Epistory’s atmospheric adventure will come to Windows, Mac and Linux on March 30, 2016 when Fishing Cactus releases the game onto Steam.
Inspired by origami, the Japanese art of folding paper, Epistory’s narrative-driven gameplay begins in a blank paper-white world. Players assumes the role of a narrator, telling the story of a young girl riding a majestic fox. As the heroine explores the world around her, more of the map opens up, literally unfolding into a magical land tinged with darkness.
The aesthetic approach to presentation earned Epistory an IGF honorable mention for Excellence in Visual Art as well as the Innovation Award at the Belgian Game Awards.
Every action the player takes, from controlling the heroine to navigating menus, is completed through intuitive keyboard controls. Foes are vanquished and puzzles are solved by typing a word, or string of words, associated with them. As the game progresses new mechanics are introduced such as entering words in a specific order or at certain speeds.
Spells provide the heroine with the ability to access areas of the world which would otherwise be inaccessible and can be used in combat, giving an edge in particularly difficult fights. Fire spells burns away the next word needed to type for a foe. Ice spells freeze enemies in their place.
Epistory has two game modes. The core of the game, Story Mode, allows players to explore the expanding world with the heroine and her fox. Arena mode provides competitive players a way to compete for the top score on the leaderboards by testing their talents against an endless onslaught of enemies.
“Epistory’s beautiful origami inspired aesthetic and innovative approach to controls makes it stand out,” says Bruno Urbain, CEO, Fishing Cactus. “But the moving metastory and dramatic conclusion will make Epistory one of 2016’s hits.”
Epistory is currently available in early access on Steam for $12.99 USD. The first half of the game is playable with the second half coming at launch.
Reviews
“An action/adventure game with a charming world that you can’t miss !”
JeuxVideo
“The keyboard is your mightiest weapon in Epistory”
Kotaku
“Epistory – Typing Chronicles is differentiating itself with regards to gameplay mechanics and visuals.”
HardcoreGamer
About This Game
Epistory is an atmospheric adventure typing game that tells the story of a writer lacking inspiration who asks her muse to help write her latest book.
In Epistory you play the muse, a fictional character in a world where everything is untold. Your adventure begins on a blank page, but the world will soon become larger and livelier as you gather inspiration, solve its mysteries and defeat its enemies. From movement to opening chests and fighting in epic battles, every element in the game is controlled exclusively with the keyboard.
As you progress and explore the fantasy origami world, the story literally unfolds in the writer’s mind and the mysteries of the magic power of the words are revealed.
Features
◾Play as the muse riding a giant three tailed fox, lost in a fantasy 3D world
◾Solve mysterious puzzles and defeat enemies in epic combat
◾Unfold the story as you explore the origami world in the writer’s head
◾Discover all words you type have a deeper meaning and might influence the outcome of the story
◾Control everything with a keyboard in this one of its kind typing game (English, French, German and Dvorak keyboards supported)
◾Dynamic difficulty that evolves to fit each players’ skill set
◾Challenge other players for the top spot in the arena leaderboards