The Proprietor is a text-based indie RPG simulation game where you step into the role of a mysterious owner running an establishment called The Flickering Flame. In this Lovecraftian mystery, your main task involves consulting clients on Ritomancy, an esoteric practice that channels unseen forces to create powerful rituals. The game emphasizes deep lore exploration through reading forgotten tomes and managing arcane elements, all within a single-player framework on PC.
Gameplay
As The Proprietor, you focus on crafting rituals using knowledge gathered from various sources. This involves drawing upon accumulated insights about unseen forces to fulfill client wishes. You experiment with a system that allows building and curating a library of rituals tailored to different situations. Managing an archive of Locugraphs, which are scrolls that anchor rituals to the world, is crucial to keep their potency in check.
Studying forgotten tomes forms a core part of the experience. Each tome presents short-form fiction pieces that reveal clues about a pantheon of unseen forces. You identify themes, symbols, and conditions, such as the role of salt, the use of triangles, or timing rituals with a full moon. Arcane afflictions can affect these texts, leading to issues like books spewing darkness or whispering at night.
Exploration extends to Old Umbrage, an abandoned complex beneath your establishment. You manage a crew that ventures into these halls, equipping them with rituals to combat lingering unseen manifestations. Reports from these expeditions provide valuable knowledge, including new texts and location details that enhance your Ritomancy skills.
Reputation management adds another layer. Clients in Polaris have high expectations, and failing them spreads negative word. You must decide who to serve, as not all intentions are pure, and greed can lead to dire consequences.
Game Modes
The Proprietor operates as a single-player experience without distinct multiplayer components. The gameplay revolves around a central narrative loop of client consultations, ritual crafting, and exploration management, all integrated into one cohesive mode.
Key Mechanics and Features
Ritomancy stands out with its dynamic crafting system, where you combine symbols and themes from tomes to devise rituals. This requires careful experimentation to match client needs effectively.
The game includes managing crew expeditions in Old Umbrage, where strategic ritual assignments help overcome challenges and uncover lore.
- Ritual crafting based on tome knowledge
- Archive management for Locugraphs
- Crew oversight in explorations
- Reputation decisions with clients
Is It Worth Playing?
For those drawn to text-heavy games with strong narrative elements and Lovecraftian themes, The Proprietor offers a focused experience on lore and decision-making. It suits players who enjoy reading and piecing together mysteries through esoteric practices. If you prefer action-oriented titles or multiplayer interactions, this might not align with your tastes. As an upcoming indie title, it targets fans of simulation and RPG genres emphasizing story over combat.
