Draft:Chrono Escape

Chrono Escape

Chrono Escape is a puzzle video game developed by Team InwZa008, students from King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. The game was released on 22 March 2023 and officially launched its final version on 10 May 2023 subsequently.

Chrono Escape presents the player with a series of puzzles in an escape room-like experience that features complex puzzles requiring time manipulation and creativity to solve. The player is challenged to figure out a way to escape from each room by utilizing the time rewinding mechanics— letting the player interact with the past version of the room.

Chrono Escape
Developer(s)	InwZa008
Publisher(s)	InwZa008 (Itch.io)
Designer(s)	Prima Foosiripong, Siriyakorn Sakolaut, Korawan Sriboonyakeaw, Wachirapol Pornitsarasaeri
Programmer(s)	Vibhumi Sermsilp, Aisha Kwatra, Kantapich Panpien, Pichamon Wiangsamut
Artist(s)	Prima Foosiripong
Engine	Unity
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
Release	Microsoft Windows WW: 10 May 2023
Genre(s)	Puzzle, Escape Room
Mode(s)	Single-player

Gameplay

Chrono Escape is a two-dimensional adventure and puzzle game. Set in a museum, the player assumes the role of a security guard who becomes trapped inside a museum hall after finishing a night shift. The main objective of the player is to navigate through the confined spaces of the museum and find a way out.

The gameplay emphasized exploration through a point and click interface, allowing players to discover hidden clues and collecting artifacts. The player must explore and interact with various objects placed around the intricately designed rooms by clicking or hovering to reveal any clues, hidden mechanisms, or useful artifacts that could ultimately lead to their escape.

The key feature of the game is the player’s ability to manipulate time. Players can rewind time to revisit previous moments, allowing them to uncover hidden solutions or alter the past to solve a puzzle in the present. The player is also able to store artifacts in an inventory where they can be examined at any time or used at specific moments, including in past instances.

The game consists of two halls, all with different puzzles and clues that get increasingly more challenging to solve. Players must use creativity and the time rewinding mechanic to advance further into the game.

Plot

Sir William’s Exhibit Hall

“On this quiet night, you almost finished your shift. As you walked through the hall of many precious artifacts, you arrived at your last room on the patrolling list.

Suddenly, the lights go out, plunging you into darkness. And the door behind you slams shut with a loud bang.

You try to unlock it, but it's sealed shut with no chance of escape.”

In Chrono Escape, players assume the role of an unnamed security guard who has just finished their night shift. The player soon finds themselves locked inside one of the museum’s exhibit halls. In the room, various artifacts can be found, each holding a piece of the story of Sir William, a royal guardsman who once led an expedition in search of the Magic Watch and ultimately went missing during his last adventure.

As the player continues to explore the room for a way out, the rumored Magic Watch is discovered, hidden behind complex mechanisms and puzzles. The watch brings the player back to the same museum in the past, and their actions in the past seem to affect the state of the museum in the present.

With the help of the Magic Watch and the newfound power, the player obtains the key and unlocks the door leading out of the exhibit hall.

The Hidden Library Hall

“You push through the door, expecting it to lead to the exit. But something feels off, why is it so dark in here?

Suddenly, the light bulb flickers to life, casting a dim glow on the shelves of dusty books that surround you. The scent of old paper fills your nose, as you realize you have stumbled upon a hidden library.

It looks like this night has one more surprise in store for you.”

Pushing through the door, expecting to find the exit, the player is greeted by the dust-filled, dimly lit library hall and another set of doors locked behind a security code. The library is filled with trinkets and hefty volumes, one of which is a biography of Sir William Lancelot, where the player can learn more about the history of the renowned guardsman.

Sir William Lancelot, born in England in 1819, was a distinguished royal guardsman known for his bravery and loyalty. Passionate about exploration, he embarked on numerous expeditions, including the discovery of a cave filled with valuable gems in 1849 and the formation of an important alliance with the kingdom of Osucia in 1862. His final adventure involved searching for the Magic Watch, after which he mysteriously disappeared.

The history of Sir William Lancelot seems to be the key to solving the puzzles in this room, and with the help left by another security guard, the player obtains the security code, unlocks the door, and leaves the library hall.

Development and Release

Chrono Escape was developed by a team of eight first year students studying Digital Design and Creative Technology in King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi. The game was directed by Korawan Sriboonyakeaw and Siriyakorn Sakolaut who wrote the in-game narration. Prima Foosiripong was the artist responsible for both art direction and creating assets used within the game. The technical development was carried out by Vibhumi Sermsilp, Aisha Kwatra, Kantapich Panpien, and Pichamon Wiangsamut, who worked together on programming time puzzles, time manipulation mechanics, and overall gameplay systems. Wachirapol Pornitsarasaeri supported the team by managing project timelines and coordinating team tasks to ensure smooth development flow.

The team’s inspiration for Chrono Escape stemmed from a desire to break away from traditional physics-based or action-oriented games. Instead, they aimed to create a game that focused on mental challenge and exploration. The original idea for the game centered on the concept of time travel where the elements of the past affect the future. The team chose the design element of two-dimensional, hand-drawn arts with the help of dynamic camera and lighting to portray the semblance of three dimensional space. Designed for veterans of escape room puzzle games and enthusiasts of puzzles and challenges, Chrono Escape aimed to provide a satisfying and engaging experience. The team focused on designing intricate puzzles that required creativity and critical thinking, to ensure the game appealed to experienced players.

Development began on 19 January 2023. The team spent over 2 months prototyping various ideas before settling on the final game’s design. The early playable version of the game was released on 22 March 2023 and launched its official final version on 10 May 2023  for digital distribution on Windows through Itch.io.

One of the biggest challenges during design and development of Chrono Escape was providing clear visual feedback to guide players. In the later stages of development, player testing revealed that many players felt unsure of what steps to take next or how to navigate the game. The team spent several weeks carefully designing subtle visual cues—such as gentle highlights, interactive animations, and strategic light placements—that would guide players without giving too much away. These adjustments allowed players to enjoy the satisfaction of discovering solutions independently, preserving the game’s immersive puzzle-solving experience.

Reception

After the release of Chrono Escape, one of the team members shared the game on social media, which quickly gained traction online, especially within local gaming communities. The game’s unique puzzles and time-manipulation mechanics caught the attention of streamers and VTubers, who began featuring Chrono Escape on their channels.

Since the release, Chrono Escape has achieved over 300 downloads on Itch.io, reflecting the impact of community support and online exposure.

External Links

• Itch.io Game Page