HOW do you imagine greeting a mythical creature in person? A shriek of terror? A stoic silence? Or would you rather run away for your life?
Kabaret, a Malaysian fantasy indie game, is suggesting another option — that is, to sit down with these monsters in a tea session to hear their stories.
It is a lore-rich, dark fantasy visual novel video game that explores the vibrant myths and folklore of Southeast Asian culture.
The game was first published on April 3 by Malaysia-based developer Persona Theory Games.
Kabaret follows the adventures of Jebat, a cursed human who transforms into a monster and is tasked with providing tea ceremonies to the monstrous dwellers in a realm called “Alam Bunian.”
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The game starts with Jebat’s journey as he crosses a river on a small boat called a “sampan” with The Caretaker, who owns the Kabaret. This voyage is similar to how Charon guides lost souls to the underworld in the River Styx in Greek mythology.
As Jebat peers into the water, he notices the change in his appearance as he catches a glimpse of his reflection — from a normal human boy, a blue, serpent-like creature now stares back at him from the water.
Courtesy: Persona Theory Games
This scene explores the central message of the game that the darkness that lies within humanity is far from being human.
“The truth is this, every monster you have ever met was once a human being,” the developers said.
In an attempt to break his curse, Jebat confronts monsters, both supernatural and human, in the Kabaret by offering them tea and listening to their unique stories.
Courtesy: Persona Theory Games
There are over 20 different monsters in the game that are inspired by Southeast Asian mythical creatures.
Among these beasts is the Tikbalang from Philippine folklore.
Tikbalang is a half-human, half-horse monster who recalls the glory-filled years he spent terrorizing the Spanish colonizers in the country.
Aside from this, the game also features Kuman Thong, a Thai stillborn fetus dry-roasted into a statuette, only to be abandoned once more.
There is also a Malaysian sea princess called Mayang that players can meet during the game. She narrates the sad backstory of her fading appearance, which is due to the lack of offerings she is receiving from her temple.
Courtesy: Persona Theory Games
Players can also enjoy various mini games that are based on traditional Southeast Asian games, including Congak, a popular game in Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and Singapore.
The objective of the game is to capture more seeds (or marbles, shells, or pebbles) than the opponent. Players take turns scooping seeds from one of their pits and dropping them in subsequent pits, moving in a counterclockwise direction. The game ends when one player has captured all the seeds, or when a player cannot make a legal move.
While this may be a fun way to explore the traditional Southeast Asian culture, the game contains elements of violence, strong language, and mental health issues such as depression and suicide. Blood, gore, and decapitation are also present in some parts of the game, so player discretion is advised.
Kabaret delves into themes such as depression, nihilism, and social issues through the lens of Southeast Asian myths and folklore.
Its demo version is available for free download, while the full version of the game can be purchased on Steam for P615.
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