Elven Curse

This simple, non-field RPG challenges you to escape a cursed forest. -Prologue- You're the village's best hunter, drawn to a national hunting tournament near the royal capital. Arriving for the opening ceremony, you camp overnight, only to wake and find the forest eerily deserted; fellow hunters vanished, leaving behind only remnants of their camps. National guards, responsible for overseeing the tournament, are nowhere to be seen. Attempting to return to the entrance, you discover you're hopelessly lost, a situation even your expert sense of direction can't explain. This is no ordinary forest.

-What is the "Elven Curse"?- Aided by a quarter-elf, you, the hunter, must escape this cursed woodland in a minimalist RPG controlled with a maximum of three buttons (excluding the main menu).

-Character Creation- While character customization is limited, you can freely reroll stats. Status increase rates upon leveling up are only visible on this screen and can't be checked in-game. They act as a return item. With fewer than two "talismans," a depleted life force means game over.

-Peddler Quarter-Elf "Foria"- A young(?) quarter-elf encountered in the forest, who claims to be older than you. Despite his detachment from your plight, he secretly assists your escape by harnessing the forest's ancient spirits.

-Scenario and Scene- The prologue unfolds smoothly like a picture story, while Foria's dialogue maintains a cheerful tone. The game world is depicted through understated, suggestive language.

-Exploration Mode- Progress through the forest by exploring unexplored areas. The outcome of each exploration attempt is determined by the "fog depth" of the area, which is linked to your character's stats. When your life force is depleted, use poison (if necessary) to restore your vitality. Rare "talismans" might also be needed; you may need to return to Foria.

-Beast Encounters & Hunter Battles- Fierce creatures, from wild dogs and wolves to surprisingly aggressive frogs and rabbits, roam the forest. Defeating them yields hides for trading with Foria. Unlike typical RPGs, battles don't offer experience points; escaping the forest is the goal. Battles are entirely avoidable (though this requires luck or skillful gameplay). As a hunter, you use a bow and arrow. Maintain a safe distance to attack without counterattack. At a distance, you can also use wound medicine. Closing the distance invites a one-sided attack. Choose between withdrawing to regain distance or using a "flash" ball provided by Foria for a guaranteed escape.

-Cloak & Layering System- Craft a mysterious cloak from collected branches, resin, and leather, enhancing your abilities. Up to three layers can be added, cumulatively boosting your stats. Rarely, it restores vitality. Note that the top layer can be damaged and eventually destroyed. The cloak is the only equipment you can change; your bow and arrow remain constant.

-Game Features- This isn't just a game; it's an experience. It features random skill selection, tests reflexes and strategy, relies on skill and luck, involves item collection, synthesis, and alchemy. Preparation is key, yet it's also a relaxing game that allows for progress even with casual play.

-Auto-Save- The game autosaves, but not during battles. For secure saving, close the app from the base menu.

-What's New in Version 1.2 (Last Updated Dec 18, 2024)- Bug fixes (including a fix for unexpected transitions to character creation), typo corrections, minor bug fixes, message changes, and credit additions.

Elven Curse Screenshots