We are a small indie team. That gives us a unique opportunity to make games that are very personal. Hindsight 20/20 started with a lofty goal - to better understand ourselves through a video game. Questions soon followed. Could we mix this introspection with our love of combat games? Would similarly-minded people find this compelling? How can your choices in combat and story be intertwined to make every decision, moment to moment, matter? With great humility, we think the game we’re releasing today is an answer to all those questions... and more. We hope you think so too and have fun along the way!
Jehan
Our game is centered around a one-armed warrior named Jehan. During your journey you’ll discover his potent powers in combat and learn about his personal struggles through Hindsight 20/20’s story.
We’ve spent the last few updates covering the combat in Hindsight 20/20, but the only way to truly understand Jehan’s powers is to experience them. The combat system has been crafted to make this exploration both fun and challenging.
Jehan is like most of us. His mind lingers on his decisions. Throughout your playthroughs you’ll get a glimpse into these thoughts while reading Jehan’s journal. His writings will help you understand more about the world, the people in it, and Jehan himself. It’s an atypical approach to immersion, but we think these quiet, introspective moments will make your choices in Hindsight 20/20 more meaningful.
Champaner
Champaner is a quiet and humble town, home to Jehan and his people. Hindsight 20/20 is set during a terrible time for this place. A plague has ripped through the town, threatening to wipe out its way of life. Those infected soon turn into blood-thirsty beasts called “Raakshasas”.
But a more imminent disaster looms above Champaner. A great rift has darkened the skies of this town. It is the product of the Trishakti, a sinister device capable of leveling Champaner in the blink of an eye. It’s creator, Sinha, is the leader of the exiled Raakshasas. Why he has created this device is one of the mysteries you’ll uncover during your adventure.
Amidst all these disasters, you have a unique opportunity to change the lives of everyone. All eyes will be on you. How will your neighbors, friends, and family react to the choices you make?
Gibsonia
Gibsonia stands in your way. Home to the Raakshasa, this violent and chaotic town protects Sinha from anyone who would interfere with his plans. You will confront all the Raakshasa mutations that have flourished since these monsters escaped Champaner. While these beasts are no longer human, they are still sentient beings. Will sparing them in battle benefit your larger goals?
Big and Small
The main storyline of Hindsight 20/20 affects everyone in its world, but this is a game filled with individuals. Jehan and those around them have their own personal dilemmas. How you handle the intermingling of all these problems - both universal and personal - is ever-present. The choices you make in both combat and conversation can affect the entire range of problems you’ll encounter.
Play it Today
Thank you for taking some time to learn about Hindsight 20/20. We hope you have fun playing it!
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Launch day Stream with the devs! - Re-Broadcast
Welcome to Gibsonia
During this event we are giving you a glimpse of Gibsonia! This place is filled with your most dangerous enemies - the Raakshasa.
Watch our devs use Jehan’s sword, baton, and Shakti abilities to take down these bizarre beasts.
~ The team at Triple-I Games
Launch day Stream with the devs!
Welcome to Gibsonia
During this event we are giving you a glimpse of Gibsonia! This place is filled with your most dangerous enemies - the Raakshasa.
Watch our devs use Jehan’s sword, baton, and Shakti abilities to take down these bizarre beasts. Help us make some choices, discuss combat strategy, and get some tips for effective combat in Hindsight 20/20!
~ The team at Triple-I Games
Enemies, Part 2 - Gibsonia’s Raakshasas
The Raakshasas of Gibsonia
The inhabitants of Gibsonia are former humans that have mutated into frightening beasts. Make no mistake, they are out for blood. Unlike the soldiers in Champaner, these ex-humans are driven by a thirst for blood. The hostility you’ll face here will test your resolve.
What most people don’t know about the Raakshasas is that their mutations continue well after they have left their humanity behind. They are constantly evolving. While we don’t understand the nature of this evolution, we have been able to classify these mutations into five basic types.
Mutation Mayhem
There’s no apparent reason as to why the Raakshasa evolution seems to have settled(for the moment) on these five types. What we do know is that all of them are dangerous. Study the following compendium to prepare yourself for battle.
