Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee ~ Episode 1 ~ Waltz Demo - Detailed Information
| Supported OS | Windows macOS Linux |
|---|---|
| Release Date | 23 February 2024 |
| Developers | ArcanaXIX |
| Publishers | ArcanaXIX |
| Sold copies | ~ 10,000 |
Story
Play as Amadeus, a young werewolf struggling to understand his condition, as he navigates a tale woven by Witches. He is equal parts desperate and determined—how can one reclaim agency over themself, when afflicted by a curse that steals it from them every time the moon Aska draws full?
Amadeus: A Riddle for Thee is a narrative game heavily inspired by Umineko When They Cry thematically, and Professor Layton aesthetically. Gameplay is a blend of pure Visual Novel scenes + Point-and-Click Adventure scenes. The story is linear, and will be told in 5 sequential episodes.
This demo introduces the beginning of Episode 1 ~ Waltz. It is completely remade as of November 27, 2024 with a host of new mechanics, art, music, and story. The full episode is coming soon.
Demo Features (more features coming in new demo, October 2024)
20-40 minutes of playtime
5 scenes (2 visual novel scenes + 2 point-and-click scenes + opening cinematic)
3 detailed, hand-drawn location backgrounds to explore
Opening cinematic cutscene
8 inked character portrait expressions
10 original music tracks, including 2 tracks with multiple dynamic layers
Point-and-Click controls with unique cursor icons to indicate player interactions
Alternate Hover-and-Spacebar control scheme for players who have difficulty with mouse click
Toggle for auto-scrolling text with adjustable appearance speed and delay time between textboxes (+ instant text speed option)
Backlog of previously-read text + diegetic "glossary" for story reference
"Cycle through all interactibles" hotkey
3 save slots
Optional splash screen to fill window beyond 4:3 gameplay (may impact performance - see system requirements)
Controls
VN Scenes
TAB Key: toggle Auto Text Progression on/off
SPACE Key: display full text/progress text
1/2/3 Key: select choice
Mouse click on the displayed buttons is supported as an alternative
Point-and-Click Scenes
HOVER with mouse, cursor will change to indicate if object is interactible
If cursor changes, MOUSE CLICK or SPACE to trigger...
Boot: Amadeus will MOVE to location
Eye: Amadeus will INSPECT distant objects
Hand: Amadeus will INTERACT WITH nearby objects
Arrow: Amadeus will MOVE to a new screen
WASD and ARROW KEYS supported as alternative to MOVE Amadeus
SPACE supported as alternative to INTERACT with nearby objects
I key to cycle mouse cursor through all interactible objects
UI
ESC Key: pause/open Settings Menu
N Key: pause/open Notebooks Menu
Menus can be navigated by mouse click or keyboard ARROW keys
Menus can also be opened + closed by clicking on the buttons in the screen corners
Credits
Game Design, Art, Music/Sound, C# Scripting, Implementation, Narrative - Leo ArcanaXIX
Clarinet (Deal With a Witch) - Lucas Bere
Marimba (Spellbound Mischief - no longer in demo, but coming to full episode) - Jay Lee
VO (Kain's Ghost - no longer in demo, but coming to full episode) - Nat Ferare
Narrative Consulting - Ashlee Scheuermann,* Frances Maples, Luke Tellson
Code Consulting - Dan Mellot, Carlos Nieto
Mix Consulting (Deal With a Witch, Spellbound Mischief) - Sonia Mokhtari
Playtesting - Derek, Joanna, Luke, Aaron, Ashlee
Playtesting (original prototype) - Alex, Lucas, Skipper, Nathalie, Taylor, Dan
*Ashlee also wished to be credited as "Made Everything Worse."