Nepenthe
Nepenthe is one of those games that you learn to appreciate the more time you spend with it. It’s There are 3 endings available and the overall game is rather short. But each ending is rather unique and you will definitely want to go back and replay to see the others.
There is dark humor, there is light humor, and there is goofiness in between, interlaced among the serious emotions of the developer hidden within the texts. The developer clearly put a lot of thought into the game and it shows from the snarky dialogue and environmental responses to the hand-drawn tiles. If nothing you can tell after playing that the developer had a lot of fun making this game. I am not saying that the dialogue or the tiles are outstanding, but they sure stand out in their own ways.
– Real player with 8.2 hrs in game
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Revisited Review-See Original Review Here
Nepenthe
A short and intriguing rpg maker game that strives to be a bit more creative than other rpg maker titles. The title is filled to the brim with detail. Having played through the game a few times now I feel like there are still secrets that I am missing. There are three endings to discover which rely on choices you make throughout the game. The game will take you a little under two hours to clear so you can squeeze around six hours and than some discovering everything.
– Real player with 5.9 hrs in game
A Circle Among Squares
You’re a circle. You’re the good guy. But you’re surrounded by squares. Some are irrelevant. Others are useful and/or annoying. Then there are the black squares. They want to kill you. They are the bad guys. Be a good guy and pulverize those baddies, will you?
Survive and shoot all enemies in 200 levels (or make them shoot themselves). Each level cleared opens the next one permanently (autosave). Enemies come in a variety of types, speeds and action patterns, while other squares do a multitude of things, ranging from reflecting bullets to teleporting you. Enemies are killed with a single hit, and so do you. Failing a level has no consequences. While the first levels are easy and often, very quick, difficulty increases greatly in later levels.
Game Elements
This is you. You shoot in the same direction the arrow is facing.
This is the floor. Anyone can move freely above those squares.
This is the bullet you shoot.
This is an enemy. The rectangle indicates the direction it will shoot.
This is an enemy. It shoots in 4 directions simultaneously.
This is the bullet enemies shoot.
This is an enemy. Instead of shooting, it may kill you by touch.
This is a block. Nothing can pass or destroy it.
This a reflective block. Nothing can pass it and bullets are reflected.
This is a selective block. Only enemy bullets may pass it.
This is a selective block. Only bullets coming from the same direction the arrow is facing may pass it. Has 4 variations.
This is a reflective/deflective block. Depending on the direction of the bullet, it may turn 90º or be reflected. Has 4 variations.
This is a teleportation square. It always comes in a single pair and only you can step over it.
This is a hole. It blocks movement but not bullets.
Features
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200 Levels
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3 Types of Enemies
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Enemies' speed and shooting rate may vary between slow and very quick
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Each type of enemy may be static, move in predetermined routes, follow or flee you or alternate movements
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Block, reflection, deflection and teleport elements
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Autosave
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Minimalist design
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Game Walkthrough inside game files - video
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100 Achievements
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Xbox Controller Support
Keyboard Controls
There’s no mouse input.
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Start/Confirm/Shoot: Space/Enter
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Move: Up/Left/Down/Right, W/A/S/D, Numpad 8/4/2/6
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Exit: Esc
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Raise sound volume: M
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Lower sound volume: L
Xbox Controller Controls
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Start/Confirm/Shoot: A
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Move: Arrow Buttons/Left Analog Stick
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Exit: Select
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Raise sound volume: RB
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Lower sound volume: LB
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