Controls

Arrow to move left and right.
(Yes, it's slow, but who runs in a tiny cell?)

Space to continue, accept, and interact.

A note before playing

Ah ! Ça Ira is a slow, narrative experience about guilt, duty, and the weight of one's choices.

There are no scores, no puzzles to solve, and no optimal choices. There is nothing to win and no history to change.

You will play through the final day of a condemned count, listening to those who come to see him, reflecting on his past, and writing the final letter he will leave behind.

This game contains discussions, but no depictions, of:

• Grief
• Imminent death
• Social inequality and class oppression
• Illness and death from neglect
• Family separation

A word from the author

This game was made entirely by myself (except for the assets credited below) for the GMTK Game Jam 2026, whose theme was "Countdown".

The count is feeling very down at the moment.

I'm not a historian, so some elements may be inaccurate regarding the French Revolution. The title comes from a famous revolutionary song. Listen to that real banger.

This game was also made during a major wildfire about 15 km (10 miles) away, while I was breathing smoke and dealing with eco-anxiety through the roof.

Climate change, like many forms of social inequality, often feels like a problem where "no one is responsible". People are simply born into different circumstances: some inherit factories, private jets, and air conditioning.

Assets used

Sprites:
16x16 Input Prompts
(Everything else was made by me.)

Palette:
Poisson 23 Palette

Fonts:
Cairo Pixel
04b_03

Music:
Music track

Sound effects:

• BBC Sound Effects
• YouTube sound effect
• Knocking sound effect - Pixabay
• Crumpling paper sound effect - Pixabay
• Writing sound effect - Pixabay
• Folding and crumpling paper sound effect - Pixabay