(This is me posting as me about a personal project; it's nothing to do with Failbetter. Started it way before joining, and didn't get a chance to work on it much since then, till recently.)

Hello people... My co-writer and I finally finished. Yes, it's been years. A few of you were kind enough to help answer various questions along the way, and get me from complete novice to dubiously competent with StoryNexus. Some even play tested, and helped make it a better game.

So, thank you. And if you're interested, the final game is here: http://lethophobia.storynexus.com/s If you try it, I hope you enjoy it. It's very different in style (and content) from Fallen London and it's fairly easy (I hope, I don't have the required distance) to complete. It's not open-ended.

Em Short was kind enough to do a brief analysis/review of it: https://emshort.wordpress.com/2016/09/09/lethophobia-olivia-wood-and-jess-mersky/ - but it does contain (very) minor spoilers.

That's it really - a thanks for all the fish, and a gentle nudge that if you're bored, I won't hate it if you gave it a look. Co-author is @notmoro on Twitter, I'm @babelfishwars - if you want to say nice things, yell at us?

Just started playing and I'm enamored already. This is amazingly done. Failbetter should hire you and your co-writer.

This is fantastic! I'm greatly enjoying the story so far. It's funny without being too flippant, and dark without being morbid. A good dose of things that go bump in the night

(However I admit that right now I am utterly stuck trying to find something that fits the doll's head. I feel like I've been cycling though the house maybe three or four times to no avail... If anyone could lend a hand that would be awesome haha)

Amazing writing and story

I love the little twist about 1/4 way through, as I wasn't expecting the reasoning behind my character's amnesia to be what it was, and the mechanics are simple yet effective. It's fun to play, but the story especially drives it on and gives massive incentive to finish

I do find it a little confusing at times; there's a lot of back-and-forth going through every room and option, as you seek for the one thing you might have missed or unlocked (some sort of clue system could be useful).

I think I'm about 3/4 through so far; intent on finishing it, but a bit stuck at the moment (so just doing the back-and-forth again, lol).

Loving it, though; fantastic work

babelfishwars wrote:

Aww, thank you! If you're stuck, my main clue is 'menace areas aren't that bad'? That might not be why you're stuck, of course - it could be the RNG hating you.

No, no. It was just a question of where to go.

Luckily, the game is kind of the perfect mixture of challenging and forgiving; I was able to find the exact spot, get what I needed, then move forward to complete the game. I think I've spent a good few hours today in all, but it was very addictive and very much worth the long play-through I'm actually tempted to play again one day; there are a couple of unanswered questions, so I'm hoping to learn more with another play, in case I missed anything or other paths unlock more information

Again, amazing game! Can't praise it enough

oxblood wrote:

The atmosphere and writing are amazing, and I've loved this game so far!
However, I'm really stuck at the moment - could anyone help me out a bit? I have the puzzle box, montrous statuette, and The Game Afoot 5. Now I'm being told that I need to get into the library, but to do that I need the diary. I've been to all the areas (including menace states) several times but I haven't found it. Am I doing something wrong?

The trick to this game is to always go back . . .

I find - when completely stuck - the best option is simply replaying every other location, every other option, and seeing what new has been unlocked. I think the diary required going back to the garden to unlock something new (if that helps)