Project Doll (Free Demo)

Project Doll: My Only Wish

Project Doll is a Single player, exploration game set around solving a supernatural curse that has you trapped in an abandoned building. Inspired by games such as Silent Hill, Resident Evil series and Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Project Doll uses Japanese folklore to provide a deep story for the player to uncover.

 Premise: 

An expat British Journalist in Japan (the player) takes a break during Golden Week national holiday. Seeking respite from hectic urban life in Tokyo and a new source of inspiration for his writing, he sets out alone to drive into the countryside, with a traditional inn (Ryokan) lined up for the night. However, on the hunt for a good story and fueled by strange stories from the locals, he finds himself on the trail of an abandoned building nestled deep in the forest. When heavy rain leaves him stranded and without phone signal or a functioning car, he is forced to go on foot, soon stumbling upon an abandoned school building.

Deciding he must take shelter, in he goes- drawn in by the thought that he can compile photographs to create an article about urban exploration and liminal spaces. 

As he wanders through the building, he is struck by the eerily untouched nature of the building’s abandonment- it is uncannily clean, but at the same time it is as if no-one has been there for years. Initially he is enthralled by this, the mystery of the building giving him the creative jolt he needed. 

As he explores further and night begins to fall, his enthusiasm wanes as he realises he is not going to make it to the Ryokan (Inn) for the evening. The rain has finally stopped, however he is afraid of the dark woods outside. Japanese forests are home to black bears & wild boar, and - as someone used to the harmlessness of the British countryside- the thought of stalking around in these woods in search for his car isn’t appealing. Resigned to finding a comfortable place to lodge in the school, he continues looking around. 

As he does, he uncovers more mysteries and stories of the students and staff that once attended the school through objects left behind. He starts to notice strange anomalies, such as things moving around the room when he is not looking, kokeshi dolls that materialise once his back is turned, and writing appearing on blackboards that he was sure were clean earlier. There is the sense that the place is not as untouched as he previously thought… 

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