All Things It Devours (GBA) – A Dark Narrative Pokémon Horror Hack About Immortality and Perspective
Game Information
Original Game (ROM Base): Pokémon Emerald (GBA)
Hack Status: Version 1.1 (Released December 15, 2025)
Language: English
Content Type: Story-Driven Horror, Puzzle, Non-Traditional ROM Hack
Info: Developed for Eevee Expo Game Jam 10 with the theme “Rebirth.”
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
All Things It Devours is a short narrative-driven Pokémon horror ROM hack created by Unfolding in collaboration with the developer cbt. Unlike most Pokémon hacks that focus on battles, exploration, and progression, this project leans heavily into storytelling, atmosphere, and puzzle design.
The hack is intentionally compact, typically lasting around 2–4 hours, but the experience focuses on delivering a dense and layered narrative rather than a long traditional adventure. The developer describes it as another “romhaiku,” meaning a small, carefully crafted experience centered on a single concept.
The hack explores darker themes than the developer’s previous projects, particularly the idea of immortality and the consequences of rebirth. Rather than relying on jump scares, the horror is psychological and atmospheric, built through dialogue, implications, and disturbing narrative details.
Development was a collaboration between two creators: Unfolding handled story writing and puzzle design, while cbt implemented the technical systems required to make the narrative structure and gameplay mechanics function.
Story Overview
All Things It Devours presents a multi-perspective narrative exploring the unsettling consequences of immortality.
The story unfolds through five different viewpoints, allowing the player to witness the same world through multiple characters whose lives, motivations, and fates intertwine in disturbing ways.
As the narrative progresses, the player begins to understand the deeper implications behind the concept of rebirth and immortality. Characters evolve, change, and sometimes deteriorate over the course of the story, revealing unsettling truths about the world they inhabit.
Rather than relying on traditional horror elements like jump scares, the story builds tension through gradual revelations, disturbing descriptions, and the psychological weight of the narrative themes.
The game slowly reveals a larger mystery that ties together the perspectives of the different characters. Solving the central puzzle requires paying attention to the story and understanding how the mechanics of the world operate.
Key Features
- Multi-Perspective Narrative: The story unfolds through five different playable perspectives, gradually revealing the larger mystery behind the events of the game.
- Psychological Horror Storytelling: Instead of jump scares, the game builds horror through disturbing implications, descriptions, and themes surrounding immortality and rebirth.
- Body Horror Themes: The narrative includes elements of body horror that reinforce the darker tone of the story.
- Complex Narrative Puzzle: A central puzzle connects the different perspectives and narrative threads, requiring careful thought to fully understand.
- Story-Driven Gameplay: Dialogue and character development play a major role in the experience, with characters evolving (and sometimes deteriorating) as the story progresses.
- Custom Gameplay Technology: The hack includes unique technical systems implemented by co-developer cbt that support the narrative structure and gameplay concepts.
- Short but Dense Experience: The hack is designed to be completed in roughly 2–4 hours, focusing on storytelling and puzzles rather than long gameplay progression.
- Atmospheric Horror Without Jumpscares: The horror is entirely narrative-driven, allowing the tension to build through story rather than sudden shocks.
Known Bugs & Issues
- Due to the unusual character system used in the game, savestates may occasionally cause issues when switching between characters.
- In rare cases (reported roughly as one in a thousand instances), loading a savestate while controlling a different character may cause problems. If this occurs, the developers recommend aligning the characters before loading the savestate again, which should fix the issue.
- Because of this, the developers note that while savestates can reduce backtracking, they may occasionally interfere with the intended experience.
Screenshots
Download Links
Developer Information
Developer / Team: Unfolding, cbt
Credits:
Tools and Resources
- pokeemerald — by Pret
- Porymap — by huderlem
- Pokémon Emerald Textbox Simulator — by meejle
- Character Customization Resources — by Coffee Cup
Special Thanks
- Nintendo, Game Freak, Creatures Inc., and The Pokémon Company for the Pokémon franchise
- Noita by Nolla Games
- Stephen's Sausage Roll by Increpare
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://www.hackdex.app/hack/all-things-it-devours
Community Link: Pokecommunity
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of ROM hack is All Things It Devours?
A: It is a short story-driven Pokémon horror ROM hack focused on narrative, puzzles, and psychological atmosphere.
Q: Who is this hack/game for?
A: This hack is best suited for players who enjoy story-focused experiences, psychological horror themes, and puzzle-driven gameplay rather than traditional Pokémon adventures.
Q: How long does the game take to complete?
A: Most playthroughs take around 2–4 hours, depending on how quickly players solve the central puzzle and follow the story.
Q: Does the hack introduce new gameplay mechanics?
A: Yes. The game includes custom systems and mechanics designed to support the multi-perspective narrative and puzzle structure.
Q: Is the game difficult?
A: The hack can be challenging due to its puzzles and narrative complexity rather than traditional combat difficulty.