Chantey (Prologue)

Chantey is a pirate metal top-down adventure game for the original Game Boy. It tells a compelling story of chanteying and piracy in the Caribbean sea of the 1700s. The game is a peculiar mix of top-down adventure and rhythm games, with a unique visual style and game mechanics. The player takes on the role of an unnamed pirate, who sets out to collect a number of magical sea chanteys, which the player performs in the rhythm game sections to overcome adversaries and terrors of the high seas (because, who wouldn't go into glorious battle with bloodthirsty swashbucklers and krakens, listening to the sound of a thunderous pirate metal song?)

NOTE: Prologue is an early alpha/pre-alpha prototype prepared for GB Compo 2023. It is meant to demonstrate the direction that the game is taking, as well as the beginning of the player's adventure. Certain features, assets (including music and graphics) and functionality are not final. 

The full game is under development.

🏴‍☠️ STORY

You were born in Ireland, in the year 1651, to a pair of indentured servants in the Ulster Plantation. At the age of 14, you have already been plowing the fields for almost a decade. As your voice grows deep and commanding, you develop a reputation as a chanteyman among the plantation's workers, acknowledged for your skill in improvising verses, and belting out tunes that fit the type and speed of the work at hand. Reckoning there's more to the world than a life of servitude on the plantation, you decide one night to escape, craving for adventure, riches and fame. Barefoot and penniless, you eventually make your way to Kinsale, boarding a Spanish merchant vessel at night, undetected. Stowed away on the lower deck, and hiding amongst the crates of cargo, your long and arduous voyage to the West Indies is about to come to an abrupt end...

🏴‍☠️ CONTROLLER INFORMATION

GAME BOY	KEYBOARD	ACTION
D-PAD	ARROW KEYS	In the top-down sections, use the ✚ D-Pad to move your character, or ship in four different directions. The ✚ D-Pad also controls the cursor on menu screens. During the rhythm battles, the ◄ left and ►right directional options are used to play the corresponding notes.
A BUTTON	Z	In the top-down sections, the A button allows you to interact with people and the environment. It is also used to advance long conversations, or select an option in menu screens. During the rhythm battles, the A button is used to play the corresponding notes.
B BUTTON	X	In the top-down sections, the B button allows you to cancel a menu, without selecting an option. It is also used to exit the Map and Chanteys screens. During the rhythm battles, the B button is used to play the corresponding notes.
START	ENTER	Pressing START while in the top-down sections will display your Player Menu (when it becomes available, after the first tutorial rhythm battle).

🏴‍☠️ STARTING THE GAME

When you boot up the game, after all the logos and disclaimers, you will see an introductory sequence, which you can skip by pressing the START button. When you are at the title screen, press START again, to bring up the Start Menu.

New Game: The default (and only) option when you play the game for the first time (or play the game without having saved it earlier). This will permanently erase your previous save file, and create a new one in its place.

Continue: Enabled when there is a save file available. This option will let you continue from the last save point at which you had saved your game.

🏴‍☠️ SCREEN DISPLAY

Main Screen: This is the screen you use to explore the various towns, settlements and islands of the Caribbean. In this screen, you control the player character from a top-down perspective.

Overworld: This is the screen you use to sail the Caribbean, and move from one location to another. In this screen, you control the player's pirate ship from a top-down perspective.

Rhythm Battle Screens: During a rhythm battle, notes will drop from the top of the screen, marked with ◄ left, ►right, A and B symbols. As soon as they reach the line at the bottom, press the corresponding button to play that particular note.

Map Screen: Through this screen, you can view the entire overworld, and pinpoint your current location. Use the ✚ D-Pad directional options to navigate the different main locations. Use the B Button to exit.

Chanteys Screen: This screen can be accessed through the Player Menu. It compiles the list of chanteys that you have discovered throughout your journey. Use the ✚ D-Pad directional options to select a chantey, and press A once to enter the Playback menu. While on this menu, you can either listen to the song, or go back to the list. Pressing the B button while on the Playback menu will also return you to the list.  Use the B button while on the list, to exit.

🏴‍☠️ SAVING THE GAME

The game can be saved when you visit a Save Location. Save Locations feature a bed, with which the player can interact using the A button. You will be prompted to save the game. After selecting the "Aye!" option, your game will be saved (the previous save file will be overwritten). Exit the save dialogue (by pressing the A button) to continue playing, or turn off the game.

🏴‍☠️ CREDITS

Game design, programming, graphics and Sound by K. C. Apostolakis.

"Bully in the Alley" and "Drunken Sailor" arranged by K. C. Apostolakis. Tunes and lyrics are in the public domain.

"Nomad" written, produced and performed by Wise Astronomist.

Built with GB Studio by Chris Maltby.

Uses the 'Actor Set Collision Box Plugin' from the GB Studio Plugin Collection by Y0UR-U5ERNAME. Uses the 'Display Advanced Dialogue' plugin from the GB Studio 3.1 - Plugin Pak by pau-tomas.

🏴‍☠️ DISCLAIMER

Copyright © 2024 Gortyn Code Games Single Member P.C.

The story, characters and incidents portrayed in this game are fictitious. Any name resemblance with actual persons, either living or deceased is purely coincidental and not in any way intended.

Use of the GAME BOY name intends to identify format compatibility only. Use does not imply endorsement.

This software is provided "as-is", without warranty of any kind, either express or implied.