SPRINT 01

Comment: I have spent too much time on the design of documents and timelines. I need to allocate more time for system implementation because completing the mechanism is the most important aspect. The arrangement of the timeline can be adjusted later, and the design of the timeline and mechanism cannot be perfected in one go. Therefore, I must be more attentive to time planning next time.

Genre

Action RPG Boss fight with Psychological and Fantasy Elements

Description

Beyond the Ticking is an Action RPG where you play as a college student overwhelmed by the pressures of the pandemic and academic life, leading to a hiatus filled with doubt and stagnation. Seeking an escape, you dive into a mysterious game—only to find yourself transported into a surreal boss fight against the Stagnant Keeper, a time-manipulating entity born from your own hesitations. With every strike and rewind, you battle not just the Keeper, but the echoes of your fears. This journey is about more than survival—it’s about confronting your past and reclaiming your future.

Gameplay

Dive into fast-paced, high-stakes combat against the Stagnant Keeper, a boss who bends time to challenge you. Dodge devastating attacks, time your strikes carefully, and wield unique time-bending abilities—like rewinding a few seconds or slowing the enemy’s movements—to gain the upper hand. As the fight progresses, the Keeper’s time manipulations create shifting patterns, forcing you to adapt and strategize. Unlock new skills through combat, facing tougher challenges that reflect the protagonist’s evolving mindset. The gameplay merges action with introspection, making each victory a step toward personal redemption.

Controls (PC)

WASD: Move

Left Mouse Button: Light Attack

Right Mouse Button: Heavy Attack

Spacebar: Jump

Q/E: Skills

R: Ultimate Skill

Shift: Dodge/Dashes

Camera

Third-person perspective with dynamic adjustments. 

You take on the role of a college student forced to take a hiatus from school due to the overwhelming pressures of the covid pandemic and academic life. Adrift in a sea of confusion and facing a low point, you turn to a mysterious game for escape.

One evening, the screen glitches, pulling you into a surreal realm where you confront the Stagnant Keeper—a towering figure who traps time itself. This boss battle tests your reflexes as the Keeper rewinds moments, forcing you to adapt and fight through echoes of your own hesitation and doubt.

With each move, you unravel the weight of your struggles: the endless delays, the fear of falling behind, and the haze of uncertainty. As you strike back, you begin to reclaim your resolve. Defeating the Stagnant Keeper doesn’t just end the game—it sparks a shift within you.

Back in your room, the controller still in hand, you feel lighter. The path ahead isn’t clear yet, but you’re ready to face it.

The story of this protagonist is inspired by my own experiences. Seen by others as an 'older university student,' I used to regret my two gap years, feeling that I had wasted time and becoming anxious as a result. I wish to, like the protagonist, rediscover the meaning of time and appreciate the value that both time and games have added to my life.