Hi! Today I would like to talk about the future of Darknot and announce global changes. We have watched almost every stream, read reviews and comments. As a result, we decided to significantly change the gameplay, mechanics and improve the atmosphere of the game.
1. Gameplay and mechanics: - 1st person camera only (3rd person mode will be removed) - The system of the left and right hand will be simplified (back to a more classic version) - Inventory and diary will be separated into two different interfaces. The diary will become an exclusively informational part (bestiary, notes, tips, and quests) - Crafting will be simplified
2. Reworking the plot - Main storyline - Additional/side quests
3. Big open world
4. Change the mood and the tone of the game: - doubtful and humorous elements that violated the atmosphere of horror will be removed - more suspense, more horror
We'll give you more details, screenshots and gameplay videos at the end of March.
DarKnot | Hotfixes
We've updated DarKnot with some hotfixes and improvements based on player feedback.
We also decorated the Christmas tree and brought snow with an ancient ritual in the co-op city.
DarKnot | Devlog - December - Major Update
DarKnot | Devlog - December
Today we'll talk about the new location, bug fixes and other innovations in the world of DarKnot.
Hospital
Now, the DarKnot story walk-through begins with a new location that will help you get to know the rules of this confusing world better.
In the new location you will fall into a nightmare, but this nightmare will be the easiest part of the DarKnot world.
The hospital will prepare you for further tests, or break you once and for all.
Remember the main thing - The Dream is stronger than any cardboard zombie.
Replayability
The replay value in DarKnot gives you a reason to return to the game even after it's finished. Each randomness of an unexpected passage, which in turn may represent a modification of locations, will direct the player to a different entrance and set of events.
Screenshots from players
This time, the best screenshot on Steam, according to the DarKnot team, was made by Fry Gambler.
The DarKnot team has no doubt that Fry Gambler knows the psychological horror of the school and will not let the player relax. Every second you need to keep your eyes open.
In this case, all that is left of the player is the return of his enemies about how deliciously they feasted on the ears of a careless tramp.
Changes and fixes:
found firearms no longer disappear after waking up, now they will be located near a safe place;
due to numerous requests from the players, we left only the most necessary and obvious indicators of the main character;
fixed a bug with the courier, he no longer steals witch fingers honestly exchanged for the Champion card;
camera behavior has become more convenient;
we continue to improve the combat system – we made the hit of the reactions and dodges shorter;
the network location was filled with a New Year's atmosphere;
increased the walking speed of the game character;
added hints to the loading screen.
The opinion of each player is very important to us, we respond to all feedback and interesting ideas. That is why in future patches you will find even more changes to the network mode and storyline. Stay tuned =)
Winter sale
Hurry up to get DarKnot with a 35% discount during the winter sale on Steam from December 22 to January 5.
We are delighted to inform you that many YouTubers have already played DarKnot, the third-person non-linear psychological survival horror now available in Early Access right here on Steam.
Their videos only show the first location of the game –Father’s Apartment. Additional settings will be added as the development of the game progresses.
The current version of DarKnot in Early Access contains four locations and one city in co-op mode.
Also more characters are planned to be available for release version (up to five) and some missions of the central scenario could be played with an invited friend.
You can play the game as a warrior, where you pick up fights, as an explorer, where you search for hidden objects, as a survivor, where you gather resources, or as a fugitive where you avoid monsters.
Follow DarKnot on Steam to be the first to know about any updates.
Avoid the monsters, DarKnot Team
DarKnot | Devlog - December
DarKnot - A Top Hit Among YouTubers
Hi everyone!
We are delighted to inform you that many YouTubers have already played DarKnot, the third-person non-linear psychological survival horror now available in Early Access right here on Steam.
Their videos only show the first location of the game –Father’s Apartment. Additional settings will be added as the development of the game progresses.
The current version of DarKnot in Early Access contains four locations and one city in co-op mode.
Also more characters are planned to be available for release version (up to five) and some missions of the central scenario could be played with an invited friend.
You can play the game as a warrior, where you pick up fights, as an explorer, where you search for hidden objects, as a survivor, where you gather resources, or as a fugitive where you avoid monsters.
Follow DarKnot on Steam to be the first to know about any updates.
Avoid the monsters, DarKnot Team
DarKnot | Devlog - November - Part 2
The world of DarKnot is not a place for weaklings, here death awaits at every turn. Here is an old-school, hardcore, tooth-crushing game that challenges the most sophisticated players!
There is no difficulty mode for pussies, there are no slow, clumsy zombies, and the average schoolboy will envy the vision of most enemies. Every bush, every fly is able to tear off a bigger piece from the unfortunate character. This game challenges you, can you accept it? Plunge into the dangerous world of the foggy city and become a real monster hunter who knows when to retreat and when to attack in time. Show extraordinary erudition in solving puzzles or blow them up! Darknot is not waiting for everyone, but only the well-deserved chosen ones, good luck and see you in the fog...
Speedrun
First early access speed-run; We share it with you in case you want to know the answers to the most difficult riddles and short paths for passing locations in DarKnot.
DarKnot Early Access progress times vary by skill. On average, players need about 5 hours to complete.