Asuras
The Asuras are the most common type of Raakshasa you’ll encounter. They appear to be at the root of a large branch of Raakshasa mutations. Even a small number of them can easily overwhelm you if you’re not careful. Be quick in defeating them!
Weapon
Meat Club
Abilities
Swings and bashes: the Asuras will use their heavy and grotesque clubs to beat you down. Their inhuman strength allows them to easily swing and bash you with this hefty weapon.
Charge attack: when frustrated an Asura will charge towards you, their club raised in anger. Be wary. If and when they reach their target, they will slam their gnarled club down upon you with all the wrath inside them.
Behavior
Asuras could be accused of being intemperate, but they are not stupid. If they see you holding a sword they will keep their distance.
The baton in the world of Hindsight 20/20 is universally understood to be a weapon of mercy. If you wield this in front of a Raakshasa, they will not hold back. Prepare to deal with a wild beast.
Asuras have no plans, but the results can feel that way. Their instincts will lead them to swarm you. Make sure you always have an escape route when they start to surround you!
Bhisanas
This is probably one of the more… unappealing mutations you will encounter. The Bhisanas are easily identifiable by the glowing green crystals that protrude from their skin. A unique part of this mutation is the growth of acidic boils on their shoulders. Bhisanas use these to keep their enemies at bay. If you see one ripping a boil off their skin, stop them before they can unleash this corrosive charge.
Weapon
Acid Boil
Abilities
Explosive acid bomb attack: owing to their special mutation, the Bhisanas have an endless supply of explosive acid bomb attacks. These boils explode on impact, leaving behind a pool of toxic acid on the ground.
Behavior
Bhisanas are cautious creatures. They will never directly approach you.
The Bhisanas are unaffected by the pools of acid that their bombs leave on the ground. This means that they will use them at any range. Do not think that standing near them will halt their attacks. They are more than willing to submerge themselves and everyone around them in a putrid pool of acid.
Sinhikas
The glowing red crystals on a Sinhika’s skin serve as a warning sign for their dangerous nature. This mutation, on the Asuras mutation branch, imbues them with great mobility and the sophisticated dexterity to use something akin to a boomerang. If you see one, act quickly! The Sinhikas can cover a lot of ground by rolling towards their victim and following up with a surprise boomerang attack. You’ll have to leverage all your skills to deal with this breed of Raakshasa.
Weapon
Bone Boomerang
Abilities
Spiny roll attack: defying their bulky physique, the Sinhika's mutated spine allows them to curl up into a tight ball and roll towards their enemies. The spikes that jut out from their skin turns this locomotion into an awesome assault and protects them from almost all attacks.
Bone boomerang attack: count it as one of nature’s great mysteries. How the barbaric Sinhikas turned a Meat Club into a functional boomerang, we will never know. Sinhikas will throw their Bone Boomerang at you whenever they are close enough.
Behavior
Sinhikas will generally keep their distance from you until they are ready to pounce.
When they decide to attack, get ready. They will leap forward and violently roll towards you.
If a Sinhikas gets close enough to you, that’s when they’ll unleash their Bone Boomerang attack. Only the most skillful players will be able to dodge it. Your best bet is to use a Focus Block.
Durgas
The Durgas might be the strangest Raakshasa mutation that we have ever seen. Rather than bulk up in size, this variant sheds their weight to enjoy a quick and nimble existence. Durgas tend to indulge in this newfound mobility by wildly dashing around their victims and overwhelming them with well placed projectile attacks. Keep a cool head when dealing with the Durgas. Their methods can be maddening.
Weapon
Mutated Hasta
Abilities
Demented missile attacks: the Durgas can generate powerful projectile attacks from their hands. We’ve been unable to ascertain the human history of any individual Durgas, but they all seem to enjoy launching these attacks with an overexaggerated throw. Luckily, these projectiles move slow enough that they can be reflected back at them.
Durga Dash: the Durgas’ slender frame allows them to dash around at will. These quick movements make it impossible to hit them with normal attacks and can even frustrate those that try to employ Shakti abilities.
