On the fringes of reality bordering myth live the Yokai, the enigmatic spitirs of Japanese folklore. In the new trailer, you’ll catch glimpses of the legends you’ll encounter in Shadow of the Road, but we’ll share more about each of them very soon...
Enjoy the brand-new trailer!
Samurai!
Lots of things have been happening recently, and we barely have time to share everything with you. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are so glad to see how our dreams come true and Shadow of the Road becomes what we always envisioned it to be. We hope that the final result will bring you the same delight and pleasure that we get from working on the game. We will share more news soon, but today we are excited to reveal the brand-new trailer!
Take a look at what we’ve been working on lately and look closely — there are a lot of hints! Enjoy the trailer:
Also we are actively working on the new visual identity, tell us in the comment section — what do you think about the new key-art?
And last, but not least: we are honored to be a part of Isometric Sale in the upcoming section - wishlist Shadow of the Road right now!
Join our Discord server to make sure you don’t miss out on any good stuff.
Today we bring great news – we’ve found a publisher for Shadow of the Road. We recently signed a deal with Owlcat Games, who you may know as the developers behind Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous, and Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader. They have a lot of experience publishing their own games, and we trust that Shadow of the Road is in good hands.
Owlcat Games will take care of all publishing activities and share their knowledge and experience with us. At the same time, their involvement allows us to free up resources and focus on what we do best – making a fun game for you! We expect you will see the fruits of our cooperation very soon, and we hope you love it!
It’s been a while since our last update, but rest assured – we’ve been fully immersed in some exciting developments that we’ll share with you in the coming weeks. And while we can't reveal everything at once, we'll be slowly spilling the beans.
To back this up, here’s a glimpse into what we’ve been up to recently. Ready to dive in? Let's take a journey together!
Stealth System
First off, we've implemented an exciting new stealth system that’s aimed at enhancing your gameplay experience. With the press of a button, you can slip into stealth mode, revealing the enemy’s area of control and their vision.
Just imagine sneaking past foes, using every bit of the bush and every shadowy hideout to your advantage... The thrill of moving undetected is at your fingertips!
And while in stealth mode, you can silently take down isolated enemies or even ambush them. But be cautious - if your target is too close to their ally, you can get ambushed yourself. Thrilling, isn't it?
Continuous Combat Flow
Next, we’ve reworked our combat system to feature a continuous timeline. This change brings in a lot of depth and new possibilities (more about that in the future ;)).
Each character now has a frequency that determines how often they will take their turn, and the order can be shifted both left and right within the timeline. It simply provides a more dynamic and strategic combat experience.
Hoist the sail!
To wrap things up, we have a special treat for you – a teaser for a brand-new level that’s yet to be revealed. We won’t give away too much, but let’s just say we hope none of you suffer from seasickness! ;)
Finally…
We really appreciate your patience and that’s why we want to show you that we’re making steady progress with the game. To keep up with all the latest updates and sneak peeks, join our Discord and follow us on social media.
We're excited to share more with you soon. Stay tuned, Warriors – the best is yet to come!
We're super pumped to be back and ready to spill the beans on what we've been up to lately. Hope you're just as stoked about these new developments as we are!
In today's devlog we'll be focusing on updates related to the combat system. We've poured our hearts and souls into polishing this aspect of the game because… Hey, we're gamers too, and we know how crucial it is to the whole experience.
Co-op Skills
Let's kick things off with Co-op Skills. We see this mechanic as absolutely pivotal in the game, rooted in the connections between characters. These relationships will evolve based on player choices, the progression of events, and more. And when those links hit the sweet spot, get ready for some seriously epic special moves!
Check out the sneak peek video below and let us know what you think!
Environment
Now, let's talk about shaking up combat with environmental interactions. We've introduced something that we call Reactive Objects. Picture this: you're in the heat of a battle, there's a barrel or something else nearby, and suddenly, bam! It explodes and changes the course of the battle!
But wait, there's more! We've been fiddling with the destruction system, adding depth to it. Factors like the source and magnitude of force used on items affect how they react, so it's gonna make battles feel even more intense and satisfying.
Utilize every advantage
And guess what? We're not stopping there. Say hello to Interactable Items. We're throwing these into the mix to spice up the combat even more. These items may be scattered across the battlefield or stored in our inventory, if acquired beforehand.
inb4 - Yes, grenades are present in Shadow of the Road!
Plus, who hasn't seen those epic action movie scenes where the hero, armed with nothing but their fists, turns anything they can find into a weapon? Trust me, sometimes improvisation can be a lifesaver and a complete game changer in a fight!
