Seeds & Gameplay Mechanics

The main gameplay mechanic we're planning on focusing on is that of "Seeds". Wilderbrook is an action/platformer at its core, but we want to introduce an unusual style of gameplay. Throughout the game world, Ly will be able to find different colored seeds, which he can collect. These seeds can then be either eaten, planted, or mixed together to make new seeds. Ly can attack by punching, but it is very weak initially. Seeds are his main method of surviving in the world.



Eating seeds generally gives Ly an internal benefit (like additional attack power or a health increase). Planting a seed in the ground below generally causes a magical effect to occur. This effect could be a defensive barrier, an explosive boulder launching from the ground, or any number of other effects.



Seeds can be assigned to the X and Y buttons, which act as "quick slots" a la the Legend of Zelda. This way, you can easily pick your favorite seeds and use them at will, without having to pause the game.

Seeds can be planted by simply pressing the X or Y button. Ly will throw the seed in front of him, and the effect will occur where the seed lands. Holding the L Trigger while you use the seed will cause Ly to eat it.



We have most of the seeds finalized so far. Here's a little sneak peek of a very basic seed and a more complex one:

Vitaseed (Green)
Eat Effect: Instantly recover 10% health.
Plant Effect: A recovery plant sprouts from the ground. Standing near this plant speeds your health recovery, granting you 30% of your total health over 10 seconds.

Zenseed (Purple + Brown)
Eat Effect: You are completely immobilized, but protected from all attacks, for 5 seconds.
Plant Effect: An Altar of Strength rumbles forth from the ground. 50% of any damage you take is transferred to the Altar until it shatters.

There are 15 seeds in total, and they come in five colors: Green, Blue, Purple, Brown, and Silver -- and then the various mixtures of each. Silver seeds are special and cannot be mixed. Instead, they provide other, more unique benefits...



Next post, we'll discuss some of Wilderbrook's early pre-development; we want to show you the changes we've made to this formula along the way, and get your opinions on how you think we've done!

Introducing: Ly (again?!)

One primary theme in Wilderbrook is "coming of age". And throughout the game, we plan to show you just that -- Ly's coming of age. We want you to experience it firsthand right alongside the main character, and maybe even remember some of your very own journey through the earliest stages of your own life.

Ly is a member of a special race called the Tietoa (roughly translating to "information" or "knowledge" in Finnish). Their name suits them: at their eldest state, they are the great bearers of all the world's knowledge.

Click to view a larger image.

However, they don't start out as all-knowing, towering creatures. Instead, they are born from small fruits planted in the ground. These fruits grow up into the Ti, which are very small, furry creatures like in our last post. Each of them is tasked with a special quest that is at first unknown to them. As they discover the many facets of the world around them, they eventually grow into the Ei, much like a human grows into a teenager.

The Ei are much taller, stronger and more nimble than the Ti. Consequently, and much like a human teenager, they are also more emotional.

The Tietoa have poor eyesight. They often operate on an immensely-powerful internal instinct.


Stay tuned for our next post, where we'll touch on many of Wilderbrook's gameplay mechanics!

Introducing: Ly

These are some of the very early concepts for Wilderbrook's main character, Ly. Wilderbrook focuses on Ly's journey through life, particularly through his incredible coming of age. Through the game, players will witness Ly growing stronger, more knowledgeable, and even older as they help him conquer his many daunting trials.

Click to view a slightly larger version of the image.

The first post!

This blog has two goals: first of all, we want to give you, the player, some insight into the development process of Wilderbrook, and secondly, we want to know what you think of the project as it goes through its creation. We'll be posting things like concept art, screenshots, and eventually things like trailers and gameplay demos. Be sure to check back in for new footage of the game!

See you around!