Karpas energy has profoundly altered the ecosystem of the Horace Islands, leading to significant mutations in the DNA of plants and animals and resulting in an extraordinary level of biodiversity. Despite this diversity, all creatures share a common trait: increased aggression. This led us to imagine plants that could merge fantasy aesthetics with dangerous elements, reflecting the natural course of evolution. What kind of flora could embody beauty and peril, fitting seamlessly into this evolving, fantastical world?
Imagine giant flowers and vines that have evolved by merging with the form of a mantis. These plants could feature intricate designs and vibrant colours that entice the eye while hiding their predatory nature. These plants could have elongated, spiky petals that resemble a mantis’s limbs, creating an enchanting yet intimidating appearance.
Additionally, envision flying spore plants capable of generating various types of energy spheres that launch at their prey, immobilising them with stunning energy blasts. These spore plants might have translucent wings that shimmer in the light, allowing them to float gracefully through the air as they hunt. Together, these flora would embody the duality of beauty and danger, ideally suited to the mystical and treacherous environment of the Horace Islands.
Fungi, playing the role of decomposers in the ecosystem, have also experienced significant mutations due to Karpas energy. These evolved fungi exhibit a slow, almost deliberate movement that starkly contrasts with their swift and lethal strikes when hunting.
There are even more fantastical concepts and astonishing creatures to explore. When designing the bosses, we focused on creating a blend of immense power and engaging gameplay mechanics.
Wolf King: This formidable creature features strong front limbs that allow for devastating melee attacks, while its bites are relatively weak in comparison. The Wolf King excels in powerful ramming attacks, using its size and strength to charge at opponents, creating chaos on the battlefield.
If you haven't yet, don't forget to wishlist the game so you don't miss any news and updates, and join the official ESDigital social media accounts if you'd like to chat with us and your fellow fans.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Jacha City!
AWAKEN - Astral Blade — Livestream at Indie Wavemakers @ gamescom Asia
Exciting news y'all!
Join us on on upcoming Indie Wavemakers livestream this Sunday, October 20 as part of the gamescom Asia 2024!
You can check out the exclusive gameplay on the event’s Twitch and YouTube channels at 07:30 CEST.
See you there!
ESDigital Games are Singapore Bound for gamescom Asia 2024!
We at ESDigital Games are excited to announce that we are continuing our autumn game event tour by attending the upcoming gamescom Asia show in Singapore from 17-20 October!
We will be showcasing five action-packed titles from our Incredible Indie line-up, with playable versions available in both the Business Area (booth BC05) and the Indie Entertainment Zone (booths IA 31-35).
Attendees can get hands-on time with the stealth action game Steel Seed, action-packed Metroidvania-inspired AWAKEN - Astral Blade, complex alchemy RPG BattleJuice Alchemist, story-driven sci-fi adventure Sky of Tides and the stunning action-adventure game Island of Winds.
See you there!
AWAKEN - Astral Blade | Love, Trust + Bionic Clones, Prologue... and much more!
Hello everyone!
We're only 11 days away from releasing AWAKEN - Astral Blade into the wild, and things are progressing nicely! So, we shared more info about the game's world in the previous diary, and today, we would like to tell you about the main character of the project - Tania, and her emotional module, Cythna... and we have a lot more exciting news if you read this article to the end <3
Tania
The clones codenamed "Tania" from the OS-CR100 series were created by Dr. Herveus, the chief scientist and leading biologist of the Orson Group. To develop the best Tania, he combined data provided by Gaghti, a Bionic created during the Jacha City era and the AI leader of the indigenous people, with the DNA of Molla, an ancient warrior, and Karpas energy. This resulted in a highly intelligent and physically powerful combatant.
She has a new goal, assigned by her creator, Dr. Herveus, to search and rescue a missing Investigation team in the rainforest of Horace Islands, where mysterious Karpas energy turns local animals and plants into aggressive mutants, and slowly uncovering the dark, sinister secrets of the past — what happened to the land and its inhabitants.
Cythna
Tania, one of Dr. Herveus's most successful artificial creations, is constantly tasked with hazardous and complex missions. Over time, a separate independent personality, Cythna, emerged within her emotional module. As Cythna grows stronger, the split in Tania's personality deepens. Tania is torn between her programmed obedience to Dr. Herveus and Cythna's constant resistance to harming the innocent. What will Tania choose? You will find out on October 22nd!
AWAKEN - Astral Blade is a perfect game for a unique mix of gaming, anime, manga, and Asian pop culture that POLARIS is all about, and we're excited to share the space with many other talented devs all across the globe!
