In Unto The End each fight is handcrafted, involving intelligent, unique opponents.
We set aside side-scroller convention in favour of something that is intense and high stakes. Rewarding patience, smarts and decisiveness over blind courage.
Each opponent has their own fighting style and moveset. Success comes down to reading and reacting to that moveset - mitigating their attacks so you can find an opening for yours.
Deflecting attacks with your sword is a big part of it, but so is ducking under swipes, hopping over low strikes, or rolling at just the right time.
Support us by letting your friends know about Unto The End and adding it to your wishlist.
We've been really happy to see a steady trickle of Unto The End coverage over the last few weeks from a nice mix of online, print (including a piece in Edge magazine, which really is a dream come true), and video channels, so we thought we'd share some of it with you here!
MSPoweruser (EGX preview):"The combat felt fantastic. Each swing, impact, and dodge had a strong sense of the weight behind it, making each attack feel like a commitment so you needed to be as precise as you were brutal."Read the full article
The Escapist (interview):"The story of Unto the End emerges as a result of the player’s actions in the world... There are these key moments, at six or seven points, where the player can choose to fight, to ignore, or to befriend another character."Read the full article
The Escapist (preview):"Many aspects of Unto the End immediately reminded me of the 1991 classic Out of This World... Mystery, atmosphere, and a true sense of danger create a palpable moment-to-moment tension, where missteps are often fatal."Read the full article
Edge Magazine, Issue 340 (4-page preview):"With our sword held either high or low, we can deal blows; we can deflect them in the same way, the clang and reverberation of metal so precisely rendered that we can almost feel it in our palms as our character reels back for just a moment."
Official Xbox Magazine, Issue 184 (2-page preview):"At first glance, Unto The End is a 2D platform adventure and it can look like a straightforward affair, but that's far from the case. There's a lot of nuance to the story and the combat takes a certain amount of practice and patience to master."
PC Gamer Magazine, Issue 338 (single-page preview):"Unto The End constantly reminds you that it's not just you who has to survive this harsh winterscape... Many of the creatures you encounter will have their own mysterious place within the world and choosing not to fight them can reveal fleeting moments of humanity in an otherwise cruel existence."
Official PlayStation Magazine, Issue 169 (preview round-up):"You have to read high and low attacks and block and counter properly to progress. But violence isn't always the answer. For example, one foe becomes an ally when we sheathe our sword and help their loved one."
Iron Lords Podcast (interview): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4Rha-38W74
Get Indie Gaming (video Top 10): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1el6ZFit3Ok
With so many fantastic indies out there that are deserving of attention, we're both humbled and delighted that Unto is getting noticed in such a positive way :)
If you haven't already, please feel free to add Unto The End to your Wishlist. Thank you!
Behind the scenes: Making music with an old, beat-up piano
The old, beat-up piano you see below had been sitting under a tarp in the backyard of Unto The End music composer, Johnny Knittle, for over a year before he decided that, rather than leave it to the mercy of the Southern Californian weather for another 12 months, he would give it one last hurrah by – in his own words – “recording it, abusing it, and ultimately destroying it.”
We’re sure it’s what the piano would have wanted.
With the help of a couple of friends, the piano was moved into the house, which happened to be only a couple of weeks before Johnny was due to move out. With no time to waste, and between frenzied bouts of packing, he got to work creating a sample library of piano sounds.
According to Johnny, the piano was “out of tune in a cool way, the whole thing was down a half step as well, but it was mostly in tune with itself.” A state of imperfect harmony that other battered and past-their-prime instruments will undoubtedly find relatable.
He was able to record the sort of sounds you’d expect to hear from a piano, but he also used a few outlandish methods to extract various weird and wonderful tones, tunes and twangs.
In the video below, you can see and hear a few examples: a cue ball rolling along the piano strings; a vibrator (yes, a vibrator) placed on the strings; bowing the strings with fishing line; and the dramatic sound created by cutting the strings:
[previewyoutube="GGbudZuf0BI;full"] Other methods of noise making included hitting the strings, piano body, and soundboard with a hammer; using a heavy-duty staple gun to fire staples into the sides of the piano (a technique which produced “very quick transients and left more tail”); and resting a snare on top of the frame (this “added a great sound to the percussive hits as well as some of the music bed pads that had been created using the vibrator and bowing”).
To give you a taste of how Johnny’s adventures in piano experimentation will be woven into Unto The End’s soundtrack, listen to the ‘Cave Exit’ track in the video below. All the ambient sounds and percussion – i.e. everything you can hear that isn’t the vocalist, a violin, or a bass – were created using the piano. For example, the cue ball rolling along the strings is the opening sound.
