Never Alone

Premise

There's something in the darkness. Is it hunting you? Is this a game? Who knows. All you know is that your flashlight is the only thing standing in between you... and it.

Features

• A devious AI that will keep you on edge
• Puzzles to distract you as it gets closer
• A keen sense of dread

Controls

• WASD to move
• Space to interact
• Mouse to direct your flashlight

Gamemodes

• Regular: It gets you, you die. Restart from the beginning.
• Checkpoints (Recommended!): There are 5 checkpoints throughout the game.
• No Monster: Nobody will ever attack you! Enjoy a stroll through the darkness.

Credits

Programming, Art, and Level Design by CertifiablyInsane (me!)

Music credits held under Copyright Section

Made for 1-BIT JAM (Theme: Light & Dark)

Copyright

Paranoid by Crowander, Free Music Archive, Liscenced under CC BY-NC

Dark Smile by Crowander, Free Music Archive, Liscenced under CC BY-NC

Explanation of the A.I.

NOTE: In this section below I will explain in detail the mechanics behind the monster's A.I. If you have not played yet, and wish to have an authentic first experience, then do not read this yet!

The monster is divided into states, of which it will change when certain conditions are met. By knowing these states, and the general sound cues that play when they happen, the monster can be better predicted.

Idle State

• The monster will position itself offscreen and wait for a timer to expire. This timer is shorter the higher the monster's aggression level is. At stage 5 aggression, which happens during the final chase sequence, this state is skipped entirely.
• After this, proceed to the Stalking State

Stalking State

• This state is indicated with a "Passive Sound"

• The monster will choose a random position near the player. It is three times more likely to choose a position above the player rather than underneath; this was an intentional decision due to it being harder to illuminate the monster from below.

• If spotted, proceed to the Flee State. Very rarely, proceed to the Attack State instead.
• If the timer expires, and the monster has not been spotted, proceed to the approach state.

Approach State

• This state also cues a "Passive Sound"
• The monster will begin approaching the player with a speed determined by its aggression level.
• If spotted, proceed to the Attack State

Attack State

• Charge the player, and let out an "Aggressive Sound"
• If fully illuminated, there is a 25% chance to proceed to the Dodge State.
• Otherwise, if illuminated for 0.75 seconds (or 0.375 seconds if at stage 5 aggression), proceed to the Stun State

Dodge State

• Let out another "Aggressive Sound"
• Circle the player for a short amount of time. The monster will not approach in this state, only try to get to another angle
• Once done dodging, return to the Attack State. It is possible to trigger another Dodge State again immediately after.

Stun State

• The monster will recoil slightly and wince, as the light burns it.
• Hold your light on it. If it is still fully illuminated after a few seconds, it will proceed to the Flee State
• If not illuminated by the end of this timer, it returns to the Attack State

Flee State

• It will announce its departure with another "Passive Sound". It is rather difficult to tell at times whether a "Passive Sound" indicates an Approach State, or a Flee State was was triggered offscreen.
• Choose a direction away from the player, and run for 3 seconds.
• Afterwards, return to the Idle State and restart the process.

Other Notes

• The monster always announces an action. Almost all state changes comes with some sound.
• However, not all sounds indicate an action. Every 30 to 60 seconds, the monster will let out a decoy "Passive Sound" (and very rarely an "Aggressive Sound"!) to throw you off. Keep track of the sounds, but be aware that not every sound means a new state!)
• The monster moves slower vertically than horizontally, but you still have less space above and below you than to your sides. Be very diligent it does not attack you from below!
• Not sure if the path is clear? Wait for it to come around so you can scare it off. You will always have plenty of time to yourself after a Flee State.