CHANGE is an award nominated homeless survival experience set in a randomly created city with rogue-like elements. Explore, survive, earn perks, find items & kindness to develop your character & escape to a new life. Over 7 years of development & over 200 updates so far!
The core of the gameplay revolves around managing the player character's essential survival stats - hunger, hygiene, and happiness. Players must carefully budget their limited resources, such as food, hygiene items, and money, to keep these stats in a healthy range. Failure to do so can result in debilitating consequences, including game over.
Each playthrough features a randomly generated city, with the placement of key locations, shops, and events varying. This ensures no two runs are exactly alike, requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly. The city streets present both challenges and opportunities, as players must navigate to find essential resources while avoiding trouble with the police.
As players progress, they unlock a variety of perks and upgrades for their character. These range from passive bonuses, like increased begging effectiveness, to more active abilities, such as the skill to spot approaching police. Perks are earned through diverse means, like reaching certain milestones or developing relationships with other homeless individuals.
In addition to the core survival mechanics, the game features an element of relationship building with the homeless community. Players can develop a reputation, which can unlock new events and interactions. This social aspect adds depth, as players can choose to focus on building connections or prioritize more solitary strategies.
The game's rogue-like structure, with randomized city layouts and playable characters, ensures each run presents unique challenges and opportunities. Combined with the progression system that carries over certain upgrades between playthroughs, this design encourages players to continue experimenting with different approaches and strategies.