itch.io

enable "Use Legacy Version"

On Settings > Ren'Py Settings

no you dont have to,  ver 12.1 saves seem to work but older saves not compatible

maybe you have the old game version, it cannot be use on the newer version if i read it correctly in the comment

the same directory the .exe is in

maybe you have to create new save to make the folder to appear, or you can just drop the old saves folder to the new one

i have the same problem, the game just close
but if i enable the "Use Legacy Version" on Joiplay Settings > Ren'Py Settings, i can get to menu and got error report when loading saves but can play if i click "ignore", i havent tried to play for long thought