A simple non-field RPG: Escape the cursed forest! This game challenges you to survive and escape a mysterious forest.
Prologue: You're the village's best hunter, drawn to a national hunting tournament near the royal capital. Upon waking after your first night camping, you discover something unsettling: the camp is deserted. All the other hunters are gone. The national guard, responsible for the tournament, has vanished too. Your attempts to return to the starting point are thwarted – you're hopelessly lost, trapped in a place that seems to shift and change.
The Elven Curse: With the aid of a quirky quarter-elf, you must use your hunting skills to navigate the cursed forest and escape. Gameplay is incredibly streamlined, using a maximum of three buttons at any time (excluding the main menu).
Character Creation: While character customization is limited, you can reroll your stats as often as needed before the game begins. Status increase rates upon leveling up are only visible on this screen; this information isn't available in-game. Returning to the character creation screen is a way to check your stats. The game ends if your life force reaches zero, unless you possess at least two "talismans."
Foria, the Peddler Quarter-Elf: A mysterious boy (or perhaps something else?) who claims to be older than you and offers assistance, secretly using the forest's ancient spirits to aid your escape.
Game Mechanics:
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Exploration: The forest is divided into sections; you must explore each area to reveal paths and progress. The success of exploration attempts depends on factors like "fog depth" and your character's stats. If your life force is depleted, use poison or rare "talismans" to recover.
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Hunter Battles: Wild animals, from wolves to surprisingly aggressive frogs and rabbits, inhabit the forest. Killing them provides hides for trading. Unlike traditional RPGs, combat doesn't grant experience points; the goal is simply to escape. Battles are entirely avoidable with skillful navigation or a bit of luck. As a hunter, you use a bow and arrow. Maintain a safe distance to attack without receiving counter-attacks. Closing the distance risks a one-sided attack. You can choose to withdraw to regain distance or use a "flash" ball (provided by Foria) for a guaranteed escape.
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Cloak System: Create a cloak from gathered materials (branch arrows, resin, leather) to enhance your abilities. You can layer up to three cloaks, with each layer providing a cumulative stat boost. Note that cloaks can be damaged and eventually become unusable. The bow and arrow are your only weapons; no other equipment changes are possible.
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Skill Selection: Choose one skill from a random selection.
Other Features:
- Auto-save system (though not during battles). Save your progress manually by exiting to the main menu.
- Material collection, synthesis, and alchemy systems.
- A focus on preparation before progressing through the game.
Version 1.2 Update (December 18, 2024): Fixed a bug causing unexpected transitions to character creation mode. (Previous versions include bug fixes, text corrections, and credit additions.)
This is not just a game; it's an experience emphasizing strategic thinking, skill, luck, and a touch of relaxed gameplay.
