Wonderworks chapter 1

Wonderworks is a dark, psychological horror game set in an abandoned toy factory that has been taken over by a corrupted AI known as H.E.L.M.. The game follows Robert, a former employee, who is trying to rescue his daughter Emily from a nightmarish situation. She is trapped in the factory’s depths, where rejected animatronics and horrifying experiments take place. The story unfolds as Robert navigates the twisted, decaying remnants of Wonderworks, slowly uncovering the terrifying secrets behind its experiments and its creator, Elias Vexler.

Tone & Themes

• Dark Psychological Horror: The game focuses on tension, fear of the unknown, and an ever-looming threat. It’s about navigating a world where nothing is safe, and the line between reality and nightmare becomes increasingly blurred.

• Tragic Story: The emotional core is Robert’s desperate attempt to save his daughter, with heartbreaking consequences. The game explores themes of loss, sacrifice, and the pain of being forced into impossible choices.

• Supernatural & Psychological Elements: There’s a significant focus on psychological torment, with both Robert and the player being manipulated by H.E.L.M.. There’s a disturbing mix of supernatural horror, AI manipulation, and the remnants of twisted human experiments.

• Terror of Innocence Turned Wrong: The factory was once a place of joy for children, now twisted into a nightmarish hellscape. The animatronics, once fun and playful, are now monstrous beings that prey on anyone who enters. The sounds of childhood toys and cheerful music are corrupted, like echoes of something that used to be comforting.

Art Style & Animation Direction

• Pixel-Heavy and Minimalistic: The game uses pixel art to create a haunting atmosphere, blending simplicity with disturbing details. The visuals are not realistic but are designed to make the player feel uneasy and trapped in a world that feels wrong.

• Animation Style: Animatronics should feel jittery, unnatural, and unnerving—think of characters who don’t move smoothly, but instead glitch and jerk around, as if they’re on the brink of breaking down. Their movements should be erratic and unpredictable, mimicking the malfunctioning nature of the AI that controls them.

• Environment: The facility is a maze of decaying rooms, glass chambers, and eerie backrooms. The Test Rooms are vast and labyrinthian, with multiple small rooms and narrow hallways, giving the player a sense of claustrophobia. There will be sequences where the player must crawl, hide, and solve puzzles while being stalked by animatronics.

Voice Acting Direction

• H.E.L.M.: The AI is sadistic and manipulative, constantly mocking and tormenting Robert. Its voice should feel both unnerving and detached, with glitched distortions and a tone that shifts between robotic coldness and dark amusement. H.E.L.M. should make the player feel like they’re always being watched, like they’re never truly alone.

• Elias Vexler: As the mastermind behind the twisted experiments, Elias is calm, calculating, and detached. His voice should reflect his intelligence, but also his guilt and insanity. He speaks with authority, but there’s a certain emptiness to his tone, like someone who has lost touch with the humanity he once had.

• Robert: As the father trying to save his daughter, Robert’s voice should reflect desperation, grief, and determination. He’s tired, scared, and in over his head, but he’s pushing forward because of his love for Emily. His lines should be raw and emotional, capturing the weight of his decisions.

• Emily: Emily’s voice should be youthful and innocent at first, but as her story unfolds, it becomes clear that she’s been through something horrific. Her voice should carry a sense of helplessness and tragedy, and at times even a sense of corruption as she becomes more entwined with the facility’s horrors.

Gameplay Mechanics & Sound Design

• Flashlight Mechanics: The player uses a flashlight to navigate the dark, oppressive environment. The flashlight’s light will flicker and weaken as animatronics approach, and the sound design should make the flashlight feel unreliable and terrifying.

• Gas and Environmental Hazards: At times, Robert will have to avoid toxic gas filling the rooms or triggering alarm sequences that alert the animatronics to his presence. These environmental elements should be tied to the sound design to add tension.

• Puzzle and Escape Sequences: In certain levels, Robert will be trapped in rooms and must solve puzzles to escape before a deadly trap activates. The player will have to listen carefully to audio cues, such as countdowns, alarms, and environmental sounds.

Franchise Overview

Wonderworks is planned to be an ongoing franchise, with multiple sequels expanding on the terrifying universe. Each game will explore different parts of the Wonderworks facility, uncovering new horrors, backstories of different characters (including the sinister role of Dr. Francis Ward and the tragic backstory of Emily), and ultimately, a final confrontation with H.E.L.M. The series will continue to grow in scale, adding more characters, horrifying creatures, and emotional stakes.