To Be Altered

About To Be Altered

To Be Altered is a role-playing visual novel set in the eerie Australian outback, developed by SKELLYBED Productions and released on October 22, 2025. Playing as Darcy, a former detective, and his daughter Jess, you figure out the secrets of Ghoul’s Grove, a haunted carnival filled with disfigured performers and a murdered employee. The story hinges on player choices, with even small decisions reshaping character fates and outcomes. Blending simulation elements with narrative depth, it offers a single-player experience where moral dilemmas and family secrets drive the plot. The game runs on PC, Linux, and Mac, targeting fans of branching storylines and psychological horror.

Gameplay

The game alternates between dialogue-driven scenes and exploration segments. You manage inventory, gather clues, and make selections that influence relationships and plot progression. Each choice, from dialogue replies to timing-based actions during investigations, triggers branching paths. For example, questioning a suspect directly might expose a truth but alienate them, while hiding information could let a danger escalate. The simulator aspect includes managing stress levels for both characters, affecting decision-making. Sessions typically last 2, 4 hours, with frequent save points. The interface feels clunky at times, but the branching tree visualizes how past choices impact current options. No combat; the tension comes from figuring out mysteries and fearing consequences.

What Players Think

To Be Altered holds a 7.8/10 on user ratings and 8.1/10 from critics. 25% of players finish all endings, averaging 14 hours per playthrough. Community moods split between intrigue and frustration, some praise the layered writing, others call the pacing slow. One review notes, “The mystery unravels beautifully, but the UI feels like an afterthought.” 12% of players hit 100% completion, collecting all dialogue variations. The game’s difficulty curve is polarizing; 30% of reviews mention repetitive scenes diluting tension. Critics highlight its bold use of multiple endings, though 40% argue the family subplot overshadows the main mystery.

PlayPile's Take

To Be Altered is best for fans of cerebral visual novels who don’t mind its uneven pacing. At $29.99, it offers 10, 20 hours of story but requires patience for its slower moments. The 43 achievements add replay value, though most are completionist-driven. While not perfect, its moral complexity and haunting setting justify a playthrough for narrative enthusiasts. Skip it if you prefer action or streamlined stories. The game’s true strength lies in its willingness to let even minor choices reshape the story, a rarity in the genre.

Storyline

Uncover the mystery of the Ghoul's Grove, hidden in the Australian outback and filled with strange and mutilated scare actors. Darcy, an ex-detective, and his curious daughter, Jess, uncover the truth about the horrors of the carnival when they find one of the disfigured employees murdered. It's up to them to find out who did it, but should they have bailed when they had the chance? Darcy has a secret too, but he can't hide it from his daughter for long. Something happened to Jess' mother before Darcy quit his job, and she can't shake off the feeling that there's more to it than what he leads on. Darcy has changed, Jess has changed as well. If they stick at this place any longer, they will both be changed for the worse.