Comrades! Some time ago we showed you how Irony Curtain looked in the early prototype phase and how it looks like now. Today wed like to talk a little bit more about the reasons behind the change and the whole creative process. Its no doubt that Irony Curtain came a long way from the times when it was just a prototype called simply Matryoshka. There are three main reasons why weve decided to simplify the art style:

1. The previous style looked great but it didnt play well

The before screenshots weve shown are undoubtedly the ones that look brilliant detailed backgrounds, vibrant colours and original characters. And thats the whole point. It looked awesome on static graphics but the puzzles and navigating through the level seemed frustrating just BECAUSE of all those things. When everything is so detailed every object fights for your attention so it feels like pixel hunting all the time. It is crucial for us to have the best possible gameplay without any frustrations and unfortunately, the previous style caused a lot of it. One of Irony Curtain's minigames: the very detailed BEFORE (left) version and simpler AFTER (right) version

2. Weve changed the way we animate characters

The characters in the early prototype we've were made with a technique called cutout animation, a form of stop-motion animation that uses flat objects (think about the paper theatre that youve probably played as a child) . Right now Evan and other characters from the game are animated in a traditional stop-motion way that requires simpler textures on the models. And simpler textures mean simpler art style everywhere in order to keep the project consistent. BEFORE:
AFTER:

3. We want the art style to be a part of how we tell the story

When Evan first arrives at the Leaders Heart Hotel, hes overwhelmed by its monumentality and splendor. The location should reflect that, so weve decided to add a lot of empty space and make the character look really small in comparison to the building. There are locations in the game that didnt change that much though (e.g., Evans bathroom in the hotel room), weve only adjusted them to the current style of the game. BEFORE:
AFTER:
In the next episode of Behind Irony Curtain, well show you the creative process behind creating the locations in Irony Curtain. Stay tuned!

[ 2018-12-28 15:09:28 CET ] [ Original post ]

Pamela Cavendish returns for another adventure! The famous anthropologist ventures into the northern reaches of Europe to rescue a friend who went missing while following the trail of Norse gods. Is this mere coincidence or is there something more behind the legend of Loki and Hodur?

SPINE TINGLING MYSTERY IN THE NORTH!
A few months after solving the case of Minotaur, the anthropologist Pamela Cavendish finds herself at the threshold of another fascinating adventure.

40 LOCATIONS INSPIRED BY NORSE FOLKLORE!
Pamela receives a surprise letter from Sweden. The wife of her former colleague from the university, Peter, asks the protagonist for help in finding her husband, who was studying unusual traces of the Norse gods Hodur and Loki in the local mine.

MORE THAN 50 MINIGAMES AND HO SCENES!
Peter went missing and the only member of the expedition to emerge from the mine was his assistant, who went mad from the experience and cannot help.

LEARN THE LEGEND OF NORSE GODS!
What happened in the depths of the mine? What terrible secret did Peter discover and what does it have to do with Hodur and Loki? Will Pamela crack another mythology case?

Features

• 40 locations from the picturesque north!
  
• A story inspired by Scandinavian folklore!
  
• More than 50 riddles and HO scenes!
  
• Learn the legend of Loki and Hodur!
  
• Stop the impending twilight of the gods!