History VideoGame / OtterIsland

* GuideDangIt: {{Defied}}, as the game's download page is kind enough to provide the players with their own walkthrough document.

* NightmareFace: [[spoiler:The monster's face could probably give WebOriginal/JeffTheKiller a run for his money.]]

* DarknessEqualsDeath: The creepy stuff actually starts happening [[DaylightHorror during the day]], although it's more subtle at first and not overtly threatening. It's not until night falls that the horror kicks into high gear and the characters really start to grasp that they're in danger; it's also only at this point the player character runs into situations where they can be killed.

Three friends, Zachary, Connor and Jeremy, travel to Connor's summer cottage on Otter Island for a weekend of fun and relaxation. However, it isn't long before unsettling things begin happening. There is something on the island with them and it doesn't want them to leave...

* BittersweetEnding: The bad end, definitely leaning more towards the "bitter" side in tone. [[spoiler:Zachary and Jeremy escape the island, but Connor is never seen again and his friends - especially Zachary - have to live with the knowledge they abandoned Connor to a grisly fate.]]
* ChekhovsGun: Some innocuous items around the island - including parts of the decor - are actually key to solving a puzzle late in the game. [[spoiler: Counting the numbers of steps on the ladder into the lake, the number of family photos in the cottage, the number of beds and the number of yellow lines on the sleep-out rug gives you the combination for the gun safe.]]

* {{Chiaroscuro}}: In an aversion HollywoodDarkness, after night falls, it's almost pitch black outside and you need a flashlight (either a handheld one or the one on your phone) to navigate properly in unlit areas.

* DarknessEqualsDeath: The creepy stuff actually starts happening [[DaylightHorror during the day]], although its more subtle at first and not overtly threatening. It's not until night falls that the horror kicks into high gear and the characters really start to grasp they're in danger; it's also only at this point the player character runs into situations where they can be killed.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: Getting the good ending requires you to stay on the island longer, find more items and solve more puzzles. It results in [[spoiler:all three friends [[EveryoneLives making it off the island]], with Connor getting away with some lacerations and broken bones which the doctors say will heal]].
* ExtremelyShortTimespan: The entire game takes place over several hours; the trio of friends arrive on Otter Island in the afternoon and after a TimeSkip to sundown, the rest of the game takes place in a single night. [[spoiler:The monster really didn't waste any time trying to hunt the friends down and they don't waste any time trying to escape]].
* FaceRevealingTurn: [[spoiler:Zach thinks he sees Connor - who has gone missing - standing beside the cabin, facing away from him. When he approaches 'Connor' though, the figure turns around to reveal it's someone trying to ''imitate'' Connor]].

** While looking for a lighter, Zach passes by the cottage's porch and sees Jeremy sitting there, with the boys briefly exchanging greetings. When Zach gets back to the grilling area though, Jeremy comes walking in from the direction of the outhouse, which is to the west of this area, while the cottage is to the north. Zach is confused by this [[spoiler:and by Jeremy's claim he doesn't remember speaking with Zach]]. It's later revealed [[spoiler:the creature can shapeshift into other people]].

** In an early conversation, Zach mentions he likes to play shooter games. [[spoiler:In the good ending, he ends up wielding a revolver and puts two bullets in the creature, driving it off long enough for he and Connor to reach the boat]].
* FromBadToWorse: Around the midpoint, Connor insists that the other two need to lock themselves in the cottage while he goes to check on some things after realizing [[spoiler:the monster has arrived early on Otter Island this year]]. Half an hour later Connor hasn't returned and left his cellphone behind, so not only is one of the group missing, he's also the only one who really knows what's going on. Then when Zach goes out to look for Connor, he discovers that the rowboat oars are gone, essentially leaving them stranded on the island.
* TheGhost: Connor's dad never appears physically but gets mentioned several times and has left behind various notes for Connor, which Zach can find and use to help he and his friends escape.

* MinimalistCast: Only four characters make a physical appearance: Zach, Jeremy, Connor and the main antagonist. There are other characters mentioned, such as Connor's family (specifically his father and some cousins) as well as [[spoiler:the doctors who treat Connor in the good ending]], but they don't show up in person.
* MonstrousHumanoid: [[spoiler:The monster on the island is humanoid in shape but clearly isn't human; its standard form (as far as we can tell) has pitch black skin, bulging eyes and an abnormally-wide mouth with sharp teeth. It shrieks like an animal but is also capable of human speech, if not always perfectly. It can also change its shape to make itself identical to other people, right down to their clothing, though it's [[AmbiguousSituation unclear]] if it can physically change its form or uses some kind of glamour]].
* MultipleEndings: Two; one bad ending, one good ending. [[spoiler:Choosing to abandon Connor leads to the bad ending where Zachary and Jeremy leave the island without him, while going back for him leads to the good ending where all three friends are safe]].

