Finally, it's time to pop those question marks above your head. You have probably been wondering some of these answers, so let's begin!
Why is this game so difficult?
Because I wanted it to be so. I will admit that during development I've been inspired by the title Binding of Isaac, that game is nowhere near unforgiving yet we kept playing it for hours. Now I'm not saying I crafted an equally sophisticated game here, I'm just saying losing and starting again has a certain appeal to it. It was the same when we were kids, playing NES, powering off the console to lose all progress. It didn't stop us from playing.
I also should say that because people have been rage quitting, I had to balance the difficulty here and there. I like to push the players to their limits, but not away from the game.
There are people who rage quit on Youtube.
Not anymore, you can play it without pulling your hair. The game has been updated. Now the game is NOT difficult as much.
So times have changed now; maybe a save feature?
Believe me, the game doesn't need one, you won't be playing it for 20 hours. It is not a game to get lost in it, it is not an open-world title and it certainly doesn't contain any personal data. The whole experience usually lasts 2-3 hours (speedruns excluded) and the game is priced accordingly. So, no, there will not be a save feature.
I cannot play Chapter 2! This sucks!
I think games should be rewarding. Chapter 2 is my own way of rewarding the player, throwing extra fun at them for finding the secrets in the game. Besides there's a plot-twist you need to see, for a player blindly chasing fragments of mother's letter, starting Chapter 2 without seeing the true ending would result in a "Wait, what?". It's all connected.
Who is that mystery man on Chapter 2!
His name is Argun. He hunts down those who escape the orphanage. You didn't think that breaking free of a place with barbed wires wouldn't have consequences, did you?
YAY! I finished Chapter 2... But it didn't feel like an end!
Because yes, it is to be continued. Some people said they'd rather have the full story and not a sequel. I have to disagree because for the rest of the story, the gameplay mechanics would have to change (no spoilers!).
The sequel?
I want to deliver another game before the sequel so don't get excited yet. But for the sequel, I will learn from my mistakes and deliver a much better game than the original...
Another game?
I have these crazy ideas on my mind, you couldn't imagine. But now that I'm married, I have much less time for development, yet alone graphical design. I'm thinking of pixel art this time. Do you know a friend who's good at it? Maybe we can do an amazing job together!
What's in the future of The Orphan Dreams?
I think the game has reached a sweet spot on updates. Maybe another DLC. I cannot promise anything! But with the help of community, more translations will be on the way.
Is there another way to play this game?
There will be giveaways, eventually. Maybe bundles. But who likes to wait? Don't miss the fun, it costs just a few bucks!