Echoes Within: Narrative & Core Concept The Logline Echoes Within is a psychological survival horror game that uses a unique “Trauma-Trace” mechanic to explore the shattered memories of a survivor, culminating in a cinematic act of symbolic self-reclamation. The Core Narrative Hook: Authenticity & Persona The Survivor’s Truth: This is an autobiographical journey based on real-life trauma (abuse, bullying, loss, dating trauma). The entire investigation—hunting the monsters—is framed as the male survivor’s mind working through his past from the confines of a mental health institution. The Persona (The Protagonist): The player controls a female protagonist. This choice is deliberate; she is a Persona—an “Echo” of vulnerability—created by the survivor’s mind to house and safely confront the traumatic memories he could not face as his true self. She is the fragile mask of the past that must be shattered for the future to begin. The Unique Selling Proposition (USP): The Trauma-Trace Mechanic The core of the gameplay is tied directly to the narrative’s theme of psychological breakdown: The Onset: When encountering an enemy (a traumatic memory), the screen is consumed by the Trauma-Trace—a haunting, high-contrast, blurred image of a painful memory (the physical abuse, the sister’s cruelty, etc.). The Crisis: While submerged in the Trace, the player is unable to see the environment clearly, and their mental health/HP drains rapidly. This is the mind shutting down. The Fight for Agency: The player must quickly execute a specific, desperate button input to “break out” of the Trace, forcing the mind to re-engage with reality and survive the attack. This mechanic makes trauma a constant, interactive countdown to a psychological break. The Structure: From Childhood Hell to Self-Reinvention The game follows a clear, cathartic narrative arc across two central chapters:

The Climax: Symbolic Death and Rebirth ​The game culminates in a powerful, unforgettable ending that provides the necessary catharsis:

​The abused female persona looks into a mirror. ​She shoots her reflection. ​The shattered glass reveals the true face of the male survivor behind it. ​This final, violent act is symbolic, representing the killing of the old, broken self (the traumatized persona) and the immediate reinvention and reclaiming of self-identity (the true survivor). The ending is not one of despair, but one of empowerment and profound, hard-won healing

Reasons I need funding

The game concept is generic I need money for UI artist 3d artist & extra personell since I’m a solo indie game Dev reasons I did not include gameplay loop is I still need to polish you guys have rejected me once when this games concept was still isi thwalo possession this game is personal I’m using the female character to convey my emotional turmoil from childhood to present I want to make emotional impact please give me a chance you publishers forget that Indies work alone without resources especially solo indie like myself I’m well aware of all limited please fund me so I can rectify them