* NightmareFace: [[spoiler:The monster's face could probably give WebOriginal/JeffTheKiller a run for his money]].
* NothingIsScarier: [[spoiler:We don't know what the creature is or what its motives are--it just ''is'']].

* PressXToNotDie: [[spoiler:After collecting the handgun in one pathway, when confronted by the creature you must complete a quick-time event, pressing the keys specified on the screen to fire the gun. Failing results in instant death and returns you to your last save point]].
* RiddleForTheAges: [[spoiler:Just what is the creature on Otter Island and what is Connor's family's connection to it? It's obvious they know something about it, but Connor refuses to divulge more information]].
* RunOrDie: When you eventually come face-to-face with [[spoiler:the shapeshifting creature]] your only option is to run (as the game prompts) and find shelter, as you have no weapons or other means of defending yourself. You have to be speedy about it as well, because [[spoiler:the creature]] is almost as fast as you are and changes direction quickly to try and cut you off.

** During one cutscene, Connor is discussing ''VideoGame/{{Bloodborne}}'' with the others, who then proceed to cite their favourite video games (Jeremy likes ''VideoGame/{{Minecraft}}'', Zach likes ''VideoGame/{{Fallout}}'', ''VideoGame/{{Doom}}'' and ''VideoGame/HalfLife'').
* {{Skinwalker}}: [[spoiler:It's {{implied|trope}} the creature might be this, given its ability to change into other people. It's not confirmed though, and Mizzen is also vague on the creature's exact identity]].

* UncertainDoom: [[spoiler:In the good ending, Zach shoots the monster twice with a gun, prompting it to run off into the woods. The protagonists understandably don't stick around, so it's uncertain what became of the creature; while the bullets clearly hurt it, we don't know if it was able to recover or if bullets would even be capable of killing it (given its supernatural nature)]].
* TheUnreveal: In both endings, it's never explained [[spoiler:what the creature is. In the bad ending Connor is dead while in the the good ending he survives but refuses to tell his friends anything, merely saying it's "old family stuff"]]. It's also never explained why [[spoiler:the creature has emerged now, as Connor states it usually doesn't appear until autumn]].
* VideoGameCaringPotential: [[spoiler:Even after collecting all the items needed to get off the island, you can choose to delay your escape and go look for Connor; rescuing Connor leads to the good ending]].
* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: [[spoiler:Once you have the motor and gasoline, you can choose to escape the island with Jeremy and leave Connor behind. This leads to the bad ending, as although he and Jeremy escape, Zach is consumed with guilt for abandoning his friend to a gruesome fate]].
* WhamLine: [[spoiler:Connor confirming that not only is there definitely some kind of dangerous creature on Otter Island, but that he and his family have been aware of its existence for some time]].

* WhereTheHellIsSpringfield: It's never specified where in the world the game is set. The ending credits include photographs revealing that Otter Island was based on a real location; when asked about this, Mizzen was intentionally vague for privacy reasons (and so players can make their own theories) but stated the game's setting is intended to be somewhere in Northern Europe. It's mentioned raccoon dogs are sometimes seen on the island, which are native to East Asia but also widely present in parts of Europe due to being introduced there in the early 20th century.

* {{Chiaroscuro}}: In an aversion HollywoodDarkness, after night falls it's almost pitch black outside and you need a flashlight (either a handheld one or the one on your phone) to navigate properly in unlit areas.

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: [[spoiler:Once you have the motor and gasoline, you can choose to escape the island with Jeremy and leave Connor behind. [[spoiler:This leads to the bad ending, as although he and Jeremy escape, Zach is consumed with guilt for abandoning his friend to a gruesome fate]].

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: [[spoiler:Once you have the motor and gasoline, you can choose to escape the island with Jeremy and leave Connor behind. This leads to the bad ending]].

* ChildhoodFriend: Zachary states he and Connor have been friends since childhood; their years' long friendship is a big reason Zach does what he can help Connor when he goes missing.