Descent is a narrative-based horror game designed in GB Studio in collaboration with Nass Reda-Fathmi. It uses written dialogue and jarring visuals as storytelling elements. The player must navigate the ominous environment and make difficult choices as they descend towards an unknown end. With a runtime of only 5-10 minutes, the game leaves players with many unanswered questions and feelings of dread. 

Roles: Game Artist, Narrative Designer
Programs: GB Studio (Development), Aseprite (Assets), LDtk (Tilemaps)

The narrative was designed with a goal of creating three levels of increasing difficulty. We appreciated the open-ended nature of other games in the genre and felt that, with the time constraints, this was the most plausible way to create a story. We chose to focus on themes of loss and guilt, which are most evident in dialogue with the crow companion and the statuettes. As the player descends deeper into the forest and then into the ground, the story grows darker. Choices, which are a primary mechanic in the game, play a major part in the narrative as well.  

Gore Warning!