Aghretta

PHOTOSENSITIVE EPILEPSY WARNING: There are a few levels with strong white on black colour palettes with moving backgrounds that may trigger seizures in those with photosensitive epilepsy. Please take care.

Aghretta is a game I made using Gamemaker back in 2012, when I was still in high school. It is a flawed game, featuring precision platforming ad nauseum and some janky features, but it (and Aghretta herself) holds a special place in my heart. I am uploading it here both to preserve it and also in the hopes that others may enjoy this little glimpse into my creative mind over ten years in the past (as of now).

I was very strongly inspired by Amontillado26's own games at the time (this game even uses the same platformer-shooter base engine that some of his do). Some parts of Aghretta I would consider shamefully derivative of his work, but as development went on the game took on more of a unique identity of its own.

There are two endings: The point of divergence is during the first boss battle.

From the readme I wrote for it back then:

"Controls:

W = Jump (the longer you hold, the higher you go)

A = Move Left

D = Move Right

Left click = Fire

F5 = Quick-Save

F6 = Quick-Load

F9 = Screenshot

Esc = Quit

Gameplay premise:

You control a nimble character armed with a low-damage gun. One hit from any hazard is death and sends you back to the start of the level. Water is deadly, no matter its colour. Coloured doors are unlocked when a corresponding icon is collected. Quick-Saves and Loads are vital, and are also the only way to keep progress if you can't finish in one sitting.

Synopsis: Aghretta has no soul. Neither does the boatman. But. A promising trip he says. To the island far into the sea. Aghretta wants her soul. The boatman wants more."