Therapy with Dr. Albert Krueger

About Therapy with Dr. Albert Krueger

Therapy with Dr. Albert Krueger was made in Ren'Py by dino999z for the Spooktober visual novel jam in 2020, with music by Harmless. It is free on itch.io for Windows, macOS and Linux, has been translated into nine more languages by fans.

The game opens like an advertisement: tired at work, losing confidence, try Dr. Krueger's Dream Therapy. You play Taylor Lee, who sits down across the desk from the doctor in his neon-lit office. He talks warmly and fast, shows you inkblots, runs a cup game, and asks you questions, and you choose how to answer.

The horror lives in the gap between his smile and what is happening. The pixel art is bright pink and teal, the dialogue is often funny, and that makes the moments when the picture cracks hit harder. The maker warns of jumpscares, loud noises, flashing and disturbing images and cartoon gore.

There are three endings, and players say the script shifts as you replay, so a second and third session are part of the design. It suits readers of short horror visual novels who like a charming villain and dark comedy, and it shares a world with the maker's next game, Vincent: The Secret of Myers.

How to play Therapy with Dr. Albert Krueger

1. Download the build for your system from the itch.io page; pay what you want, or nothing.
2. Pick your language and start the session as Taylor.
3. Click or press a key to read on, and choose answers when Dr. Krueger asks you something.
4. Play along with his tests and games and watch how he reacts.
5. Replay to reach all three endings; the maker's devlog has walkthroughs if you get stuck.

Tips

• Play with sound on but not too loud; the maker warns of sudden loud noises.
• Use the log button to reread lines that went past too fast.
• Try different answers on a replay; your choices decide which ending you reach.

Questions