Distress

About

Distress is a short but quirky puzzle platformer inspired by Yume Nikki. You play as Saya, exploring strange dreamlike environments to collect 11 distinct effects. Each one alters how you interact with the world and can be combined in 55 different ways to uncover secrets. The gameplay loops around trial and error experimentation rather than traditional level clearing. Mini puzzles require mixing effects like gravity inversion with time slowdown to progress. The game stands out for its creative use of environmental storytelling and cryptic visual design. Though made in a week-long game jam, it earned a 83% positive rating on Steam from fans of experimental indie games. The low-poly art style and synth soundtrack create an eerie tone that lingers despite the brief runtime. Best played in a single sitting with notes nearby for tracking combinations.