Been a while since I checked in on this and I was so excited to see the update! It’s coming along really well and I can’t wait to see what happens next
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And so here is when I realized just how well written this game is. What a truly captivating scene. It played out in my mind in full motion from beginning to end. I felt like I was watching an episode ripped straight out of the phenomal The Haunting of Hill House. The emotion, ominous atmosphere, and the psychological impact on the characters were all there, and all so strong. Very immersive and alluring stuff. This is when I became more than invested.
Ghost Simulator sounds like a simple game; but betrays that precedent almost immediately. The characters are all fleshed out better the more you play, and I found myself actually touched in real life by some of them. Such as Samantha and her struggling sanity and morbid curiosity, or Ollie and his genuinely wholesome relationship with his girlfriend and their conflict over drug usage. I found myself making my presence very known in the house (The fireplace reveal option is downright fucking badass, however I found it could use more description of the reaction. Something more rewarding for the creativity there), and guarded my bones like a territorial mutt, role-playing their importance to my at first clueless character. However, before I knew it, I was cleaning up after the kids, fetching Sam an energy drink, and tidying up Ollie’s room. I avoided most of the Paranormal Activity choices of throwing and smashing things, only scaring or sabotaging characters that worked against their favor, like Rita. I quickly became the guardian of the family, and I smiled, satisfied, every new time I could yet again show that.
And just as I was getting into gear as the protector of the house, the past started to come back to haunt the haunter. Violet was slowly unveiled, as were my ties to the family. There was a surprising amount of customization here, and all of it was absolutely welcome and let me form my origin story in my head more. This is a great mechanic and really brought me even deeper into the game than I already most certainly was.
The scenes in the past were simply amazing. After learning about what Violet has potentially become, and the sins she may have committed, I grew wary whenever her very name was mentioned. I must applaud your pacing, here. By the time that Halloween prank scene happened, I was already willing and able to use those scissors to protect my in-game partner. Let that speak volumes to how well the story has flowed up unto this point. Violet was well-crafted into an ominous and fearless threat, one who’s power is most uncertain, even to a spirit.
Also, there was this hilarious and very enjoyable scene:
(I just love how that unintentionally foreshadows and compliments my fiery entrance I would unknowingly make in that same house many in-game years later. Absolutely fun shit).
Also, we are now friends literally just because of this reference. That was a seriously entertaining movie.
So, there it is, for now. I hope this feedback was good; Ghost Simulator is looking to have heaps of positively scary potential, especially if it’s not afraid to get even darker as we learn more and more about family traditions and suspicious men in dark vehicles watching the house at night only to be scared off by me.
Wait, how about some suggestions?
Well, one thing I would love to see would be “ghost customization.” I don’t know how grounded or just plain fixed your lore is for the game, but I would love if we could choose what we look like in the afterlife.
This would especially be welcome for players who chose apparition.
For example, maybe since we were full of rage during our death, or even life, or both, we may choose to have a more skeletal, bony appearance with a twisted, enraged expression that we can’t change.
Or maybe because we hesitated a lot or were a very quiet, stubborn person, maybe our visage is more akin to a traditional Western phantom.
Maybe we died seeing a sense of humour about everything to cope with the fear, so we have a permanent, gruesome smile on our face the whole time.
These things would have little to no effect on gameplay; just an idea to allow us to be more unique and horrific spirits if we so choose. I know I’m definitely a fan of that. Maybe we could select to have a “special trait” or not in the creation somewhere. Those who don’t want that can skip right along, but those who want to be something perhaps a bit more imposing and terrifying could choose from just a small list of things like these. Maybe even just classic chains around our limbs that make no sound, or maybe even a Jack o’ Lantern head, to tie into Halloween and it’s seeming presence in the story.
Maybe a Victorian MC could have a plague doctor mask.
Again, just an idea. As I’ve said, I don’t know how realistic you’re trying to stay or if that goes against any lore you’ve already made up.
There’s my current thoughts on Ghost Simulator! I love everything I’ve read so far!
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Oooooh man. This game is great! You know, I started out wanting to be the good ghost, to save the relationships and all that good stuff, buts too much fun being a deplorable human being (human ghost? idk) Great game so far!
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October 25 update: Chapter 4 scenes, new Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 scenes, new portraits
Phew.
It’s finally coming to an end, folks–the first draft, at the very least. I updated the game with Chapter 4 scenes, new scenes in previous chapters, and updated character portraits. The new standard portraits of the Brooks (including frame variations) are available on the first post.
Also, new portraits include:
Amber Halloween portrait – Killer Bride
Ollie Halloween portrait – Vampire (I liked this one so much it became my avatar!)
Ollie Halloween portrait – Sherlock Holmes
RO portrait – Lily Edgeworth
RO portrait – William Edgeworth
Joseph McKinnon (the exorcist) with MC as an Apparition
Joseph McKinnon (the exorcist) if the MC isn’t an Apparition
I went through a period of writer’s block but it is definitely over. Thank you all for the support so far. Ghost Simulator wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.
As always, suggestions and comments are aways helpful. If you want to participate in the Ghost Simulator’s incipient community, please join the game’s Discord channel. The Welcomer will see that you are well treated when entering our domain.
This happens if the stat Laura’s Heart lies below a threshold during the party. But perhaps I need to adjust this threshold. This “mechanical” fine-tuning will be done after the writing of the first draft is over.
Thank you! It was most likely a mistake. Do you remember where you saw the part about the break-in? Was it at the beginning of the chapter? It was probably an old draft/idea that slipped into the demo.
I also fixed the other bugs/typos you reported. Thanks again!
@Umbreonpanda
Thanks! It was a missing Hide_reuse. It’s fixed.
