Hello everyone! It's been a month since the announced of our store page and I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your attention and support. I'm thrilled to announce that Candlelight: Lament has been featured as part of The Art of Indies, alongside other fantastic indie games! I'd like to take this opportunity to delve into the visual design aspects of this game. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43987672/bf863533bb754aa0ce15f2b15e54679cd913958c.png[/img] In my quest to create the perfect Cthulhu game, I've strived to infuse the essence of the Cthulhu mythos into its design. My chosen mode of expression is through 2D black-and-white hand-painted art; it's visually comforting and the hand-drawn nature of the art provides absolute control over each visual element, enabling precise conveyance of emotions. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43987672/b1915ec0c630a47c9a82ebb034767b700716de9c.png[/img] The Cthulhu mythos intrigues me as it straddles both horror and science fiction genres. It possesses allegorical qualities and presents a transcendent perspective of the universe. Unlike traditional horror genres, Cthulhu-style horror doesn't rely on deliberate scare tactics. Instead, it portrays an extraordinary, albeit unsettling, perception of reality that's enough to invoke feelings of panic and despair—an approach I find truly captivating. This game aims to achieve just that. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/43987672/35cb57fa8588eda78ea04e025e1c649ae133adea.png[/img] Numerous films and games have greatly influenced the creation of this game. Key influences include "Winter's Bone", "No Country for Old Men", and Tarkovsky's "Stalker". None of these films fall strictly under the horror genre, yet they are uniquely compelling due to their portrayal of personal powerlessness, an uneasy atmosphere, and a narrative that keeps the truth concealed. Their plots are simple yet profound, devoid of exaggerated visual effects but replete with an authentic aura that leaves a lasting impression. This is precisely the feeling we aim to capture in our game. Iconic visual elements such as tentacles or monsters are used sparingly. Our primary focus is on the authentic portrayal of our game world, with a subtle incorporation of Eastern philosophy. Thank you for keeping an eye on our game! I'm eager to share more about Candlelight: Lament in the future!