Elona (video game)
Elona is a freeware Japanese role-playing video game (JRPG) developed by Noa. It is known for its open-world design, extreme freedom of character customization, and often absurd and surreal gameplay. The game combines elements of roguelikes and traditional RPGs.
Gameplay:
Elona allows players to create and develop a character with a wide variety of races and classes, each with unique starting skills and attributes. Players explore a persistent world filled with towns, dungeons, and wilderness areas. The game features a turn-based combat system, and players can interact with the environment and non-player characters (NPCs) in numerous ways. A key element of Elona is its emergent gameplay; players can pursue almost any goal, whether it's becoming a renowned adventurer, a wealthy merchant, a skilled craftsman, or something far more unconventional.
Key Features:
- Extreme Character Customization: Players can tailor their characters to an extraordinary degree, influencing their stats, skills, and even their appearance.
- Open World Exploration: The game world is large and interconnected, offering a vast array of locations to discover and quests to undertake.
- Emergent Gameplay: Elona allows for a high degree of player agency and freedom, leading to unpredictable and unique experiences.
- Roguelike Elements: Permadeath is an optional feature, and the game incorporates procedural generation of dungeons and other content.
- Surreal and Humorous Tone: Elona is known for its quirky and often bizarre sense of humor, which permeates the game's dialogue, events, and world design.
- Complex Crafting System: Players can craft a wide range of items, from weapons and armor to furniture and food, using materials gathered throughout the world.
Development and Release:
Elona was originally released in Japanese. An English translation was created by fans and has been updated over time. The game has a dedicated community of players who contribute to its ongoing development through mods and fan-made content.