(Note: footage is taken from the EGX demo, and not the final game)
[previewyoutube="8F62kex8X_w;full"] After its outstanding services to sound design, where’s the old piano now? “That particular piano has gone to piano heaven,” Johnny explains. “If I had more time I would’ve cut away all the wood and kept the frame, but I was too down to the wire. I had people come haul its remnants away the day before I myself was completely moved out of that house. It’s okay though, I still have two more pianos… but there’s no way I’m destroying those, ha-ha!”
We salute the old piano (RIP) and give massive thanks to Johnny for his ongoing work in composing the perfect soundtrack for Unto The End.
Hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes look at some of the work that's going into making Unto The End. If you like what you see (and hear), feel free to add us to your Wishlist.
Sara and I just wrapped up EGX. We had a fantastic time, met some great people and got to play lots of amazing games.
Huge thanks to everyone that came by our booth and gave Unto The End a go. A special thanks to those that stopped for a chat -- getting to meet you guys was the highlight of the event.
And of course, a huge thanks to all the journalists that stopped by and took the time to chat with us and write nice things about Unto The End. There are so many brilliant games coming these days it really means a lot that you'd set aside time for Unto The End.
Comments that made our month :)
"Yeah, this was my favourite game at EGX - the combat is so meaty and robust, despite featuring these small figures. And the sound design really draws you in." - Rock Paper Shotgun
"Unto The End sounds great and plays even better" - Eurogamer
"A lot of games have tried to replicate the magic of the Soul’s games on a 2D plane but Unto The End might be the game that ‘gets’ it the most." - Finger Guns
"I honestly don’t think I’ve ever played a 2D adventure game with such an involved combat mechanic before, but it works spectacularly well." - Nintendo Village
"I was instantly reminded of classic cinematic platformers such as Another World and Prince of Persia, but there’s clearly more depth here. There’s a nuanced combat system that sees you ducking and diving out the way of your assailants and a crafting ability that goes beyond the typical health potions." - Indie Game Website
"Unto The End was hands down my game of the show. Another World and Inside are some of my favourite games of all time, you’ve really managed to channel some of the best aspects of those games in Unto." - Redway Games
"... it was incredible to see how a 2D single plane title can have such impressively diverse combat… Unto The End was one of my favourite games of the show and I’m so excited to see one coming to Switch next year." - Nindie Nexus
New trailer
We cut a new trailer! Lots of new gameplay, environments, and story telling bits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kweNfZcEwdc
Coverage roundup
Eurogamer - Favourite games of EGX https://twitter.com/eurogamer/status/1186286472929972225?s=12
Eurogamer - Unto The End preview https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-10-20-unto-the-end-come-for-the-great-sound-design-stay-for-the-interesting-combat
"The very first thing that drew me to Unto the End was the sound design. Watching the trailer when I saw the news it'd be EGX, I was quite excited to get my hands on what seemed to be a fairly simple hack and slash with great audio, and a decent story to go along with it. What I actually got was a challenging 2D adventure with a more complex combat system and interesting environments to traverse - and of course the aforementioned excellent sound design."
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Rock Paper Shotgun - Bestest games of EGX https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/10/21/the-bestest-games-of-egx-2019/
"I also loved loved loved 2D action adventure game Unto The End [official site] by 2Ton Studios as well. I died loads, but its gritty, meaty combat had a lovely sense of heft to it, and its sound design was super atmospheric as well. Your health meter is also determined by how much blood you’ve got on your beard, which is just genius."
Mathew Castle of Rock Paper Shotgun - Favourite game of EGX https://twitter.com/mrbasil_pesto/status/1185949123473805314
"Yeah, this was my favourite game at EGX - the combat is so meaty and robust, despite featuring these small figures. And the sound design really draws you in. Great stuff @2TonStudios"
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Indie Game Website https://www.indiegamewebsite.com/2019/10/21/unto-the-end-is-a-gorgeous-and-gory-combat-adventure/
"I had a chance to go hands-on with Unto The End by 2 Ton Studios at EGX 2019 and was enchanted by its simple yet stark art style and smooth, responsive combat. As soon as I picked it up I was instantly reminded of classic cinematic platformers such as Another World and Prince of Persia, but there’s clearly more depth here. There’s a nuanced combat system that sees you ducking and diving out the way of your assailants and a crafting ability that goes beyond the typical health potions."
