Kenoma: Action Without Action
Answer the question of mortality in this sidescroller inspired by the adventures of old. Wander the depths of two parallel worlds. Confer with gods, locals, and other travelers. Solve problems through intuition and a collection of odd trinkets. Choose: death, or eternal life?
Due to the high-contrast between the "two worlds" of the game, switching between them quickly may trigger photosensitive epilepsy. Please exercise caution.
Kenoma: Action Without Action is a 2D-sidescrolling graphic adventure game focused on a peculiar narrative experience, a two-sided game world, and a streamlined version of the classic adventure-game feel.
The world has been in two pieces since time immemorial. One knows death, the other does not. Which would you rather live in?
Moving between the halves of the world is instant, easy, and entirely at your discretion. Any time, anywhere, so long as you won't land inside the floor. A spectral image of the other half is always visible to keep you informed. Some problems can only be solved by going back and forth!
Take the role of a driven wanderer and travel these world-halves, finding and destroying the pillars of one to ensure the continued survival of the other. All you need is your wits, the things you can find on the floor, and the help of a few strangers to complete your task.
Though it is monochromatic, the world is far from mundane. Visit scenic trash dumps, ancient ruins, massive temples, and some private homes along your way, all populated by meaningful symbology and a cast of odd characters.
People have many shapes in this world. Some of them are priests, some of them are sages. Yet others are tradesmen and day-laborers. There is no telling which of them will prove vital to your efforts. Who can say what your conversations may reveal?
Of course, your goals cannot be achieved through only walking and talking. You'll need to find and put to good use a myriad of strange things. You can carry only four at a time, but you needn't be discerning in what you pick up. There is nothing truly pointless: if you can take it you can use it, and soon!
As you travel, you will come upon many interesting sights. Some of these can be interacted with more closely, leading to small setpieces that use your computer mouse (or equivalent). Knock bones around, smash padlocks, cut open glass, catch rats, and much more!
Venture through a two-sided world, switching between the sides whenever you choose
Choose a side to destroy
Visit interesting locales and meet strange people
Engage in worry-free puzzle solving
Play varied micro-games to find information and effect change upon the world
Decide whether or not you want to die
