Pre-Odyssey: Odysseus, Penelope and Her Ducks

About

Pre Odysseus and Penelope and Her Ducks is a visual novel that reimagines the mythological love story before the epic adventures. You follow Penelope a timid Spartan princess and her awkward encounter with Odysseus the clever trickster. The twist? Penelope’s reputation as the "duck girl" adds a layer of gentle absurdity to their courtship. Choices shape interactions as you navigate her sheltered perspective and the tension between duty and desire. The narrative balances myth with deadpan humor through dialogue and quirky character beats. This game stands out for its lighthearted take on ancient lore and the persistent duck motif which ranges from silly to surprisingly endearing. While the story leans into tropes it earns points for charm and originality. With a runtime of around 5 hours and multiple branching paths it’s a quick but memorable experiment in mythological romantic comedy. The art style is simple but expressive and the duck-related gags land more often than not.

Storyline

Enter Penelope, the naïve, sheltered, timid daughter of one of the Spartan kings, Prince Icarius. While staying at her uncle's place, Penelope encounters one of her cousin's supposed suitors, the notorious 'trickster king', Odysseus. But this Spartan princess is also notorious in her own right... ... As the favorite daughter of the king? No, not that one. I mean, as the notorious 'duck girl'.