UPDATE 5/3: A really kind friend of mine, Lyn-Dae Stewart, has provided me with new character art for a post-jam version of the game! Now all the characters can look as sultry as I've written them! You can find the link to the post-jam version below. If you like her speedy work here, please support her on Patreon! You can find her at Patreon.com/pixipui
Ever wanted to relive the trashy YA fiction from your youth, but, like, in interactive story form?
No? Well too bad - here's a Comedy Noir Romance for your consideration.
You play as Kenneth Rice; a 130-year-old hard-boiled detective with sensibilities firmly in the 1920s era from when he was bitten by a vampire. Yes.
When he gets a call from a mysterious stranger with a missing necklace, Kenneth steps up to the challenge; using his detective skills and vampiric transformation powers to solve the case. And maybe fall in love?
In short, it's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night with more 20's lingo and homoerotic overtones. Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER: It's no excuse, but this turned out to be a solo project by someone who don't draw too good. Concessions needed to be made. Please understand.
- Original character artwork by Gordon Shier and Aryn Clark (Consider it a callback to my earlier work). - Script, coding and photoshopping by Nathan Blades." - Game music by Thomas Collins ([email protected]) and Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com). - Sound effects from freesound.org." - Kenneth Rice: Vampire Detective was made in Ren'Py! Ren'Py was created by PyTom. Learn more at www.renpy.org
I love this! It's so chock full of personality - the set-up, the style (I love the purple!), Kenneth's voice. The shapeshifting aspect was fun and made me wish there was a longer game to play so I could solve more hard-boiled puzzles with my vampiric talents. :D
Love the writing and the polish that went into this. It is like a mashup between a Vampire The Maswuarade feel with the noir detective sotrytelling. I think you did a great job!
Very good visual novel! I felt the background outside the speakeasy wasn't necessarily appropriate for the era but that's just a nitpick. Very well written dialogue, I hope to see more!
"Like a candy store on fire" Great story telling and I love the theme (my game is also Noir themed) but I think you nailed the theme down a bit better than I did. I also love those hard boiled types, love the humor of that protagonist.
I really sorry, but I couldn't finish it. Interactive stories really tedious. Didn't get past the first phone call. Otherwise I really like the art and the mood. But as I actually didn't play I'd say it's not fare to score you on anything. I'm sure the game is great as by looking at the comments! But I just wanted to let you know!
Solid entry - got the whole way through. Pretty simple, and I didn't get much excitement or climax from the story. The mood was definitely strong though.
Comments23
You get to be a vampire detective, that deserves 10/10 in its own right!
Very good story. Good music. Nice visual novel.
"Like a candy store on fire" Great story telling and I love the theme (my game is also Noir themed) but I think you nailed the theme down a bit better than I did. I also love those hard boiled types, love the humor of that protagonist.
Just scroll down and read it in the comments: http://ludumdare.com/compo/ludum-dare-35/?action=preview&uid=46004
As for your game:
I really sorry, but I couldn't finish it. Interactive stories really tedious. Didn't get past the first phone call.
Otherwise I really like the art and the mood. But as I actually didn't play I'd say it's not fare to score you on anything.
I'm sure the game is great as by looking at the comments! But I just wanted to let you know!
Hope you guys had a fun time making it =)