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ANNOUNCEMENT! ALPHA 01 IS HERE! Link at bottom of OP.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE TALE OF THE CURSED LANTERN ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK!
WHOSOEVER FREES THE CURSED FLAME SHALL BE DOOMED TO
PERISH SHOULD THEIR OWN FIRE BE QUENCHED.
Countless ages ago, A vicious and hideous evil was vanquished by a legendary warrior. The monster, a fire demon, left behind a special “gift”, a cursed lantern which would fuse his remaining fire with the body of the one whom would be foolish enough to disturb the flame inside. Some time later, the Kaiser Kingdom was founded, its grand opulent castle built on the final resting place of this horrifying little secret. The only one who knew of its true whereabouts was slain in battle. But was he truly the only one who knew?
The Tale of the Cursed Lantern was the most popular tale of lore in the Kaiser Kingdom, many flocking to the castle in search of the forbidden treasure. Some were too scared to even venture inside the beautiful structure for fear that the curse might take them and that they’d be consumed. Some say they could see a frightful glow coming from the basement vents of the castle. Perhaps, the fair Queen knew more about the legend than she was letting on? Perhaps the honest Queen was...hiding something?
No one knew. Not even her daughter, the Princess.
Over the years, the queen began to feel ill at ease, as if someone were after her. She started fearing the very shadows... She put on a brave face, but deep down she was most fearful. Someone, somewhere, somehow would bring about her untimely end.
Within weeks, she was found dead by the Princess and one of her trusty guards. Some could hear the anguished final cries of Her Majesty, but by the time anyone got to her it was too late. Moreover, the seal to the chamber where the cursed flame sleeps was unsealed. But by whom? Had they any connection with the murder of the Queen? What will become of the princess? Who will be the one to unleash the curse?
The inscription of the lore reads as such:
Your mother was horribly murdered and all the killer left behind was an antique lantern. But was this any ordinary lantern? Suddenly, almost the entire castle staff are after you! What were once harmless maids are now deadly enemies! There’s only one solution to this problem: ESCAPE!
Flee the perils of Kaiser Castle, all the while trying to figure out how her poor Majesty was killed. And why. Maybe a guard might help you. Just maybe... or maybe you might be thrown in prison. There’s only one way to find out.
Story - 100%!!!!
Gameplay - 45%
Mapping - 10%
Sprites - 40%
Music - 60%
Art - 10%
VoiceOver - 5%
Kaiser Castle is arguably one of the most beautiful structures in the entire world! The majestic towers of this beacon of wealth and power attract visitors from all over the world. Fabulous galas and balls have been hosted here, serving royalty from all around. The people of the Kaiser Kingdom pride themselves on being the best, even down to the farmers and fishermen. How much more the staff and servants of the castle? Visitors flock to the castle at the glimmer of a chance to taste one of the fabled Fire Rolls, a Kaiser Specialty pastry named after the fabled “Cursed Flame”. Few get the chance...
However, nobody knows just how the great and powerful Kaiser Kingdom even came to be, let alone their rise to power. What existed before the kingdom? No one seems to know. Also, no one knows who ruled before the great Queen Elysia. Did... anyone rule before the great Queen Elysia?
Tale of the Cursed Lantern is a FANTASY/SURVIVAL Adventure RPG. There are no battles here. Instead, you must use your wit, your sharp mind, and guts...to advance and make it out alive.
Guide the princess through the beautiful but dangerous Kaiser Castle: Through castle corridors, lush gardens, Deep, dark catacombs, the castle crypt-wait. WHAT? Well... heh. You’re on your own!
You’ll have to find out how the queen died, find out why, and uncover the killer! But the twist is that you have to keep yourself from being killed! It’s not just one killer after you. The entire staff of Kaiser Castle wants your head! What’s a young princess to do?
Scavenge the castle for helpful items that might help you later. Even that bunch of old grapes you found on the kitchen table that nobody in their right mind would eat...may have some use.
The princess has much more to lose than, well, her life.
Most of the castle staff have turned against the princess after the curse is unleashed. Fortunately, not all. A few are willing to help! However, if you don’t help them as well, they may just turn you in...
As you explore the castle, you may come across a few...difficult decisions. You may have to choose between your own life, and another, innocent soul. Which will you choose, if ever such a decision came to pass? Why couldn’t it be both?
As you uncover the mysteries of Kaiser Castle, you must be careful not to let your own fire go out! If your fire becomes extinguished, then so will you. Find ways to feed yourself and your fire!
More features:
Puzzles and mazes abound.
FULL Voice Acting!
A (almost!) FULLY custom soundtrack!
Perils at every corner!
