Elven Curse

A simple non-field RPG: Escape the cursed forest.

Prologue: You're the village's best hunter. A national hunting tournament is being held near the royal capital, and you've traveled far to compete. After the opening ceremony, you ventured into the forest, full of anticipation. Waking up after your first night camping, you discover something unsettling: everyone's gone. Only the remnants of a large hunter encampment remain. National guards oversee the tournament, yet there's not a soul in sight. Cautiously, you begin to explore, only to find yourself disoriented. A familiar tree appears, proving you're lost in a strangely looping forest. Your usually impeccable sense of direction has failed you. This is… unusual.

What is the "Elven Curse"?

This non-field RPG casts you as a hunter attempting to escape a cursed forest, aided by a mysterious quarter-elf. Gameplay is remarkably streamlined, using a maximum of three buttons outside the main menu.

Character Creation:

While you can't manually customize your character, you can re-roll your stats as often as needed. Status increase rates upon leveling up are only visible on this screen – this information isn't accessible during gameplay. Character death occurs when your life force reaches zero, unless you possess at least two "talismans."

Foria, the Peddler Quarter-Elf:

A young (or perhaps not so young) quarter-elf encountered in the forest. Despite their childlike appearance, Foria claims to be older than you and offers cryptic assistance in your escape, drawing upon the forest's ancient spirits.

Game World and Presentation:

The prologue unfolds smoothly like a picture story, while Foria's dialogue is lighthearted. The game's worldview is conveyed through understated, evocative language.

Exploration Mode:

Progress through the forest by exploring unexplored areas. The outcome of each exploration attempt depends on the area's "fog depth," influenced by your character's stats. When your life force is depleted, use poison (if available) to restore your vitality. Rare "talismans" might also be necessary, potentially requiring a return to Foria.

Beast Encounters & Hunter Battles:

Ferocious creatures, ranging from wolves and wild dogs to surprisingly aggressive frogs and rabbits, inhabit the forest. Defeating them yields hides for trading with Foria. Unlike typical RPGs, combat doesn't grant experience points. The goal is escape, not conquest. Battles are entirely avoidable (though this requires either luck or skillful play). As a hunter, you use a bow and arrow. Maintaining distance allows for safe attacks, while closing the gap exposes you to a one-sided assault. If cornered, you can attempt a strategic retreat or use a "flash" ball provided by Foria for a guaranteed escape.

Cloak & Layering System:

Create a cloak from gathered branches, resin, and leather. This cloak enhances your abilities, with up to three layers possible. The ability boost is cumulative. The top layer of your cloak may be damaged and eventually become unusable. The bow and arrow remain your only weapon.

Game Features:

• Simple, accessible gameplay.
• Emphasis on strategic thinking, skill, and luck.
• Crafting and alchemy systems.
• A focus on preparation and resource management.
• Autosave system (with limitations; manual saving is recommended in the base menu).

Version 1.2 Update (December 18, 2024): Fixed a bug causing unexpected transitions to the character creation mode. (Previous updates included bug fixes, typo corrections, and credit additions).