Horror RPG Catechesis announced for Switch
Baroque Decay, the studio behind Yuppie Psycho, today unveiled Catechesis. The game is in development for Switch and other platforms, but a release window has yet to be announced.
Catechesis was first technically made known in 2013. After expanding the scope to an impossible point, however, it was put on the backburner while the team focused on the likes of The Count Lucanor and Yuppie Psycho. Now it’s fully underway and coming to Switch to boot.
Here’s a bunch of information about the project:
Like previous Baroque Decay games, Catechesis maintains a style characterized by retro pixelated graphics, which leave many details to the player’s imagination, enhancing its gloomy atmosphere. This aesthetic is complemented by full anime-style cinematics that highlight the most significant moments of the plot.
The focus on narrative is one of the strengths of Catechesis, aligning with our previous games. The blend of horror and comedy that characterizes our games is more prominent than ever in this new and unsettling adventure, leaving players wondering if they should laugh or be scared.
The game’s overall design takes inspiration from titles like Silent Hill, Deadly Premonition, and the Persona series, while also following in the footsteps of RPG Maker horror classics such as Mad Father and Ib. It draws influence from recent pixel indie games like OMORI and Faith, creating a unique horror action RPG experience rarely seen in games.
During the day, players guide Daniel through interactions with a vibrant cast of characters, attending school, visiting his grandfather’s church, making hospital visits, or working in a supermarket. However, when night falls, our protagonist is thrust into twisted worlds teeming with demons, where he must fight for his life against various creatures while solving puzzles and riddles to uncover the mysteries of the tabalistic religion. Thanks to a new addition in Baroque Decay games—combat—Daniel can accumulate experience to level up and acquire different power-ups to aid him on his quest.
“Are you a GOOD boy, Daniel?”
Story
Daniel, an altar boy of a fringe religion, is possessed by a demon. Desperate to cure his ailing grandfather, Daniel prays for divine intervention and starts performing acts of kindness that miraculously improve his grandfather’s health. However, these virtuous deeds unintentionally trigger the opening of a gate to hell. To rescue his beloved grandparent, Daniel must venture deeper into the netherworld, forever intertwining two realms.
School in the morning, demon-shooting at night!
Key Features
- Narrative – Encounter lovable characters and a rich story, complemented by anime-style cutscenes and in-game illustrations.
- Stealth – Improved stealth with sound and light detection.
- World –Experience a day and night cycle; attend school and work during the day, venture into the dungeon at night.
- Combat – Engage in slow-paced battles with primary ranged and secondary melee weapons. Utilize a twin-stick aiming system with roll evasion.
- Soundtrack – Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing score by Michael “Garoad” Kelly, known for VA-11 HALL-A and Yuppie Psycho.
- Exploration – Illuminate every corner with a flashlight or candles to uncover valuable resources, hidden paths, and ancient religious lore.
View a trailer for Catechesis below.
