Started work on a new project, working title 'Otherworld', though that's probably/hopefully going to change.

It's similar enough to my last project to be described as a spiritual successor. Somewhat more ambitious in scope, it has much of the same workflow though I've done a good bit to streamline the process (more on that another time).

It's another top-down pixel RPG thing, with a scientist who uses occult-science to solve problems instead of a mage who uses spells. The setting is influenced in large part by the SCP canon, with some Half Life 1 mixed in there for good measure - particularly in the opening act. The key difference is the progression. I'm going for a more metroidbrainia structure with this one (using the term strategically loosely) where progress is tied loosely to a non-linear synthesising of information rather than finding the right "key" for a lock.

The narrative is to be told a bit differently as well. Instead of relying on cutscenes to deliver the story, the plot is mostly to be found in the little interactions the player has. NPCs are fewer (there are less sane people after all) so it's more a case of piecing together clues on what's happening.

Speaking to its SCP influence, the game will of course have censored documents the player can find. These range from flavourful worldbuilding, to bits of key information required to progress These in-game documents were a small pain to get working properly. The censored parts are a effect on the text label I managed to get together, so they actually contain the real text data hidden underneath, which is neat.

The tone is a bit different, whereas Mage Recall is lighthearted despite the implied worldbuilding, this project is emerging to be a somewhat more self-serious story that examines what it means for humanity to contend with the inately irrational. Whether that lands or not remains to be seen.

I want to be more active in sharing my progress with this project, so expect to see more posts soon.