Project 'Realms' - November Update

To make each character feel more unique we added a new combat option that changes how a character plays. Our philosophy with these unique actions is to make each one change how the player thinks whilst using them. For example our hero, Ryder, changes into a corrupted form briefly, making his attacks stronger and adding the choice of boosting a single attack instead of going for more. Another character, Freya, has an action that changes the attack pattern for ALL of her abilities, adding a new level of strategy.

We knew we didn’t want to do classes with this game as we wanted each character to be unique in their own right, but they are such an important aspect of rpgs that they are hard not to include. So we came up with the idea for ‘Cores’ which change exactly how a character channels from their realm. For example the ‘Warrior’s core’ is built for attackers like Ryder and offer a chance for increased damage, whereas ‘Tactician’s Core’ is great for characters like Freya and adds a chance of increased manoeuvrability. Cores are also intrinsically linked with our next new addition.

Magic items are the gear you see in typical RPG’s but with a twist. Trinkets, threads and runes all act differently and effect the characters stats, abilities and gameplay. We took inspiration from Hollow Knight Silksong and tied them to the cores. Each core has a set amount of each type of magic item it can equip. One may be able to equip multiple ‘threads’ but no trinkets and another may have an equal amount of all 3.

Introducing our battle menu. A quick pop up that acts as a hub to all information you can need. It includes quick access to tutorials, codex entries, character status and even an option to end the turn early. Even more UI has been added such as tutorials, lore entries and a character status screen so you can track each characters exp and current effects.

Introducing Alex! Fun fact, he was actually the first character designed for the game. The new chapter kicks off his story as a disgraced soldier put in charge of the army’s rejects as they investigate why the world is being corrupted by the realms. We plan to weave the stories of Alex and Ryder together through 10 chapters in this demo project.