Abstract
- Oaken is a model new turn-based tactical roguelike coming to Xbox consoles.
- Oaken takes place in a mystical world impressed by Celtic and tribal legends.
- Oaken’s battles happen on a hexagonal grid and are extremely tactical.
All of it begins with a tree. Oaken’s story revolves across the Nice Oak and its spirits: the Girl, a clueless, but fairly courageous little sprout – alongside together with her awakening into this whimsical world, she inherits a quest to carry again the Oaksong – a spell which has saved the inhabitants of the Oak peaceable for numerous cycles; Kidu, a fierce and unpredictable fireplace Spirit, who has his very personal concepts on find out how to take care of all of this mess; and the Pathfinder – a mysterious mentor, who helps them attain their vacation spot together with many different spirit Guides found in the course of the journey.
In most tactical roguelikes and card battlers, the battle pits “your aspect” versus the “enemy aspect”. In Oaken, battles are targeted in your hero character who participates within the battle. Heros can summon spirits and use spells and trinkets. And you’ll after all lose the sport in case your hero is defeated. The so-called line of sight and “motion areas” are calculated from the place of your hero. There are occasions and dialogues directed at them, and on the finish of the day it’s as much as the Girl and Kidu to resolve the battle of the story in their very own methods!
Artwork-wise, the group over at Laki Studios had enjoyable arising with these loopy and cute Spirits inhabiting the Oak. A whole lot of celtic and slavic folklore served as a base for the designs and the lore of Oaken. That being stated, additionally they wished to twist that base in a enjoyable, whimsical path. Video games like Rayman or Ultimate Fantasy have been additionally huge inspirations. The builders wished the design to be lovely whereas remaining very mysterious and form of historical at their core.
As for the mechanics, the Laki Studios crew are self-professed huge board-game followers they usually received plenty of inspiration from bodily video games, certainly one of their favorites being Neuroshima Hex . That sport gave us the preliminary push to try to experiment with rotating models on a hexagonal grid. They then tried to make use of probably the most enjoyable elements of card video games like Hearthstone and Faeria, blended with the good roguelite and tactical elements of Into the Breach. So you’ll be able to clearly say that Oaken was created by mixing tons of various components!
Talking of mechanics, each unit in Oaken has a “entrance” and “again”, and may rotate in certainly one of six hexagonal instructions. Relying on their place and rotation, they will use a number of talents, backstabs, dodges, fees – there’s loads of placement, motion and assault actions to outsmart your enemy. Don’t get fooled by the lovable artwork model although! Oaken is a tricky tactical sport even on normal issue. We’re fairly assured than battle examined gamers will discover the upper issue ranges to be fairly difficult!
That being stated, the builders additionally wished to ensure that Oaken just isn’t overly complicated on the primary playthrough whereas additionally being exhausting sufficient for demanding gamers! They launched a system known as Skills and Masteries that enables gamers to steadily enhance the issue as they make progress into the sport. And as a technique to additionally help gamers who’re primarily right here for the story and are purely into relaxed gameplay, additionally they added a Relaxed mode.
We’re nicely conscious that there are numerous Tactical and roguelikes on the market. Oaken locations a better emphasis on positioning and particularly rotation because the group discovered that to be one thing underutilized within the style. Laki Studios additionally labored very exhausting on Oaken’s character design. Each spirit within the sport went by means of an in depth strategy of design, from a number of idea arts to polished illustrations. Additionally they paid particular care to the sport’s world constructing. It’s coherent and logical and has been in improvement for years. Oaken’s story concerning the cute spirits has precise that means. However to be taught extra about that, gamers must get the sport!
Ported to Xbox consoles by Pink Artwork Studios, Oaken is coming to Xbox Collection X|S and Xbox One on July 20. Pre-order Oaken on the Microsoft Retailer and get 20% off its full value.
