Return by Death

Warn

WARNING: This mod heavily manipulates World Data (NBT). While stable, always BACKUP YOUR WORLD before adding this to an existing modpack. Recommended for Hardcore Mode usage.

What is this mod about?

_Death is not the end, but an opportunity to correct mistakes. Inspired by the mechanics of Re:Zero, this mod completely changes how death works in Minecraft._

When you die, you won’t respawn in bed with the world continuing without you. No… Time will turn back. The world will be restored to the last Checkpoint, a moment when you were still safe and unaware of the danger lurking.

Key Features:

• True World Rollback: Not only does the player return, but so does the world. Blocks you destroyed will be restored. Mobs you killed will come back to life. Items you found in the future will disappear from memory.

• Random Checkpoints: Checkpoints occur randomly when you are in prime physical condition (healthy, on land, and safe). _You can’t choose when to save. You can only hope the Witch favors you._

• Shared Fate (Multiplayer / Hive Mind): One person dies, everyone suffers the consequences. Time will be reset for the entire server. Inventory is synchronized to prevent paradoxes.

Don’t let fate play with you. Die, then try again.

Future Plans (v2.0)

• The Scent Thickens: The Witch’s Scent on you is getting stronger. It won’t be long before something notices…
• New Threat: A relentless entity is approaching. It doesn’t just want to kill you; it wants to hunt you. (Not a dweller).

CurseForge Version: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/mc-mods/rezero-return-by-death

General & Compatibility

• Q: Will there be a backport to 1.20.1 or at least a Forge version?
• A: Currently, my main focus is on NeoForge 1.21.1. While there are no immediate plans for a backport or a standard Forge version, I might consider it in the future once the core features are stable.

• Q: When is the next update coming out?
• A: I don’t follow a strict schedule. I prioritize quality over speed and prefer not to rush development. Updates will be released whenever they are polished and ready.

Gameplay & Difficulty

• Q: Why are the checkpoints so far apart? It can take hours! Are you insane?
• A: Despair is a core element of the experience, inspired by psychological horror themes in anime. The long intervals between checkpoints are intentional to make death feel truly consequential. In short: Try your best to stay alive.

• Q: Why are the checkpoint intervals so much longer compared to other “Return by Death” (RBD) mods, which usually only take a few minutes?
• A: My goal with this mod is to make survival feel absolute and death feel genuinely terrifying. I believe that allowing players to customize or shorten checkpoints would defeat the core purpose of the experience. However, I am listening to feedback and may slightly reduce the intervals in future updates to find a better balance between “challenging” and “fair,” without losing that sense of dread.

• Q: How do I know if I’ve reached a checkpoint?
• A: 🙂 I just hope you are lucky enough.

Development & Technical

• Q: Why did you choose NeoForge 1.21.1 over Forge 1.20.1? Isn’t Forge 1.20.1 more popular with a larger player base?
• A: I’m fully aware of the popularity of 1.20.1, but for this project, I chose NeoForge 1.21.1. In my experience, starting a development journey on NeoForge is more streamlined and modernized. It offers a cleaner environment for learning and implementing complex mechanics for the first time compared to older versions of Forge.

• Q: You mentioned new entities in the next update. Will we see the specific Witches from the original anime?
• A: While the Return by Death mechanic is a direct nod to Re:Zero, I want this mod to have its own identity. I am creating unique entities rather than direct copies from the anime. That said, fans of the series can definitely expect various references and “easter eggs” hidden within the mod as a tribute to the source material.

Community & Support

• Q: Is there a Discord server or an official community?
• A: Not at the moment.