(display:"Reset")(if:$looped is true)[(display:(either:"Start1","Start1","Start1","Start1","Start1","Start1","Start1","Start1","Start1","Start1","Start2","Start3","Start4","Start5","Start6","Start7","Start8","Start9","Start10","Start11","Start12","Start13","Start14","Start15","Start16"))
(display:(either:"Fill1","Fill1","Fill1","Fill1","Fill1","Fill1","Fill1","Fill1","Fill1","Fill1","Fill2","Fill3","Fill4","Fill5","Fill6","Fill7","Fill8","Fill9","Fill10","Fill11","Fill12","Fill13","Fill14","Fill15","Fill16"))](else:)[(display:"Start1")
(display:"Fill1")](set: $looped to true)
There's a number scratched into the back of your hand, it says $loopNumber.(if:$hasKey is false and $hasBar is false and $hasScrewdriver is false)[
(Set:$hasKey to true)(Set:$foundKey to true)In your pocket you find a familiar looking key.]
[[Examine the Cube. ->Top 1]]
(display:"Inventory")
(display:"previousMessage")The top of the box has a large, ominous looking button.
[[Press the Button->BigButton 1]](if:$topUsable is true)[
The button seems to have lifted slightly and now feels like it can be twisted. It's currently in the (if:$twist is "clockwise")[clockwise](else-if:$twist is "anticlockwise")[anticlockwise](else:)[central] position
(unless:$twist is "clockwise")[[Twist the button clockwise.]<twist1|
](unless:$twist is "anticlockwise")[[Twist the button anticlockwise.]<twist2|
](unless:$twist is "none")[[Twist the button back to it's original position.]<twist3|]
]
[[Look at the Left.->Left 1]]
[[Look at the Right.->Right 1]]
[[Look at the Front.->Front 1]]
[[Look at the Back.->Back 1]]
[[Look at the Bottom.->Bottom 1]]
(display:"Inventory")
(click:?twist1)[(set: $twist to "clockwise")(goto:"Top 1")]
(click:?twist2)[(set: $twist to "anticlockwise")(goto:"Top 1")]
(click:?twist3)[(set: $twist to "none")(goto:"Top 1")]
(display:"previousMessage")(if:$sideUnlocked is true)[(Display:"Left 1 Unlocked")](else:)[(Display:"Left 1 Locked")]
[[Look at the Top.->Top 1]]
[[Look at the Right.->Right 1]]
[[Look at the Front.->Front 1]]
[[Look at the Back.->Back 1]]
[[Look at the Bottom.->Bottom 1]]
(display:"Inventory")
(display:"previousMessage")There are a series of buttons arranged in a cross with a single square button at their center.
(if:$sideUnlocked is true)[(unless:$directionUpPressed is true)[ [Press the top button.]<upButtonPressed|](else:)[The top button is clicked into place]
(unless:$directionLeftPressed is true)[ [Press the left button.]<leftButtonPressed|](else:)[The left button is clicked into place]
(unless:$directionRightPressed is true)[ [Press the right button.]<rightButtonPressed|](else:)[The right button is clicked into place]
(unless:$directionDownPressed is true)[ [Press the bottom button.]<bottomButtonPressed|](else:)[The bottom button is clicked into place]
[Press the center button.]<centerButtonPressed|](else:)[They seem to be stuck for some reason]
[[Look at the Top.->Top 1]]
[[Look at the Left.->Left 1]]
[[Look at the Front.->Front 1]]
[[Look at the Back.->Back 1]]
[[Look at the Bottom.->Bottom 1]]
(display:"Inventory")
(click:?upButtonPressed)[(set:$directionUpPressed to true)(set:$directionButtonList to $directionButtonList + "U")(goto:"Right 1")]
(click:?leftButtonPressed)[(set:$directionLeftPressed to true)(set:$directionButtonList to $directionButtonList + "L")(goto:"Right 1")]
(click:?rightButtonPressed)[(set:$directionRightPressed to true)(set:$directionButtonList to $directionButtonList + "R")(goto:"Right 1")]
(click:?bottomButtonPressed)[(set:$directionDownPressed to true)(set:$directionButtonList to $directionButtonList + "D")(goto:"Right 1")]
(click:?centerButtonPressed)[(set:$directionUpPressed to false)(set:$directionLeftPressed to false)(set:$directionRightPressed to false)(set:$directionButtonList to "")(set:$directionDownPressed to false)(set:$previousMessage to "As you press the center button the buttons you'd pressed down pop back up.")(goto:"Right 1")]
(display:"previousMessage")(if:$bottomUnlocked is true)[(display:"Bottom 1 Unlocked")](else:)[(display:"Bottom 1 Locked")]
[[Look at the Top.->Top 1]]
[[Look at the Left.->Left 1]]
[[Look at the Right.->Right 1]]
[[Look at the Front.->Front 1]]
[[Look at the Back.->Back 1]]
(display:"Inventory")
(display:"previousMessage")The front of the box has a large Dial that can be set to between 1 and 9.(if:$frontUsable is true)[ It is currently set to $dial.
