Nonton Tjapgomeh is a renowned work of classic Chinese-Malay literature written by West Javanese author Kwee Tek Hoay in 1930. Now, the novel has inspired a new visual novel game by Indonesian game developer Rakoratsu, who has released a short narrative video game with the same name.
The visual novel transports players to Batavia in January 1930, on the eve of the Cap Go Meh celebration, a Chinese traditional lantern festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the Chinese calendar. Through a slow and intimate narrative approach, the game invites players to experience a single meaningful night without relying on excessive dialogue or dramatic action.
While inspired by Kwee Tek Hoay’s literary work and the broader context of 1930s Chinese-Malay writing, Rakoratsu emphasises that Nonton Tjapgomeh is not a direct adaptation. Instead, it is an original fictional story shaped by the historical setting and emotional tone of the era. This allows the game to capture an authentic atmosphere while maintaining creative freedom in its storytelling.
Designed as a short narrative experience, the game focuses on observation, emotional distance, and small choices that shape the story’s meaning. Players move using simple keyboard controls, interact with the environment, and absorb the visual and atmospheric details. With no time pressure or complex mechanics, the experience feels closer to reading an interactive story than playing a traditional game.
Nonton Tjapgomeh features three possible endings, each offering a different interpretation of the same night rather than presenting a clear right or wrong outcome. This structure encourages reflection and adds replay value despite the game’s brief duration.
The game is now available in both Indonesian and English via Itch.io, and can be played directly on a browser.
The Indonesian Anime Times
