The Mildew Children

The Mildew Children blends 2D adventure and visual novel into a grim tale about a village inhabited only by children who follow savage pagan traditions. Young witch Kyrphel and her sisters are bound to perform a macabre Ritual to save their village, and witch deaths during the Ritual are not unusual since not all can triumph over the Mistress of Death. Kyrphel believes she's strong enough to handle it, but the story complicates that belief.

The game combines fairy tale and horror elements, drawing on pagan folklore and ancient beliefs. The 12-chapter story spans over 8 hours of narrative and gameplay combining investigations, puzzles, quick-time events and multiple-choice dialogues. More than 30 unique locations populate the world: village streets, tangled forest paths, the burial ground, and various interiors from old huts to magnificent chambers.

Tough decisions force you to reconsider how to proceed: go against ancient traditions or follow them to the end. Ten characters carry detailed personalities and stories, with over 100 unique portraits reflecting their emotions during dialogues. Numerous side characters require interaction to fulfill Kyrphel's goals. The hand-drawn art is beautiful throughout, with the grim subject matter and folkloric horror contrasted against the storybook visual approach.