YUME NIKKI

 Yume Nikki is an RPG Maker classic, as well as the first RPG Maker game I ever played. Despite it's fairly simple gameplay and art style, Yume Nikki has become a cult classic for its horror elements and cryptic storyline. While it's plot has not been a big inspiration for Carry On, it's role in my life as an introduction to RPG maker has been pivotal

HOLLOW KNIGHT

Hollow Knight has an almost alien aesthetic as all its buildings, characters, and weapons are based around bugs. I absolutely adore this creepy crawly aesthetic and it was the main inspiration for the bug based aesthetic of the first level of Carrt on.

AFTERPLACE

I was captivated by the cozy style of Afterplace, as well as its sand-box esque exploratory gaming style. The player is able to uncover secrets, completely diverge from the plot, or obediently follow suggested quests at their leisure. I enjoy the dynamics of the characters and the ability to fully explore or beeline your way through the story (with your level of exploration impacting the endings and information you learn about the story itself).

Additionally, I am in a server with the creator and his playtesters, so I’ve been able to study the creative process as well as the debugging updates that the creator shares, which will hopefully help my own process as I learn from him.