Occasionally, you'll snag weapons dropped by enemies, but there's also the wild card factor: sometimes an item might just activate on its own, shaking up the whole environment!
In the end!
To wrap things up, big thanks for checking out this devlog! We hope that you like the updates and where Shadow of the Road is headed. Stay tuned because we're aiming to chat with you more often as time goes on!
Oh, and don't forget to hit that follow button on Shadow of the Road's socials - Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and TikTok. Plus, join our Discord crew for the inside scoop on upcoming beta testing and to shoot the breeze with fellow gamers!
We are thrilled to once again connect with you and share the exciting developments happening at our studio. Lately, our plate has been full, both in terms of growing the studio and continuously refining the game itself.
We've been hard at work, polishing and incorporating new ideas to enhance gameplay and provide a deeper, more enjoyable experience.
Diving into the depths…
Environment is one of the aspects that we continually improve. Our goal is to ensure that each level immerses players profoundly. To achieve this, we're diligently working on diversifying the levels on multiple fronts, and we want to make sure that in the vast world of Shadow of the Road, you'll traverse different landscapes.
You might be journeying through frozen realms where every breath freezes, and the next moment, you can find yourself in the vicinity of an active volcano, where the temperature becomes just one of the many formidable adversaries.
That’s not all…
Of course, our adventures won't be happening solely under the open sky. Prepare to explore enclosed locations – sometimes inspired by Japanese culture, other times deeply rooted in steampunk aesthetics, and occasionally shaped predominantly by nature.
It’s one of our ways to combat monotony and boredom. We want players to feel a constant sense of discovery, preventing the notion of going in circles. Be prepared for surprises hidden in the details, as we aim to deliver fresh experiences and encourage players to immerse themselves in this captivating world.
Become a samurai!
For those eager to stay up-to-date, we warmly invite you to follow us on social media and join our Discord server. It's where information surfaces first, and it's the hub for direct interaction with the community as we collaboratively shape the world of Shadow of the Road.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for supporting the game's development, maintaining a continuous interest in its production, and adding it to your wishlists. Your enthusiasm fuels our passion, and we're excited to continue this journey together.
It's been a while since we last connected, but rest assured, our silence has been filled with the bustling excitement of the holiday season and intense dedication to making Shadow of the Road the best game it can be.
We're thrilled to see your ongoing interest and are eager to share the fruits of our recent labors!
Volcano
Let's dive into what we've been working on lately - the Volcano. This fiery environment offers a stark contrast to the frosty landscapes we showcased previously. As you might expect, it's a level teeming with danger, yet irresistibly captivating. Every step must be calculated, and only the strongest samurai will survive there!
Relax and contemplate…
But fear not, Shadow of the Road isn't all peril and flames. We've also crafted spaces of serenity and peace. Here, time slows down, offering moments for contemplation, haiku writing, and training. Take a glimpse at one such relaxing spot in the footage below.
What do you think? Do you prefer a darker ambiance or a more serene setting? Don't worry, we've got both covered in the game!
Knock, knock!
Focusing next on our interaction system, we've been fine-tuning this aspect extensively to enhance the game's realism and depth. Each interaction with the environment is designed to enrich your immersion. Check out how we've been experimenting with door interactions!
Let us know what you think and which option works best!
We’re on TikTok!
As a reminder, we've been active on TikTok, bringing you exclusive content from Shadow of the Road. Our posts range from serious to comical - which, surprisingly, fits perfectly with the game's vibe. We invite you to visit us there - you might find yourself lingering longer than expected! ;)
We want to express our gratitude for your support, feedback, and contributions to the game's development direction. To further involve you in the production process, we encourage you to join our Discord channel.
Your responses to our questions can significantly influence Shadow of the Road's development. Come and be a part of our journey!
We are thrilled to invite you to our Discord server, where you can connect with fellow warriors and stay updated on the development of Shadow of the Road – our game that promises an immersive story which will change the fate of the Empire.
Why should you join?
⚔ Engage with a dynamic community of like-minded gamers; ⚔ Partake in thrilling events and get a chance to participate in upcoming beta tests; ⚔ Gain access to exclusive announcements, sneak peeks, and updates; ⚔ Influence the development of Shadow of the Road!
Choose the direction!
Recently, we've opened a new channel on our server where you, Samurai, can participate in game-related polls. Your responses will have a significant impact on the final outcome that will be revealed during the Shadow of the Road release. Your vote matters!
How to become a part of our clan?
It's as straightforward as the way of the sword! Simply follow this link to enter our server! Click the image below!
We're back with another exciting peek into the world of Shadow of the Road! As always, we're thrilled to have you on this journey with us, and we've got some great updates to share that we believe will make your wait for the game more enjoyable.
