MetaWare High School (Demo)

Adventure· Visual Novel· Philosophical· Experimental

Released Apr 2020

How do you see the world when nothing is real? An experimental metafictional visual novel.

96% positive · 699 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to get it

Free on Steam

Steam Free

Evaluation

MetaWare High School (Demo) released on April 2, 2020 as a free, self-contained metafictional visual novel. It received minor patches and bug fixes in the months following launch, and a Special Features DLC (artbook, unused music, and a playable prototype) was released on July 29, 2020. The developer's most significant and decisive communication came on January 31, 2025, with the "Major Longevity Update" (Version 1.1.0.0). In that post, the developer explicitly declared the game's content to be "Content Locked," stating that all game content — dialogue, animations, logic, and other elements that contribute to the core experience — will not be changed in future updates, even to fix known bugs. The developer explained that modifying the game this far after release would go against its themes and identity as an unfinished demo. Future updates will focus solely on keeping the game technically supported on modern hardware, not on adding or altering content. Both DLC items listed on the store have been released. The developer has not announced any additional DLC or content expansions. A June 2020 post mentioned the possibility of a future "full game" continuation of the MetaWare series, but that referred to a separate, hypothetical future project — not additional content for this demo. The January 2025 update does not revisit or reaffirm those plans, and no follow-up announcement has been made. The game is complete as a standalone experience. The January 31, 2025 "Content Locked" declaration is the clearest possible signal that this release will receive no further content changes.

Evidence

Developer explicitly declared all game content 'Content Locked,' stating that dialogue, animations, logic, and other core experience elements will not be changed in future updates. Future updates will focus only on technical compatibility and hardware support.

news post · Jan 31, 2025 source development ending

high

Special Features DLC released, containing an artbook, unused music, and a playable prototype. Both available DLC items are released with no unreleased items listed.

dlc listing · Jul 29, 2020 source content shipped

medium

Content

2 of 2 released · no outstanding content

Released

MetaWare High School (Demo) Special Features

Jul 2020

Released

MetaWare High School (Demo) Soundtrack

Apr 2020

Media

Details

Developer

Not Fun Games

Publisher

Not Fun Games

Achievements

Platform

Windows, macOS, Linux

Controller

partial support

Steam Deck

Playable

Players

Single-player

Visual Novel Philosophical Experimental Funny Anime Emotional LGBTQ+Surreal Nonlinear Psychological Cute Comedy Memes Psychological Horror Choose Your Own Adventure

About this game

Each character was assigned to give a statement to be posted on this store page. Their responses are below:

CHRIS: Hello! I’m so excited that you’re considering playing our game! I'll tell you as much as I can. So we're actually not the full game. We're the demo! No one knows if the real game is out yet or not, or what genre we're really supposed to be....it's kind of confusing. But that's just fine, I guess! Anyway, I suppose it's already been determined where you'll be going and what kinds of things you might be doing? I hope I get to actually meet you later. I've really been looking forward to it! Have a nice day!

HOPE: hey if u get any choices that lead u to a mochi store go there thats where the cool ppl in the game r if you dont youll probably lose ok bye

ASPEN: Hey YOU! Yeah, YOU! Wanna chat it up with some cute girls? (And a super cute non-binary person?) Then you've definitely found the right game! We're not like those other inferior dating simulators. We have the advantage of knowing who, how, why, and what we truly are! Well, uh...mostly. That's where you come in! You can be the one to tell us once and for all what we're really doing here! And with the help of your good buddy Aspen, we'll ensure that this game gets its best ending! Our fate rests upon your shoulders, O wise player!

NARI: [Declined to give a statement.]

ISADORA: WHAT?!??! MY QUOTE IS GOING TO BE LAST????? THAT'S NO FAIR!!! YOU SHOULD CHANGE IT SO THAT I'M, LIKE, AT LEAST SECOND? OR THIRD?!?!!? LAST IS SO STUPID!!!!!! NARI DIDN'T EVEN SAY ANYTHING AND SHE'S NOT EVEN LAST!!!!! Mine is probably gonna be HIDDEN by that STUPID READ MORE BUTTON NOW!!!!! UUUUUGGGGGGGGGGG (...wait so what exactly should I say then? ...oh, ok.) Hi! I'm Isadora, and...uh... (Oh, whatever, this is so stupid! Was that enough? Can I go now?)

A NOTE FROM THE CREATOR

Hello. I am the Creator. I created this Visual Novel's script, code, and music.

The game runs in the RenPy engine and is formatted as a visual novel. Occasionally you will choose what to say by selecting a dialogue box. There are multiple endings. It takes around 2-3 hours to complete everything.

It is recommended that players are at least 12 years or older. The game contains strong language and the discussion of heavy topics. There are no shock imagery or jump scares.

The complete soundtrack and a collection of extra content featuring an art book, developer commentary, unused music, and a playable early prototype are available for purchase as DLC.

Thank you to SparkBag, Keeby, and Alexander A. McDonald for creating the majority of the visual assets.

Please enjoy.

-The Creator.