Japanese publisher Regista just announced that their exploration-focused fantasy adventure game Alice in Wonder Underland – AIWU – would release on April 23, For PC (Steam) and the Nintendo Switch. To commemorate the release, a month-long 20% discount sale is planned for both platforms.
Alice in Wonder Underland – AIWU – follows the story of Alice, who wakes up in a mysterious room, and guided by her curiosity, decides to set off beyond the door. Outside the room lies a bizarre, fantasy-like world, which the player can explore freely without any constraints. The “unknown, yet oddly nostalgic world” features over 30 different areas to explore, from fairytale-inspired surrealistic realms to creepy-looking rural Japanese townscapes. The order in which to visit these areas and the style of exploration is completely up to the player.
The game blends elements of dark fairytales, occult, internet culture and liminal spaces, aiming to evoke a sense of unease and deliver a “bizarre experience” that doesn’t rely on gore.
As you venture deeper into the world and traverse realms using your handy teleportation device, the experiences you gain during your journey let you unlock different outfits. Equipping these outfits opens up paths that Alice previously couldn’t access. Aside from this core mechanic, there are also plenty of puzzles and mini games to experience along the way, as well as numerous “secret areas” and “secret events” to uncover.
After finding herself in the mysterious world, Alice also seems to have lost her voice for some reason. Luckily, her companion Noir Bunny and a few select others are able to sense her thoughts and feelings, becoming her trusty guides. However, not all of the residents are friendly towards Alice, and some of them might even turn hostile.
On a related note, Alice in Wonder Underland – AIWU – is based on “Alice no Monogatari,” an original manga by multimedia artist Suzume Takanashi, who is also in charge of the game’s artwork, with the development being handled by Roman Geimu (YMCAT). Commissioned directly by Roman himself, Yoshifumi Ikeda, ex-member of arcade developer Taito’s sound team Zuntata, is in charge of the game’s soundtrack.
Alice in Wonder Underland -AIWU- is set to release on April 23, for PC (Steam) and the Nintendo Switch. The title will be 20% off at launch.
Not Black Souls 3 so I sleep