An early progress demo for Witch of Yelekedis is now available on itch.io, offering a substantial look at an upcoming fantasy visual novel that takes a different approach to player decision-making. The demo, labeled α: ver.0017 is available now on PC via itch.io.
Unlike many demos that offer only a brief introduction, this release includes a sizable portion of the narrative. It’s designed to communicate the game’s core questions early on, allowing players to understand the kind of decisions they’ll be asked to make. Cultures, races, and belief systems are presented without hierarchy, leaving players to interpret the consequences of their actions without clear moral signposting.
To support development of the free full release, Isuzu is offering the Witch of Yelekedis Original Soundtrack for purchase. The music blends early folk instruments such as uilleann pipes and hurdy-gurdy with modern synthesizers, and several tracks feature vocals performed in constructed languages, as well as English and Danish. Proceeds from soundtrack sales go directly toward continued development.
The project comes from indie developer Hinode Isuzu, who plans to release the full game as a free title on Windows 10 or later, with an experimental Linux version also available. Instead of charging for the game itself, Isuzu is funding development through the sale of the original soundtrack, which is currently available across three volumes. A fourth volume is planned.
Witch of Yelekedis is structured as an ethics-driven visual novel that avoids labeling choices as correct or incorrect. Rather than steering players toward optimal outcomes, the game focuses on how decisions reflect personal values and how those decisions shape the characters and setting over time. The story unfolds through an ensemble narrative featuring more than forty characters, each offering a different perspective.
The setting, Yelekedis, exists after humanity was wiped out by an Earth Mother Goddess. In the aftermath, newly emerged races attempt to define their own ideas of strength, responsibility, and coexistence. The story begins with Ranjarma-Xelageer, a young hobbit girl seeking power, who becomes the apprentice of Laduiagoth, a half-androgynous elven king known as the most powerful mage of the era.
World-building is a major focus throughout the experience. The game features original constructed languages, detailed historical background, and distinct food cultures, all supported by an in-game glossary. Both Japanese and English are fully supported, with regional dialects used extensively in both languages to reflect character origins and social structures.
How do you feel about an indie developer taking this approach to player choice and free distribution? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to Noisy Pixel for more coverage.
