Klondike Arch

About a year ago, a friend of mine moved away. One thing we had in common was videogames, but more specifically, we loved messing with random RPG Maker games. Whether it be playing ones we found online, or ones we made ourselves, it was a fun, albeit (I admit) strange hobby we shared.

Before my friend moved away last year, we went through a few months where he wasn't speaking to me much anymore. I thought it was odd, because we spoke on a nearly daily basis until that point. Then, on the day of his move, he comes over to my house, for the last time, and apologizes.

I told him it was fine. I didn't want to ask about why he had been so distant lately, because the look on his face definitely told me it wasn't something he felt comfortable discussing. We chatted like it was old times again, and that was good enough for me.

Before he left, he stopped me and handed me a thumb drive. Of course, I asked him what was on it, and why he was giving it to me. He explained that it was the last RPG Maker game he played, one that he had found on a (now defunct) website that shared various RPG Maker demos.

He also stared me straight in the eyes and told me he didn't want to ever see it again.

After my friend left, I plugged in the thumb drive and found a folder for the game called "Klondike Arch". There was also a smaller folder labeled "Extras". I ignored that for the time being, navigated through the other, and booted up the game to see what the fuss was about.

It's... a weird game. From what I can tell, it was about 30-40% complete. The title screen says it was made by Nuntius Plainsoft, which is a developer I couldn't find any information on at all.

I wandered around the overworld for awhile, got bored and remembered the other folder. I tabbed out and opened it to find two text files titled "Instructions" and "Description", along with various images for the game. Opening the "Instructions" up gave me a very brief read on "how to play":

"Activate Debug Mode with the rock next to the item shop sign to obtain the Magic Dragon outside Hamlet, then travel north to face Banaroh! If you forget how, read the tablet next to Hiro's bed!"

This has to be the weirdest instructions for a game I've ever seen. Why leave a Debug Mode in the game intentionally, then ask the player to go and use it to progress?

The whole thing creeps me out, especially when combined with how my friend was last I saw him. To this day, him and I have never been the same, and I feel this game is definitely responsible. I've never actually had the guts to progress any further than I did.

Anyway, I can't find Klondike Arch or it's supposed developer, "Nuntius Plainsoft" anywhere online, not even through archives, so I'm considering this lost media at this point. The last time I spoke to my friend recently, I told him about my plans to release the game to the public and he straight up told me that I shouldn't. Going against his best wishes, I'll let people braver than me dive into whatever the hell this thing is.

I'll post the game's "Description" file here now. I will warn you: whatever this game is, the "description" is... interesting.

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Enter a world of thrilling adventure! Join Hiro, the Legendary Warrior, as he embarks on a quest to avenge his father against the Lich Fiend Banaroh!

Nuntius Plainsoft brings you it's debut RPG, where Hiro must traverse the country of Klondike Arch to save the world.

FEATURES

• Engrossing story!

•  1-on-1 combat with a variety of unique weapons!

•  11 different endings!

•  Music by LASRSLASHR!

Join the fun today, and help save Klondike Arch!

CONTROLS

  Keyboard

• F4: Fullscreen

• Esc: Menu, Cancel

• Enter: Confirm

• Arrow Keys: Move

In the Options Menu, you can change your keybindings to "WASD" for a more refined experience!

 Xbox Controller

• Y: Menu

• B: Cancel

• A: Confirm

• D-Pad/Left Analog Stick: Move

TIPS

• Examine your surroundings! There are plenty of secrets!

• Check Hiro's Status often! His Status changes depending on how you play the game!

• Make multiple save files to find all endings!

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Disclaimer: Nuntius Plainsoft, Klondike Arch and any characters mentioned within are works of fiction and should be treated as such. Any resemblances to any real persons, both living or deceased, are completely coincidental.