[Turn the dial to 1.]<dial1|
[Turn the dial to 2.]<dial2|
[Turn the dial to 3.]<dial3|
[Turn the dial to 4.]<dial4|
[Turn the dial to 5.]<dial5|
[Turn the dial to 6.]<dial6|
[Turn the dial to 7.]<dial7|
[Turn the dial to 8.]<dial8|
[Turn the dial to 9.]<dial9|]
(else:)[ The dial is currently stuck and won't move]
[[Look at the Top.->Top 1]]
[[Look at the Left.->Left 1]]
[[Look at the Right.->Right 1]]
[[Look at the Back.->Back 1]]
[[Look at the Bottom.->Bottom 1]]
(display:"Inventory")
(click:?dial1)[(set: $dial to 1)(goto:"Front 1")]
(click:?dial2)[(set: $dial to 2)(goto:"Front 1")]
(click:?dial3)[(set: $dial to 3)(goto:"Front 1")]
(click:?dial4)[(set: $dial to 4)(goto:"Front 1")]
(click:?dial5)[(set: $dial to 5)(goto:"Front 1")]
(click:?dial6)[(set: $dial to 6)(goto:"Front 1")]
(click:?dial7)[(set: $dial to 7)(goto:"Front 1")]
(click:?dial8)[(set: $dial to 8)(goto:"Front 1")]
(click:?dial9)[(set: $dial to 9)(goto:"Front 1")]
(display:"previousMessage")(if:$backUnlocked is true)[(display:"Back 1 Unlocked")](else:)[(display:"Back 1 Locked")]
[[Look at the Top.->Top 1]]
[[Look at the Left.->Left 1]]
[[Look at the Right.->Right 1]]
[[Look at the Front.->Front 1]]
[[Look at the Bottom.->Bottom 1]]
(display:"Inventory")
(Set:$topUsable to false)(Set:$frontUsable to false)(Set:$sideUsable to false)(Set:$sideUnlocked to false)(Set:$backUnlocked to false)(Set:$bottomUnlocked to false)(Set:$dial to 0)(set:$directionUpPressed to false)(set:$directionLeftPressed to false)(set:$directionRightPressed to false)(set:$directionButtonList to "")(set:$directionDownPressed to false)(Set:$twist to "none")(Set:$previousMessage to "")(if:$hasKey is true)[(set:$foundKey to true)](else:)[(set:$foundKey to false)](if:$hasBar is true)[(set:$foundBar to true)](else:)[(set:$foundBar to false)](if:$hasScrewdriver is true)[(set:$foundScrewdriver to true)](else:)[(set:$foundScrewdriver to false)]
With an ominous clanking and whirring the machine lifts from the dias, it splits down the edges and expands, twisting in a way that you don't quite understand to form a shimmering portal.
(if:$dial is $dialTarget1 and $buttons is $buttonTarget1 and $directionButtonList is $directionButtonTarget1)[[[Step into the portal.->Win 1]]](elseif:$dial is $dialTarget2 and $buttons is $buttonTarget2 and $directionButtonList is $directionButtonTarget2)[[[Step into the portal.->Win 2]]](else:)[(if:$alternateReality is true)[(set:$alternateReality to false)](else:)[(Set:$alternateReality to true)](set:$loopNumber to $loopNumber + 1)[[Step into the portal.->Start 1]]]
You step from the portal and find yourself in the corridor before the room. The doorway is in front of you and you manage to pull short before crossing the threshold.
