Stated as a combination of Campcom’s ‘Phoneix Wright’ and The Fullbright Company’s ‘Gone Home,’ Bohemian Killing is a new game being developed at The Moonwalls by Marcin Makaj, along with Marcin Maślanka who is composing the game’s soundtrack. The team has started their Indiegogo campaign with a goal of $13,000. Bohemian Killing is a nonlinear first person courtroom drama, set in the era of 19th century steampunk Paris.
Steampunk Paris, set against the background of the late 19th century, torn between tradition and modernity. Class differences and pervasive racism finally lead to a tragedy. A year later you find yourself on trial, accused of a brutal murder. How far will you go to exonerate yourself? Will you lie, seek evidence to prop your testimony or, perhaps, pretend to be insane? Your imagination is the limit.
The gameplay has the player taking on the role of Alfred Ethon, a young inventor benefiting from the Great Revolution. After the murder of a maid working for an impoverished Lord, Ethon is accused of committing the crime. The game is compromised of two game modes: Standard mode, and Story mode.
I grew up on games like the Phoenix Wright series, I’m a lawyer myself, and I’ve always dreamed of creating a legal-themed game which would grow beyond the limitations of the story and its creators, depending on the player’s creativity.
– Marcin Makaj
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-3qvY_07Jo
During Story mode,the player is locked up in the courtroom, getting acquainted with evidence, witness testimony and questions being asked by the judge. The player’s attorney will advise you as you progress, commenting on your decisions and choices. Each question triggers a flashback, activating the game’s Standard mode, where the player essentially reenact their testimony.
Taken place in a Parisian district, the player can interact with the world and characters however they see fit. Depending on what the player does and doesn’t do will affect their testimony and eventually the final verdict. The flashback also offers the players a chance to “create” a scenario of sorts to refute other people’s claims. For instance, during Story mode a neighbor might testify that he saw you covered in blood as you passed him in the entrance of the tenement house. During the flashback, the player can get involved in a bar fight to prove that the blood was their own and not the victim’s, or maybe go for a less violent route and just cut themselves while shaving. Such scenarios can also be considered conspicuous and even bring up further questions.
“I actually know the one man army dev on Bohemian Killing, smart guy and I am truly excited for this game. Give it a look.”
Adrian Chmielarz, creator of The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
The game is scheduled to launch on Steam’s Greenlight campaign soon. You can find the game’s Indiegogo page here, get the lastest updates on their Facebook page, or visit their Instagram.