As a heads-up, this news post includes slight spoilers, so if you want to go into this completely blind as I would recommend, then you probably shouldn't read this. This post is for those who've played the previous 'Redux' version of the game before, and talking about what's different about this release, which I title the, 'Final Expansion' release, compared to the Redux.
Hey everyone~ Those who've played previously, how'd you like the game? I've enjoyed reading people's theories on the game, though let me state I won't be answering those questions of what happened as I'm more curious what people think happened rather than outright explaining what I designed the game with in mind. I bet quite a few of these theories will change once people play this new 'final' version of the game, which contains a lot of new content.
So what does the 'Final Expansion' version of Close Your Eyes contain? Well, for one, this will be the final version of the game with new content. This is the third time the game's been overhauled for released since it was originally made in two days for Ludum Dare 29 back in April, 2014, and this is the last time it'll receive new content (though if new bugs are discovered, I'll likely patch those out).
The new version of the game is over twice as long as the previous 'Redux' version, there's a lot of new areas, puzzles, traps, scares, hidden scenes, story, and endings now. While I don't want to spill the beans completely, here's a few notable additions;
- Brand new character introduced to the game's narrative, a peculiar girl with red hair and a yellow dress... This character is voiced like how The Host was.
- Over 20 new pieces of artwork and music both.
- Lots of new story scenes, encounters with The Host, Girl, and some other unexpected twists and turns.
- New locations, including areas I title, 'The Hag's Lair', 'The Road', 'The Forest', 'The Chapel', and more.
- The original game has two endings. This new version of the game has 7.
- New options on the title screen to change screen resolution & audio levels,
- Sprinkled new hidden scenes throughout the game for those who go off the beaten path.
- Steam features, including Cloud Saving & Trading Cards.
The game will remain free to download, but there will be one piece of DLC that comes the same day the game does, known as the, 'Goodie Bag' DLC. Part of the reason for its inclusion was because I really wanted Steam Trading Cards, but I also wanted to make it enticing. The Goodie Bag costs $1.99 (will launch with a 25% discount and then not go on sale for quite some time, at least until I get another game on Steam), and includes the game's soundtrack, an artwork collection, and two little bonus things in the game itself, an Easter Egg room & a mini-game based off of my previous game, Girl's Graveyard, that's accessible from inside the main game.
As of this posting, I am crunching heavily to add as much as I can before release. Just remember, love, hate, lust, greed... Many things can make us blind. Just close your eyes, and maybe you'll start seeing clearly. Just for a bit, y'know?