Ethereal's story follows the nameless protagonist through seven of his most traumatic memories. Scattered around each memory are mementos. These help him let go of the past and move on into the afterlife.
The game has four different endings based on the player's level of completion at the end of the 7th and final memory.
Spirits wander his memories, confused and angry, searching for their place in the afterlife. Hellhounds wander the memories waiting for the right moment to grab the player and drag him back to hell!
Throughout the game's seven worlds, the player must solve puzzles using his seven abilities and the help of other spirits. Along the way, he must avoid hell hounds lest he be dragged through a hell void!
At the start of each world a new ability is added to your arsenal. As your arsenal grows, the puzzles become more complex. This will keep the game feeling fresh and challenging without frustrating the player.
Drawn by Dmitry Karimov
We want everyone to experience Ethereal no matter what language they speak or platform they prefer.
Localization: Currently, the confirmed languages are: English, Russian, Korean, Spanish, French, Dutch, Japanese, German, Swedish, Hindi and Chinese. We will continue to add languages throughout development and even post-release and all versions will be updated frequently. If you're interested in becoming a volunteer translator, please email me at tomfinch@etherealgame.net!
Multi-Platform: We understand that not everyone uses the same platform for gaming. So, we want Ethereal to be on as many platforms as possible. Confirmed platforms so far are: Windows, Mac and Linux. We would also love the game to be available on PS4, VITA, Wii U, and Xbox One, if at all possible.
Articles
Hey everyone! Thank you for all the support!
First, let's recap how everything is going to so far... in only 72 hours we've reached almost 20% of our goal! On Greenlight, we're already 12% of our way to the top 100. Things are definitely moving along!
Some people have been asking me to elaborate about the game's story, so that's just what I'll do with this first update!
As most of you know, the game is based on my own father's life and death. My father's life wasn't exactly fair to him. His parents died when he was only 10 years old, leaving his older sisters to raise him and his brother. He was picked on in school, so he started smoking to fit in. Barely an adult, he went off to fight in the Vietnam War, which he had nightmares about until the day he died.
In Ethereal, the seven worlds all reflect those real life memories. The cemetery is based around the death of his parents. The Catholic School is based around him trying to fit in. Throughout each world, mementos are hidden or hard to reach. Each memento is something that helped him cope. Some may be bittersweet, but as a spirit looking back on things... it helps him to remember the good times and learn to let go of the past.
At the start of the game, the spirit is floating above his own corpse in a cabin filled with his earthly possessions. You may have noticed the fire and birds aren't moving in that scene... that is because none of it really exists. He did not die in a cabin. He died in a hospital. The cabin is his life and he's watching as its about to burn down in front of his eyes. Not only does the spirit need to be at peace with his past, but he needs to be willing to leave the life he loved behind. Otherwise, he may be doomed to wander for eternity like many of the spirits you encounter.
In our next big update, we'll go in depth about three of the game's worlds, showing never-before-seen concept art and giving you detailed story summaries for each!
Now on Kickstarter and Greenlight!!!
News 2 commentsEthereal is now on kickstarter and greenlight! We also show off our trailer!
Greenlight, Optimizations, Kickstarter Prep
News 5 commentsWe will be launching a greenlight campaign at the same time as our kickstarter campaign, on October 14th!
Kickstarter Announcement!
News 2 commentsKickstarter date announced, new art to show off and explanations of puzzle designs.
Kickstarter, Cemetery Background, Soundcloud
NewsProgress towards kickstarter launch, brookstone cemetery background and mini-updates!
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oh **** website went down... hasn't been here since January.
This game looks amazing! Can't wait to play it, but please, make it availble for Xbox One!
We'd like to. It's in the plans. It's just not as much a guarantee as PC, Mac and Linux. We'd also like to release PS4, Vita and Wii U versions! IT's just a matter of if we have the money to do so. We'll most likely be releasing the console versions sometimes after the PC release, depending on sales (and how well he kickstarter does).
Just as a suggestion, I think you should rework the gameplay. Typically puzzle-platformers are ignored or played as a cheap time-killer. I think if you went more story-based action or rpg platformer, then it would get the play that this wonderful art and idea deserve. It is your game but that is my opinion. I'd hate to see such real effort and skill get looked over.
Thanks for your comment. I have to disagree with you though. A lot of puzzle platformers do insanely well: Super Meat Boy, Braid, Fez, Limbo. Believe it or not, a lot of people really enjoy puzzle platformers.
simply amazing
This game looks incredible, i love the atmosphere and monsters
Sweeeeet!
Ughhhh that new art is gorgeous. I'm so excited for this game.
Hovy chit!
That's shocked!!