One of the unique highlights of POLARIS is the immersive arcade machine-themed booths. You won't want to miss the chance to check out AWAKEN - Astral Blade in this vibrant, nostalgic setting! Join us in Hamburg for an unforgettable gaming experience…
…or don't! Because we're also launching AWAKEN - Astral Blade: First Contact, an updated gameplay prologue that'll have something interesting for both newcomers and people who already played AWAKEN's previous demo through and through, and it's OUT NOW:
Don't forget to stop by our booths (Indie Arena, Hall B7) to say 'Hi' and see what we have in store. See you there! <3
If you haven't yet, don't forget to wishlist the game so you don't miss any news and updates, and join the official ESDigital social media accounts if you'd like to chat with us and your fellow fans.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Jacha City!
AWAKEN - Astral Blade | The World of The Horace Islands
Hello everyone!
We're only 19 days from releasing AWAKEN - Astral Blade into the wild, and things are progressing nicely! But it's been a while since we stopped by to let you know how the game's development is advancing.
Since we've never really taken the time to introduce the project here on the community hub, we'd have a quick look at how this game is supposed to work and share more info about its lore, creatures, main character, and much more. So, today, we'll be telling you the backstory of the world of Awaken: Astral Blade and its roots.
On the Horace Islands, a mysterious alien ship crashed, unleashing the arcane Karpas energy. This energy, with its transformative power, turned the islands' ecosystem into a marvelously diverse landscape. The native inhabitants, influenced by this energy, built an impressive civilization, but it was eventually torn apart by civil war. Over time, this lost world was buried deep in history, forgotten until it was rediscovered by modern explorer Professor Loir.
Karpas energy is essentially a form of alien radiation that alters the human body, causing mutations that divide people into two groups: those who can react to the radiation and those who cannot. Those who react develop supernatural abilities, often perceived as magic, called Sensitives. The ones who show no reaction are considered God’s forsaken.
Over time, the differences between the Sensitives and the Forsaken grew, sparking a relentless struggle. The Sensitives gradually seized more and more power, eventually fully enslaving the Forsaken. This power shift created a deep divide in society. The ruling Sensitives took control of rituals, politics, law, and the arts, while the Forsaken were forced into subjugation, performing hard and menial labor.
Social tensions escalated daily, and after many violent clashes, the Forsaken, unable to openly confront the Sensitives, decided to flee from the Black Python Clan, settling in the sparsely populated regions of the islands. After discovering the remnants of the Karpas ship, they gradually learned to harness its alien technology and tap into the power of Karpas energy. Over time, this newfound knowledge allowed them to establish the independent and free federation of Jacha City, which swiftly entered the industrial age. However, the rise of the new democratic system further escalated tensions with the Black Python Clan, making war inevitable.
The Horace Islands feel ancient and mystical at first glance, but behind the whole fantasy part and ancient civilizations' vibes, they hide traces of human influence — modern technology and a research center in underground caves. The islands are scattered with ancient ruins that add to the lore. And, of course, Molla is the heroine of Jacha City, playing a key role in the story.
When it comes to the mysterious Karpas energy, it should feel magical and almost beyond comprehension, even with our understanding of modern technology — much like how, 500 years ago, flight was seen as a fantasy, something only magical creatures could do in fairy tales. The combination of shrines, symbols of an ancient forgotten religion, and modern technology not only looks cool but also enhances Tania's abilities. The worship of the Sacred Tree is the spiritual foundation of ancient tribes, while reverence for technology defines the core spirit of Jacha City. The alien ship’s technology and the powerful Karpas energy evoke a sense of wonder and admiration for magic and technology.
If you haven't yet, don't forget to wishlist the game so you don't miss any news and updates, and join the official ESDigital social media accounts if you'd like to chat with us and your fellow fans.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Jacha City!
We are excited to announce that AWAKEN - Astral Blade will be featured at Tokyo Game Show 2024! From September 26th to 29th, you can experience this high-energy, fast-paced action game firsthand.
Discover the stunning world of AWAKEN, where you’ll wield your Astral Blade in epic battles and explore a universe full of mysteries. With hands-on demos available at the show, this is your chance to dive into the action and feel the intense combat for yourself.
Plus, don’t miss the opportunity to meet a representative from the Dark Pigeon Games team during business days (September 26-27), who will be available for interviews and questions.
3 Days Until Tokyo Game Show!
Only 3 days left until Tokyo Game Show 2024 begins! Join us as we await this grand event and stay tuned for exciting updates!
Following a busy summer of events in the United States and Europe, we are heading to Japan to participate in this year’s Tokyo Game Show!
Running from 26-29 September, ESDigital Games team will be showcasing a wide selection of titles from our exciting portfolio in person at the show: AWAKEN - Astral Blade, Steel Seed, BattleJuice Alchemist and Cats on Duty.
A lot of new and exciting things await you—stay tuned for updates!
"AWAKEN - Astral Blade" Releasing on October 22!
The wait is almost over!
AWAKEN - Astral Blade is set to launch on October 22, and we can't wait for you to dive into the action! Prepare to continue Tania's journey as she unearths the mysteries within the rainforests and faces the ultimate truths about her origins.
Make sure to wishlist the game and mark the release date—October 22 is just around the corner. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
