Sebastian Sommer is stepping into a new space with Eclipse Town, a surreal visual novel blending mystery, alternate dimensions, and character driven storytelling. Sommer is crafting a project that merges his creative instincts with interactive narrative design.
What made you decide to make Eclipse Town a visual novel?
I decided to create a visual novel because it simply made the most sense for the story I wanted to tell. I wanted something layered and something that builds tension gradually, rewards attention, and lets the mystery unfold through dialogue, choices, and tone. Visual novels from the Science Adventure series like Chaos Head influenced me, and Twin Peaks showed me how weirdness and atmosphere can become storytelling tools. I have also been rereading the Cirque Du Freak books by Darren Shan, and that sense of adventure mixed with dread definitely seeped into the writing.
How do you feel about how your past projects?
I think IMDb is lame. They support actual creeps but treat me, a kid, very disrespectfully. They keep attaching a project next to my name even though I disowned it years ago. To me this feels like a blunder and does not represent who I am. For a website that markets itself as being so authoritative in film, to mishandle information like that is a disappointment. I probably would have found more success in that industry if I wasn’t a straight guy. It’s like adult theater camp. But I have nothing to hide at this point. I think the internet is a weird place.
What is Eclipse Town actually about?
At its core, Eclipse Town is about a detective who arrives in a quiet, isolated town to investigate a disappearance, only to slowly realize the town itself has a gateway to an alternate dimension. I’m deliberately keeping most of the details vague, but thematically it’s about the fear of not understanding the place you’re standing in. It’s about memory, uncertainty, and the way a town’s history can pull you into something much bigger than yourself. The mystery deepens in unexpected ways, and the player is constantly questioning whether they can trust what they’re seeing.
What aspect of Eclipse Town has been the most exciting for you to create?
Creating a fictional town with its own rules, myths, and strange inconsistencies has been fun. I love designing characters who feel both grounded and uncanny. And because this is a visual novel, I can lean into written detail and atmosphere in a way film doesn’t always allow. The freedom to blend mystery, surrealism, and emotional storytelling is exactly why I wanted to make this game.
You can preorder Eclipse Town on Steam now: https://store.steampowered.com/app/4158350/Eclipse_Town
John Davis is a seasoned health journalist with expertise in public health and medical research. Holding a degree in health sciences, John excels in making complex health topics understandable and engaging for his readers. His articles, featured in top health publications, cover everything from cutting-edge treatments to public health policies. Outside of journalism, John is an advocate for health education and frequently speaks at community events.