There is a sudden noise behind you , a gasp? a snarl? it doesn't matter, you step smartly aside as your assailant puts their hands to your back and attempts to push. They overbalance and fall into the room, spinning as they land you see the face you see each morning in the mirror. Their expression a mix of shock and fear as the door slams closed between you.
You look at the doorway, perplexed. Your hand finds the old key in your pocket as the past day? week? year? runs through your mind. The key drops from your hand as you turn around and walk from the building into the shifting desert sands.
[[The End]]
As you cross the threshold you hear a click and the stone door slams down behind you. You're the first person to enter this chamber and it looks like it may be the last room you see.
You stumble forward into the chamber once again, it almost feels like there was a force at your back, like you were pushed.
You fall backwards through the door with the dust stinging your eyes, through your wavering vision you see what could almost be a human figure on the other side of the doorway as it slams shut.
As you step through into the doorway you give out a resigned sigh. How many times have you been through here?
Your heart is thumping in your chest as you run through the door, it closes and you lean back against it. You were definitely running from something, but for the life of you you can't remember what.
The walls, floor and ceiling are blank stone, a raised dais stands in the middle of the room, and just above it floats a tarnished metal cube.
The cube is glowing white hot. It's sides so bright that you can barely look at it, it slowly grows dimmer, clicking as it cools until it's simply warm to the touch. The after images remain and you see the glowing cube with every blink.
The cube is in the same position as before, but where it was once floating it's now spinning madly in place, the sides a blur. As you step up to the table it comes to a sudden halt with an audible snap, it feels warm to the touch under your hands.
The dias is empty, as you look around the room you see that the cube is still here but grasped in the hands of a skeleton slumped in the corner. As you take the cube from the immobile figure they crumble into dust.
The cube sits exactly where it was before, but as you take in your surroundings you see that the room is covered in mad, unintelligible scrawls that are dug into the stonework, occasional smears of blood tell you that there was probably no tool available at the time.
Inventory:
(if:$hasKey is true)[An ancient key.
](if:$hasBar is true)[A pitted metal bar.
](if:$hasScrewdriver is true)[A rusty screwdriver.
](unless:$hasKey is true or $hasBar is true or $hasScrewdriver is true)[Empty.]
(unless:$previousMessage is "")[$previousMessage(Set:$previousMessage to "")
]
The bottom panel seems to be held in place by a series of screws.
(if:$hasScrewdriver is true)[ [Use the Screwdriver to open it.]<openScrewdriver|
](if:$hasKey is true)[ [Use the sharp end of the key to get undo the screws.]<openKey|]
(click:?openScrewdriver)[(Set:$bottomUnlocked to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "You undo the screws one by one and the metal plate falls to the table.
")(goto:"Bottom 1")](click:?openKey)[(Set:$bottomUnlocked to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "With some effort you undo the screws with the key but the key suffers for it.")(Set:$hasKey to false)(goto:"Bottom 1")]
In the panel are a series of delicate looking interlocking gears(if:$topUsable is false)[, they're giving off a distressing grinding sound as they try and move, but something seems to be blocking their movement.
[Remove the obstruction]<unlockTop|
](else:)[ turning smoothly against each other.
](if:$foundScrewdriver is false and $alternateReality is false)[You found a rusted Screwdriver in the compartment.(set:$hasScrewdriver to true)(set:$foundScrewdriver to true)
](if:$foundBar is false and $alternateReality is true)[You found a pitted metal bar(set:$hasBar to true)(set:$foundBar to true)
]There's a small scrap of paper in the hollow. (if:$alternateReality is true)[On it is written a single word: Widdershins](else:)[The word Widdershins is written on the paper, but it's been crossed out in what looks like blood and under it is written: NO! DON'T SPIN IT! NEVER TURN THE BUTTON!]
(click:?unlockTop)[(set: $topUsable to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "The obstruction comes clear and the gears start moving agin, on closer inspection what you pulled free appears to be a human finger bone.
")(goto:"Bottom 1")]
The back panel has a large keyhole in it's center.
