The Symmetry of Remorse and Penance

A short game made for the RPG Maker Web's Spooky Month Game Jam 2024. 

"The Symmetry -of Remorse and Penance-" tells the story of the crew of the Space Locomotive "SL Grapao" - a relatively small space vehicle of the Organization for Spacetime Law Enforcement called SYMMETRY. 

Set in a world where interplanetary travel is heavily used by those in power, it is SYMMETRY's duty to keep the peace and maintain balance. They are assisted by Sigils, robotic trans-dimensional lifeforms that can junction with other lifeforms to imbue them great powers. 

Having just returned from a successful mission in deep space, the crew is in a relaxed mood, when a fateful encounter occurs upon approaching Jupiter Station. Join ensign Sjorge and lieutenant Lydia, two close friends who are uneasy with the hierarchy that comes with the job, on a quest to explore the mysterious train that has crossed their path. 

Playtime

About 30 minutes.

Gameplay

The game uses standard RPG maker controls with WSAD added. Personally, I recommend playing with a gamepad. 

Combat

• HP and MP
  • All characters start with max HP and MP of 100
  • HP and MP will heal 5% of maximum at end of turn
  • Once HP and MP go below 50, max HP and MP will decrease as well
  • Decreased max HP and MP can be restored to 100 by resting (in bed or in shuttle)
• Equipment
  • Weapons, armor and accessories can be equipped
  • Items need to be equipped in accessory slots to use
• Battle Command Window
  • All attacks, skills, items are presented in a single list
  • Items are also shown here
• Morale
  • Damage inflicted depends on attacker and defender "morale"
  • Morale is not shown on the screen
  • Some attacks lower enemy morale (see description)
  • Some skills consume morale (see description), these skills typically only appear when Morale is above a threshold
  • Morale will increase as skills are used and damage is received

The Characters

Sjorge Curiosity, Ensign 3rd, 25 years
A young and talented navigator from Mars, Sjorge (ʃɔːrdʒ) Curiosity likes to think himself a thinker. Surprisingly athletic for a Martian, he often finds himself being picked for deep space missions involving potential resistance. Every now and then, Sjorge appeals to his superiors that he is best suited positioned on a space station, where he can lead a quiet life and have more time to practice philosophy. This apparent lack of ambition often frustrates his superiors who consider it wasted potential. Such is life. He does enjoy being around athletic ladies on his missions, though. Lydia came into his life when his mother brought her home one day. "You can't bring people home like stray doggies, Mom" was probably not the most tactful thing to say, and he regrets it to this day.

Lydia Udana, Lieutenant Junior, 27 years
Born to a successful private equity consultant, she enlisted in SYMMETRY right after finishing her Masters degree in Econometry at the prestigious Imperial College of Colombo on Earth, much to the chagrin of her parents. Her parents were killed shortly after, in what is suspected was a political assassination by the Dakar Secret Service. Lydia's life and that of her siblings' went on a roller coaster ride, being bombarded by people seeking a pie of her father's enormous heritage. Sjorge's mother caught Lydia drinking at the Library where she worked, but did not report her as she took pity on her. Lydia has viewed Sjorge's mother like her own since, and has visited her frequently.

Adam Kirchhoffer, Major (posthumously), 29 years (at time of MIA)
Heir to the the genius Kirchhoffer lineage, and grandson of the famous Theoretical Physicist Noah Kirchhoffer. During fieldwork on his home planet of Shi'Nii, he stumbled upon an ancient "Dark Star" Sigil. He thought of bringing it back to his university campus, when the Sigil forcefully junctioned with him. Seeing this as a calling, he enlisted with SYMMETRY and has been the force's strongest weapon since, despite Kirchhoffer never being particularly adept at combat. He went missing during a mission of peace, and has been declared dead a year later.

The Jank

The jank has been ironed out mostly. If you run into any issues, a comment would be appreciated.