Today, we'd like to discuss the three primary aspects we are currently focusing on. Let's dive into the first one!
Combat Animations
As you've probably noticed, we've been hard at work improving the finer details of our combat system. They may seem like small things, but they have a significant impact on the outcome.
The newest animations will add a new layer of immersion to the game, making combat feel more fluid and responsive. It's still a proof of concept, but there's a high likelihood that it will find its way into the game. Visual effects are impressive, right?
Verticality
What’s more, we’re enhancing verticality in combat! We’ve got some exciting ideas in the pipeline, including the ability to throw enemies at one another and more intricate environmental hazards. Imagine being able to use the surroundings to your advantage, like shoving an opponent onto a barricade or impaling them on spikes!
The possibilities are endless, and we can't wait for you to explore them. Just take a look at the WIP version of this feature! Looks painful…
Let it snow, let it snow…
And here's a little treat for you, gamers. We're crafting the next landscape in our game and we're eager to show you a few screenshots to whet your appetite. The winter holidays are approaching quickly, so we already have snow on our minds.
We haven't shown much of the winter environment yet, so this could be your first peek at the frosty challenges that you can expect. We've got some stunning visuals in store, and we can't wait for you to dive into this world.
That's it for today!
Our goal is simple - we want to make this game an unforgettable experience, and we're thrilled to have you along for the ride. Keep an eye out for future devlogs and, as always, feel free to share your thoughts and feedback with us.
Your input is invaluable in shaping the game into something truly special. And if you want to stay up-to-date with everything and actively participate in the creation process, join our Discord server!
Thank you for your unwavering support! Stay tuned for more exciting updates on Shadow of the Road…
Recently, we treated you to an interview with our sound magician, and today we're bringing you a devlog straight from the heart of our game development process!
Have you ever heard of an initiative system? It's an incredibly vital component in many turn-based RPGs! And the situation is no different in Shadow of the Road, where it plays a fundamental role. In simple words - its primary task is to determine the order in which characters get to make their moves.
Let us share a bit of the history of how this system has evolved in our game…
In the past…
At first, we had a very “XCOM-like” approach where players could make moves with all characters in any order (and multiple times within their turn, using available action/movement points). In other words, the player would switch between characters, take actions, end their turn, and after that the game would switch to AI which would act similarly.
We showcased this combat system at PAX in 2020. And while it served its purpose, we felt that our game needed something more… Something deeper! We needed a system that would allow players to anticipate enemy moves, analyze situations, and have full influence on what is happening on the battlefield!
So now!
The current iteration of the system draws its inspiration from samurai battles, where it's crucial to observe everything and make decisions that significantly impact the course of the clash.
The core of this mechanic revolves around character initiative.
All characters participating in the battle are sorted based on their initiative values and the one with the highest value starts the whole action. Default initiative values are predefined, but can change as the game develops. Several factors influence the status, such as an initiative penalty for taking damage and side effects.
By introducing this system, we were able to incorporate more combat mechanics that enhance its depth.
The main innovation here is delayed attacks!
These attacks are more effective, but carry a risk of failure. A delayed attack is carried out as a new element on the timeline. So the character initiating it cannot move and automatically ends their turn. If they are attacked before executing the attack, it will be interrupted.
This system also operates in rounds, with each unit making one move per round.
Unfortunately…
Introduced changes also have some drawbacks that make this solution less than perfect. Notable issues include:
⚔️ Delaying attacks by a fixed value can lead to situations where nobody on the battlefield can counter or interrupt them. We attempted to solve this by delaying attacks based on factors like the number of characters, but this fix won’t be good enough.
⚔️ Time axis shifts are inconsistent. We couldn't find a solution that would allow us to predictably and fairly move a unit, for example, to the next round. A character that received a high amount of damage would end up at the end of the queue in a given round.
⚔️ The chance of having a negative initiative value. After receiving a sufficient amount of damage, a unit might have a negative initiative value, which isn't considered a valid value. While we could theoretically try to soften this effect by increasing base values, it wouldn't eliminate the entire problem.
But guess what…? These issues prompted us to work on another version of the system!
What the future holds…
Treat this like a small sneak peek, but…
In previous systems, the gameplay was divided into rounds in which action points and character movement reset at the beginning of each subsequent turn. The new system will have an additional dimension, and we will be abandoning the concept of rounds. However, we don't intend to reveal too much just yet, as there's more to come.
Rest assured, everything is continuously evolving!
Stay tuned!
To stay in the loop regarding our progress, come join our Discord community! And once again, thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!
