Carson Hurwitz
Game Designer

• Shadow Vision - a proximity-based discovery mechanic that highlights hidden clues with spiritual traces. The player can click on the crystal ball to toggle Shadow Vision, which dims the environment and allows Ilana to focus on her crystal ball. The player can then move their cursor across the screen in search for clues. The closer their cursor is to a hidden item, the more intensely the crystal ball glows until ultimately revealing the item. I designed clue discovery this way because I felt it was engrained in Ilana's powers and made the player feel like a spiritual medium

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• Shadow Dialogue - a probing ability that allows the player to discern the true forms of characters' shadows, which carry their darkest secrets. The player can use this ability when they engage in a conversation with an NPC. When they do so, the NPC's shadow takes a haunting form and reveals the true meaning behind the character's words. This ability offers another way to unravel the mystery by functioning as a sort of lie detector or way of reading characters' minds

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• Energy System: Using these dark, spiritual powers drains Ilana's energy, but there are ways for the player to restore it. By performing acts of self-care, such as drinking tea, petting the family dog, or freshening up in the bathroom, Ilana can regain lost energy. These moments serve to lighten the tension of solving a murder while showing off another side of Ilana