Behavior
Durgas will relentlessly dash around you until they find a perfect position to launch an attack. You’ll be unable to use any normal attacks on them.
Once a Durga drops out of their dash frenzy, set your focus on them. They will immediately throw their Demented missile at you.
Creating and throwing a missile takes an incredible amount of effort. The Durgas will be vulnerable to their own projectiles for a few moments afterwards. Make sure to deflect it back and start pummeling them with your own attacks.
Droshis
Droshis are the next logical step in Raakshasa mutations. A Droshi’s mass is almost twice that of any other Raakshasa and nearly four times that of an average human. Droshi’s revel in using their enormous body against their prey. When running towards their victims, they overwhelm them with the sheer force of their stampede. If you see a Droshi charging at you, drop everything and flee!
Weapon
Bare claws
Abilities
Droshi Charge: Droshi’s immense bulk turns a simple jog into a devastating attack. There is no known force that can stop a Droshi once it decides to move.
Ground pound: Droshis always end a charge with a terrifying slam attack. They will raise both arms in the air and slam their fists down into the ground with all their might. This causes a shockwave to ripple out around them. Anyone within its radius will be hurt.
Behavior
Droshis spend most of their time brazenly observing and measuring their prey. They are unconcerned about anything a victim might do. Most adversaries will be too intimidated to approach them and those brave enough to attack will find the Droshi’s armor-like skin practically impenetrable.
Once satisfied that their opponents are sufficiently scared, they will start their charge.
When a Droshi gets close enough to you, they will try to smash you with a ground pound. Moving around this much mass requires an astronomical amount of energy. This is your chance. Once a Droshi finishes their ground pound attack, they will be helpless. Return the favor and smash them with your own attacks. You’ll only have a few moments while they gather their strength.
How to Handle the Chaos
Raakshasas do not coordinate attacks like Champaner’s soldiers. Sure, the sheer chaos poses a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity. You can counter their pandemonium with strategy. Here are some potential ways to handle it:
You never want to spend an entire battle dealing with a Droshi. They are a disruptive force that you should eliminate immediately.
Know your options with the Durgas. When you reflect one of their projectiles back at them they become vulnerable and take damage. You have the option to either finish them off quickly, when they are vulnerable, or keep reflecting their projectiles back at them and let attrition destroy them. The combat situation will dictate which option is best.
Raakshasas spawn a lot more Shakti than Champaner’s soldiers. Take advantage of this. Be more bold with your Shakti abilities when you fight anyone in Gibsonia.
A Future Update
In a future update we’ll be covering some of the most important characters you will meet and interact with in the game. Who they are and how you treat them will shape your story.
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Enemies in Hindsight 20/20, Part 1 - Champaner’s Defensive Force
Champaner’s Defensive Force
You’ll face many foes as you make your way through Hindsight 20/20, but you’ll have a unique dilemma when fighting in your hometown. The guards of Champaner have sworn to protect your town against all threats, including you. Your adventure will inevitably pit you against these soldiers in combat. How will you treat them? They abide by your town’s highest value: do not kill. Will you?
Consider this. News travels fast in such a close-knit town. Soon, everyone will be talking about how you've treated Champaner’s protectors. How will your neighbors, friends, and family react to your choice to kill their soldiers? What will they say if you show them mercy? You must keep all of this in mind as you try to save your people from the threat of the Raakshasa.
A Diverse Force
Champaner trains their soldiers for a variety of different roles, each according to their inherent abilities and interests. Your town’s defensive strength is built upon this diversity. Let’s take a look at the seven different types of soldiers that compose Champaner’s Defensive Force.
Regular Guards
Regular guards are the most common type you will encounter and the easiest to defeat. However, their strength comes in their numbers. They can easily surround and overwhelm you if you are not careful.
Weapon
Stun baton
Abilities
Pokes and swings: regular guards use a variety of pokes and swings with the stun baton to drain your morale.
Charge attack: this attack is only used in dire situations. A guard will run towards you, baton wielded like a spear, until they are close enough to thrust forward.
