Delicious Fruit
Download Game Creator's Comments:
Gizmo [Creator]
My first complete fangame, made in ~2 months.
I like tier lists, so if you want to make a chart for the rooms in the game here you go (spoilers for all the rooms obviously): https://tiermaker.com/create/i-wanna-be-the-caretaker-621666
[6] Likes
I like tier lists, so if you want to make a chart for the rooms in the game here you go (spoilers for all the rooms obviously): https://tiermaker.com/create/i-wanna-be-the-caretaker-621666
Rating: N/A
Difficulty: N/A
Mar 21, 2021
48 Reviews:
Cutiefruity
This game is a homage to Leyland Kirby "The Caretaker" and especially his work, Everywhere at the End of time, and it does a great job at mirroring the thoughts and feelings evoked by the original.
The Caretaker was a long running project by the musician Leyland Kirby, characterised by the exploration of memory and it's gradual degradation through 30's ballroom recordings, sampled into songs to tell a story, especially in Everywhere at the End of Time, exploring dementia as a subject, divided into 6 stages of deterioration. It is in no way necessary to listen to the original album, however I found the experience very eye opening and if you think you can, you should. Otherwise, this game is in my opinion a perfectly valid way to have a similiar experience.
This game begins on the menu with "Heartaches", the main leitmotif of the album. This was a superb choice.
STAGE 1
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 2
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 3
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 4
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 5
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 6
Reveal Spoiler
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I will try to keep these as spoiler free as possible. This game is not for the easily disturbed, and definitely deals with some dark topics that affect many. If you feel you may not enjoy this game due to them, or that they may be unhealthy and remind you of bad things, then maybe skip this one. If not, this is an outstanding game that should be played by everyone who can. From concept alone, this is a 10/10, and the platforming is not bad at all if you're afraid of that. Gizmo's first game is already a very promising one, and I await their next games eagerly.
[9] Likes
The Caretaker was a long running project by the musician Leyland Kirby, characterised by the exploration of memory and it's gradual degradation through 30's ballroom recordings, sampled into songs to tell a story, especially in Everywhere at the End of Time, exploring dementia as a subject, divided into 6 stages of deterioration. It is in no way necessary to listen to the original album, however I found the experience very eye opening and if you think you can, you should. Otherwise, this game is in my opinion a perfectly valid way to have a similiar experience.
This game begins on the menu with "Heartaches", the main leitmotif of the album. This was a superb choice.
STAGE 1
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 2
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 3
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 4
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 5
Reveal Spoiler
STAGE 6
Reveal Spoiler
CLOSING THOUGHTS
I will try to keep these as spoiler free as possible. This game is not for the easily disturbed, and definitely deals with some dark topics that affect many. If you feel you may not enjoy this game due to them, or that they may be unhealthy and remind you of bad things, then maybe skip this one. If not, this is an outstanding game that should be played by everyone who can. From concept alone, this is a 10/10, and the platforming is not bad at all if you're afraid of that. Gizmo's first game is already a very promising one, and I await their next games eagerly.
Rating: 10.0
Difficulty: 42
Mar 21, 2021
YaBoiMarcAntony
I Wanna be the Caretaker is based off of the famous Caretaker album, Everywhere at the End of Time, each stage being based on one section of this massive musical experience - one that I have not personally partaken in both due to my own disinterest in it and just not really wanting to put in the time to do it. Nonetheless, it is not a necessity that you are familiar with the album sonically, the game can be consumed quite easily without having never heard it once, as I did. In fact, I might even suggest it to be a superior way of playing this game as it allows you to develop a stronger connection to the game itself rather than it being carried by your connection to the album.
Nonetheless, Caretaker (which is how I will be referring to the game from here on out), is a damn fine gimmick needle game which actually manages to innovate on some of its chosen gimmicks. Particularly, I found the last few stages to be especially good, the last one ESPECIALLY so thanks to its intelligent combination of the various gimmicks within previous stages. Visually, Gizmo chooses a more simplistic approach, succeeding greatly in what they set out to do. The game is at its best in this respect also at the last stage. Truly, the only problem I had with this game was with the platforms being a bit goofy, not allowing you to stand on them without issue. This made a couple saves more difficult than I'm sure they were intended to be - unless this was on purpose. If so, I do not get it, though I could come up with some reasons for it, I'm sure.
