Rpgmaker, Rpgmaker never changes...

Did you get the Fallout reference? Did you?
I hope so, because this title, made by Sidewinder is heavily influenced by Fallout, but has enough character not to be a ripoff, and it can be seen as a sort of homage, I think.
First let me tell you that I lied, because Rpgmaker DID change, or better, it was changed in something rather different. Yeah, this game was made with Rm2k3 and that's unbelievable.
But believe me, hey look at those screens! Look at them! They ooze atmosphere.

The game starts with character creation and here's the first surprise: we chan choose if we will play a man or a woman but we also have to roll stats randomly, like in the good old games like Baldur's Gate. And like in those games we can reroll until we're satisfied. The characteristics are various: Strenght is used to cause melee damage, Agility is aim and ranged damage, Intelligence determines the number of skills possessed and Reflex and Constitution calculates the defence and lifeblood of our alter ego.
Did I say lifeblood? Well yes, these are called Health Pointd and Life Points, but the first pool indicates a sort of "Defense reserve" that is automatically restored after each combat and works as a sort of "shield" (in fact it's improved wearing armors), the other is the vitality that is not restored, and if it goes to zero, it's game over!
Then we have to select skills: Charm is the diplomacy skill, then there is the ability to hack computers, to unlock doors, to use healing items more effectively, to repair items and to find more loot. Nothing else but you can have four skills if you have a good Intelligence, no more!


See? A good scavenger should always be prepared and well equipped!

This is the first surprise, the second is NO levels. Exactly, combat is just a risk with no rewards, no loot (what would you loot from a monstrous mutant anyway?) and no experience points, you're just a scavanger and you can improve just upgrading your gear, buying armors, weapons, and maybe some drugs and medicines (that restores the health points and the life points respectively)

I mentioned combat encounters, and be ready for lots of them! Unfortunately these are for the most part random encounters (but not all) and happens during exploration parts: we travel a main map that's really reminescent of Fallout 1 & 2 (where more locations are unlocked as we progress), and we explore dungeons from a top down perspective and wireframe graphics (games like Deep Sky Derelicts used this same approach). That's a simple ad elegant system that may be too bare-bones but it's immersive from another point of view. And totally different from other Rm2k3 games.
But back to combat: when we're forced to fight an enemy the game becomes turn based and we can spend a turn to attack, change weapon or use drugs (to restore Health Points). No, you cannot flee, and damage is randomized sooooo... buy the best weapons and armors and carry some drugs or you won't last long in the hardest dungeons.
Yes, because we had different dungeons with different enemies, but all of them will try to kill you, and will offer no reward besides survival.


Oh-ho, a couple of strong attacks and I'm in trouble! I fear that the Maneater will eat me!

But dungeons aren't the only place we will visit, there's also a settlement that provides many useful informations on the background and story of the setting, stores, a doctor and some subquest. Because we have a main quest, and it's exploring the final dungeon until the end that... I will never reveal!
The various people of the post-atomic wastelands are all nicely animated and very reminescent of Fallout, clearly there are just a handful of them (well, even Fallout had few variety, but you need imagination!) but they look great. Really. I was pleasantly surprised.

Now, I admit that this game has some flaws, for example it's really bare bones, simple and would benefit A LOT by more items, more dungeons, more characters, more enemies, and so on. Also I found that the "giant closed door" of one of the dungeons can be walked over, but you can proceed since the stairs do not work (these are present because you are supposed to see them, not to use them!). A last problem is that some characteristics and skills are clearly better than others, I think that skills that unlock new things and possibilities are obviously better than those who give you some improvements (considering that dungeons reset so you can play them as many times as you want and become rich!).
Anyway despite this little issues this looks like a really excellent and inspired (and maybe incomplete) game that I'd normally rate 4. But no, wait, this game was made for the Abrupt Ending Party Event. It's short and simple, right, but has character, nice animations and an excellent choice of sounds and music (one of the musics is from Baldur's Gate, I think). 100% dark post-apocalyptic atmosphere, and an impressive backstory and game, considering the (old) platform used. So it's not a 4, it's 4,5/5 just because it was made in a really short time, and it's probably the most impressive characteristic of the game.


Ok, ok, ok... errr, no wait, WHAT???

Verdict
I already spoiled the rating, so I conclude saying that this game may be little and simple, but has some hidden content that you may or may not miss. I also liked that some things are mentioned but never clearly explained, leaving a lot of mystery about the setting and the characters that live in this bleak world. I liked these details, the foreshadowing, the narrative, and the TWO endings: the abrupt ending that was required for the event AND a true ending that requires four skills (to earn it you have to start with Int 17 and the needed skills but I think it's pretty easy to understand whose skills are) and a little more of work. Neat!

It's much more of what it appeared in the beginning, this game was born from a great idea and made with a great execution. In few words, a good and original game.

4,5 - spectacular, hoping to see more games like this one!