The River

A short, linear visual novel about memory, death, and limbo

bokchoi · Released Jun 9, 2025

Reviews: Very Positive; 93% of 71
Recent reviews: Not enough recent
Players: 0; daily peak, Oct 28, 2026
Steam Deck: Untested
Last update on Steam: 1 year ago; Jun 27, 2025
Minimum PC: Direct3D 9; 4 GB RAM · 0.1 GB disk; Full requirements

What is The River?

This free, single-player 2D visual novel follows a character who awakens in a void with almost no memory and seeks a return to the living. You read dialogue and progress through a linear sequence of twelve scenes.

For you if...

+you like stories that fit into a single sitting
+you enjoy somber narratives about death and regret

Not for you if...

−you want branching conversations or multiple story paths
−you prefer to avoid written violence and discussions of dying

What players say

93% of 71 reviews are positive

Players praise the monochrome artwork, character animation, and music. Reactions to the story are mixed: some praise its emotional impact, while others find it predictable.

Screenshots and trailer

The River system requirements

Minimum: Direct3D 9, 4 GB RAM, 0.1 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run The River?

The published requirements do not name a graphics card we can compare.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i3 Processor or higher
Graphics: Direct3D 9 or OpenGL
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Storage: 65 MB available space
DirectX: Version 9.0

Does The River have co-op or multiplayer?

No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.

Single-player

Does The River run on Steam Deck?

Untested Not yet tested by Valve on Steam Deck.

PC version details

DRM: None declared on Steam
Controller: Keyboard and mouse
Platforms: Windows
Achievements: 1
Steam features: Family Sharing
Languages: Text only: English.

Does The River use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 27, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam