You were made to be perfect.Your creator is a brilliant artist - celebrated, lonely, tormented - who has never been satisfied with his own creations. Until now. His magnum opus, his crowning masterpiece, the pinnacle of his art - is you. And yesterday you came to life.
You must remain perfect for him - or else.
NEW! PARAGON EDITIONGalatea: Paragon Edition is now available! A revamped layout, updated prompts, and stunning new art await in this new 36-page A5 zine. Print copies (with gold embossed covers!) are available to purchase from Knave of Cups and Indie Press Revolution now!
GAMEPLAYGalatea is a solo journaling RPG based on the Wretched & Alone SRD, but takes significant departures from other games of the genre. Awaken in the story of a sentient masterpiece striving to live up to your creator's expectations. Choose how to build up your confidence and self-knowledge before you start undermining your own foundations. Explore the wider world with tarot cards or standard playing cards, with different rulesets for a customizable experience. Try to retain the favor of your creator. And leave behind a legacy for the next creation to follow you - or disappear without a trace...
YOU WILL NEED
A tumbling block tower (e.g. Jenga tower), to represent your self-knowledge
A deck of tarot cards or standard playing cards (with jokers), to represent the unknown world
Gameplay with tarot cards will focus slightly more on exploring your own psychology
Gameplay with playing cards will focus slightly more on how far you think you can trust others
Somewhere to record your story
A few hours of your mortal life
CONTENT WARNINGSGalatea is a game about bearing the weight of unrealistic expectations. It contains themes of narcissism, controlling behavior, co-dependence, helplessness, despair, self-mutilation and suicide. If you are sensitive to these themes, please look after your mental health and make sure you have someone trustworthy to talk to, and stop playing if you feel overwhelmed.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYINGGalatea pulled out of me a wondrous creative force, the likes of which I haven’t felt in years... Galatea is an absolute masterpiece of self-exploration, and naming the dichotomy between self and the experiences we have outside of ourselves.
- C. Davis Creative
Galatea is a brilliant combination of heartfelt journaling and knuckle-popping tension. Navigating the card prompts, pulling from the tower, each mechanic fits together like another piece on a plummeting roller-coaster track. You will fall in love, and then recoil in horror. And then you'll be excited to do it all again and see what you missed last time.
- Shawn Drake
The crushing expectations of others and how you personify the failure of those hopes is a powerful vehicle for self exploration in Galatea. You will disappoint them, you’re playing to find out how. Embrace your downfall, because learning how it comes is joyous.
- Matthew R.
Galatea uses Wretched & Alone better than The Wretched did.
- Black Dragon Dungeon Company
If you enjoy Galatea, consider checking out these games as well:
Paramour by Wren Goderie is another Wretched & Alone game, featuring a paranormal and parasocial romance with a dream lover, with themes of loneliness, helplessness, and intimacy.
Masterpiece by Stephen Kohler is a solo journaling game, featuring a custom-built card engine, where you play as a frustrated creator trying to bring your greatest work to life.
Source: The Developer's Website.