Elven Curse

This simple non-field RPG challenges you to escape a cursed forest. -Prologue- You're the village's best hunter, drawn to a national hunting tournament near the royal capital. Arriving for the opening ceremony, you eagerly enter the forest, only to awaken the next morning to a disturbing sight: your campsite is deserted, littered with the remnants of numerous hunters. National guards usually oversee the tournament, yet there's not a soul in sight. Cautiously exploring, you realize you're hopelessly lost, repeatedly finding yourself back in the same spot despite your best efforts at navigation. This unsettling situation is the start of your ordeal.

-What is the "Elven Curse"?- This non-field RPG casts you as a hunter, aided by a quarter-elf, striving to escape a cursed woodland. Gameplay is exceptionally streamlined, utilizing a maximum of three buttons outside the main menu.

-Character Creation- While character customization is limited, you can freely reroll your stats. Stat increases upon leveling are only visible on the creation screen; this information is unavailable during gameplay. A return to the creation screen is your only way to check. When your "talismans" drop below two, or your life force reaches zero, it's game over.

-Foria, the Peddler Quarter-Elf- A young (or perhaps not so young) quarter-elf you encounter. Despite his childlike appearance, he claims seniority and offers clandestine assistance in your escape using the forest's ancient spirits.

-Scenario and Presentation- The prologue unfolds like a visual novel, with Foria's dialogue adding a cheerful counterpoint to the ominous setting. The game's world is subtly revealed through understated, evocative language.

-Exploration Mode- Progress through the forest involves exploring unexplored areas. The success of each exploration attempt is influenced by the "fog depth" of the location, which in turn depends on your character's stats. If your life force is depleted, you can use poison to restore it, or, in some cases, precious "talismans". Returning to Foria might also be necessary.

-Beast Encounters and Hunter Battles- The forest teems with dangerous creatures, from wolves and wild dogs to surprisingly aggressive frogs and rabbits. Defeating them yields hides for trading with Foria. Unlike typical RPGs, combat doesn't grant experience points. The goal is escape, and all battles are avoidable (though this requires luck or skillful play). As a hunter, you use a bow and arrow. Maintaining distance allows for safe attacks, while closing the gap risks a devastating counterattack. You can use wound medicine at a distance, or, if overwhelmed, choose between a risky withdrawal or a guaranteed escape using "flash" balls provided by Foria.

-Cloak and Layering System- Using collected branches, resin, and leather, you craft a cloak that enhances your abilities. Up to three layers can be worn, with the ability boost determined by the total number of layers. The cloak can also occasionally restore vitality. Note that the top layer can be damaged and eventually destroyed. The bow and arrow are your only constant weapon.

-Game Features- This is a game focused on the experience of play, featuring elements of chance, strategic decision-making, skill-based challenges, and item collection/crafting. Preparation before each stage is key. It's designed to be relaxing, offering progression even with casual play.

-Auto-Save- The game autosaves, but not during battles. For reliable saving, exit to the base menu before closing the application.

-What's New in Version 1.2 (Last updated Dec 18, 2024)- v1.2: Fixed a bug causing unexpected transitions to the character creation mode. v1.1: Corrected typos in the scenario text. v1.0: Minor bug fixes, some message changes, and added credits. v0.1: Test release.