Veloria: The Knot of Candles

Veloria: The Knot of Candles is a compelling psychological horror and puzzle-solving adventure game developed and published by WANDERING WITCH PROIECTUM. Released on PC (Steam) on April 30, 2025, the game utilizes a pixel-art aesthetic often associated with RPG Maker titles, blending classic JRPG/Adventure mechanics with a dark, memory-driven narrative.

The Abandoned Orphanage

The story centers on the protagonist, Veloria, a high school girl who wakes up following a nightmare to find herself in a gloomy, abandoned orphanage. This is not the real orphanage, which burned down years ago; rather, it is a distorted, psychological space woven together from Veloria's troubled memories and the secrets of the past. Veloria is described as timid and introverted, often appearing emotionless due to her struggles with self-expression.

Her objective is not simply to escape, but to reconstruct her lost memories and uncover a dark, traumatic past tied to the orphanage, known as "Grace's Home." The environment is heavily cursed and filled with various paranormal phenomena, forcing Veloria to explore, solve intricate puzzles, and survive intense chase sequences.

Gameplay and Psychological Depth

Veloria: The Knot of Candles relies heavily on the interplay between puzzle mechanics and deep narrative progression. The core gameplay loop involves:

• Exploration: Navigating the sprawling, multi-layered environment of the ghostly orphanage and its surrounding locations.

• Puzzle Solving: Carefully crafted environmental and item-based puzzles intertwined with the story's lore, requiring the player to understand the history of the house and its inhabitants.

• Survival Elements: Intermittent stealth and chase sequences provide moments of intense horror and action, forcing the player to evade various entities and manifestations of Veloria's trauma.

The game is praised for its psychological depth, often tackling heavy themes related to childhood fears, trauma, and identity. The atmosphere is further enhanced by an art style that uses expressive CG scenes and visual effects to convey Veloria's fragile mental state.

The Supporting Cast and Multiple Endings

As Veloria explores, she encounters a cast of figures—both human and supernatural—who seem strangely familiar, all connected to the tragedy of Grace's Home. These include:

• Ethan: Veloria’s closest friend during childhood, who is kind and supportive.

• Ella: A perpetually smiling girl confined to a bed due to illness.

• Grian: The kind teacher at the orphanage, who possesses a childlike innocence.

The mystery revolves around a dark secret: the orphanage was allegedly a site for cruel rituals orchestrated by its owner, Grace, who sought to resurrect her own deceased child using the orphans as "containers."

The game features multiple endings, with the final outcome dependent on the player's success in piecing together the memories and choices made throughout the exploration, emphasizing the game’s strong focus on a conclusive, emotionally resonant narrative.