Alta, the creative minds behind A Township Tale (2021), are generating excitement with glimpses of their upcoming project, REAVE. This intriguing dungeon-crawler is still taking shape, but the developers have shared fresh insights into its gameplay systems, along with peeks at a new dungeon and its lurking adversaries.
In their most recent development update, the team unveiled substantial upgrades including expansive environments—the most notable being an area called ‘The Fallen Bastion.’ This gigantic room is a mix of open and cramped spaces; it’s designed for strategic gameplay, whether you’re setting up player ambushes or evading enemies, according to lead environment artist Sean Ellis.
Centrally positioned in The Fallen Bastion is a mystical pedestal where players can initiate boss fights. For now, a giant spider stands in as the test boss, giving the developers a sense of the boss battle dynamics while they’re crafting a more distinct foe.
“Don’t fret, this spider is only temporary,” the team assured fans. “It’s helping us fine-tune the mechanics for a real boss encounter we’ll be rolling out later.”
As for the game’s evolving landscape, many of the previously shown areas are undergoing significant tweaks and might even be replaced as development progresses. The studio’s commitment to refining the experience is evident in their attention to detail.
On top of that, a new enemy type set to replace the placeholder skeletons is also on the horizon. This new model will offer varying challenges, influenced by the armaments they wield and armor they don.
Crucial to the game’s mechanics is an in-world currency called ‘Echoes’ (though this name might change). Players collect these Echoes in a vessel that accumulates as they progress. By defeating foes or exploring, players can gather Echoes, which are vital for opening loot rooms and leaving dungeons to sell treasures back in safe zones.
For those eager to experience REAVE early, there’s an opportunity to join its development journey by becoming a tester. By joining the game’s Discord community, enthusiasts might secure one of the limited testing slots available. There’s no official release date yet, but the game is being developed for the Quest 2 and above, as well as PC VR headsets.
