Half Away
Game Cover
Developer(s)Better Half Team
Publisher(s)Self-published
Director(s)Fabio Salvador
EngineUnity
Platform(s)Windows, macOS
Release2024
Genre(s)Puzzle, Adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Half Away is an upcoming narrative-driven puzzle-adventure game developed by Better Half Team, set to be released in 2024 on itch.io[1] and Steam[2]. The game is directed by Fabio Salvador, with Katia Serafini serving as the art director and narrative writer. The game’s design combines Slavic and Japanese mythological elements in a fantasy setting where players explore a mystical world of spirits and liminal realms.

Gameplay

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Half Away features a third-person 3D perspective with a rail-based camera system, guiding players through a visually minimalistic, immersive environment. The gameplay focuses heavily on narrative, with players solving puzzles that are interwoven with the game’s storyline. The protagonist, Juna, has a unique ability to listen to objects and characters, revealing hidden information and clues that drive puzzle-solving and interactions with the world. These elements contribute to an empathic experience aimed at promoting self-discovery and introspection.

Plot

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The story begins with Juna waking up in a mysterious forest, having no memory of how she arrived. She recalls only that she was bedridden with a high fever. Juna soon realizes she has entered Limbo, a world forbidden to humans, where spirits reside. Her journey is tied to her own survival, as her soul lies suspended between life and death, and she must decide whether to find a way back to the living world or remain in Limbo to assist both spirits and humans, potentially impacting events in the living realm.

Juna navigates Limbo, a fragmented land composed of countless micro-dimensions, meeting various spirits, learning about their world, and gathering power. Her choices and actions will determine her ultimate fate upon reaching the Portal of Return, where she must make the decision to either go back to the Land of the Living or stay and help those who reside in Limbo.

Development

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Half Away is being developed and self-published by Better Half Team. The project originated in November 2023 at the International School of Comics in Padua, Italy[3], beginning with a core team of six members. As the game progressed, the team expanded to include over 30 aspiring artists, sound designers, and animators. This collaborative effort has brought together a wide array of talents to shape Half Away's unique narrative and visual style. The game reflects the team’s focus on cultural mythologies and allegorical storytelling, with art direction led by Katia Serafini and overall project direction by Fabio Salvador.

Reception

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Half Away has not yet been released but is expected to debut on itch.io and Steam in 2024.

References

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  1. ^ "itch.io".
  2. ^ "Steam".
  3. ^ "International School of Comics".