A Very Crooked Christmas
There's a part-time vacancy at a magical sweet shop in York...A year before the apprentice arrives. The Crooked Man desperately needs to run some errands in the run-up to Christmas and requires a babysitter manager for his two mischievous familiars, Jack and Jill.
Serve a collection of endearing customers, pair them with their dream orders and find out what the Crooked Man is really up to…
About
🎄Just shy of 4300 words with 2 endings
🎄 Keyboard and screenreader compatible (press v to activate self-voicing)
🎄Fully voice-acted
🎄 A cosy, seasonal one-shot of the Folklore series and created for Winter Visual Novel Jam 2025
🎄No triggering themes or content
🎄Mild movement flash visual effects
Voice cast
The Crooked Man performed by Michael Heap
Jack and Jill performed by Bree Frankel
Alice DoGoode performed by Sophie Nyx
Vincent Thornaby performed by Taylor Fernandez
Sizwe Pierce performed by Terrance Addison
Download
Comments
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THIS GAME IS SO WHOLESOME I LOVE EVERYTHING SO MUCH(i'm sorry this is gonna be long)
I was super ELATED to see Alice turn up here. It was so cute to see Alice supporting Jill's crafts and Jack getting flustered talking about Lady Frost. Noticed Alice being close enough to be on first name basis with both the kings and lady frost that was so nice. I've got to say that I REALLY love her christmas outfit as well and it suits her so much<3.
Oh Thornaby and little Nancy is sooo sweet showing up as a little support to his apprentice I love the little nickname given to him by his apprentice and Nancy's little emojis<3, the part where he reveals he's married and he starts rambling about his partner and Jill is just there about to pop a vein is so hilarious at least we were able to sell them sugared mice Jill!! Then the part later gives us a peek at Jack and Jill's origins, mythic rights and Crooked standing up for them aww Alice really taught him well.
Now don't get me started when I saw "SIZWE" on the text box I legit SCREAMED IN CELEBRATION. We finally get to see him!! plus another instance of jack getting red again XD and the little eek the twins had. He's so patient with the twins even going so far to listen and assure Jack that Father Christmas is all nice and good then giving them generous tips. He reminds me of those rich uncles that gives out those red money packets to their nephews and nieces.
Crooked talking about the twins after he got back was so wholesome my heart could only take so much. Going through so much lengths to orchestrate that whole day to get them their gifts. Even enjoyed his tiny dark humor moment at the end no worries John. I'm glad I managed to catch the hints to what their orders was on first try, I think "mother nature on a box" was a cool hint for me doesn't give away too much until you look at the options. SO ANYWAYS LOOKING FORWARD TILL THE NEXT EVERYTHING WAS SO NICE THE ACTORS DID SO WELL AND THANK YOUUUUU SO MUCH AGAIN FOR THISSSSS.
Happy Crooked Christmas and an Off-Kilter New Year!!
I finally found this post hidden in the 'review comment' section that I've never been in before! (I'm sorry, I was not ignoring you!) - Thanks again for playing this game and leaving feedback!
Alice is a great teacher, we all need an Alice in our lives :) We could also all do with Sizwe as well, generous and laid-back! Exactly what you want at Christmas!
I'm glad this game brought season cheer (the voice actors were absolutely fantastic as ever, I am in their debt).
Sorry it's April, but the comment warmed my heart <3
Great job!
Crooked Halloween, now that sounds fun 😈
yes! if you do decide to do that, I'm definitely going to play!
Oh my gosh- this one was so wholesome and sweet! It’s so nice to see Jack, Jill and Crooked’s family-like banter! (With Jonathan Lane as the Distant/estranged uncle lolol) Everyone has very fitting voices that make the experience and their characters shine. I do wonder if this is the calm before the storm (story wise). 🥲
This short day to day in their lives from a year before the apprentice arrives makes me wonder how long the Mc was an apprentice under crooked before they discovered the box, I hope I didn’t miss that anywhere.
Anyways amazing game looking forward for the future!^^
Thanks so much, UserRoid, for the feedback!
There's some wholesome family vibes in this one! It was really fun to work on, with a fabulous team of VAs too!
Also, not to worry, you haven't missed anything re:the apprenticeship with Crooked himself, it will be covered here and there as the series progresses. But as it is now, if you've played 'do you like sweets' and 'inside the box', you've currently seen all there is to see of the apprenticeship. that's been revealed (Shishiodoshi has some very small bits, but nothing consequential).
Thanks as always for the comments and support, I'm looking forward to share more this year :)
Im pretty shy posting anything but I love your characters so much I had to draw them! Used the cover art of this game for reference for any colors (I hope I got crooked’s hair right if it is a bit more red-ish like in his sprite then I’ll need to fix it😭)
Hope you continue to have a lot of fun creating this series^^
OMG! This is incredible! Thank you so much 🥰 I love the style! I really appreciate it 🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️🙇🏻♀️
This has totally made my day (and it's 6.30am here!). There will be lots of exciting folklore developments this year (I'm planning my schedule and there will be I think 5 titles this year) cru-chan is going to feature prominently in one of them!
I'll respect your wishes about shyness and I'll enjoy this myself and if it's okay, use it for my phone background 🥰
I’m so glad you like it!! I have absolutely no problems with how you use it so do with it whatever you wish🙂↕️. (Now I’m REALLY excited for the next possible 5 games this year❤️🙏)
I finally got a chance to sit down and play this (I'm a little sad it wasn't before/on Christmas, but I'll save it to play again next year for the Holidays on my YouTube channel.) It was so festive and very well done!
Jack and Jill are such menaces, but I adore them. Jill has such a nice fashion sense (much better than caps dyed with blood, especially >>;)
The voice actors did a wonderful job. And your art is always so lovely.
Keep up the good work. I'm looking forward to the Folklore entries for 2026!
Thanks so much Cryptid for all your comments and messages of support this year ❤️
The little gremlins are determined to make sure you have an off kilter 2026! 💪
So far the best one of this game jam - well done!
Not great, but I didn't hate it either. There is a story and the art is actually good. It was exactly what I expect to find when I think of winter visual novel.
This was such a lovely game, I loved the whole chaotic family dynamic between the Crooked man, Jack and Jill.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Crooked Christmas
Thanks so much MoodyGamR! Have a Crooked Christmas and an Off kilter new year ✨
Wishing you a Happy new year as well
Thank you so much for playing DigitalWaveMedia! I hope you have a Crooked Christmas and an Off kilter new year!
This is great, really loved the whole package. Fantastic characters, artwork and voice acting, and the world really drew me in. Five gold rings out of five.
Thank you so much BlynkInCode! I really appreciate the feedback, the VAs are great, aren't they? They're a fantastic bunch!
Have a Crooked Christmas and an Off-kilter new year
Really enjoyed this one. The voice acting and visuals were fab.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review ✨
Glad you enjoyed it... But you cannot be Carol I am afraid
LOVE ITTT voice actors are so good! i need more of the crooked man
Thanks so much Lesliesunflower! Glad you enjoyed it! Have a Crooked Christmas and an Off kilter new year ✨