Withering Realms: The Sequel to Withering Rooms
Withering Realms
Withering Rooms is getting a sequel, and you can try out the demo during Steam Next Fest on Feb 23![previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]The Occult Event
It is 1926, ten years after an immense “occult event” halted the Great War and transformed the world overnight. The dead walk, spirits roam, and a gifted few can even cast spells.
9-year-old Clover awakens alone in a decaying mansion just miles from the epicenter of the occult event, and soon discovers that she is a ghost.
Her only companion is a strange and powerful doll constructed from wood, metal, and human remains.
Join Clover and her doll guardian as they explore the mysterious town of Penwyll and the sprawling graveyards, tombs, caves and rotting estates that surround it.
A New Perspective
[carousel]Withering Rooms was a 2.5D game, but in practice the action unfolded in 1D. Withering Realms expands this into a full 2D field, featuring a variety of perspectives - 3/4 top-down, fixed camera, and side-scrolling.
To support the expanded playfield, the combat system has been overhauled. The doll’s right hand is missing, and in its place a host of tools can be slotted, each with both a primary and secondary attack. Clover can cast spells at any time - even while her doll is mid-swing. Build crafting has been deepened with a rich talisman system. Each arm can be fitted with a talisman to boost damage or reduce resource usage. Additionally, four body talismans provide protective effects or “retrigger” arm talismans when certain conditions are met. Beloved stats like Luck return, but with a few new twists.
When the doll takes too much damage, Clover hauls it to the nearest “ichor fountain” to heal it. All items are retained. However, the surrounding area resets - enemies return to life, and the layout changes. In the early sections of the game, death is a minor inconvenience. But once Clover begins descending into large, procedurally generated tombs or mines containing “fragile” keys - broken upon use or death - she will need to proceed carefully to avoid having to re-explore the area from scratch.
Old Friends
Of course, nothing so powerful could disappear without consequence. The cult of the Night Mother endures and is hatching something sinister in churches throughout the occult frontier. Nightingale, who founded a school for witches after the "occult event", has suddenly gone missing. Others from the first game, such as Rakesh(who can upgrade Clover's doll), have tried and failed to forget what happened.
Do I need to have played or finished Withering Rooms to enjoy this new game?
You don't need to have played or finished Withering Rooms to fully enjoy Withering Realms. You can play them in either order and discover new story aspects in both directions.
Next Fest Demo
The demo consists of the opening hours of the game. You’ll explore Beynon House (an introductory dungeon) before heading out into the Saintswood (the game’s first field area). Keep your eyes peeled for secrets, discover weapons and talismans, and begin filling out your bestiary by defeating the first two bosses.
You can report bugs and submit feedback through the in-game menu, which will help shape the game’s Early Access launch coming in May.
