Ebenezer and the Invisible World, releasing as we speak,is a fantasy reimagination and sequel to Charles Dickens’ traditional Christmas ghost story, “A Christmas Carol”. In this stunning 2D Metroidvania, gamers play the position of Ebenezer Scrooge after the occasions of the unique story as he units off on a Victorian journey to assist the folks of London from the grasping industrialist Caspar Malthus.
Jacob Marley as Archetype for a Ghost Filled London
The artistic course of for Ebenezer and the Invisible World started with exploring one character specifically: Jacob Marley.
As many people know, Jacob Marley was Ebenezer’s pal and enterprise companion who died after dwelling a grasping life. Marley explains that he’s condemned to stroll the earth amongst his fellow males whereas sporting “the chains I cast in life” made “hyperlink by hyperlink, and yard by yard.”
We thought to ourselves, what if Jacob Marley was not the one ghost in London tethered to the mortal world? What if there have been others? In truth, what if the world was stuffed with ghosts similar to Jacob Marley – all draped within the chains they cast in life? Jacob Marley grew to become our visible archetype for a ghostly inhabitants that will fill Victorian London.
This is a pure extension of the “Christmas Carol” universe. In truth, Charles Dickens contemplated this similar idea. He wrote in “A Christmas Carol”, “the air was full of phantoms. Every considered one of them wore chains like Marley’s Ghost. The distress with all of them was, clearly, that they sought to intervene, for good, in human issues, and had misplaced the facility, eternally.”
This concept that Dickens places forth – ghosts wanting to assist folks however are unable to take action – impressed our subsequent idea: What if these ghosts who need to assist “in human issues” however have been unable to take action requested Ebenezer to assist on their behalf? Afterall, Ebenezer can see and communicate with Jacob Marley, so wouldn’t Ebenezer have the ability to communicate with different ghosts? And if they may communicate with Ebenezer, we expect these ghosts would do extra than simply search him out, they’d implore Ebenezer to assist them.
And so, from this premise the core gameplay loop was born: Ghosts would ask Ebenezer to assist a mortal, and he would then interact on a mission to assist them on behalf of ghosts.
Importantly for making a enjoyable recreation, ghosts present unimaginable freedom in creating compelling gameplay. We concentrate on the potential of ghosts in creating gameplay mechanics and a story universe that’s compelling, significant, and interesting.
Powerful Ghosts and the Unrepentant
In Ebenezer and the Invisible World, a ghost will be a part of Ebenezer on his journey after finishing a mission on their behalf. In gameplay, this implies gamers can toggle between ghosts within the Ghost Select Wheel and, with the press of a button, summon the ghost to carry out a particular assault or motion. Each ghost has a singular particular potential, contributing to the core gameplay loop in our Metroidvania, similar to accessing beforehand gated areas, discovering secrets and techniques, and defeating new enemies.
Ebenezer and the Invisible World additionally options ghosts as enemies, generally known as the Unrepentant. These are depraved ghosts that don’t remorse the misdeeds of their human life and as a substitute are content material persevering with alongside their previous methods. These ghosts spurn humankind and occupy deserted areas, similar to forgotten tunnels, the deep forest, deserted houses, and different locations usually void of human presence. Because they separate themselves from humanity, the Unrepentants’ spectral form begins to lose its human type and seems extra creature-like… extra monstrous.
Ebenezer Reimagined
With this framework of the Dickensian universe, we started crafting the journey that our redeemed Ebenezer would embark on. Our central premise revolved across the notion that the occasions skilled by Ebenezer Scrooge throughout “A Christmas Carol” weren’t remoted incidents. Dickens implies that Ebenezer Scrooge is the one individual to ever be visited by the Christmas Spirits, however we wish to assume that following Ebenezer’s first journey, the connection between this “invisible world” and the actual one solely grew to become stronger.
In our recreation, ghosts tethered to the mortal world who witness the ethical decline of a pal or liked one name upon the Christmas Spirits to supply an opportunity at redemption, very like Jacob Marley did for Ebenezer earlier than he was visited by the Christmas Spirits.
The story of Ebenezer and the Invisible World begins with the spirit of a deceased British naval officer Eric Fellows warning his childhood pal, the cold-hearted industrialist Caspar Malthus, that he could be visited by the Christmas Spirits. However, within the case of Caspar, quite than being persuaded by the Three Ghosts, he makes use of the data he obtained throughout his go to with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come to develop a know-how that he wouldn’t have the ability to invent till far into his future. This future know-how places the employees of town in disaster and brings chaos to London. Eric is horrified by this end result and recruits Ebenezer to assist rectify the state of affairs. This is the place our recreation begins.
A Deep, Story Rich Metroidvania
Players will discover numerous segments of London from a celestial observatory to a terrifying asylum. They will meet ghostly mates and foes desperate to assist with their ghostly potential, or hell-bent on stopping him by any means essential.
The recreation is full of options together with an Heirloom slot system, a number of assault Canes and Spirit Weapons, stat-buffing Spirit Kids, and a wealth of ghosts and NPCs with wealthy dialogue and backstories, with gameplay that reminds gamers that everybody deserves a second probability. And because it’s a Metroidvania, gamers will doubtless want a second…third…fourth…extra possibilities to progress by means of the sport and uncover the true evil at play.
We hope Ebenezer and the Invisible World brings gamers a brand new solution to have a good time the vacations, in addition to pays homage to probably the most well-known items of vacation literature of all time.
Ebenezer and The Invisible World
Play on Worlds
$19.99
Join Ebenezer Scrooge and a group of spectral allies as they battle to save lots of London from the clutches of the rich industrialist, Caspar Malthus, and his militant Private Guard. With every Ghost lending their distinctive talents, discover the darkish corners of London and uncover the sinister affect of the Dark Spirit and a military of Unrepentant Ghosts. Will you’ve gotten the braveness to confront Caspar and cease his malevolent plans earlier than it’s too late?
