I know a game called 'Infernal Punishment doesn't sound like somethingt that might give you a relaxing adventure, but hear me out, because this latest Pokémon ROM hack has some very intersting features and a narrative that will draw you in like a fantasy novel.
Pokémon Internal Punishment features Pokémon from all 9 generations thus far and a whole load of Shadow Pokémon. If you've not come across Shadow Pokémon before, then you should go give Pokémon Colosseum a go, because that's the game that really introduced Shadow Pokémon into the world and the concept of purifying their souls to make them obey trainers.
The game's creator, drawntoast, has created a brand new storyline for players to enjoy, and while it has the graphics and assets of a Pokémon game, the adventure feels like something completely removed from the Pokémon canon:
Three years ago, Yuki sacrificed herself to save her friends. Because she didn’t have a soul, she was left in a coma-like state, stuck in the inner recesses of her mind. She awakens in Kamikura, a mysterious place located in the Kami Realm, which is a world opposite of the human realm where time has no meaning. There, she meets Mashiro, the kami of all souls. She lost her divine powers as people in the human realm are still having their souls stolen by unknown means. She notices Yuki lacking a soul and tells her she can create a new one by forging bonds with people. Yuki agrees to help Mashiro regain her power and rebuild her own soul. With that, she is sent back to the human realm.
There are two intriguing features in Infernal Punishment - the Unreal Time System, and the Social Links mechanic.
Let's start with the Unreal Time System, a system that cuts days up into four sections - morning, noon, evening, and nighttime. Time progresses when you do different activities, and morning won't come until you go to sleep and pass the time, but you'll need to explore in each time period rather than just sticking in the morning, for example. There's also the Rokuyo Calendar that you'll need to adhere to, a cycle of six days which will dictate what you do in the game:
- Sensho: Good luck in the morning, neutral luck at noon.
- Tomobiki: Bad luck at noon, good luck in the morning.
- Sakimake: Bad luck in the morning, neutral luck at noon.
- Butsumetsu: Terrible luck all day.
- Taian: Excellent luck all day.
- Shakku: Good luck at noon, bad luck in the morning.
Then there's the Social Link's mechanic, a system where you'll forge bonds with other people in order for Yuki to rebuild her soul. It's a case of making friends and making sure you keep them on your side and in favour; otherwise they'll leave you and lose interest. It feels a bit like Pokémon crosse with Animal Crossing in that respect. The more friends you have, the more benefits you'll get from your social links. And time is constantly moving; if you thought you had to manage your time well in games like Majora's Mask, then you've experienced nothing yet!
Head to Eevee Expo to download the demo!