Morale Grenade: regular guards carry a device in their pocket that can generate Morale Grenades. These grenades are thrown at opponents and explode on impact, draining the morale of anyone within the blast radius.
Behavior
When you wield the baton, the regular guards will be aggressive and fearless. They are much more likely to surround you and use their beloved baton.
Conversely, when you hold your sword, the guards will be cautious and keep their distance. They will rely on more desperate measures. Watch out for charge attacks and Morale Grenades when you see them behaving this way!
Higher Morale Guards
When selecting a new recruit to be a higher morale guard, Champner looks for those with natural discipline and confidence. You’ll find that defeating these guards with your stun baton will be much more challenging than a regular guard.
Weapon
Stun baton
Abilities
Pokes and swings: like regular guards, higher morale guards use a variety of pokes and swings with the stun baton to drain your morale.
Charge attack: this attack is only used in dire situations. A guard will run towards you, baton wielded like a spear, until they are close enough to thrust forward.
Behavior
Similar to the regular guards, these guards will be more aggressive when you use your baton but more careful when they see your sword.
When threatened, higher morale guards don’t have a morale grenade to fall back on, but they are more deft with their charge attacks, pokes, and swings.
Boomerangers
Those that have the distinction of being a Boomeranger have earned it through years of training and practice. Their hard-earned skills will allow them to attack you from a fair distance away. When you see a Boomeranger on the battlefield, you’ll need to employ a different strategy!
Weapon
Morale Boomerang
Abilities
Boomerang attack: when the Boomerangers throw their weapon at you, you’ll need to get out of the way. Morale Boomerangs are designed to drain a massive amount of morale from their victims… and there is nothing you can do to stop them. Morale Boomerangs will always return dutifully to their owners.
Behavior
Boomerangers are trained to keep their distance from their targets. Unlike the regular and higher morale guards, they become more aggressive when threatened. Be wary of more incoming Morale Boomerangs when you wield your sword.
Homing Grenadiers
Homing Grenadiers are one of the most well-trained soldiers in Champaner. This level of commitment is required for anyone who is entrusted with one of the most powerful weapons in Champaner - the Ganga Generator. This device creates an incredibly powerful grenade called the Rama Grenade. You don’t want to be anywhere near one of these grenades when they explode, lest you lose an enormous amount of morale.
Weapon
The Ganga Generator
Abilities
Rama Grenade: when this grenade is thrown at an enemy, it will home in on its target at a high velocity and explode on impact. Any poor soul within its large blast radius will lose a massive amount of morale.
Behavior
The Homing Grenadier's weapon allows them to target enemies from a great distance. The speed at which they can throw their grenades will quickly close the gap between you and them. If you catch a glimpse of a Homing Grenadier far away, you would be wise to deal with them immediately.
Homing Grenadiers are well trained, but even they have their limits. If you break out your sword to show them your murderous intent, they will no longer hold back. Prepare for a barrage of unstoppable grenades!
Ranked Ranged Guardians
All Ranked Ranged Guardians must demonstrate an inborn quality before they are selected for this exclusive group. Their training targets and cultivates that special power within them. When they are ready for duty, their scalps will bear the glowing symbols of their fully developed power. It’s energy allows them to wield the Morale Wand and power their majestic suits. Taken together, this equipment makes them a formidable opponent.
Weapon
Morale Wand
Abilities
Stun Projectile attack: Ranked Ranged Guardians use their Morale Wand to propel Stun Projectiles at their enemies. These slow moving projectiles do have a weakness: they can be reflected back at their creator. If your timing is good enough, you can use your sword or baton to reflect these projectiles back at the Ranked Ranged Guardian that created it.
Teleportation: every Ranked Range Guardian wears a suit that allows them to teleport away from danger. This makes them very elusive enemies.
Behavior
Like other soldiers that throw projectiles, the Ranked Ranged Guardians keep their distance as well.
If you try to approach these guardians, they will teleport away immediately. You will have to find an indirect way of defeating them.
Cyborgs
The selection process for Cyborgs has always been shrouded in mystery. Some speculate that injured soldiers are forcibly converted into Cyborgs. Others suspect that they are the product of unregulated experimentation. Regardless of how they came to be, these half-human, half-machine soldiers are built for combat.
