The Other Side of Happily Ever After

A Solo Storytelling Game About Becoming the Villain

Every villain starts somewhere. Every dark legend was once a tale of hope, ambition, or love. But what happens when the best intentions aren’t enough? When the world twists, when choices narrow, when the hero of the story becomes something… else?

The Other Side of Happily Ever After is a solo narrative game that explores the path from light to shadow, from dream to downfall. With just a deck of playing cards and a journal, you will craft a character, follow their journey, and discover how even the noblest soul can be shaped by fate.

Forge Your Own Tragic Tale

This isn’t about retelling fairy tales you already know. This is about your character—someone with a gift, a purpose, a dream. And as the cards unfold, so too will their story, one choice at a time.

What was once a hopeful path may twist into something unrecognizable. Will they fight it? Will they embrace it? That’s for you to decide.

A Simple, Powerful System

With a deck of playing cards as your guide, the game leads you through four acts of transformation:

• The Call to Fate (♦️) – The beginning of the journey, where their story takes shape.
• Moments of Glory (♥️) – Deeds of heroism and sacrifice, each leaving a mark.
• The Breaking Point (♣️) – Trials that shake beliefs, test limits, and reveal cracks.
• The Final Choice (♠️) – Defining moments that decide who they have become.

More Than a Game

The Other Side of Happily Ever After is:

• A deep, emotional exploration of what makes a villain.
• A personal storytelling experience shaped by your choices.
• A meditation on power, morality, and consequence.
• A journey into the shadows of fairy tales.

What You Need to Play

• A standard deck of 52 playing cards.
• A journal or loose sheets of paper.
• Your imagination.
• 2–3 hours for a complete session.

Why Play?

If you love stories of transformation, if you’ve ever wondered what pushes someone over the edge, if you want to explore the gray areas of morality through character and narrative, then this game is for you.

This is more than just a story—it’s an experience, a descent, a revelation. Every tale starts with a gift and a choice.

Who will you become when the final page is written?

Vas Quas Lab

This game is part of Vas Quas Lab, our creative workshop. Right now, it's available in a simple text format—but the more people play, the closer we get to a full release.