(if:$hasKey is true)[[Use the Key to unlock it]<openKey|
](if:$hasBar is true)[[Force it open with the metal bar]<openBar|](click:?openKey)[(Set:$backUnlocked to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "The key turns and the door swings open.")(goto:"Back 1")](click:?openBar)[(Set:$backUnlocked to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "The bar snaps but the panel pops open")(Set:$hasBar to false)(goto:"Back 1")]
There is a handle here with a well worn grip(if:$frontUsable is false)[, it appears to be able to be pulled
[Pull the handle]<unlockFront|
](else:)[, but it's locked into place.
]The back of the hinged door has a series of numbers scratched into it.
(if:$alternateReality is true)[1 1 2 3 5 ?](else:)[2 3 5 ?](click:?unlockFront)[(set: $frontUsable to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "The handle slides out smoothly, then retracts with a hiss.
")(goto:"Back 1")]
Behind the panel is a nest of wires. (if:$sideUsable is false)[A pair of wires seems to have come loose and are sitting loose. [Try to re-seat the wires.]<unlockSide|
](if:$foundKey is false and $alternateReality is false)[A familiar looking old key sits in the compartment.(set:$hasKey to true)(set:$foundKey to true)
]On closer inspection of the inside of the panel you can see a short sentence scratched into the metalwork, it says.
(if:$alternateReality is true)[Now,
something
will
end.](else:)[We
saw
every
name.]
(click:?unlockSide)[(set: $sideUsable to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "The wires spark violently as you push them back into their connectors. When both are pushed into place you hear a low hum start up from the box.")(goto:"Left 1")]
The panel on the left hand side of the box doesn't quite sit flush with the main body, you can see a gap along the edge that you could wedge something into to open it up.(if:$hasBar is true)[
[Pry it open with the bar]<openBar|
](if:$hasScrewdriver is true)[[Force it open with the screwdriver]<openScrewdriver|](click:?openBar)[(Set:$sideUnlocked to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "With a brief bit of effort the side panel pops free and clatters to the ground.
")(goto:"Left 1")](click:?openScrewdriver)[(Set:$sideUnlocked to true)(Set:$previousMessage to "With a brief bit of effort the side panel pops free. But the screwdriver snaps under the pressure.")(Set:$hasScrewdriver to false)(goto:"Left 1")]
You step from the portal and find yourself in the corridor before the room. For a moment you're confused as you were here alone but a figure stands in the doorway with their back to you. Your hands move of their own accord as they push the figure in the back, they gasp in confusion as they stumble forwards, their turning head shows a familiar profile before the door slams shut.
You walk out into the sun and breathe the dry desert air of freedom. As you stride back into the world the ancient key falls from your pocket into the sand.
[[The End]]
(Set:$alternateReality to false)(Set:$previousMessage to "")(set:$hasKey to false)(set:$hasBar to false)(set:$hasScrewdriver to false)(Set:$directionButtonTarget1 to "UDLR")(Set:$directionButtonTarget2 to "LDRU")(Set:$twistTarget1 to "anticlockwise")(Set:$twistTarget2 to "none")(Set:$dialTarget1 to 8)(Set:$dialTarget2 to 7)(set: $loopNumber to 1)
[[<mark><h1><a>TIME'S ARROW</a></h1></mark>->Start 1]]
A locked room game by @theUncommon.
You step smartly into the room feeling fresh and alert, the room is pristine and free of dust. It comes as a sudden surprise when the door slams shut.
A stinking haze covers the room, the cube is missing, apparently destroyed. Cogs, buttons, shattered glass, some unidentifiable fluid and many other incomprehensible materials are spread over the table and to all corners of the room. But as you watch they start to fly together, stirring slowly then tumbling through the air towards the center. You realise you're watching an explosion in reverse, the fumes spiral together, igniting to form a fireball that shrinks as the box builds around it. As the last screws click into place you see the button on top pop back out, ready to be pressed.
You try to shake your head to clear it, was there a portal? Did I go anywhere? What place is this? Your eyes slowly focus as you look around at a familiar dusty room.
An explosion of pain erupts behind your eyes and your head spins. You’re lying on a hard surface and as you look up at the ceiling you realise that the room is upside down, the dias, box and door are all below you. As you realise this reality seems to catch up and you find yourself plummeting to the floor and landing with a painful thump.