All that, however, doesn't truly matter. Whether or not Caretaker was made purely to recreate the album its based on or to meditate on the themes of that album, I do not know; however, speaking on Caretaker purely on its own merits, I believe it to be a genuinely thought-provoking experience. I have little experience with dementia, but I do know how it feels to see someone you love deteriorate, and the end result is one I don't think anyone should have to see. As such, if you have had the unfortunate weight on your mind of such an experience, then this game will likely resonate heavily with you. It offers insight into how it might feel to be on the other side of the wall, feeling yourself become all static and unfamiliar, suffering a fate worse than death - the death of one's own mind.
Do I even need to tell you this is a game well worth playing?
[5] Likes
Nonetheless, Caretaker (which is how I will be referring to the game from here on out), is a damn fine gimmick needle game which actually manages to innovate on some of its chosen gimmicks. Particularly, I found the last few stages to be especially good, the last one ESPECIALLY so thanks to its intelligent combination of the various gimmicks within previous stages. Visually, Gizmo chooses a more simplistic approach, succeeding greatly in what they set out to do. The game is at its best in this respect also at the last stage. Truly, the only problem I had with this game was with the platforms being a bit goofy, not allowing you to stand on them without issue. This made a couple saves more difficult than I'm sure they were intended to be - unless this was on purpose. If so, I do not get it, though I could come up with some reasons for it, I'm sure.
All that, however, doesn't truly matter. Whether or not Caretaker was made purely to recreate the album its based on or to meditate on the themes of that album, I do not know; however, speaking on Caretaker purely on its own merits, I believe it to be a genuinely thought-provoking experience. I have little experience with dementia, but I do know how it feels to see someone you love deteriorate, and the end result is one I don't think anyone should have to see. As such, if you have had the unfortunate weight on your mind of such an experience, then this game will likely resonate heavily with you. It offers insight into how it might feel to be on the other side of the wall, feeling yourself become all static and unfamiliar, suffering a fate worse than death - the death of one's own mind.
Do I even need to tell you this is a game well worth playing?
Rating: 8.5
Difficulty: 55
Mar 21, 2021
Stickbro411
Fantasticly executed game that injects its source material into the bloodstream of fangames! A wonderous time with gloomy overtones.
[2] Likes
Rating: 7.6
Difficulty: 55
Dec 27, 2023
phgQED
Caretaker is a game that caught my eye in a stream and compelled me to play it on aesthetic and visuals alone. The brain-apples and moving blood water spoke to me, and the rest of this game is just as daring in terms of its looks: visuals include tv-static-water that moves you linearly in the direction you were moving when you entered, the aforementioned moving blood-water, and a giant eyeball that extends pulsating vision cones and will chase you if you're foolish enough to enter its visible dominion. The visuals change regularly and always in unsettling and refreshing ways. In particular, I enjoyed the implementation of fruit throughout—needles are far sparser than other obstacles, or at least feel so, and this gives the game a more 'open' and 'forgiving' sense despite its otherwise hostile atmosphere. Screens are usually one save, but the difficulty curve is very forgiving, and no jump in particular will demand an intense grind. Usually you'll have just gotten used to one gimmick before you're whisked away and introduced to a new one, which keeps the sense of wonderment up while perhaps leaving a whisp of melancholy at unexplored potential. There is, blessedly, a 'smoosh all the gimmicks together' at the end section, and while it's a delight to play, it's as mercifully short as the game is itself, showing you an overwhelming depth without overstaying its welcome.
It occurs to me I forgot to mention the 'shoot to see the other dimension of the screen' gimmick, possibly because it's too hard to describe even as it feels implemented in an incredibly intuitive and easy to understand way. You, uh, shoot your gun, and it shows you one layer of spikes and obstacles, even level geometry... then you shoot, and it shows you the other layer. You can see the whole 'screen' at the same time, but the things that occupy it are different. So you may have to shoot mid-jump to see the upcoming geometery or... you know, you might want to watch a video for this one. Or play it yourself. Maybe just play it.
