Back alley chronicle-Episode saeki-

Overview

This game is a prequel to Rojiura Hyōryūki, set before the currently available Early Access title –Old Book Festival Arc–.

It is a life simulation game set entirely in the protagonist’s home.

Players take on the role of Sumire Saeki, a third-year middle school student, and spend her days living alone inside the house.

The story begins in the winter of the year Sumire moved in. Unable to attend school and with her mother absent, she continues her daily life on her own.

One day, her classmate Sakurako Maeda visits to deliver school handouts, gradually bringing small changes to Sumire’s routine.

Although the game depicts a span of 12 days, it is implied that a much longer period of time passes within the story.

Gameplay

The game progresses by alternating between a Reality Part, which depicts daily life, and a Dream Part, where players explore the back alleys.

Reality Part

The Reality Part is a time-management life simulation.

Each day is divided into six time periods:
Morning, Late Morning, Afternoon, Evening, Night, and Late Night.
Players can choose one action per time period.

On certain days, free actions may be restricted during the Reality Part.

Available actions mainly consist of everyday activities, such as:

• Making a drink

• Reading a book

• Taking a bath

When Sakurako Maeda is visiting, some actions can be performed together with her.

Dream Part

In the Dream Part, players explore a maze modeled after the back alleys.

The goal is to navigate through the maze and find the exit.

While exploring, players can collect items such as food to recover stamina and talismans that aid exploration.

The maze layout and the conditions required to escape change depending on the day, meaning the same strategy may not always work.

Endings

Player actions in both the Reality Part and the Dream Part affect the ending.

There are three main endings, with six variations of post-ending monologues.

Hints

You can view the controls and gameplay instructions by pressing the TAB key to open the menu and selecting the “?” icon.

The lantern, obtained midway through the story, allows you to return to the center of the current map by equipping it and putting it away immediately.

Use this as an emergency option if you get lost or become stuck.

Streaming

Streaming and videos are welcome!

If possible, please include links to the Steam page and X (Twitter) in your video description.

No prior permission is required.
However, I’d love to see your videos, so feel free to share them with me!