Emma Lowry Game Concept

My idea for a game adaptation of Loretta Krupinski’s The Royal Mice is a puzzle-based RPG set in a fantastical, ancient world that draws elements from feudal Japan. An old and powerful feline evil returns and besets a once prosperous mouse society, stirring up chaos and destruction. The game follows the story of Cadbury as he sets off on a quest to gather up an army of fallen warriors to defeat this evil, a towering spirit named Max, and restore peace to their home.

Player Objectives

The objective of the player is to create a large and powerful army throughout the story of the game so they can take on Max. This is done by completing puzzles and challenges that provide members of the ghost army as a reward. The final objective is to defeat Max, which occurs through a battle with multiple stages that each require a different application of skills and player resources.

Game Mechanics

Click to attack – The Player, Cadbury, controls a horde of ghost mice that follow him throughout the world, and can direct them to attack foes or destructible objects

Replenish army – throughout the adventures, ghost mice will be defeated. Cadbury will have to find and activate “soul fissures” throughout the world to bring them back.

Grow army – By completing quests, discovering special loot, and leveling up, Cadbury can increase the number of ghost mice he can control at once.

Leveling up – XP is accumulated by completing objectives and defeating enemies. Leveling up increases the max number allowed in Cadbury’s army, allows players to put trait points into different categories to increase certain skills, and increases the difficulty of the game’s foes.

Special attacks – Special attacks are gained at certain levels, and perform a unique attack using the army that does significant damage and specific effects, making different special attacks useful at different times

Characters and Key Objects

Cadbury – Player character, protagonist of story

Ghost mice – the spectral army that Cadbury puts together during the game

The Sword and Horn – Cadbury discovers these objects in a ruined tomb at the beginning of the game. These grant him the ability to summon the ghost mice

Max – Main antagonist of the game, and final boss

Cats – Worshippers of the evil spirit Max who have surfaced since his return. They hear about Cadbury’s quest and band together to stop him.

Game World

The game’s setting is a feudal Japan-styled fantasy world. Cadbury comes from a small village that was happy and prosperous until Max destroyed it. Cadbury begins his quest to avenge his village and save the rest of his homeland. The world draws a lot of architectural inspiration from feudal Japanese structures, and it also draws upon its clothing, art, and weaponry.

Gameplay highlights/features/hooks

Controlling a small army while exploring a world in RPG fashion is a unique draw for this game. It keeps the player close to Cadbury while also giving them a chance to feel like they have control over more than one character. Upgrading these ghost mouse companions will give the player a sense of achievement, power, and agency over the world and its many foes.

Intended Audience

The intended audience of this game is those who enjoy RTS strategy games like the Total War series, those who enjoy puzzle games and exploration, and those who have enjoyed games such as Overlord, etc. While the subject matter of the game would be suitable for younger age groups, it has the potential to reach all age groups with an engaging world and art style.

Game Style/Player Experience

This game gives players control over a group of NPCs that they can customize and upgrade, an upgradeable PC, and a world to explore. While the main story will feel linear (build army -> defeat Max), the world will be full of smaller objectives and activities, collectibles, and opportunities to grow.

Art Style

The art of the game will be a slightly stylized 3D. It will rely on textures and shaders to give it a painterly feeling.  

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