Apt 404

You just moved to a new city. You don't know anyone. So you download Apt, the dating app for the new kid in town.

Three matches. Marina, who swims in the ocean before work. Rafa, who sends you voice memos from band practice. And Iris, who seems to remember things you never told her.

Everything is cute, until the app starts noticing a little too much.

Apt 404 is a short psychological horror visual novel told entirely through a phone: swiping, matching, texting, photos and voice memos. It's a meta-horror story in the spirit of Doki Doki Literature Club!: the "app" you're using is part of the story, and it doesn't always behave like an app should.

Features

• A full story told through chats, about 15–25 minutes (one sitting)
• Swipe, match and choose your replies. Your choices change how people respond to you
• Voice memos, photos and a phone UI that slowly stops cooperating
• Ambient soundtrack and effects. Headphones recommended

Content warnings

Psychological horror, unsettling themes (surveillance, obsession, a stalker-ish presence, characters disappearing), fake app glitches and a fake crash. The game may pretend to close or break. That's intentional, and nothing on your computer is harmed.

No gore, no loud jumpscares, no sexual content. All characters are adults. The chills are slow and quiet, not graphic.

Browser vs. Windows version

• Browser (play here): the full story. The "file" tricks are simulated inside the page.
• Windows download: the full meta experience. The game uses the perfis folder next to the .exe as part of the story. Extract the zip before playing. Windows may show a SmartScreen warning because the game isn't code-signed: click More info, then Run anyway.

Controls

Mouse only (click, drag to swipe). Optional: arrow keys to swipe, 1–3 to pick replies, Esc to go back, F11 for fullscreen (Windows).

How to play again

• Windows: Settings, Reset everything, or delete the perfis folder next to Apt404.exe.
• Browser: Settings, Reset everything.

Credits

Made by a solo dev in Brazil, with the help of generative AI tools for art, voice (Microsoft Edge neural TTS, en-US Ava), writing and code. No real people are shown. Font: Nunito (SIL Open Font License).

Support the game

Apt 404 is free. If you liked it and want to help fund Act 2, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-fi. Thank you!