Boyhood's End [Chapter 1 Playthrough] Playing a new Dystopia Sci-fi Horror Game with a hint of BL!

Introduction

I've been waiting for this game for what feels like an eternity! After countless delays, it has finally made its debut. A huge thank you to Timtom Tel for gifting me a copy on Steam— I was planning to buy it right at release, but I'm so grateful that I didn't have to. Let's jump into it!

The game in question is "Boyhood's End," a night on the galactic railroad-inspired science horror adventure developed by Biki Clock. Known for their quality work on various RPG Maker titles, Biki Clock has delivered yet another compelling narrative. They previously created games like "Chloe's Recum" and "Fantasy Maiden Hideout," both of which I have yet to try out. The hype for "Boyhood's End" peaked when I learned it was in collaboration with the creators of "Needy Streamer Overload."

From what I'd gathered, the game isn't just a standard visual novel; it employs pixel horror mechanics similar to "Omori"—sans the battle system. It caught my attention primarily because of its unique blend of science horror and storytelling, drawing from the rich lore of "Night on the Galactic Railroad," a novel I hold dear.

Overview and Impressions

Upon starting the game, I was immediately immersed in its dark aesthetics and sound design. The music set the tone perfectly and fits my personal taste—something starry and haunting. The opening sequence grabbed my interest, where I witnessed a cataclysmic event involving a planet exploding, which set the stage for our protagonist, Giovani Stylus—a character plagued with negative scores and a sketchy past owing to his infamous father's actions.

As the gameplay unfolded, I found myself navigating a dystopian world heavily controlled by an AI system named Kellan, which assigns human scores literally dictating one's worth in society. The protagonist's interactions with various characters, between looming threats and societal critique, kept me engaged. The social commentary on how this universe devalues individuals for their family histories and personal failures really hit hard.

Together with my newfound companion, Compella, I soon discovered my skills as a hacker would be put to the test. Throughout my journey, the connections and potential romantic undertones between the characters became palpable, hinting at a Blossoming BL subplot—often cherished in indie games.

The game has a multi-layered narrative that keeps weaving through themes of friendship, betrayal, societal structure, and morality. I am curious how the story will evolve, especially with the hint of literary references throughout gameplay, which could lead to encounters with various worlds inspired by different novels.

Keywords

• Boyhood's End
• Sci-fi Horror
• Dystopia
• BL (Boys Love)
• RPG Maker
• Biki Clock
• Night on the Galactic Railroad
• Kellan
• Giovani Stylus
• Compella
• Human scores

FAQ

1. What is "Boyhood's End"?

• "Boyhood's End" is a dystopian sci-fi horror game that blends RPG elements with a narrative inspired by literature, particularly "Night on the Galactic Railroad."

2. Who developed the game?

• The game was developed by Biki Clock, known for their narrative-focused titles using the RPG Maker engine.

3. Is there a romance aspect in the game?

• Yes! The game hints at BL (Boys Love) elements, particularly through the interactions between the main characters, Giovani and Compella.

4. What are some of the themes explored in the game?

• Themes such as societal worth, family legacy, friendship, and personal morality are heavily explored throughout the narrative.

5. Is the game currently complete?

• The first chapter of the game is released, with additional chapters expected to come out in the future.

Overall, "Boyhood's End" has already captured my interest with its brilliant storytelling and character depth. I look forward to diving deeper into its narrative in future chapters and exploring more of the characters’ unique stories!