Palinurus
Released Dec 2016
A drifting traveler boards a one-man space shuttle destined for Alpha Centauri. This shuttle is piloted by Budapest, an artificial intelligence program designed to serve humanity. When disaster unexpectedly befalls their ship, the two of them are sent careening through uncharted space.
94% positive · 265 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
Evaluation
Palinurus is a free kinetic visual novel originally created for the 2015 NaNoRenO game jam. It launched on Steam on December 9, 2016 as a remastered "Anniversary Edition" featuring updated sprites, backgrounds, music, and UI. This remaster was the game's sole post-jam development effort, and the store description frames it as a completed, self-contained story.
The developer's news posts from late 2016 and early 2017 focus entirely on the studio's next project — a separate game called Fare Thee Well — rather than any additional content for Palinurus. A December 2016 recruitment post mentions plans to release more games in the future but makes no mention of additional Palinurus content. The last developer communication of any kind dates to March 1, 2017, when Fare Thee Well's Steam Greenlight campaign was approved.
There are no unreleased DLC entries, no announced expansions or updates, and no developer statements indicating further content is planned for Palinurus. The game launched as a complete, self-contained story and has received no post-launch content additions. The studio's activity since launch has been directed toward other projects.
Evidence
Palinurus officially released on Steam as a remastered Anniversary Edition with updated visuals, music, and interface. Framed as the culmination of two years of work and the studio's first Steam release.
Store description presents Palinurus as a complete, self-contained kinetic visual novel. The Anniversary Edition is described as the final form of the game, with no mention of planned future content or updates.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Watercress
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
Palinurus is a Kinetic Visual Novel that was created in two weeks for the 2015 NaNoRenO Visual Novel Jam. One year after the initial release, we are proud to announce the Palinurus Anniversary Edition, which features new sprites, backgrounds, music, a completely redone UI, bug fixes, and more.
A drifting traveler boards a one-man space shuttle destined for Alpha Centauri. This shuttle is piloted by Budapest, an artificial intelligence program designed to serve humanity. She is a hardworking, diligent program, just a little naïve to the ways of the universe, and intensely dedicated to her directive. But when disaster unexpectedly befalls their ship, the two of them are sent careening through uncharted space, left with dire prospects for rescue.
Stuck in a floating cockpit drifting through the empty ocean of stars, they have only each other to rely on. Between interesting discoveries both old and new, Budapest quickly develops new traits and quirks beyond her programming. As she attempts to navigate her own troubled seas, the passenger discovers that there is more to this program than previously expected.
Watercress is an international, internet-based group of volunteer developers who work together to have fun and create interesting stories along the way.
A drifting traveler boards a one-man space shuttle destined for Alpha Centauri. This shuttle is piloted by Budapest, an artificial intelligence program designed to serve humanity. She is a hardworking, diligent program, just a little naïve to the ways of the universe, and intensely dedicated to her directive. But when disaster unexpectedly befalls their ship, the two of them are sent careening through uncharted space, left with dire prospects for rescue.
Stuck in a floating cockpit drifting through the empty ocean of stars, they have only each other to rely on. Between interesting discoveries both old and new, Budapest quickly develops new traits and quirks beyond her programming. As she attempts to navigate her own troubled seas, the passenger discovers that there is more to this program than previously expected.
Watercress is an international, internet-based group of volunteer developers who work together to have fun and create interesting stories along the way.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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