Best screenshots
Thanks for sharing screenshots from the game on Steam with us. From time to time, we will publish here the best screenshots, according to the DarKnot Team.
Fascinating, hardcore, and filled with many interesting locations, items, and tasks for each player. Who wants to play co-op mode with the DarKnot Team? Write to us on Discord: https://discord.gg/VyvQwJ7VUU
Sewer collector in one of the cities of the co-op mode.
A bad smell is not the worst thing to encounter in this location! Trust me!
Reviews
Some of the first feedback on DarKnot came from Steam players and curators.
Our team is constantly improving the game, and feedback helps us greatly! Thanks to the players, because of your feedback we understand what changes and improvements should be made. We are also very pleased to read positive feedback about the features of the game, which we have been working on for so long and diligently. Please leave your feedback about DarKnot. The opinion of each player is very important to us!
What's new?
added head-shots;
updated and simplified weapon sorting;
changed the appearance of ammo packs and made them more visible;
blocked some paths in the city to improve player navigation (plot walk-through);
optimized the city (plot walk-through);
in the location “Fathers apartment,” added the ability to take blood for the ritual in different ways;
raised visibility in the “Square” location.
Don’t get headshot, DarKnot Team
Changes 11-19
Fixed some issues from players’ feedbacks.
DarKnot | Early Access Release
Today DarKnot goes into early access and we hope that you will appreciate our project and get the most out of the game.
We have written for you this easy-to-follow instruction on the use of weapons, tools, and consumables in order to make it easier for you to defend yourself and survive in this nightmare.
A character can carry three weapons and two tools. Usually the main character picks up the tools with his left hand, and the weapons with his right one.
"1" — tool selection (the left hand) "2" — weapon selection (the right hand). "3" and "4" — consumables selection (the left hand).
The consumables (first-aid kits, candles, ammo, etc.) do not take up space in the main character's inventory. Some consumables should be shifted to the left hand in order to use them.
To take a tool that, for example, hangs on a belt, you must press the "1" key. To select a consumable item, the player needs to press "3" or "4."
Since the character can have a lot of these items on him, two keys are used to select the next or previous item.
The "2" key is used to go through weapons. The character can only carry two weapons on him, not counting the one he has in his right hand.
If the player tries to pick up an item in his hand that already holds something, then this item will move to any suitable slot on the character (for example, on the back or belt). If there are no free slots for this item but the player wants to pick it up, then the main character will throw away the item that he held in his hand before.
We know that you are ashamed to be a man in these parts, and you are trying to look like locals. You don't want to get punched in the face in combat and completely lose your eyesight. And, for sure, you have not yet mastered the ritual with the transformation into a monster.
That’s why we have added masks and animal skulls - this is our gift to you!
They will help you to not feel like a stranger on these streets, protect your healthy eye from blows, and spare your head that is already suffering from severe disorders, of all unnecessary information.
We plan to add more masks and skulls in the future, and if you have any mask ideas you want to use in DarKnot, we'd love to hear about them! Share your ideas in the discussion here.
Sound Design and Music
The game music is consistent in terms of tempo used (70 bpm) and the key (most of the parts are in the key of E or G).
The music cues used in the game (e.g. the menu) and communication tools such as trailers and teasers use the same combinations of musical instruments such as a detuned zitherette. This gives DarKnot its unique voice.
The game ambiences were created with field recordings from the abandoned locations similar to the locations used in the game (e.g. an abandoned psychiatric hospital, an old coal mine, the abandoned city neighborhoods).
Several talented singers provided their voices for recording vocalizations for the NPCs.
New Chess Pieces
Standard chess pieces turned out to be too simple for this world and left it.
They were replaced by mystical figures with human faces.
Light figures are very frightened by something. They obviously know something about this world that you don't know yet...
Local Laws
In DarKnot you have to learn the laws of this gloomy world and connect the events taking place in the past with your present.
You will fight against various factions of monsters, and later you will need to share your knowledge of the world with another MPC.
Very soon!
November 3rd DarKnot goes into early access. In early access, you will find the co-op mode and access to several cities with an open world simulation.
The cities of DarKnot are full of unexpected encounters and events that will never stop to amaze you. You will never guess who or what is waiting for you as the game progresses.
You can play the game the way you want, according to your ‘modus vivendi’, so to speak:
As a Warrior, if you like to pick a fight. Gather weapons, and set out to destroy your enemies.
As an Explorer, search for hidden objects, avoid fights, and meticulously explore the gloomy locations and lore of DarKnot.
As a Survivor, gather resources, craft items, and pick your fights wisely. Crafted weapons and explosives will help overcome enemies, but are costly.
Or as a Fugitive, scared and paranoid, avoid the monsters, and cover your tracks. Using tarot cards will help you stay unnoticed, but it will cost you your health and sanity.
If you haven't already, make sure to wishlist DarKnot on Steam here!
We are participating in the Steam Scream Fest, which will run from October 25 to November 1.
During the festival, you will be able to play our extended demo with Halloween-themed items and accessories, quests, angry enemies, DarKnot streams and other cool stuff!
