Santa takes a solemn stroll in the snows of solitude. He can't believe his own eyes when he sees what happens next.

Multiple endings. Various surprises. No spoilers.

Santa has problems, like anyone else. For the 364 other days in a year not spent directly spreading wealth and joy around the world, he can be down on himself.

Things with Ms. Claus aren’t like they used to be. He has lived for hundreds of years, with few but the arctic wildlife, elves and spouse as company. He has sustained an empire of love and happiness, but is concerned by how the world has evolved since the industrial revolution. The spirit of Christmas isn’t present, nor is it presents.

Do the children really need gifts?

And that brother of his (he was feared and shunned for his horns), is he making it alright on his own?

All of this is just too much for old Santa sometimes. So what does he do? He takes a hike. And somber, in the snows of solitude, the frost is much to bear, and the past catches up.

“What if Christmas didn’t come this year? And no one paid for Christmas cheer? Who would cry the biggest tear, the child or the store?”

GAMEPLAY

Santa Smoke: Prologue is a procedural 2D platformer about Santa and his ascent away from the cold and descent into Hell. Gameplay consists of running and jumping around to escape the spreading frost and great wall of ice, while picking up candy canes and keeping an eye out for SECRETS.

The real game lies after you have a firm grasp on the movement, and you are able to explore and find all sorts of surprises. The platforming + candy canes is honestly a cheap excuse for gameplay, the true gameplay is 'exploration.

The medals indicate a bit of what to work towards, and the hidden ones unlock fairly naturally as you come across some surprises.

CONTROLS

Hold jump to jump higher, like super meat boy. Hold shift to move faster, like super meat boy. You have a triple jump, not like super meat boy.

Fully open-source, including project assets / behind the scenes available at:

Made with Godot, Blender, Audacity, FL Studio.

...Santa Smoke is coming soon on a Christmas near you. Please check out my other games and YouTube til then (Harper Nicholson)

THE END.