Weapon
Cyborg side arm
Abilities
Synthetic Stun projectile attack: the Cyborg’s side arm can emit a large, morale draining projectile attack. Created to imitate the projectiles from the Morale Wand, these projectiles can be deflected as well. Learning how to deflect a Cyborg’s projectile back at them is the key victory.
Reinforced suit: Cyborg’s have nearly impenetrable defenses. Their reinforced suits allow them to absorb all normal attacks. The only known forces that can penetrate their suits are their own projectiles and Shakti-based attacks.
Motorized movement: each Cyborg’s suit includes a powerful motor, drivetrain and wheels that allow them to move quickly on the battlefield. When they are on the move, you will be unable to catch them.
Behavior
Cyborgs take advantage of the tools available to them. They will keep their distance and pelt you with their synthetic stun projectiles.
If a Cyborg is hit by their own projectile, it will temporarily disrupt their computer systems leaving them disabled and defenseless. This is your moment! Attack them with your sword or baton while their suit is still useless.
Champaner’s Guardians
Those that bear the title of “Champaner’s Guardian” are the town’s biggest and burliest. Their role as an overwhelming force of brute strength requires it. Protected by an armor specially built for their Herculean physique, these guards will be unphased by any of your normal attacks. Their presence on the battlefield is meant to intimidate Champaner’s enemies.
Weapon
The King’s Baton
Abilities
King Baton attacks: Champaner’s Guardians use their massive baton to dishearten their foes. Those that try to weather the blows from this weapon will find themselves with very little morale. But these attacks come at a cost. The immense amount of energy needed to swing this baton leaves guardians momentarily vulnerable to normal attacks.
Reinforced suit: Champaner’s Guardians wear a suit that makes them invulnerable to any normal attacks. Shakti-based attacks seem to be the only way to penetrate its bulky layers.
Hyper Jump: every Champaner’s Guardian’s suit comes equipped with a hyperjump system. This allows guardians to propel themselves out of any situation where they might be vulnerable.
Behaviors
Champaner’s Champions embrace their brute strength. They are unafraid of any foe(or weapon) and will run headlong into battle to frighten their enemies.
Attacking with such force leaves these guardians defenseless, at least for a brief time. Use this opportunity to bombard them with all the attacks you can muster.
Once a Champaner’s Guardian recuperates from their energy-draining attacks, they will immediately use their hyperjump system to leap away. Be sure to keep track of where they land. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard by an attack from one of these juggernauts.
Making plans
The soldiers in Champaner work together to defeat their enemies. You’ll not only encounter new enemies during your adventure, but you’ll have to deal with their different combat formations. Here are some general ways to handle the formations you may face:
When using the baton, take advantage of the regular guard’s aggressive behavior. Draw them near their projectile-based allies and perform powerful combos to defeat all of them at once.
When the battle begins, use the sword to quickly dispatch any projectile enemies. You’ll clear the field of any disruptions and be free to destroy the remaining enemies unimpeded.
Reflecting your enemies’ projectiles back with your baton counts as hits in 3 hit and 6 hit combos. When a Cyborg tries to disrupt your combos with their projectile attack, turn it against them. Reflect the Synthetic stun projectile back with the 2nd hit in a 3 hit combo, then take out the nearest enemy with the 3rd hit. Quickly turn your attention back to the now vulnerable Cyborg and finish them off with another 3 hit combo.
Until Next Time
Next time, in Part 2, we’ll move on to the inhabitants of the notorious Gibsonia. There we’ll find a whole new breed of enemies - the Raakshasas.
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The Shakti System, Part 2 - Focus Dash and Shakti Ranged Attacks
Focus Dash and Shakti Ranged Attacks
Jehan can use Shakti to perform Focus Dash and Shakti Ranged Attacks in addition to his Shakti Specials(for more info about Shakti specials, see The Shakti System, Part 1 - Shakti Specials). The entire set of Shakti abilities gives Jehan everything he needs to escape from even the most dire combat situations.
Diving a Little Deeper Into Using Shakti
To better understand Focus Dash and Shakti Ranged Attacks, we need to go over the details of using Shakti.
Full Shakti bar - Shakti Mode
If you have a full Shakti bar, you can enter Shakti mode. While in this mode, your Shakti is depleted at a constant rate. How slow or fast your Shakti is drained depends on how you initiate Shakti mode...
Using Shakti Specials
Simply using a Shakti Special will start Shakti mode. Each special drains Shakti at a different rate, and some will drain your Shakti bar instantly(ending Shakti mode).
Using a Shakti Ranged Attack
When you use a Shakti Ranged Attack, Jehan will enter Shakti mode. If you choose this method to enter Shakti mode, you’ll be rewarded with a much slower Shakti drain rate.
Using a Focus Dash
Similar to the ranged attacks, Jehan can use a Focus Dash attack to initiate Shakti Mode. And like ranged attacks, your Shakti will be drained much slower when starting Shakti mode with this attack.
Combine Them All!
While in Shakti mode, you can continue to use the currently selected Shakti Special, Shakti projectiles, and Focus Dash attacks all at the same time!
Shakti bar more than 25% full
There is one Shakti ability that you can use even when you don’t have a full Shakti bar. Whenever your bar is above 25% you can execute Focus Dash attacks.
Focus Dash Types
Focus Dash attacks can be used to quickly take out your enemies. Jehan will dash towards his opponent and deliver a devastating blow. You can dispatch enemies nearby and those that are far away! If you’re in Shakti mode, you can use this attack as many times as you like; it will not drain your Shakti meter. If you’re not in Shakti mode, each Focus Dash attack will drain your Shakti bar by 25%. Be cognizant of these limitations as they can have a huge impact on effective combat.
The Baton’s Focus Dash
When using the baton’s Focus Dash, Jehan will dash towards his enemy and connect with an overwhelming Focus poke. This will drain a huge amount of morale from a target and defeat most enemies.
It also fits nicely into the combo system. You can use this attack as the first hit in a 3-hit or 6-hit combo. Start with this move to immediately take down an enemy, then smoothly transition into a 3-hit or 6-hit combo to vanquish even more enemies!
The Sword’s Focus Dash
Like the baton’s Focus Dash, Jehan will dash towards his enemies and punish them with a brutal blow. Almost any enemy that falls victim to this attack will be killed. It’s a versatile and quick way to destroy your enemies in combat.
Shakti Ranged Attacks
When your Shakti bar is full, you have the option to use Shakti Ranged Attacks. Once in Shakti mode, you're able to throw as many projectiles as you can! The type of projectile that Jehan throws is different for each weapon.
The Baton’s Shakti Ranged Attack
When you activate the baton’s Shakti Ranged Attack, Jehan will thrust his baton forward and throw a projectile at his enemies. This projectile is powerful enough to defeat most enemies you will encounter. Don’t worry about being too accurate with this attack. If you direct this projectile close enough to an enemy, it will home in on your target automatically.
The Swords’ Shakti Ranged Attack
This one is simple and effective. Activate the sword’s Shakti Ranged Attack and Jehan will violently throw his sword at his enemies. The force of this attack will be powerful enough to kill almost anyone that gets in its way. Once the sword has done its damage, it will loyally return to Jehan’s hand.
Putting it all together
Let’s briefly ponder ways we can put all these Shakti moves together to creatively defeat our opponents. This is a limited list as we expect to be delighted by the unexpected strategies you will employ when you play:
Soften up your enemies with a few of the baton’s projectiles, then dash into the fray with a Focus Dash attack to start a spectacular 6-hit combo.
Throw your sword at enemies when they try to keep their distance, then use the Ring of Swords special to kill those foolish souls that are still surrounding you.
Chase down your enemies with a barrage of Focus Dash Attacks. When they try to run away from the chaos you’ve created, use the Blessing special to stop them in their tracks.
Next Time
Our next two updates will switch focus from Jehan to the enemies that he will face in Hindsight 20/20. The next update? Part 1 - Champaner’s Guardians.
