Scenario
Carly World is a Branching Narrative Visual Novel that tells a story through a third person perspective about a woman who regresses into her past a 16 year old girl in High School.Â
You get to experience the past without any memories and try to navigate past relationships. Dealing with the past is one but now your nightmares seem to attempt to harm you with a mysterious figure stalking your deary and weary states.
Characters
Carly's past best friend is Chiara Webster who is a classmate who is now approached by Carly to initiate a friendship. She is quiet, confident and will grow fond with Carly along the journey but you dictate the tone.Â
Gig (Gabriella) Westhuizen is a quirky super likable girl who immediately attaches to your side feeling confused as she was never a friend from the beginning. You learn to navigate a new and interesting friendship while trying to reconcile her past image with her current demeanour.
A bright and snappy girl who happens to be Carly's main obstacle is Eliza (Elizabeth) Kiara Jones who loves to be on top grows to hate Carly. You have to overcome your trauma and learn to deal with her without losing yourself.
Helen and Sam Boyle is respectively your mother and older brother who accompany you throughout the journey.
There other background characters that currently don't have much of a role would grow into bigger parts of the story but the characters mentioned above have more precedence.
GamePlay
It is a simple Arena Rougelike with satisfying gameplay where you fight in Carly's nightmare presented as an abstract mall with the world taking shape in strange and interesting ways.Â
It is a simple FPS Shooter with a simple Defensive, Evasive and Offensive System created for a simple predictable gameplay loop. The game has three simple levels that when completed will reward you with good memories to form a deeper understanding of your character.Â
Game Mechanics
The Offensive System consists of 4 weapons titled Blast, Golden Splinter, Inferno Flarefare, Ivory Crescent Sling and Lunar Bow. Golden Splinter is a low cost simple shooter pistol with its heavy pairing Inferno Flarefare is a high damage ability with heavy cost. Ivory Crescent Sling is a high damage and low cost ability with Lunar Bow being contrary to the previous.
The Evasive System consists of 3 abilities Fire Walk, Lunar Eclipse and New Moon. Fire Walk is a quick step movement that leaves fire trails behind that can damage potential enemies. Lunar Eclipse is a powerful dash that can help you move quickly around arena. New Moon is the fastest ability that warps you through the arena in frightening speed.
The Defensive System consists of Apollolian Embrace, Full Moon and Shield Of Helios. Apollolian Embrace is a shield that envelopes you in a circle of flames that hurt nearby enemies. Full Moon is a shield that keeps in a barrier where nothing gets out or in until it collapses. Shield Of Helios is a Frontal shield that pushes back anything before you.
You can jump and levitate in the game so the combat doesn't need to remain on the ground.Â
Wishes are multipliers to your abilities that can create unique play styles and unlock either critical damage or burn.
Environment
The gameplay is set in an abstract mall constructed through Carly's dreams that is broken into three levels.
The first level is a round arena with floating broken debris where you given space to move and fight.
The second level is a more constricted area of T shape hallway and ledges to levitate towards in the middle of battle.
The last level is also circular with a centerpiece in the middle with environment shrouded in fog.
Concept
This is weird debut game with an interesting gameplay made for niche players and tastemakers. I suggest playing this small indie project if you have open mind and need something to relax playing.Â