Easily one of the best fangames I've ever played, in terms of aesthetics, level design, and gimmick implementation. If anything one of my only complaints might be that it's too short—but keeping up that standard of creativity throughout a project this long already requires an immense talent. A definitely masterpiece overall imo.
Time: 1hr50min
Deaths: 752
[2] Likes
It occurs to me I forgot to mention the 'shoot to see the other dimension of the screen' gimmick, possibly because it's too hard to describe even as it feels implemented in an incredibly intuitive and easy to understand way. You, uh, shoot your gun, and it shows you one layer of spikes and obstacles, even level geometry... then you shoot, and it shows you the other layer. You can see the whole 'screen' at the same time, but the things that occupy it are different. So you may have to shoot mid-jump to see the upcoming geometery or... you know, you might want to watch a video for this one. Or play it yourself. Maybe just play it.
Easily one of the best fangames I've ever played, in terms of aesthetics, level design, and gimmick implementation. If anything one of my only complaints might be that it's too short—but keeping up that standard of creativity throughout a project this long already requires an immense talent. A definitely masterpiece overall imo.
Time: 1hr50min
Deaths: 752
Rating: 9.9
Difficulty: 39
Dec 29, 2021
bereavement
Pretty fun game, most of the gimmicks were pretty good, probably my least favorite would be the ones where you need to wait for cycles.
[1] Like
Rating: 8.0
Difficulty: 45
May 11, 2024
Jopagu
A beautiful, haunting needle game. Caretaker features some super fun platforming that takes advantage of unique gimmicks and more well known fare equally, creating something that is fun to play whether it's feeling new or familiar. The atmosphere of the game is also really well done, bringing an evocative, horror-adjacent feeling to the game. It feels like a spiritual successor to Dopamine's games, which is a massive complement.
I haven't heard the music this game is inspired by, but I know of the themes, and I must say this game does an excellent job conveying them. The feeling of mounting horror mixed with melancholy is drawn out through incredible use of visuals and audio, creating a truly emotional experience.
Overall, this game is an easy recommendation for fans of gimmick needle, but especially those who like thematic artistic games.
[1] Like
I haven't heard the music this game is inspired by, but I know of the themes, and I must say this game does an excellent job conveying them. The feeling of mounting horror mixed with melancholy is drawn out through incredible use of visuals and audio, creating a truly emotional experience.
Overall, this game is an easy recommendation for fans of gimmick needle, but especially those who like thematic artistic games.
Rating: 9.5
Difficulty: 45
Oct 21, 2023
TaiyakiEternity
clear time 3:57:01 death 1667
This is a perfect fan game for Aiwana!
It was very challenging with a good difficulty level for intermediate players like me, not too difficult but with a lot of placement and gimmicks that require a lot of technique.
I also liked the story and design, very interesting work!
This game is very interesting and I have played it many times!
One of the stacks I have discovered is that if you shoot the save point on the floor that melts the ice from the air, ice forms at the respawn point and you can't move!
(This only happens if you save for the first time from the previous floor)
[1] Like
This is a perfect fan game for Aiwana!
It was very challenging with a good difficulty level for intermediate players like me, not too difficult but with a lot of placement and gimmicks that require a lot of technique.
I also liked the story and design, very interesting work!
This game is very interesting and I have played it many times!
One of the stacks I have discovered is that if you shoot the save point on the floor that melts the ice from the air, ice forms at the respawn point and you can't move!
(This only happens if you save for the first time from the previous floor)
Rating: 9.0
Difficulty: 55
Oct 20, 2023
SolarOddity
A very fun and relatively long gimmicky needle game. I like the atmosphere and the music that is based off of the Caretaker's album "Everywhere at the End of Time". Definitely recommend.
[1] Like
Rating: 10.0
Difficulty: 47
Sep 20, 2022
roaming97
A horrible yet artistically beautiful experience translated into a fangame.
People have analyzed this game from top to bottom already, and I shall agree, if you can bear the slightly dark theme, this game is a must-play.
[1] Like
People have analyzed this game from top to bottom already, and I shall agree, if you can bear the slightly dark theme, this game is a must-play.
Rating: 8.7
Difficulty: 51
Dec 29, 2021