Austerity X

"Experience the existential dread, of 2020s Britain."

"Each day strays from the past…"

"...Into a future where better things are not possible…"

"For it's what we deserve, and it's what we want…"

"...So keep calm, and carry on. Forever."

Overview

A survival horror game where you stay in a small English town to write a story for a national newspaper. You will live day-to-day getting to know the locals, finding leads, and unravelling scandals. All of which lead to the discovery of traditional horror dungeons referred to as "rabbit holes". 

Can you build a substantial enough story that's worthy enough to break the Mayor's eternal strangle hold on this proud town?

Setting

From the outside looking in, Barmford's best days are behind it. When the locals aren't waffling on about crosses they're minding their own business, forever in a loop or stuck in a rut. Most of them couldn't tell you Hallow's name or what he looks like, but know for a fact come election day he get's their little cross. Monsters? Strange noises in the night? The only monster these people know is Gregory after a few drinks.

Gameplay

Explore Barmford at Day and Night: Choose how you spend each day in Barmford, whether its uncovering the next rabbit hole, spending time with the locals or gathering scarce resources to prepare for what's next.

Exploration & Horrors: Journey to the far corners of the town at night, overcoming monsters and strange encounters through brute force combat, useful items or other means. 

Bosses within the depths: Colossal entities that will take more than a cricket bat or gun to overcome.

"Fast Pass" Calendar system: Plan ahead and fast forward time using your notebook calendar. Pick when to explore, meet up with contacts or begin an investigation.

Idle events: While resting up at your temporary home, several events may occur. Some may be minor such as Justine making herself useful round the house, others may be major, such as unwanted knock on the door at night.

Make it to the deadline: Every day the town, your surroundings and your sanity become increasingly depleted. You also need to make sure you have some form of report for your paper before the end of the month.

Style

Oblique perspective pixel art environments inspired by other classic titles in and around the genre. Alongside a mixture of 8-directional sprites and traditional pixel art sprites.

Disclaimer:

This game is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to real political parties, events, or organizations is purely coincidental.