A bold, genre-blending reimagining of the classic Momotaro legend, this action-horror RPG follows the hero’s descent into a cursed castle town where women are abducted and villagers are ensnared by aphrodisiacs. With tentacled horrors lurking in its labyrinthine dungeons and a ticking clock to save a captive girl, Momotaro must confront not just demons—but the darkest corners of desire itself.
A Town Unhinged: Curses, Aphrodisiacs, and Fractured Lives
The castle town of Higanbana is no fairytale haven. Once a bustling hub of merchants and families, it now lies in decay, its cobblestone streets lit by flickering red lanterns and its air thick with the scent of jasmine and something sharper—aphrodisiacs. Villagers wander listlessly, their eyes glazed, muttering about “the devil’s gift,” while young women have vanished without a trace. The few who resist are hunted by shadowy guards, their pleas drowned out by the town’s eerie, melodic hum.
1. Environmental Storytelling: Faded posters of missing girls cling to crumbling walls; abandoned shops display dusty dolls with stitched-shut eyes. Every corner whispers of a community torn apart.
2. Aphrodisiac Mechanics: The air itself warps perception—player vision blurs, and enemy attacks grow erratic as Momotaro navigates the town. Consuming antidotes (hidden in secret caches) clears his mind… but risks alerting guards.
3. Cultural Subversion: Classic Momotaro motifs (loyal companions, divine missions) clash with the town’s depravity, creating a dissonant tension that drives the narrative forward.
Dungeon of Tentacles: Combat, Strategy, and Survival
Beneath Higanbana lies the Labyrinth of Lust, a dungeon where walls pulse with veins of dark energy and tentacles—some slender and whip-like, others thick and clawed—lurk around every corner. These creatures aren’t mindless; they adapt to Momotaro’s fighting style, learning to dodge his blade or exploit openings when he’s weakened by aphrodisiac exposure.
1. Enemy Variety: From “Lure Tentacles” that mimic voices of captured girls to “Venomous Writhers” that spit paralyzing slime, each foe demands unique tactics.
2. Dynamic Environment: Traps include falling chandeliers (perfect for crushing groups) and pressure plates that release clouds of aphrodisiac gas—forcing players to balance aggression with caution.
3. Power-Ups & Weaknesses: Scattered throughout the dungeon are “Purification Orbs” (temporarily nullifying aphrodisiac effects) and “Demon-Slayer Talismans” (boosting attack against tentacles). Learning enemy patterns unlocks combo opportunities.
Momotaro’s Journey: Heroism, Temptation, and Redemption
Momotaro isn’t just fighting monsters—he’s grappling with his own legacy. As aphrodisiacs cloud his mind and the dungeon preys on his desires, he must confront whether he’s truly here to save the town… or if the curse is revealing a darker truth about his mission.
1. Moral Dilemmas: Save a group of villagers (risking an ambush) or prioritize reaching the dungeon’s heart? Your choices alter NPC fates and unlock alternate endings.
2. Companion Dynamics: Though Momotaro travels alone, flashbacks reveal his bond with his iconic animal companions—now spectral guides, they offer cryptic advice (or warnings) about the dungeon’s secrets.
3. The Devil’s Gambit: The town’s ruler, a charismatic nobleman, claims he’s “protecting” the women from a worse fate. Is he a villain… or a pawn in a larger scheme involving the original Momotaro’s descendants?
