Crime and Punishment: Lost in Nightmares

Story

Saint Petersburg, 1865. Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished former student, decides to murder an old pawnbroker, justifying his act with his own theory of the “right” of a strong individual to break the moral law. But the moment he crosses the threshold of her apartment, he suddenly loses his grip on reality and falls into a waking nightmare—one in which he must pass through the darkness of his own choices.

Guide the protagonist through the foggy streets of Saint Petersburg, through fear, pursuit, and the torment of guilt—and decide where this path will lead him: to downfall, confession, or an attempt at redemption.

Gameplay

A 2D adventure with elements of horror and survival, immersing you in the atmosphere of the latter half of the 19th century. Explore vast locations, find and combine items, complete tasks for the characters you meet, and push the story forward. Keep an eye on your anxiety level: when it reaches its limit, reality begins to warp, and the city turns into its dark, nightmarish version.

Creatures appear in the streets—embodiments of fear, memory, and the city itself. Survive in whatever way you choose: fight, hide, evade pursuit, or neutralize monsters by other means—using items and the opportunities the environment provides. And sometimes a persistent, haunting shadow begins to trail the protagonist—something that knows too much and won’t let go, no matter which way you turn.

Features

• The geography of the locations is based on period maps, but adapted to suit the game’s pacing.

• Multiple endings: the finale depends on your choices, actions, and how you cope with pressure.

• A grim atmosphere, enhanced by an instrumental soundtrack.

• Hand-drawn 2D characters with detailed animation.

• Hand-drawn cutscenes that reveal the story and the protagonist’s state of mind.

The game is inspired by Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment and presents an author’s interpretation built around the images and emotions the novel leaves behind. The project is being developed by a solo developer, with care for the source material and a desire to preserve its atmosphere and key themes.