Crudelis

Crudelis for PC is a mixture of the adventure and the RPG genres that combines time-limited gameplay restriction (similar to that in Prince of Persia) with the necessity to constantly make difficult moral choices. The latter is often present in modern triple-A productions, such as the Polish Witcher 3. This is the debut of Whiskey Jack Games, a Wroclaw-based Polish studio.

Story

The story is set in 1896. It is an alternative world inspired by the nineteenth century industrial revolution and such classics of literary works as H.G. Wells' The Time Machine or Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The player is brought into a world that is being torn apart by incessant conflicts. Rich businessmen treat their workers as mere subhuman hands, and people care only for their own well-being. Selflessness has been left behind.

The protagonist is called Henry Shackleton - a scientist whose wife Ann has recently passed away. Since that tragic event, he has been obsessed with conducting a research on the possibility of bringing the dead back to life. When he is just a few experiments from achieving his goal, he suddenly falls victim to a bandit attack. This leaves him with only an hour to live, and his task will be not to waste that time, and use it to make the most of his abilities instead.

Gameplay

Crudelis for PC is entirely non-linear in the story it tells. The playthrough lasts only for sixty minutes after which, the gameplay is brought to a merciless end, where the adventure closes. During the last hour of the protagonist's life, the player can freely explore the closest vicinity and take actions that seem to be the most appropriate in the circumstances. Simultaneously, the player has to be aware that even seemingly insignificant choices, like whether to speak to someone or not, will bring consequences reaching the end of the adventure. Depending on the choices the player makes, they will see one of twelve possible endings. Obviously, none of these can happen if the player runs out of time or fails to fit into the circumstances.

Technology

Crudelis for PC is created entirely with a popular tool called RPG Maker. Contrary to many low-quality games available in digital distribution, Crudelis stands out with its refinement in terms of gameplay and graphics (unique, handmade locations). As the creators assured, RPG Maker was used as a full-fledged game-making tool. Using that tool, they drew a parallel to what big companies do when they create a game on Unreal Engine for example. The game's atmosphere is complemented by a moving soundtrack by Richard Wurth.

Last updated on February 8, 2016