Grotesque Beauty - [Junji Ito Inspired] [Horror] [Mystery] [NaNo'18] DEMO AVAILABLE

NaNoRenO is an event where creators make a game from scratch during the month of March.
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Digital Bento
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Grotesque Beauty - [Junji Ito Inspired] [Horror] [Mystery] [NaNo'18] DEMO AVAILABLE

#1 Post by Digital Bento »

For NaNoReNo 18 I offer you Grotesque Beauty, a horror visual novel in the vein of Junji Ito's creepy stories.
The plot revolves around a sleepover between two friends. Anita have been experiencing bad dreams each night, it isn't helped that her parents are often working through the night, leaving her home alone. Her friend, Rachel, agrees to come over to keep her company and allay her dark premonition. However, their night gets a whole lot bizarre from there, when Rachel discovers a haunting painting that adorns her friend's living room.

I'm not sure how much I can complete, but I hope to have a playable demo wherever I get to.

—————————EDIT——————

The demo is now complete! Play it for free here:

https://digitalbento.itch.io/grotesque

Feedback is welcome, i’d Like to know what you think of the game overall, story wise, visually etc.
I’m also interested in your speculations about where the story will go. I have my plan already but it’ll be interesting for me to see what you can piece together from this point of the game.
Thanks everyone!
Last edited by Digital Bento on Sat Mar 31, 2018 4:29 pm, edited 8 times in total.

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#2 Post by Digital Bento »

Some concept art to kick things off:

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#3 Post by PMscenarios »

ooh, this is really intriguing!

Good luck this month :)
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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#4 Post by LateWhiteRabbit »

I'm a big Junji Ito fan, and I love the concept of this. Your concept images are already feeling appropriately creepy.

I'll be following your progress. Good luck!

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#5 Post by Avior »

I also really love Junji Ito, and the art style looks like it'll really capture a nice aesthetic inspiration. Always looking for more suspenseful/creepy horror games so I'm looking forward to this!
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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#6 Post by saetan »

I can totally feel the Junji Ito in just the art XD Can't wait to see more!

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#7 Post by needleful »

I really like the art style! It has similar elements to Ito's work, but it's still unique.

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#8 Post by Sunlit-Dreamer »

Oh my dear goodness. A horror. With a sleepover. (And a painting.)

Definitely gonna keep an eye on yours, with how much I love Junji Ito's work!

Yours will be one of the first I read for sure!

(Thankfully I think our nanos will have enough differences hahaha.)
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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#9 Post by Digital Bento »

Thank you guys so much for the kind words. Its encouraging to hear the support.
Nay - I don't intend to have jumpscares. I'm the same, I love creepy stories but hate horror relying on cheap jumps to get me.
PMscenarios - Thank you! Really hope I get a good amount done.
LateWhiteRabbit - Glad to hear that a bit of creepiness is coming through the images.
Avior - Yes! I want more horror VNs as well!
Saetan - Cool. I hope the story delivers what you want too.
Needleful - Thanks. I also drew some inspiration from European animation/ comic styles.
Sunlit-Dreamer - Cool! Where's your thread? I couldn't find it here.

So here's the first few art asset for each of the characters. Might rework Rachel a bit later...

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#10 Post by Digital Bento »

Here are some background images:

Image

Image

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#11 Post by LateWhiteRabbit »

Oh, wow. Those backgrounds are great. Very moody and atmospheric.

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#12 Post by PKLucky »

I love Junji Ito's work! The visuals look great so far. I can't wait to see the finished product!

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Re: The Painting of Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#13 Post by Digital Bento »

Making some slow progress. I doubt I can get enough of it complete by the end of the month but I do hope to have the set up to the story complete and finish the rest afterwards. For now, enjoy this lil mockup :D

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [NaNo18]

#14 Post by Digital Bento »

Image

I made pretty good progress in this. Think I've reached a point that is good to stop at for a demo version. Think I got about half way through the planned story, the later half will have branching paths so will be even more work. For now, here's a logo drop!

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Re: Grotesque Beauty - Junji Ito Inspired [Horror] [Mystery] [NaNo'18]

#15 Post by Digital Bento »

It’s complete (well the demo is anyway)

So far the choices are quite linear, but this is the demo version, in the finished version I plan to have more branching paths and multiple endings. For now please enjoy XD

https://digitalbento.itch.io/grotesque

Feedback is welcome, i’d Like to know what you think of the game overall, story wise, visually etc.
I’m also interested in your speculations about where the story will go. I have my plan already but it’ll be interesting for me to see what you can piece together from this point of the game.
Thanks everyone!

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