Eversion

Overview

Eversion (stylized as eversion) is a freeware indie 2D horror platformer developed and released digitally by Zaratustra for the PC on December 29, 2008.

Originally developed for a 2008 competition on TIGSource where developers create a game themed around ideas from horror author H.P. Lovecraft's commonplace book, Eversion starts off as a simple platformer where players control Zee Tee (a wide-eyed walking flower on a quest to rescue the Princess of the Flower Kingdom from the Ghulibas of the North). However, as players progress, the game starts working against them by slowly introducing bizarre and frightening elements (implying that dark forces are behind the scenes and are beginning to take over).

An enhanced version of the game was later released via Steam on June 7, 2010 for $4.99, adding support for Mac and Linux platforms, higher-resolution graphics, controller support, achievements, online leaderboards for Time Trials, and custom level support.

Gameplay

Players guide Zee Tee towards the right side of the screen towards a flag at the end of the level, jumping on enemies' heads and collecting gems. Along with side-to-side movement and a jump button, the player has control of an "evert" button.

Aside from being used to navigate menus, the "evert" button initially appears useless; however, guiding Zee Tee into a certain spot and pressing that button takes them to a different version of the game world (called "eversion layers"). Many elements are in the same place, but their characteristics have changed -- music and colors change; enemies walk at slower or faster speeds; bricks become breakable; clouds become solid (or immaterial); shrubs become solid (or even deadly); and new entities are added. There are a total of eight eversion layers, each with their own characteristics:

• Normal
• Deception
• Erosion
• Desolation
• Confusion
• Apprehension
• Commotion
• Induction

The game contains seven base levels, each with a set of gems to collect. Collecting all 240 gems in the game unlocks the final layer (Induction), which gives access to a final, eighth level when the seventh level is completed with this layer active. Eversion includes two endings (three in the Steam version), which is based on what layer is used to complete the seventh level.

PC System Requirements

Minimum:

• OS: Windows XP or later
• Processor: Single core 1GHz+
• Memory: 64MB or more
• Graphics: 640 x 480 resolution or higher
• DirectX®: N/A
• Hard Drive: 20 MB
• Sound: Required