To avoid security risks entirely, you can access Heavy Hearts through legitimate means:
A few bugs to watch out for:
Files like this circulate in specific communities: indie game forums, small music collectives, artist-run networks, or personal blogs. They represent a DIY ethos—making, packaging, and sharing without gatekeepers. The "PC Version" tag speaks to pragmatic care: ensuring that the recipient can run or view the work without friction. "Public" suggests the creator’s desire for connection rather than anonymity.
This act—compressing, naming, and distributing—becomes itself a creative gesture. It asks: Who will open it? What will they take away? How will it travel from inbox to thumb drive to archive? Heavy Hearts Public -PC Version-.zip
Warning: Your antivirus might flag the .exe because it’s an unsigned indie game. This is common. Just make sure you downloaded it from the official source (link in description).
I tried to track down "Heavy Hearts Public." No Steam page. No Itch.io listing. A single Reddit post from 2019 in r/IndieDev asking: "Has anyone else played Heavy Hearts? I can't tell if it's a game or a diary." The OP deleted their account two days later.
The expired certificate traces to a "L. M. Holloway" with no known portfolio. A WHOIS lookup on the domain heavyheartsgame.com (printed in the .exe's metadata) shows it was registered and abandoned the same week in 2018. To avoid security risks entirely, you can access
My best guess? A solo developer built an interactive grief journal, called it a "public" version to justify sharing it, and then vanished. Either that, or it’s the most convincing art game about depression I’ve ever played that refuses to call itself one.
The "Public" tag suggests this file was likely distributed during a crowdfunding campaign (Kickstarter/Indiegogo), a game jam (like Ludum Dare), or a free promotional event on platforms like itch.io or Game Jolt.
Important disclaimer: While many "Public -PC Version-.zip" files are legitimate, you should always verify the source. If you downloaded this from an unofficial forum (e.g., Reddit, 4chan, or a torrent site), proceed with caution. The official developer’s website or verified itch.io page is the safest place to obtain Heavy Hearts. The file is exactly 847
The file is exactly 847.3 MB. The metadata shows it was zipped on March 14, 2018, using an old version of WinRAR. The creator’s name in the archive properties is simply listed as "guest." The folder structure inside is a mess of 2010s game dev chaos:
That last part is where things get strange.
Before dissecting the file itself, let’s discuss the game. Heavy Hearts is an indie narrative-driven experience—often described as a blend of visual novel mechanics and psychological exploration. The game typically deals with themes of loss, memory, and connection. Unlike AAA shooters or platformers, Heavy Hearts relies on atmosphere, branching dialogue, and environmental storytelling.
The "Public" designation in the filename usually indicates a version released for free or as a demo to gather community feedback. The "-PC Version-" tag confirms it’s built for Windows-based systems (and sometimes Linux via compatibility layers).