The Specter's Desire

The Specter's Desire is a story-driven game set in Aurea, where the annual Desire Hierarchy pits the city’s stars against one another for the title of Actualized, said to make every dream come true. The Maslov family has hosted the competition for decades, but this year brings changes: Anna Maslov died 12 months ago, the Fulfillment Foundation has a new head, and ghosts have appeared.

You play as Colton, an editor hoping to make it big. After becoming a Rising Star—an ordinary person admitted to the Hierarchy—he is contacted by Spectra, a ghost who has kidnapped his parents and gives him an ultimatum. With no connections or preparation, Colton must try to win the competition while investigating Spectra and the mystery at the heart of Aurea. He works with and against some of the city’s most famous, eccentric and dangerous people.

Investigate and compete

The game uses Ace Attorney-inspired encounters in which you listen for Colored Statements and respond with the appropriate Note. You can challenge incorrect assumptions, support allies’ claims or lie to gain an advantage. Other activities include managing your Stress Grid, building Logic Chains and solving puzzles in the card-based minigame Peacekeeping.

52+ Encounters

The game includes 52 unique Encounters, many with custom gameplay. You might bid in an auction for Evidence Cards to solve a fictional murder, escape a room that is about to catch fire, beat fellow debtors at a rigged Poker Game, duel a Robot Cowboy or fight against yourself to prevent a breakdown.

Chapters and extras

The story has 25 Chapters across 5 Acts, with more than 40 hours of content, as well as bonus materials. Each Encounter has an Optional Card that can unlock extras after the credits, including Developer's Commentary, a Custom Peacekeeping Mode and an Encounter Gauntlet.