The room looks the same as before as you step forwards through the threshold and the door closes behind you. But a new pain draws your attention, your arms are covered in deep gauges that form words. The left forearm says
“aROunD ANd arOuNd”
And the right forearm says
“BacK aND fOrtH”
Again…
You aren't thirsty, how can you not be thirsty? You’re in a desert in a perfectly dry room, and you’ve not drunk for… for… how long is it? The thought slips from your mind as you look around the room..
There is blood in your mouth, is it yours?
You start to laugh as the door slams closed, what starts as a small chuckle at the futility of the whole situation builds to a giggle, then a laugh, then something more. A shouting, a crying, a screaming, emptying your lungs at the universe as your mind slowly unravels. You are left curled in a ball, sobbing. You stay there for.. how long? It could be minutes, it could be days. But eventually you stand up and take in your surroundings.
You walk into the room in mid conversation, a fellow colleague was asking about your research and you were giving a cheery reply that dies in your throat as the door closes and the room takes you again.
What is your name? You’ve definitely got one, everyone has a name don’t they? But you just can’t recall it, it sits at the tip of your tongue but you can’t make that last leap to get to it. Oh well, it’s not like there’s anyone to tell it to, is there?
.ees uoy moor tsal eht eb yam ti ekil skool ti dna rebmahc siht retne ot nosrep tsrif eht er'uoY .uoy dniheb nwod smals rood enots eht dna kcilc a raeh uoy dlohserht eht ssorc uoy sA
There are 3 boxes, 1 is red, 1 is green and 1 is blue. You try to interact with them but they seem entirely inert. However as you pick one up to examine it you accidentally knock one of the other boxes with it. But the other box doesn’t move, it simply passes through it like it’s not there. You take the boxes. Align them to the same facing and push them together. As they start to overlap they begin to shake, a humming starts and raises in pitch as the boxes overlap more, eventually becoming a painful scream, then passing out of the range of your hearing as the boxes finish overlapping.
The box has 3 sides. It’s not a triangle, not a prism, it’s just a cube with 3 sides as far as you can see. As you pick it up it turns in unfathomable ways that make your head feel strange. You try to rub the dust and confusion from your eyes and when you open them the box is back to normal.
The box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box the box…
As you look the box clatters onto the table from above, as though something was holding it and dropped it as soon as you noticed.
The box is covered in slick bloody handprints, on all the sides, at the corners of the loose panel, around the screws, everywhere. Your hands feel slick, but it’s just sweat.
The box is slowly rotating in place above the dias, as you look you see sides you’ve not seen before, peculiar mechanisms, scrawled messages, openings filled with blinding light. But as you move closer to try and stop it to see one of these unseen sides the cube turns them out of sight, when you grab it and turn it back the cube simply has the familiar panels and mechanisms.
Tiny metallic spiders scuttle across the surface of the cube making the entire surface undulate with the movements of their segmented bodies. As you step forwards to have a closer look they suddenly stop, then quickly scuttling into unseen crevices so that, by the time you arrive at the cube, there is no sign of them.
The cube floats above the dias, but resting on the button at its top is a skeletal hand, covered in straps of dried skin and cloth. As you look the hand starts to sink into the button as though it was a liquid held in shape. The hand folds backwards as it is pulled into what was previously a rubberized button until it is entirely consumed.
The cube is tiny, maybe a centimeter across on each side. You move your head closer and see that it’s the same cube, just in miniature. But as you move your head backwards the cube doesn’t grow smaller, instead it stays the same size in your vision, growing as you retreat from it until it’s the same size as it has always been.
There is a flat metal plate floating on the dias, on top of it is a familiar red button. You move forwards and pick it up, as you lift it extrudes from the bottom, deploying the remaining sides from some unknown dimension.
Thanks for playing Time's Arrow. A game by (link:"@theUncommon")[(gotoURL:"https://twitter.com/theuncommon")].
If you liked this game and would like to know more about the things I make you can get hold of my at my website: (link:"theuncommon.co.uk")[(gotoURL:"http://www.theuncommon.co.uk/")]