@Vexius_Krexius
I can’t thank you enough for your post, really. I am glad that you enjoyed the story so much. You were on spot about the material used as a reference for the game–indeed I think of The Haunting of Hill House (both the book and the Netflix series) and Paranormal Activity when writing some scenes. There is a huge nod to the ending of Paranormal Activity in Chapter 4, if you visit Michael and Samantha’s room and have Possession + Poltergeist.
About your suggestion, I find it interesting and I did give it some thought already. As I edit the game during the second draft, I intend to add some customization to the Apparition choices, so the Brooks can react to it accordingly. It is something that will need careful planning and execution but it may be worth it. Thank you!
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Since you’re moving to second draft, do you need (technical) issues found in this one? I had a bunch of them (before the newest update), but accidentally deleted the screenshots 
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@LiliArch
Yes, please!
I still need to conclude Chapter 4 and draft Chapter 5 (climax + ending states) before moving on the second draft, so bugs, typos, and issues still infest the demo. I spot many of them whenever I go through the game again, but there are always the ones I miss.
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Violet must die.
Oh and spoilery ask but- Is the MC’s spouse still alive? Will we be able to have a reunion with them? Or join their spirit?
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Oh my gosh what a great story really love the theme and characters and can’t wait to see what happens:grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:
, hope to see like a ghost on ghost battle or magic vs ghost powers situation would really be cool.
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There’s something that seems to happen when Samantha returns to the crypt for a second time- I remember choosing an option and it seems to cut ahead to another scene where she’s escaping from the crypt for some reason, right before breaking down in the kitchen with a bottle of wine. I feel like this isn’t intentional as it’s very jarring, wasn’t sure if you knew it or not but after reading this comment I’m guessing not XD
Also I love the new update!! <3 Having the family see me not as a threat, but just…well, I suppose they don’t exactly love me yet, haha, but we’re getting there ;3 I’m very surprised but also very happy about the change with the exorcist becoming more of a main character rather than a one shot, makes the world seem more inter-connected. Also makes the character feel more third dimensional, as he spared me for being a nice ghosty ^-^ and I honestly wasn’t expecting that, I hope I’ll see him again, he seems like he’ll be important for later
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I don’t know if you found it, but the part about the break-in is right before the Halloween party, I think. Then, after the party, there’s another flashback saying it was a car crash.
Also, I found a bug in Ollie’s dream, where he doesn’t seem to actually deal any damage. It’ll say he deals damage, but the enemy’s health never drops.
Another bug: When the exorcist asks if I was interested in practicing Necromancy, I replied with ‘No, never’ and he commented that it was a good thing that I died. I feel like maybe it went to the wrong response, since that feels more appropriate for a ghost that wanted to be a necromancer?
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@Nerull
In chapter 3. The choice:
I’m Oliver Edgeworth, the illustrious dead guest of this party. And owner of this manor." (Whisper + Poltergeist)
Should use the powers Apparition and Whisper.
At first, the footsteps remain distant, a floow behind you
Flow
Instictively, you run to stand between them and your beloved on.
One
Perhaps I should have kept this to myself before we…
Shouldn’t
Bug, in chapter 4.
This ghost is a possessor . It can possess you two. So you two stay down here, and if any of you start to act weirdly…"
“I recommend you to,” the exorcist answers, already on his way out of the dining room. "This ghost isn’t a possessor , meaning it can’t possess any of us.
My ghost has the power of possesion, however I’m getting the statements for having and not having the power of possesion.
*if possesion
“I recommend you to,” the exorcist answers, already on his way out of the dining room. "This ghost isn’t a possessor, meaning it can’t possess any of us.
Looking at the code, the problem is that the above line of code needs to be *if (not) possesion.
You’re dead, after all, and your body has already rotten.
Rotted
Samantha covers her mouth with her hands to suprress a scream,
Suppress
Bug in the choice: “Can’t you come over tonight?”
“I’m sick , Ollie,” she says.
“As modern vampires,” she replies. “Don’t you remember it when we talked about that? I’ve already ordered the costumes and all.”
I’m getting the text for both the “Can’t you come over tonight” and the “What will we wear for the party” choices.
Lily Edgeworth picks up the phone. “Hello?”
she stays mute, listening.
Capitalise the bolded word.
Possess Michael and ask Samantha if she knew about you read in the notebook. (Possession)
Put ‘what’ after the bolded word.
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I think it would be cool if there was a cheat mode added to where optionally you can get all the powers.
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…Are you joking? Because that does exist in the game…
It does? I feel like an idiot.
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Yep! Check the menu. There’s a cheat option, which can give you all five powers. 
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I-I really hope I can be reunited to William again. Joseph says William’s body was not found and I protected him, so is there any chance he still alive? I really want to meet again with him I’m crying, this WIP can messing my feelings（ｉДｉ）
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Same for me, but Lily.
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Throws a vase and a painting at the exorcist, which miss: Then you see an axe 
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Yep this was surely a good read for me. All the characters are interesting in their own way and quite frankly I like them for who they are, their dreams also are an interesting thing to read through especially Samantha’s if you ask me, and hey the concept of being a ghost like this in the first place is a very interesting concept to take upon and well done too considering that there are so much that you can do as a ghost, like you can be a jackass kind of ghost here, a scary kind, a guardian angel, hell maybe even a bro ghost considering you can use the poltergeist powers to basically give them the stuff they need when the situation occurs like tissue rolls for Rebecca last I recall (go feel free to correct me if I get something wrong, I’m terrible at remembering things anyways), making sure that plate when they had dinner didn’t break and etc. Overall I’d say this is a good read and I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story will progress owo.
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