Neon City Solve the Case
Project Title: "Neon City: Solve the Case" - Visual Novel Game
Created by Monica Murillo
Overview:
"Neon City: Solve the Case" is a mystery visual novel set in a neon-lit cyberpunk world. The game centers around the investigation of a faun's corpse found in the city's drainage system. As the story progresses, players follow Detective Alice, a character with Asperger's, as she uncovers a dark conspiracy involving genetic experimentation and manipulation within the futuristic society of Neon City.
What I Did:
I was responsible for all aspects of this project, including the creation of the characters, story, gameplay flow, and design. The game focuses on delivering a narrative-driven experience where players can engage with the characters and uncover the mystery, without impacting the story's progression through choices.
Story & Characters: The narrative follows Detective Alice, a methodical investigator with Asperger's, as she works through the case of the faun's death. Alice’s approach to solving problems and interacting with others is shaped by her neurodivergence. Key characters like Zara Volt, the forensic doctor, and Roxy Riot, a witness with crucial information, contribute to the unfolding story.
Gameplay: The gameplay is focused entirely on dialogue-based interactions and narrative progression. While players can explore various conversations, the story itself remains linear, with no choices that influence the outcome. The game emphasizes uncovering clues, solving puzzles, and following the detective’s investigation to its conclusion.
Art & Design: I designed all the visual assets, including characters, backgrounds, and environments. Most of the backgrounds were created using Blender and Photoshop, with the exception of the cover art and the morgue background, which were generated with AI. The game’s aesthetic blends cyberpunk elements with a sense of mystery, creating a world that fits the narrative’s themes.
Music: The soundtrack includes royalty-free music that complements the game’s atmosphere. While I can’t credit the specific artists, all music is non-copyrighted.
Tools Used:
TyranoBuilder for game development
Adobe Photoshop & Blender for character and environment design
AI-generated art for specific backgrounds (cover and morgue)
The Vision:
"Neon City: Solve the Case" is a project driven by my passion for interactive storytelling. Through Alice’s perspective, the game explores themes of genetic manipulation, moral dilemmas, and neurodivergence. While the story does not allow for player-driven decisions, it offers a narrative-rich experience with deep character interactions and a gripping mystery to solve.
Project Link:
