Game idea: narrative focused crpg, with a relatively straightforward plot, but the protagonist remembers every time you reload and his every death, progressively tries to figure out what’s happening, all while trying to actually succeed the original plot because that also seems important.
Undertale is this but it’s not focused on too heavily unless you play multiple routes.
Deltarune I think (I haven’t played it myself) has this kind of plot with the protagonist having an antagonist relationship to the player controlling them, but it’s more focused on player-made choices instead of save mechanics.
I would also like to nominate In Stars and Time, which is about timeloops and is very meta but not in the fourth wall breaking way.
Not a game, but I remember a choose your own adventure style video series on YouTube where if you choose some early bad ends, the main character will start acting more and more reluctant to follow your choices.
It is horror, but it’s also not horror. StP brings so much more than just horror, it has comedic moments, romantic moments, thoughtful moments, and plenty of WTF moments. And, how it all plays out depends on what you choose.
Steam has a two hour return policy, so I would recommend getting the game, and trying out the opening to see what you think. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re the type who likes to think deep thoughts about the universe like OP posted, then you’ll probably enjoy this game.
So more the kind of horror that Gothic is (thinky horror) than the more visceral type? Because I actually love the more Gothic horror that’s more about making you sad than scared (like Frankenstein), I just hate the feeling of jumping at shadows after a scary movie/game
Game idea: narrative focused crpg, with a relatively straightforward plot, but the protagonist remembers every time you reload and his every death, progressively tries to figure out what’s happening, all while trying to actually succeed the original plot because that also seems important.
Undertale is this but it’s not focused on too heavily unless you play multiple routes.
Deltarune I think (I haven’t played it myself) has this kind of plot with the protagonist having an antagonist relationship to the player controlling them, but it’s more focused on player-made choices instead of save mechanics.
I would also like to nominate In Stars and Time, which is about timeloops and is very meta but not in the fourth wall breaking way.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5607616/
Re:Zero kinda has this plot
Not a game, but I remember a choose your own adventure style video series on YouTube where if you choose some early bad ends, the main character will start acting more and more reluctant to follow your choices.
Some options I know of:
Returnal
All good, but not enough fourth wall fuckery in those time loops
Maybe the closest that I know of so far: Rue Valley?
Just looked it up, there happens to be a 50% sale for it on steam right now.
Slay the Princess kind of goes in that direction.
I hear good things about it, but am not particularly one for horror, still considering picking it up at some point though
It is horror, but it’s also not horror. StP brings so much more than just horror, it has comedic moments, romantic moments, thoughtful moments, and plenty of WTF moments. And, how it all plays out depends on what you choose.
Steam has a two hour return policy, so I would recommend getting the game, and trying out the opening to see what you think. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re the type who likes to think deep thoughts about the universe like OP posted, then you’ll probably enjoy this game.
So more the kind of horror that Gothic is (thinky horror) than the more visceral type? Because I actually love the more Gothic horror that’s more about making you sad than scared (like Frankenstein), I just hate the feeling of jumping at shadows after a scary movie/game