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Olly Writes - 10 Great Games from the Show Floor https://www.ollywrites.co.uk/2019/10/egx-2019.html
“If you did a side-scroller viking interpretation of For Honor, you'd get Unto the End. Explore a world of harsh terrain and hostile enemies, you play as a survivalist father trying to get home to his family. Along the way, you'll battle with intelligent foes who attack with skill and precision. Pay attention to the visual cues of the combat system to best them, as each encounter feels memorable and rewarding once you do. I feel like this one is going to bang when it releases.”
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NME - The 10 best indie games of EGX https://www.nme.com/features/indie-games-egx-2019-2560167-2560167
"Details of plot are sketchy – you’re a father looking for his missing family; not a warrior, but no wimp either – but what really impressed us was just how innovative the enemies you meet are, how each new creature or combatant had their own intuitive fighting style, and how sometimes the best way to travail an obstacle in your path isn’t to fight at all."
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Get Indie Gaming - Top 20 Best Indie Game Hidden Gems of EGX 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TbwTXCXAFQ&feature=youtu.be&t=582
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Nintendo Village - The Best Nindies at EGX 2019 https://www.thenintendovillage.com/articles/2019/10/25/the-best-nindies-at-egx-2019
"Outside of Luigi’s Mansion 3, this was arguably my favourite game I played at EGX this year. A 2D action adventure developed by a husband and wife team (by the name of 2Ton Studios) built around a unique combat mechanic.
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever played a 2D adventure game with such an involved combat mechanic before, but it works spectacularly well. Whisper it, but there’s definitely a Dark Souls-esque vibe to it, albeit on a flatter plane."
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Green Man Gaming - EGX Indie Game Highlights https://www.greenmangaming.com/blog/egx-indie-game-highlights/
“The fairly short but sweet demo had players traversing a dark cave system avoiding hazards such as falling boulders. Then venturing above ground across a snow-covered forest. Where enemies waited to ambush you. The combat was challenging but not overwhelming.
What was a surprise to me was that combat isn’t your only option when encountering strange creatures. In some instances, you are able to resolve things peacefully which could benefit you when trading items, or for encounters later on.
Unto the End is a really interesting title, with a unique style, engaging combat and an interesting world to get immersed in.”
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Finger Guns - EGX 2019 – 17 of the Best Indie Games From The Show Floor http://fingerguns.net/features/2019/10/22/egx-2019-15-of-the-best-indie-games-from-the-show-floor/
“A lot of games have tried to replicate the magic of the Soul’s games on a 2D plane but Unto The End might be the game that ‘gets’ it the most. The demo I played demonstrated a nuanced and complex fight system about high and low attacks and blocks as well as reading your enemy to ensure you’re not just getting torn to pieces – and it will happen. A fresh and clean art style brings all this to life in a truly appealing way. Sold.”
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Factor New - EGX Highlights https://www.factornews.com/preview/egx-2019-premiers-restes-du-salon-page-1-45860.html
“Plateformer 2D cinématique minimaliste dans lequel on joue un genre de viking dans un monde peuplé de monstres. Plusieurs manières de résoudre les rencontres avec des ennemis : utiliser le friendly fire à son avantage, converser avec eux, leur faire des offrandes ou avec la manière forte via les combats assez tactiques basés sur des postures/gardes hautes et basses. Les développeurs nous ont assuré que l'IA réagit au héros mais aussi aux autres créatures du monde. Phase de polish en cours, pas encore de date de sortie.”
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Redway Games - Unto The End interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8BTEf3yU7w&feature=youtu.be
“Unto The End was hands down my game of the show. Another World and Inside are some of my favourite games of all time, you’ve really managed to channel some of the best aspects of those games in yours.”
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Nindie Nexus - Best Nindis @ EGX 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8olzKJKNm4&feature=youtu.be
“... it was incredible to see how a 2D single plane title can have such impressively diverse combat… Unto The End was one of my favourite games of the show and I’m so excited to see one coming to Switch next year."
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Square XO - Best Indies of EGX 2019 https://www.squarexo.co.uk/egx-2019-our-indie-picks-part-one/
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(Podcast) The Xbox Hub - EGX 2019 https://www.thexboxhub.com/thexboxhub-official-podcast-episode-7-egx-2019-featuring-special-effect-cyberpunk-2077-pacer-beyond-blue-aaero-2-zombie-army-4-and-more/
“Unto The End… Top 3 games of the show”
(Podcast) Making Games is Fun - EGX 2019 special http://www.garethdutton.com/mgif/2019/10/21/mgif-egx-special
Thanks again to everyone for supporting us and helping spread the word about Unto The End. If you like what you see, feel free to add it to your Wishlist – it helps immensely come launch day and we appreciate the support.