Multiple characters to play as, each with their OWN goals!
THE MIGHTY DEATHSWALLOW ORGAN or MDO, a massive 5 manual, two console beast with a network of pipes that spans 45 feet tall!
Custom artwork by yours truly
Opportunities to play as different characters, each with different goals!
CAUTION: Some scenes may contain sudden loud noises and/or Jump Scares.
Queen Elysia
The ill-fated matriarch of the Kaiser Kingdom. Who would want to end her and why? She is renowned for being a kind soul, always putting others first. Her kindness and generosity has allowed the Kaiser Kingdom to explode and flourish.
Julius
Elysia’s third in command. He’s been put in charge of the Princess’ safety at all times. He’s a bit of a goofball and quite dramatic at times... maybe overly so. Despite this, however, when battle or action calls, all playfulness melts away, revealing the warrior machine within.
Fantasia
Little is known about this girl. She wanders about the castle corridors completely undetected. Some say she’s the imaginary friend of the Princess...
Princess Isa
The princess of the Kaiser Kingdom. She’s very shy and quiet, almost never speaking. The queen is constantly disappointed in Isa at her refusal to speak, let alone in public. A queen must have flawless public-speaking skills. She seems afraid, somehow. But of what? If only she’d speak...
Staluc
The first ever nonhuman to work as a guard in Kaiser Castle. He's a hulking wolf and is very powerful. SO powerful he has to wear power-dampening bracelets so he doesn't knock the stone walls down with one swing. Few of the staff have grown to befriend Isa. Staluc was one of them. He looks mean and ferocious, but he's actually a kind, tenderhearted, caring soul.
Mura Wehi
The curse of the lantern has a name. The fiersome Fire Demon who left his last "gift". His name was Mura Wehi. His name literally means "Fearsome Flame". Very little is known about this beast.
Prince Nicolas "Nico" Victor Laren
The prince of a faraway kingdom. But what is he doing here? And why is a 14 year old prince out and about with no escort? He is a sweet and charming individual. Charming to a fault. Does he have any idea what's going on within the deadly castle wallss?
Story: IRON CROC
Non-Custom Music: Eugene Gigout, Alexandre Gilmant, St Saens, Also freesmallchurchmusic1.com
SCRIPTS:
KilloZapit, Khas, Yanfly, TBE
Engine: Enterbrain
Graphics: Enterbrain, Deathswallow, Kanax, Celianna, TBE
More screenshots will be added as game progress continues!
I choose to believe that a good video game has may things balanced well. Good gameplay, eye-pleasing graphics (No soul-crushing pink-on-yellow against black.) and MUSIC. The MUSIC is what made me want to create my own video games ever since I was a child. Yes, my love for the game goes way back, some 25 years. (Not THIS game, mind you.)
Most of the music is classical-baroque sounding, and much of it features the KING of instruments, the mighty PIPE ORGAN. Now, some of you may not be fans of that, and some of you might be!
I want to do everything in my power to create a soundtrack for this game that will evoke similar emotions to those I felt playing those games as a child. Feelings of awe, of wonder, of amazement... and of inspiration. If I’ve inspired at least one person to create, then it was all worth it.
Three words have never struck such fear into the hearts of a would-be let's player: PRINCESS OF PERIL.
I was going through some rather difficult times then, but I suppose no excuse is ever good enough. I'd like to formally apologize to all players who played Princess of Peril and walked away frustrated. That was not my intent. Of course, it was my first game ever, and I've learned so much from the experience. I'd do it all over again.
Tale of the Cursed Lantern is not just some simple "Remake". This game is going to be everything I imagined Princess of Peril to be, but never had the time nor experience to do so. Armed with newly found knowledge and one of the best supporters out there, I aim to create a game that will leave a lasting impression. A positive one that may extend far beyond RMW. Who knows.
What was once a filler project to move out of the way for a much larger project has grown into a mature, substantial project all its own.
Thank you for your time in reading through all of this. I sincerely you hope you enjoy Tale of the Cursed Lantern as it grows.
Thank you.
Some things to get over:
Save points.
Fourth-Wall Breaking.
Tall sprites, Generator Sprites.
RTP Tiles.
Mostly non-custom artwork.
Non-custom GUI.
Almost no scripts.
This is NOT a high-res project.
That is all.
Download the demo (alpha 01) HERE
Known issues: Nun sprites are scrambled
One save point is nonfunctional
Would you like to support Tale of the Cursed Lantern? Grab a lantern and proudly display it in your signature! Choose one of four designer colors. Simply highlight, hit CTRL C, then CTRL V in your signature. Each lantern will take you back here!
Thank you! Enjoy your day!
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