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The Shakti System, Part 1 - Shakti Specials
What is the Shakti System?
Hindsight 20/20 is a game that draws inspiration from Indian lore. “Shakti” is a Hindi word that means power. It is this power that you can collect and build up to unleash overwhelming attacks on your enemies.
Everyone in this world has within themselves a certain amount of Shakti. Jehan can extract this power from his enemies in a concentrated form - Shakti pickups. When Jehan gets close to one of these amber treasures, it will be drawn to him and absorbed into his own reservoir of Shakti.
Drawing out the Shakti
Each combat style has a different way to accomplish this(for more details, see our last update - Player Weapons).
If Jehan reaches the sixth hit in a combo chain with the stun baton, he’ll perform a Spell of Sentience. Every opponent affected by this spell will spawn a Shakti pickup.
When using the sword, any enemy Jehan kills with the 6th hit in a combo will spawn a Shakti pickup.
There is one more way to spawn Shakti. Some special enemies will spawn Shakti no matter how you defeat them. We don’t want to ruin the fun though. We’ll let you discover them on your own!
The Shakti meter
The Shakti meter keeps track of how much Shakti power you have accumulated. When you collect Shakti pickups you’ll see that meter fill up, and as you use Shakti you will drain it. How do you use Shakti? One way is to execute Shakti Specials.
Shaki Specials
Each weapon has a set of unique unlockable Shakti Specials. You can unlock specials for a weapon by simply using it. The more you use your weapon, the more specials you will unlock for it. It will take, approximately, an entire playthrough of the game to unlock all the specials for one weapon. Fortunately, you retain those abilities through every subsequent playthrough. Your second playthrough of the game can be a chance to unlock all the Shakti specials of the other weapon… or a chance to dominate your enemies with your newfound abilities!
The Stun Baton’s Shakti Specials
Merciful Special 1 - Divinity Execute a three hit combo to perform a spell that zaps your opponents into submission.
Merciful Special 2 - Aura of Power An aura of power surrounds you and allows you to defeat up to 6 enemies with just a touch.
Merciful Special 3 - Homing Stun Projectiles Launch a spread of 4 intelligent projectiles that choose their targets and chase them.
Merciful Special 4 - Bless Your baton rises in the air and shoots rays of energy at your opponents. Every successful hit diminishes their morale.
The Sword’s Shakti Specials
Ruthless Special 1 - Rage of Jehan Perform devastating 3 hit combo attacks that punish your opponents with their lives.
Ruthless Special 2 - Ring of Swords Spawn an area of effect of swords that kills most opponents in range.
Ruthless Special 3 - Brutal Death Unleash your fury by charging at your opponent and slashing them with all of your might.
Ruthless Special 4 - Homing Boomerang Sword Throw your sword which shall now find and demolish as many enemies as possible upon contact.
The Possibilities
Shakti specials are a great weapon in Jehan’s arsenal, but judicious use can make them even more effective. We leave it to you to discover new and interesting ways to defeat your enemies with Shakti Specials. Here are a few observations that we think will get you started.
The stun baton’s Aura of Power Shakti Special is a great way to escape from a group of enemies that have clustered around you.
If distant enemies are giving you trouble, the Homing Boomerang Sword Shakti Special is a great way to dispatch them.
The Ring of Swords is a simple and brutal way to clear all the enemies surrounding you.
Until next time
We hope you enjoyed this look at Shakti Specials and look forward to you using them in ways we’ve never imagined. But Shakti Specials are just one part of the Shakti System. Our next update will cover the other tools in your Shakti belt.
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Choice in Combat: Ruthless or Merciful?
Your Combat Choices
You play as Jehan, a one-armed warrior that always carries his father’s stun baton and sword. With these weapons at your side, you can decide the fate of your enemies. Choose the stun baton, the merciful choice, and you will only demoralize your opponents. Pick the sword if you want to kill those that stand in your way. You can change your weapon at any time during combat. The choice is yours, but you will bear the consequences.
The Stun Baton
Use the stun baton’s magic to drain your opponents’ morale. It may take some time to fully harness the power of this weapon, but those that master it will become truly noble heros.
