Uncertain is a ROM hack made by QJRocks for the S_NDBB Atmosphere Competition.
A short, story-based hack. Made for S_NDBB's Atmosphere themed ROM Hacking Competition.
Gameplay[]
This hack is largely focused on telling a story, and as such, does not have any challenging stages. Interestingly, Mario's ability to lose HP is entirely gone; he will still behave as though he's being damaged, but his HP never appears on the HUD and never seems to deplete, rendering him immortal.
The story takes place over three levels, with frequent pauses for the player to read through Mario's inner dialogue. Throughout, we join Mario as he reflects on his place in the world, following yet another instance of him rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser. All course names used in the dialogue bank below are unofficial, as the in-game names for locations are unchanged from vanilla. C1 is Bob-omb's Battlefield, C2 is still Whomp's Fortress, and C3 is Jolly Roger Bay.
Dialogue can be viewed when certain triggers are activated. Courses 1 and 3 both have entry messages upon being warped there; course 2 seems to have a number of triggers that rely on Mario getting close enough to them to activate them. Course 3 has triggers that seem to rely on how far away Mario is from his starting point, presumably as there is no set path for the player to follow.
Dialogue Bank[]
| C1: Bowser's Castle | ||
|---|---|---|
| Entry Message | ||
| "Mario! I've stolen the princess again, and there is no way you're getting her back without the power of a star! Do your worst!" Those were the contents of the letter I had recieved just earlier that day. There was no signature, but there's really only one place the princess could be. And as such, I set off to Bowser's Castle to rescue the princess, once again. |
| |
| C2: Castle Grounds at night | ||
| Break 1 | ||
| The princess was safe, and Bowser was soundly trounced. And yet, I found myself wandering outside the castle. | 
| |
| Break 2 | ||
| The castle grounds had such a different air about them at night. Everything was so still and quiet. | ||
| Break 3 | ||
| This wasn't the first time I had done this. It's almost become a routine: save the princess, defeat Bowser, and go outside when sleep inevitably evaded me. |
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| Break 4 | ||
| Every time, I always ended up in the same small clearing. And like many times before, I looked up at the moon, as if it would somehow offer me guidance. |
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| C3: Dream Space | ||
| Entry Message | ||
| I had only blinked for a moment, and I was transported among the stars. | 
| |
| Break 1 | ||
| I've had this dream before, as well. I'd always wanted to venture into space and explore the galaxies, so I thought it was a pleasant dream. |
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| Break 2 | ||
| Despite that, though, I've always had a sense of unease here. I suppose it reminds me a bit too much of my own life. |
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| Break 3 | ||
| It feels like I don't really have any strong sense of where I want to be, and I just started moving in a random direction for the sake of moving at all. | ||
| Break 4 | ||
| I don't hate where I am right now, but I have to wonder if this is where I should be. If this is where I belong. |
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| Break 5 | ||
| I've already come so far down this path, and I'm not sure if it's worth it to turn around and try a completely new direction. | ||
| Break 6 | ||
| I also worry about where my current path is leading me. Will I be able to leave a positive impact on the world? Will I be able to do anything of note at all? Will I be remembered? I can't help but keep looking back and wondering. |
| |
| Break 7 | ||
| I know it doesn't do much good to dwell on these questions, yet I keep finding myself dwelling all the same. But, I get the feeling this dream is coming to an end soon. All I can really do is to keep pushing forward. | 
| |
| Break 8 | ||
| (Author's note: I didn't have time to put in an end screen so please imagine one here) | ||
| Break 9 | ||
| what are you doing the hack is over |
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| Break 10 | ||
| unless you want to listen to the music which, be my guest i spent way too long putting it in |
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Gallery[]
