Ephemerium: Unreality

Ephemerium - Unreality is my first ever project as a self-taught game developer and is the first episode of a series of games I am making as a Vtuber fan and more particularly of the Vtuber group VShojo as they are the main inspiration for the series of games, I am making in order to appreciate the girls as well as earn experience as an aspiring game developer myself. 

I came up with these stories using their pre-existing lore and adding elements to form the overarching plot. In this chapter, you take control of Ironmouse as you explore a strange amalgam of seemingly unrelated realities, trying to find out how you got here and how you can get out while coming across items, diaries and scenes that can clue you in towards the mystery. Be careful though, as Ironmouse isn't alone in this place. 

This project is free, given that it's a fangame. Donations are open only for those who wish to support my endeavors as an aspiring developer. Any donations you provide I will dedicate to studying game development and perfecting my craft or creation of game assets to make even better games going forward. 

Please report any bugs you find so that I may fix them, sorry, I didn't have a lot of play testers. 

DLC (You don't actually need the base game to play this): https://unclemoose.itch.io/ephemerium-unreality-interlude

To download you have multiple options now:

• Download part1 then download either the Mega or the Drive link labeled "Remaining Parts" (you don't need to download both). Extract the Remaining parts file into the same folder as part 1 then extract part 1 to get the game. 
• For less effort just download the link labeled "ALL" and extract the files and play.
• Note: Since that ALL link is a Drive link, depending on your security settings, you may need to disable "Block third-party cookies" in your browser if you use Google Chrome. 

Changelog:

v.1.01

- Increased final boss health

- Final boss cannot be staggered with Quickslash anymore but takes more damage from it

- Reduced final boss stagger chance from fireball

- Slightly increased final boss damage

- Updated Quickslash hit detection

- Updated collision on a few objects

- Updated AI navigation on West Wing Corridor

- Controls menu can now be accessed when game is paused

- Known bug: Items respawn if you quit the game or it crashes. Currently looking into that, that is why a reset progress function was added to delete the save file and restart the game if you run into issues. If you have to quit the game mid-play, do not collect items you've already collected as it can cause issues. 

v1.02

- Added a fade out to the entrance to the Flower Field that may help with a crashing issue some PCs might experience.

v1.03

- Graphics options can now be accessed from Pause menu

- Your pursuer no longer has a 100% chance of appearing in West Wing Corridor

- Pursuer does not spawn in East Wing Corridor if you have the Spacetime item

- Reduced volume of music in Main Hall

- Pursuer now has a 40% chance to spawn in the Library after the platform is raised

- Slightly increased invincibility window when dashing

v1.04

- Improved the lighting in Main Hall

- Moved the West Wing Corridor entrance door closer to the wall it is on

- Further lowered the Main Hall music volume

- Replaced the torches in the main hall with normal lighting to improve frame rate

- Removed some of the particle effects from the library and reduced texture resolution to improve frame rate

- Removed the eye from the Library area

- Fixed an issue where throwing a fireball at the East Wing Corridor entrance would teleport you into the next area

- Improved the light emanated from Mousey's flame in combat stance

- Updated overlap detection so some items can't be picked up by accident

- Replaced the torches around Private Quarters with a flickering light

- Added a spotlight effect to some items to make them easier to notice but Mana Potions remain hidden. 

- Final boss now recovers slightly faster from getting staggered

v1.05 - IMPORTANT UPDATE

- Progress is no longer wiped if you quit the game (you can continue your game after quitting) 

- Progress is however, still reset if you finish the game

- Resolved the bug with picked up items respawning if the game crashes

- Improved the effect of Quickslash (fire slash) to make it more visible

- The Pursuer no longer spawns in the lab (given the cutscene before entering the lab it made no sense)

- Fixed a bug where pressing E repeatedly in front of one of the 5 thrones that already has its corresponding item would solve the five thrones puzzle.

- Fixed the FATAL ERROR that can occur for some players when passing through the portal to the Flower Field (hopefully - please let me know if you encounter this immediately) 

- Known bug: The tail doesn't animate when running / walking. Truth it the tail is supposed to rise up when she's running / walking but for some reason it doesn't. Looking into that. 

- Known bug: pressing E in front of a throne that already has its artifact plays the portal disruption sound for some reason. Looking into that as well.

v1.05B

- Finally fixed the Fatal Error in the Flower Field. The issue is related to PC performance so it may only happen for some players. Nevertheless, I made some changes to the map to improve performance, most notably by cutting down the foliage. 

- Added multiple links to give everyone multiple downloading options

v1.06 - Final release

This version will serve as the last major update for the game. Beyond this point any updates will be based on feedback received. I will be focusing my efforts on the development of the next chapter "Ephemerium: Doors of Yesterday". There will be one small extension to "Ephemerium: Unreality" called "Ephemerium: Interlude" to connect the two chapters. 

Changelog:

- Running is now a toggle instead of hold (press Shift to switch between walking and running)

- Improved the riddle for Atlantis

- Fixed a bug that occasionally allowed you to clip into the Atlantean's Pedestal without solving the puzzle. 

- Fixed a bug that allowed inventory to be accessed while the game is paused and vice versa

- Added indicators for MP and HP bars

- Removed HP warning but you can now see your HP and MP at all times

- Improved turn rate

- Increased the final boss's stagger recovery time

- Slightly increased the size of the fireball to make it easier to hit the Pursuer/Boss

- Fixed a bug where you can read the diary in the clock tower while you're on the top floor

- Improved final boss hit detection

- Final boss has a new move

- Final boss now has a chance to deflect your fireball and dash to your location when her HP is below 80%

Note 1: She still has her 3-hit kill combo that can get executed when your HP is below 40% 

- You can now shoot fireball with left click as well (you still need to hold space) 

Note 2: If you have an older version and haven't cleared it yet, the save is compatible with this version (it loads automatically if it is detected)

Note 3: There are quite a few easter eggs you can find in the game, do make sure you check things out with E (interact)