To fully charge your stun baton, you will need to perform combos. Single hits with the baton will have no effect on anyone’s morale. The baton charges with combo chains - each successive hit must poke a different target than the last to continue the chain. The longer your combo chain, the more powerful your baton will become.
When you jab an enemy with the third hit in a combo chain, they will be completely demoralized and defeated.
...but don’t stop there! Continue the combo chain! If you reach the sixth hit in a combo, Jehan’s stun baton will be fully charged and propel him into the air. He will then thrust down and drive his weapon into the ground, releasing a wave of blue energy. Any nearby enemies will be temporarily stunned and spawn pickups!(More on those in a later update, we promise).
The baton is easily recognizable as a weapon of mercy. Your foes know this as well. That’s why they will be emboldened by your choice of a less-than-lethal weapon. Make sure to plan your combat around this behavior as your enemies’ positions are crucial to success with the baton.
The Sword
The sword is a brutal weapon of destruction. There’s not much finesse required to use it effectively. Slash away at your enemies to cut down their health.
Like the baton, the sword still requires combos to defeat your enemies. A single slash with the sword will not be enough. But unlike the baton, you will only need to swing your sword to perform combos. No unique targets required. The third hit in a combo will drain their health. If you are ruthless enough, Jehan will unleash a spinning attack on the sixth hit in a combo. Any enemy nearby will be hurt and spawn pickups.
When you draw your sword you send a simple message to your opponents - there is no escape. Scared, they will approach you cautiously. You must be the aggressor with this combat style and pursue them with the vigor that the sword requires.
The Power of Choice
Don’t get too caught up in the immediate satisfaction of your weapon choice. It has an effect that ripples throughout the game.
Your enemies will change their behavior when they see the weapon you are wielding.
If you are holding your sword when you face them, the guards will keep their distance. They will use their long range weapons, hoping to protect their own lives.
Select the baton, and those same guards will find the confidence to charge. They will run headlong into battle, their minds filled with visions of glory about the time they defeated the great Jehan.
You can switch between the sword and stun baton at any time. How you treat people in this game changes their destinies. It changes your journey and affects the legacy of others and your town.
What does this all mean? The consequences of a simple act, choosing a sword, will take multiple playthroughs to fully comprehend.
Final Thoughts
While merciful combat has a learning curve, the reward of climbing that challenge can be very rewarding. In the hands of a skilled player, Jehan feels like a gracious and graceful fighter.
If you prefer a more visceral and immediately gratifying experience, ruthless caters to your desires. A room cleared with the sword is a bloody mess, with no one left to tell the story.
And if you change your mind, you can switch weapons at any time.
Remember that the choices you make in combat have a wider impact. The enemy you choose to cut down now may have friends… and the foe you choose to spare may be different down the road. The choices you make in this fleeting moment may be etched for eternity in their consequences.
Until next time
Next time we’ll discuss the specials you can unlock for each weapon. We look forward to seeing you again!
We have a Launch Date!
Hindsight 20/20 - Wrath of the Raakshasa is coming SEPTEMBER 9!
Please add us to your Wishlist and join our Discussions!
Thanks for your support.
Previews for Hindsight 20/20 - Wrath of the Raakshasa
Today, we'd like to share some previews for Hindsight 20/20 - Wrath of the Raakshasa. The press played our demo at PAX East 2020 and many wrote about their experience:
Nick Tricome from Gaming Access Weekly wrote this about Hindsight 20/20: "I had left feeling like every second mattered, because in a lot of ways it did. " Read more here.
Charles Hartford from But Why Tho? left the demo "extremely optimistic" about our game. Here's the preview.
Dan at Gamezo, after playing our demo, sees himself "playing over and over in different ways." See the entire preview here.
GameInformer previewed Hindsight 20/20 in May of 2019 and wrote about us in issue #314! Here is their closing comment: "Hindsight 20/20's accessible combat, stylized visuals, and complex conundrums give it plenty of potential."
Thank you for your continued support. Please let your friends and family know that they can wishlist us here. We hope you have a great rest of your day!
