Story
Play as Olin Earl, a friendly old grandfather who lies upon his deathbed well into his nineties. Enter Death Himself, with his lantern upon his staff and his Book of the Dead tucked under his arm. Olin's time is coming soon, Death assures him, but in the meantime there are other souls due first. As he is perusing his Book of the Dead, he mentions a name that sends a chill down the old spine of Olin: Alan Earl, Olin's grandson. Irate and confused, Olin pulls himself up from the imprint in his mattress, declaring that he must venture across the street to his grandson's house and warn him. But when he gets there, he finds Alan's studio to be in shambles, a puddle of blood on the floor. Death tries to stop him, but Olin is determined to attempt to change fate. And so Death offers him a deal: He will aid Olin by granting him the vitality of his youth. But in return Olin must promise Death an alternative soul to take. But whose?
Gameplay
The Final Days of Olin Earl is a non-linear platforming puzzle game in a tiny open world. It combines a few simple mechanics in order to explore unique and emergent puzzles:
Platforming: A revitalized Olin is unstoppable. He can run, jump, mantle ledges, and most importantly, glide through the air with his trusty umbrella. These platforming mechanics are used to reach second story balconies, rooftops, and more areas within the world as you progress.
Investigation: Gather info about the whereabouts of your grandson by talking to people around town and looking for clues.
Pockets: Important clues and other items that fit in your pockets may be stored for later. Things that are too large to fit in your pockets must be carried in your free hand, the one that isn't holding your umbrella.
Friend of Death: Call upon death as needed for a second opinion, to jog your memory, or to temporarily become a ghost.
Time and Weather: Use a park bench to advance the time to the next night or day. See what the villagers do differently when the weather is nice or rainy, and what they are up to at night.
Information Puzzles: Sometimes the solution has been right in front of your nose the whole time, you just didn't know you were looking for it yet.
Will you solve the mystery and save and your grandson from an ill-fated demise? Will you keep your end of your deal with Death? Will you return to your bed for your final butterscotch candy and your final slumber?