Joshua Hetzel
Played 2024-09-14, IFComp 2024

A treasure hunt.

The opening paragraph of this game says, emphasis mine:

Figured you'd take some pictures of the castle, get some dirt on the guests and be done.

I was disappointed to discover I wasn't carrying a camera - or a non-default description, for that matter.

> x me
As good-looking as ever.

> i
You are carrying nothing.

It turns out this opening premise hasn't got much to do with the game - not much reporting or photography takes place. However! What *does* happen - some light puzzling on a modest treasure hunt around a silly castle - is nicely done. I had a good time!

If the implementation is a bit spare in places, it didn't interfere and even made for an easier experience. I found a couple of the puzzles particularly satisfying:

• The dark space I could only pass through by putting out my light was well-clued but still felt like a nice bit of lateral thinking.
• Locating the armored dress was obvious once I found the moths but I genuinely had no idea what the key would be before then, so it was a nice surprise.

The die-roll ending is kind of a neat take on letting the player decide whether they're satisfied with their own performance. Depending on the story, going as far as making it possible to win with no points, or lose with all points, might not feel great - but for the playfulness of this piece I think it works. I did wish for a tiny bit of epilogue though.