Recently, I've started working on a Visual Novel, one that pokes fun at both 'sentai' live-action shows and magical girl anime. Imagine, say...The Power Rangers, albeit in a dark, dark world that's not entirely different from our own...
Synopsis:
Your name's Ichiro Tanaka, a second year student in a normal high school in Tokyo. All that changed one night on the way home from school, when you and five friends were imbued with the power of the 'Arcana' by a magician who phased in and out of reality like a mirage. Gazing into any reflective surface allows you to transform into an armored crusader, a warrior striking fear into the hearts of evil everywhere!
...Or at least, that was the plan.
On the first night out, your unnamed team ran into a gang of drug dealers, instead of the 'monsters' you were meant to hunt. They had automatic rifles, and on that night, you received your first taste of reality. Now, you're the only one of the team still alive.
Once you were meant to be a hero.
Now, you're just The Witness, still fighting a one-man war you neither wanted nor intended. The magic that changed you has forced you to feed on the very creatures you destroy, a catch-22 you never knew till much later. Every night, you go hunting, trying to stop the rising tide of hunger and madness...
It's a World Of Darkness out there. Some people love you, others despise you, and some will hunt you down. There are others like you out there, some benevolent, some insane...And you can feed on them, in the same way they will attempt to feed on you.
Care to play?
Characters:
Ichiro Tanaka:
You. Unlike other ren'ai game heroes, you're not a complete loser...In fact, you're reasonably competent in both facets of your double life. However, your tour of duty as a superhero is starting to tell on you, leading to occasional problems in school...Especially when, sometimes, your work follows you.
The Witness:
Your alter-ego, and the namesake of this game (Expect a screenshot to be posted soon!). Your rely upon a deck of cards to create weapons, equipment and armor out of thin air, though the basic weapon is a 13mm handgun named 'Testament'. In this form, you heal wounds FAST, and have several abilities that allow you to hold your own against any monster. Unfortunately, you still CAN die, though your identity is protected by the suit.
Eiko Shinguji:
Your childhood friend and classmate. A sweet, clumsy girl who likes you (More as a brother than anything else, though), and maybe harbors a crush. Recently, you've grown apart...Maybe an enterprising player can change that?
Magical Girl Hikari:
A fledgling mahou shoujo you meet, after a brief cooperation to root out another nest of demons. VERY beautiful (And very cute in a sailor fuku), yet her behaviour is almost completely immature for her age. She's skilled with her magic, though, and utterly ruthless in combat. She doesn't know who you are behind the visor.
Miko Suzuhara:
An upperclassman, one supposedly quite interested in the occult. She has some skill in fortune-telling, a talent she's working eagerly to develop. More importantly, she knows that you're more than you seem. You don't know exactly what to do about that, though.
(More to come...Maybe.)
Notes
All right. As you can see, this isn't exactly a cute game. Anyway, 'The Witness' will be a Visual Novel based along the lines of games like Fate/ Stay Night (I love that game). There'll be nine endings, not counting the shorter paths that will lead to your bloody demise
. Basically, the purpose of the game is either about how you come to terms with the power you now wield...Or how you let it destroy you. Both ways are entirely plausible. It's possible to 'win' The Witness without 'winning' any of the girls, and it's also possible to 'lose' The Witness with or without the girls. For the idea of the setting, imagine say...'Spawn', or Blackbird's excellent 'Magical World' setting. Yes, there are cute anime girls, and there are some truly impressive battles, but it's your choice entirely whether you choose to indulge. In fact, you could play through the game entirely as a trigger-happy psycho, a angsty student, or a cool, dark hero...We can accomodate you.
Suggestions? Comments? Watch this space for updates!
. It's also easier to keep track of character development, that way: The Witness will be different in the 'I hate this job' path than in the 'cool, dark hero one. Different cards, and stuff.
Will you be doing the graphics yourself (characters and/or other art), and if not, who do you have lined up for it?