Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk
A psychological horror visual novel exploring trauma through dreams.
Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk (written as Milk outside a bag of milk outside a bag of milk...) is a psychological horror visual novel from 2021. It was made and published by Russian indie developer Nikita Kryukov. The game is a direct follow-up to Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk, and it carries on the story of the same unnamed female protagonist. The experience mixes psychological horror with visual novel storytelling to delve into her disturbing dreams, focusing on themes like isolation, trauma, and depression.
The game came out on December 16, 2021, on Steam and itch.io. Its predecessor, Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk, had been released on August 26, 2020. Both games were later brought to the Nintendo Switch by Forever Entertainment on November 11, 2022, as a single bundle. On PC, they are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The plot picks up right after the first game ends. It follows a mentally ill girl as she tries to make sense of her thoughts and what is real by exploring her own dreams. The player takes on the role of an inner voice, guiding her as she works through her trauma and strange hardships.
The gameplay mainly involves making dialogue choices and one short point-and-click section. For the rest of the game, players read text-driven scenes that show her dreams. There are five possible endings, each presented as a dream sequence, and ten unlockable achievements.
PC Gamer called the game a "short and visually striking adventure," and praised it for not having a happy ending, which would have hurt the story. Oliver Shellding of Way Too Many Games and Steven Licardi of Rely on Horror both said the game effectively portrays mental health issues.
- Developer
- Nikita Kryukov
- Publisher
- Nikita Kryukov
- Release Date
- December 16, 2021
- Platforms
- Steam, itch.io, Nintendo Switch (as bundle)
- Genre
- Psychological horror visual novel
- Number of Endings
- 5
- Achievements
- 10
Lore & Background
Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk picks up directly after the events of the first game. The game tells the story of a mentally ill girl as she struggles to understand her thoughts and reality through the exploration of her own dreams. The player assumes the role of an internal voice, guiding the girl as she attempts to process her trauma and surreal hardships.
Gameplay is centered around dialogue choices and a brief point-and-click segment. For the rest of the game, players experience text-driven scenes illustrating her dreams. The game offers five possible endings, each presented as dream sequences, along with ten unlockable achievements.
The game was released on December 16, 2021, on Steam and itch.io, following the release of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk Inside a Bag of Milk on August 26, 2020. Both titles were later ported to Nintendo Switch by Forever Entertainment on November 11, 2022, as a bundle. Both titles are available on PC for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Reader's Guide
Milk Outside a Bag of Milk Outside a Bag of Milk is significant as a direct sequel that deepens the psychological horror and narrative of its predecessor, focusing on mental health themes. PC Gamer described it as a 'short and visually striking adventure,' giving special praise for avoiding a happy ending that would have otherwise undermined its story. Oliver Shellding of Way Too Many Games and Steven Licardi of Rely on Horror cited the game as an effective portrayal of mental health issues. Its legacy lies in its unflinching depiction of trauma and depression through a dreamlike, interactive format, and its availability across multiple platforms has helped it reach a wider audience. The game's five endings and achievements encourage replayability, while its minimalist gameplay—centered on dialogue choices and a point-and-click segment—keeps the focus on its narrative and emotional impact.
Did You Know?
- The game was developed and published by Russian indie developer Nikita Kryukov.
- It was released on December 16, 2021, on Steam and itch.io.
- The Nintendo Switch port was handled by Forever Entertainment and released on November 11, 2022, as a bundle with the first game.
- The game offers five possible endings, each presented as dream sequences.
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