Download it for free from: https://matalla-interactive.itch.io/the-lost-smile
The Lost Smile (original title "La Sonrisa Extraviada", "LSE" for short), tells a story typical in noir cinema or literature; a woman disappears, a detective tries to find her. However, I've tried to avoid the typical stereotypes of the genre, maintaining the essence: that portrayal of the dark side of human nature that unsettles us because we don't want to recognize ourselves in that cold, amoral glance that the mirror reflects back.
The protagonist also does not abide by the canons of the genre, mainly because they are almost all taken. Instead, detective Belmonte, as far as I know, introduces a new category that I don't think anyone will ever think of copying. He's a detective-philosopher. Or a detective-artist. Or a philosopher-artist who investigates.
Help him to uncover some terrible secrets... And be careful out there.
3D illustrations
Heavily processed 3D art to give it a raw visual style that suits the genre/theme. It has no sprites or backgrounds, every illustration is unique. Think in a panel from a comic or a frame from a movie.
Comic style dialogue
Comic bubble style textboxes for showing the narration and the dialogue with no names shown since the bubble points to the character making easy to follow the narration.
A clues/deductions interactive system
Through the game, depending on the options you choose, you'll find different clues about the case. You'll have to combine them to get deductions in order to solve the case. The deductions can be irrelevant or misleading, though. You'll need to find the right ones in order to get the "true" ending.
6 endings depending on the deductions you make
The story has 1 "true" ending and 5 alternative ones (including a generic one where the player fails to make any meaningful deduction). Better not think about them in terms of "good" or "bad" endings, though.
A cool vinyl jukebox
Music room with all available tracks. Mostly piano only music composed and performed by a very talented guy. You can chose any song from the soundtrack to be the music for the main menu.
It combines 2 distinct styles. The narrator (the detective himself, close to solve the case, telling the story through flashbacks) use a lyrical and philosophical language, reflecting on the facts he discovered and the path he took. The dialogues, though, are most in line with the classic style of dialogue of classic noir literature or movies: sharp, quick, witty and spicy.
The original language of the game is spanish, but I'm confident that the english version is solid and can be played and enjoyed even by native speakers. It has been adapted and edited by an outstanding professional (see credits below) and the outcome, I think, is really good. However, if you are fluent in spanish, I'd recommend to choose the spanish version, as is the original one.
Writing, illustrations, coding and GUI design:
Mario Matalla
Music:
Jose Serrano, Watercandle
Coding of the clues/deductions system:
Philat
English translation:
Mario Matalla
Consultant for the english version:
Ende (Contact)
Background of the ending summary screens:
Farrin N. Abbott, CopyCatFilms
Beta-testing:
Decadenttia, Stawberry, Forrocabeza, Padrecito, el Pers
The stoy has references to sex and some partial nuddity, although not shown in an explicit or obscene way (ie. not even a tit shown), there's also some violence and strong language, and people occasionally drink or go to places where minors are not allowed. I don't think it reaches the level of "not suited for minors", but it's definitely not for children. Be advised.
Hope you enjoy it.
