore me down. I would love just a straight up cheats list so I can skip through the harder customers and see the full story.

(+1)

Hey, some of the puzzles are a bit obtuse... You might find the solutions to some of the harder ones over on the Steam Community.

Got this in the Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality, and just 100% beat it. Absolutely loved it. Some of the puzzles had me going to the wiki but besides that they were reasonable. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on any future games you publish.

Congrats on 100%! (Truly, because some of the puzzles are really obtuse...)

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Hi Steve, I love the game! I just beat it, but I’m stuck on a few things for 100%:

1. Is there any reward for catching all the fish in one session? Please say no...I keep trying, but the last fish takes forever :’( also curious if there’s any reason to keep betting higher amounts with the card gamblers!

2. Do we ever learn what the rusty pole in the shallows is?

3. What, and where, are the card to the right of Frog and the two cards to the left of Air Taxi???? I’ve solved every villager except the Scientist!

(+1)

1. Haha nope.

2. Try inspecting the statue in the main hall as the orange haired character.

3. I'll check and get back to you.

thanks so much!

(+1)

- You need to find all of the hidden frogs for the one next to the frog.

- I think the other 2 are related ot the scientists in the lab. One of them you get for talking / investigating, and another you get for doing a play with that card.

thanks so much, I got the scientist stuff! but I’ll prob remain stuck at 26 frogs until someone makes a frog list haha

(+1)

This game is fun but it is so frustrating trying to find out the solutions :( please publish a guide

Hey, thanks for playing! You might be able to find solutions to a few of the more obscure (or badly designed!) puzzles over on the Steam community page.

(+1)

Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately, I still have not found all the cards so couldn't finish all the plays. The ghost "Nothing" card really stumps me. But I did enjoyed a whole 12 hours out of this game. Thank you for making such a wonderful game :D 

Hehe, the ghost really does just want a play about nothing. 5 whole cards worth of it!

(+1)

First of all, hi, I really like your game. Great sense of humor, and I love how satisfying constructing a successful play can be.

But I really really need help. I've been trying to satisfy everyone in the book, but no matter what I do the old man by the library who wants and old fashioned play does not respond. I know what cards to use, but I've tried dozens of increasingly nonsensical combinations. I feel weird trying to get the developer's attention for this, but there are no walkthroughs in existence and I'm starting to lose sleep.

Thank you for reading, love your game :)

(1 edit)

Argh that particular play always gets folk stuck... My bad. You have to set the monarch as 'location' as somebody is planning a nefarious plot with them as the target.

Let me know if you need further help! I'll have to dig in the code and remind myself of the exact order.

Ok, I took a look at the code, so spoilers for folk who want to solve the annoynig puzzle themselves!

...

Location = Monarch, Purpose = Poison, Encounter = Guard

Thanks so much for taking the time to help! I'm just very relieved it's not bugged :) Still love your game!

You know... That makes sense, but as someone who has been stuck on that particular play for the last few days I am outraged! J/K, I was really just being stubborn, I put random cards in the location spot to solve other puzzles that I was sure I knew just to try and brute force them, but this time of course I thought no no.. I'll do it PROPERLY and use an actual location as the location...

Hi, just letting you know that the game doesn't seem to launch properly through the itch app on Mac. When I click launch, I get the dock icon in my dock, but nothing happens. When I navigate to the game's folder in finder and double click the game icon, the game loads fine. MacOS Mojave 10.14.6

Hi, would I have to buy this separately for the Nintendo Switch? (Currently on PC)

Yup, it's on the eShop. It's currently on sale for just a few more hours, if you act quickly!

(+1)

FYI: as a theater kid I would love to play this, but it needs to be updated to work with my version of MacOS (Catalina, 10.15.5). :( 

Hey, thanks for showing an interest. I really want to get this sorted, but it's neither simple or cheap (I'd have to either buy a new Mac or find/pay another dev to handle the Mac version.)

Sorry that I'm not able to make any promises right now :(

I assume there will be no further sale for this game, after the "Games to help you stay inside" discount? (Maybe this time a bit longer than before.)

Heya, normally go on sale whenever Steam sales roll around. Currently on sale for Nintendo Switch for the next week!

any hints on the card right after the dream? it's the last one i'm missing :(

(+2)

I'm starting to forget the specifics myself, but I believe it's at the card shop after hours.

Can't remember if it requires you to be a specific character... Let me know if you still can't find it and I'll have to dig in the game code!

(Somebody please make an FAQ!)

found it! thanks :)

(+1)

Hi. I've been looking for a guide for this game. I want to say that I would make it, but I also dont want to lose my progress. You dont have notes in your comp or anything that would help?

Mac version won't run. "Bad CPU type in executable”.

Ah, I think the Mac version might be 32 bit due to the version of Gamemaker it's made in... So recent MacOS changes blocking older apps from running anymore might have killed it :(

I'll investigate more later.

Any plans for a Linux release? :)

(+7)

There's too many good things going with The Rainsdowne Players. Yet it still hits me that it's hard to find any information about it or people playing it. It's on Steam and on Switch, and even then, it's more than likely that it's made it past all of your radars. I propose taking it for a spin, as it's a game unlike anything you've played before.

While it's rough around the edges and with plenty of things not very clear, it has a lot of charm and soul, with plenty of things to collect, combinations to try, and some truly brilliant moments.

I'll be sharing the fanart I made for it not long ago, because why not? Looking forward to more works from Steve and co! 

I checked out the Rainsdowne Players for this week's episode of my show #1Game1Minute! For anyone who is considering buying this game, this'll hopefully give you a good run-through of it.