The first time I played I didn’t expect the interactive part that presents itself later. So here I am for a second time playing through from the beginning with the knowledge that I must pay closer attention.
It’s a fantastic premise, reminiscent of Annihilation and J.G. Ballard’s Crystal World.
spoilers
The faces taking shape is so creepy. The downtime among the team is detailed enough for us to get a quick portrait of each member without losing itself in details. (Similar to how *Annihilation* succeeds at giving character without defining what we usually take for granted about characters.)
“His limbs are twisted inward like a spider’s, and the ground is singed as if struck by lightning.” <— chef’s kiss
I survived on my first play, then tried some of the other routes. It’s strange, I feel like I relied on my gut more than anything else, despite having succeeded.
And given the beautiful but understated first death of the story, I did want a bit more from my own death in the “bad ending.”
(I say this while fully acknowledging that my own Petite Mort submission could use a more developed ending. This is how it is.)
I’ll also say the moment when the runes are read and outline the rules of the curse/ritual it takes a bit away from the mystery. In a possible subsequent draft, you might try to find a way to make the translation of the runes feel more approximate and/or less complete, so as to maintain the obtuseness of the horror around the column and cave.
But these are nitpicks about a piece that is impressively complete given the time in which it was written, and which is otherwise satisfying and knotty in its experience.
A well thought-out little puzzle box that feels equal parts Strange Tales and New Weird. Fantastic!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I'm not sure yet whether there will be a second draft, but either way, this is really useful feedback. And you're not the first one to mention Annihilation—I haven't read it, but maybe I should!
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The pacing of the days is super effective.
The first time I played I didn’t expect the interactive part that presents itself later. So here I am for a second time playing through from the beginning with the knowledge that I must pay closer attention.
It’s a fantastic premise, reminiscent of Annihilation and J.G. Ballard’s Crystal World.
spoilers
The faces taking shape is so creepy. The downtime among the team is detailed enough for us to get a quick portrait of each member without losing itself in details. (Similar to how *Annihilation* succeeds at giving character without defining what we usually take for granted about characters.)“His limbs are twisted inward like a spider’s, and the ground is singed as if struck by lightning.” <— chef’s kiss
I survived on my first play, then tried some of the other routes. It’s strange, I feel like I relied on my gut more than anything else, despite having succeeded.
And given the beautiful but understated first death of the story, I did want a bit more from my own death in the “bad ending.”
(I say this while fully acknowledging that my own Petite Mort submission could use a more developed ending. This is how it is.)
I’ll also say the moment when the runes are read and outline the rules of the curse/ritual it takes a bit away from the mystery. In a possible subsequent draft, you might try to find a way to make the translation of the runes feel more approximate and/or less complete, so as to maintain the obtuseness of the horror around the column and cave.
But these are nitpicks about a piece that is impressively complete given the time in which it was written, and which is otherwise satisfying and knotty in its experience.
A well thought-out little puzzle box that feels equal parts Strange Tales and New Weird. Fantastic!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I'm not sure yet whether there will be a second draft, but either way, this is really useful feedback. And you're not the first one to mention Annihilation—I haven't read it, but maybe I should!
Oh, given the premise and vibe of your game, I think you’ll love Annihilation! The movie is great too, but definitely read the book first.
love this story，short and serious，but funny,like this style.
Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!