Father is a dark fantasy Metroidvania platformer set in a colorful world inspired by Medieval times. The main character and player is Yugo, a widow who ventures into the dungeon of Eileithyia in search of the legendary Lazarus Pit. The pit is speculated to bring back the dead, an idea that fuels Yugo’s desperate journey. Consumed by his loss, he ignores the warnings of the townspeople, who speak of curses and dangers lurking in the dungeon’s depths. Yugo’s grief blinds him to the dangers ahead, as he believes that if there is even a small chance of seeing his beloved again, it is worth the risk. The game’s pixel art style is balanced with a limited NES color palette. This contrast reflects Yugo’s journey, a mix of despair and fleeting hope.
The gameplay is inspired by games such as Hollow Knight, Shovel Knight, Castlevania, and Faith, focusing on exploration, platforming, and tough combat that challenges the player at every turn. Yugo begins his Dive into the depths with only simple abilities like jumping and sword attacks, but as he progresses deeper into the dungeon, he gains new skills and weapons. Things that delve into the spiritual and mystical nature of the world. The abilities will allow backtracking to provide a new experience and reward the player and help make even newer discoveries. The dungeon is filled with creatures, from small rodents like rats, bats, and spiders to the metaphysical and god-like. Each requiring different strategies to defeat. Along the way, players must carefully manage Yugo’s health and his Mind Meter, which measures his sanity. If Yugo loses too much of his mind to the horrors of the dungeon, he succumbs to madness, causing the game to end. This mechanic adds an extra layer of difficulty, forcing players to balance aggressive combat with strategic survival and resource accountability. Players must also take their money into account, it just might come in clutch in a pinch. For example, if you are low on mind and a stranger is selling an elixir of mind deep into the dungeon, and you’re too far in to turn back, you might just have to take the risk on the stranger so you can continue progressing.
The dungeon itself is a vast labyrinth with multiple paths, with multiple diverging paths. There will be hidden areas and secrets. The main story is linear for the most part, but the world is open enough for you to find hidden weapons, items, locations, and people. You are rewarded for exploring. You are also fed bits and pieces of lore that provide insight into the dungeon’s tragic past and Yugos' loss. NPCs scattered throughout the dungeon offer cryptic hints, side quests, and even trade valuable items.