Belgian Game Spotlight - Ghost on the Shore
With this monthly feature, we intend to spotlight Belgian games that deserve a bit of extra attention. Last time, we had the twin-stick 4-person multiplayer, Trailer Trashers. This month, we're switching it up and delving deeper into a narrative-driven adventure: Ghost on the Shore by Like Charlie.
If you're into games with a strong emphasis on story and exploration, you may have already heard of their previous game, Marie's Room, which is available for FREE on Steam. If you haven't checked it out yet, we strongly urge you to set aside half an hour as it's a wonderful, short but deep experience.
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In Ghost on the Shore, you play as Riley, a young woman who finds herself stranded on a desolate island. For some yet unknown reason, you can chat with Josh, a ghost who's been roaming the island for as long as he can remember. Together you set out to explore the shores of the island in the hope of uncovering the secrets it has to hide.
It's a first-person adventure that will take you on a journey through setpiece moments and will have you solve minor puzzles to push the narrative forward. Pick up and read excerpts from books, find hints in drawings and interact with your newfound ghost buddy.
Before we go further, it's perhaps best if you watch the trailer first, to set the mood:
The island seemed pretty open to traversal when we last played the demo, yet there was a rather linear optimal path to follow with subtle signposting showing you the way forward. You'll enter abandoned buildings and learn more about the previous inhabitants of the island all the while conversing with the new ghost-tenant in your head.
You'll be talking to Josh throughout the game but you don't always have to agree with what he says. Quite often you will be faced with making dialog choices that will shape your relationship with him (and could possibly alter the outcome of the game)
Having a ghost in your head isn't the only weird thing that's happening on this island, as Riley is inexplicably able to see other ghostly apparitions as well. Follow their footsteps and you'll see them play out parts of the rich history of the island.
You can't interact with them, but they give you useful backstory insights and will be key to figuring out the grand mystery of the island and perhaps even the cause of Josh's death.
If reading this has made you hungry for more, be sure to wishlist the game. We've even heard a little will-o'-wisp telling us there may be a publically available demo soon, so keep your eyes peeled and your ears to the ground.
Wishlist Ghost on the Shore on Steam
Want to keep up-to-date on any developments by this awesome indie game studio? Here are some useful links to pick from
We hope you've enjoyed this feature article and if you're a Belgian game developer yourself, don't be afraid to reach out and maybe we'll spotlight your game next month!