Watch the new trailer, and – if you're going to EGX – come play Unto The End!
We're delighted to say the new trailer we've been working on is wrapped and ready for viewing! Please go ahead, hit the play button and give it a watch:
[previewyoutube="kweNfZcEwdc;full"]
Really hope you like it. We think it gives a good impression of the kind of challenges you'll face when playing as the father as he tries to get back to his family, who you can see sitting around the fire with him at the start of the trailer.
And we've got other exciting news – Unto The End is going to be on the showfloor at EGX in London this week (17-20 Oct), and we'll be there for the duration. So if you're going to EGX, stop by the booth – we're at RZ9 – give the demo a try. We'd love to see you. It will be the first time Unto has been publicly playable anywhere, so you'll be among the first people to ever play it!
As always, if you like the look of Unto The End, feel free to add it to your Wishlist – it helps immensely come launch day and we appreciate the support.
Hey everyone. We're currently putting the finishing touches to a new trailer that we're working on. We're happy with how it's coming together and it should be finished very soon. In the meantime, we wanted to share with you a couple of the scenes that will feature – the father traversing through caverns on some particularly precarious ground, and an encounter with two woad in a winter forest:
If you like the look of Unto The End, please do add it to your Wishlist – it really helps and we appreciate the support.
Here's a vista vignette we wanted to share. As the sun rises on the horizon, the father enjoys a moment of respite as he surveys the journey ahead of him.
Because we want Unto The End to be a richly skill-focused experience, it won’t feature systems such as levelling-up or XP. We want players to improve by mastering the moves that will be at their disposal from the outset of the journey. In addition to combat mastery, players will also need to be adept at observing what's happening on-screen. For example, we have no fixed HUD, and that means no health bar/meter, so players will need to be aware of the father's condition by reading his appearance.
With that in mind, it’s vital we make the father’s condition easy to read and interpret, so players can tell if he’s in perfect shape, or on the verge of dropping dead. At present, these are how the father’s four main states are shown:
Normal/Healthy Nothing to worry about here. A nice and springy idle animation shows the father is at full health.
Injured As well as a more stooping stance, you can see the father's breathing is laboured. In-game, the laboured breathing would be further emphasised by visible breath, and blood on his garb would be visible.
This is how it looks in-game:
Bleeding The father dropping to one knee indicates a more serious state than being simply injured, and the player needs to use either a herb or salve to improve the father's condition. If no herb or salve is administered within a certain time, the father will die, which is the fourth state.
Dead When you see this animation, it's too late. Time to restart from the last checkpoint and go again.
Thanks for checking out this post – we'll have more to share with you soon. If you haven't already, please use the widget below and add Unto to your Wishlist. We really appreciate your support!
Animating the enemy – watch this timelapse of how it's done
Here's a look at an attack animation of one of Unto's woad enemies. This particular woad is armed with a quarterstaff and in the time-lapse below we're animating a two-handed overhead attack for it:
Obviously the process has been massively speeded up, but in real-time what you see in that clip is about an hour of work.
Here's the final attack animation running at about 25% normal speed, just to better show the individual frames it's composed of:
And here it is running at normal speed i.e. how it appears in the game:
As an example of how woad attack animations look in action, here's a scenario from the game where the father finds himself going up against two of them.
You can see the quarterstaff woad isn't actually involved in this particular skirmish – we want enemies in Unto to feel unique/individual, even if they are the same type of creature. So different woad wear different garb or have different markings, and wield different weapons.
It means more work – the three different woad here all need animations that are unique to them, for example – but this 'handcrafted' approach is really fundamental to the final experience we want to create for players.
Mastering the father's skillset will be key to survival
Player skill is something we want to put at the centre of Unto The End, and mastering the father's moveset will be key to overcoming and surviving the challenges he encounters on his journey.
In the scenario above, for example, the father finds himself flanked by two aggressive krilt. In an encounter such as this, you'll have to read the enemy moves and react accordingly to block incoming blows, attack when a suitable opening presents itself, and employ any tricks you can to manage the space and keep the foes at a safe distance.
In the situation shown below, the father finds himself in a different fight dynamic. A cave-dwelling woad has grabbed the father's sword and is using it against him. The advantage here is with the enemy, but a few agile dodges and one disarming shoulder barge later and the weapon is back with its rightful owner (who then wastes no time slaying his stunned opponent).
These are just two scenarios that demonstrate how players will have to change tact and adapt quickly to different situations, and how mastery of the father's moveset – the entirety of which is available from the get-go – will be critical to achieving that.
