The developers of Achilles: Legends Untold have given us the opportunity to have an interview with them. Here, they share more details about what makes their game unique, as well as the challenges that come with making a mix of ARPG and “souls-like”.
Achilles: Legends Untold Developer Interview: Souls-like Inspirations, Enemies, Combat and More
Developer Dark Point Games took the opportunity to talk to us about their upcoming action RPG,Achilles: Legends Untold. The game is being touted as souls-like but with a twist. Aside from the perspective shift to top-down, Achilles takes pride in its detailed world and innovative AI subsystems. The title recently had its closed/open beta, meaning players got to have a taste of what the Greek set souls-like had to offer.
Players take upon the mantle of Achilles, the hero of legend. Dark Point Games feels like this notable figure would be the perfect icon to follow in a high-action adventure game.
This is our version of the story about this conflict, it’s inspired by and loosely based on the original stories.
The developers are making this their game, and their story to tell. People who have already invested in Greek Mythology are definitely familiar with Achilles as there are already many stories about him. This time around, Dark Point is creating its own storylines inspired and loosely based on the classics. Hence, the “Legends Untold” subheader in the game’s title.
We will be taken around ancient Greece all throughout our adventures as Achilles. In the open beta, players were able to access the prologue level, which only consisted of Troy. During the full release, players will be able to explore the major parts of Greece, which is said to be 15 times bigger than Troy. The game will also be open-world, allowing players to choose where to go. It will be nice to have the option to go on a series of adventures at one’s own pace and take time to explore.
Players will be able to move freely around the world or follow the path that the story sets them on.
While the game does focus on the combat side of things, there are options within the game to decide what happens next, ultimately letting the players decide the fate of certain characters. While this is only partially implemented in the beta, the full game promises to include “severe consequences in where the story takes you”.
Fighting as Achilles
The Souls-like Inspirations
When building their game, Dark Point didn’t set out to be based on Greek Mythology. They were adamant about creating a fresh and unique take on the souls-like genre without directly copying it. The result is rather good, as they were able to build a game with methodical, tactical combat thatDark Soulsis known for and mix it with a fresh isometric perspective.
The isometric view makes a lot of players assume that our gameplay is similar to Diablo, but after facing the very first enemy in the game it quickly becomes clear you aren’t going to hack & slash your way through the game!
Combat is going to be slower than most hack-and-slash games. This means that Achilles won’t be slaying hundreds of monsters in one fell swoop like in theWarriors game series. Instead, fights will be more tense and tactical. However, the gameplay’s pace will actually be a bit faster than that in Dark Souls.
Skill based combat and challenge that player has to face. Instead mashing buttons we give players a chance to play tactically. Find enemies' weakness and learn how to use it to their advantage. That is why even weak enemies can get under your skin at first. Some enemies might seem undefeatable at first, but with practice you’ll overcome all of these challenges.
As for bosses expect a few tricks up Dark Point’s sleeve, as they tease that there will be a “few surprises” when it comes to these challenging foes.
…let’s just say there are still plenty of enemies hiding in the shadows!
The GAIA AI Systems
Powering the combat encounters will be the team’s innovative GAIA system. This system is an addition to the AI already placed in-game. Each and every enemy is its own entity, and can decide already for itself. However, GAIA will sometimes take over and compel multiple enemies to work together against the player.
Players can expect group actions of 2 or more enemies. Sometimes they will also use the environment to go after the player. GAIA actions are meant to be game changers, but also will look how player is handling those action and try to fit it into players difficulty level.
This will mean that the enemies will work in new ways. They can sometimes use the environment to go after the player. As seen in some early gameplay trailers, GAIA is responsible for when enemies make use of special synchronized attacks. It won’t be totally punishing, though. GAIA will also observe how the player reacts to these game-changers and adjust itself accordingly.
It’s All in the Perspective
Speaking of perspective, Dark Point Games will be using this during some specific set pieces. They will be changing the players’ viewpoint to be able to emphasise the size and grandeur of some of the action.
Since the camera is isometric, the team will be able to show off how much their GAIA AI system enhances encounters. This choice was finalized early on within pre-production. Since the camera is floating above, and not behind the player, you can see how enemies sync and perform special attacks together. This would be a bit more difficult to convey in a third-person perspective.
Achilles’ Heel
Options for Mass Destruction
Since Achilles is already a defined warrior in Greek Mythology, there won’t be any class divisions like in other isometric RPGs. However, players will still be able to choose skills and which areas to focus on. For example, there will be some skills that allow Achilles to perform a blink or teleport attack. This allows him to get behind his foes and past any troublesome phalanx formations your enemies might cook up.
Achilles will focus on getting up close and personal with his enemies. Melee combat is king and the primary focus in the game. That won’t mean that our hero won’t have ranged options, however.
In lieu of typical bows and arrows, Achilles will be able to hurl his shield at enemies. It will then fly back to him, just like God of War’s Leviathan Axe. You’ll also be able to throw items such as firebombs at your foes.
Stealth will also be present in the game but to a lesser degree. Dark Point Games has some ideas in mind for a unique stealth attack skill, there will be some additional ideas for this mechanic, but the developer describes the skill as medium-range sneak attack.
Customizing Achilles
Aside from skills, of course, you will be able to don our hero with different kinds of equipment. They are shying away from using individual armour pieces. Instead, the developers say that all armours will come in sets. This is being done to ensure that Achilles will always look amazing. No more mismatched boots and glaring colours that don’t look right!
We will be a bit freer in the choice of weapons, however. Players will be able to mix and match between different types of weapons, shields and will also have the option to dual-wield.
All items in the game will be hand-crafted. This means that, aside from the visuals, all stats and effects will be set by the developers themselves. There will be no randomly generated items. Each of these will come in varying degrees of rarity, ranging from Common, Rare, Unique and Mythical. Weapons can also be upgraded when the player meets the legendary blacksmith, Hephaestus.
The Family that Slays Together Stays Together
Achilles: Legends Untold will also have multiplayer. While the game is in Early Access, the team will be focusing on its online co-op aspect. They will then explore other avenues, like couch co-op later on.
Currently, two players can adventure together in Mythological Greece. There is a dedicated mode for co-op that puts adventurers through a gauntlet of randomly generated dungeons in order to test their mettle. There isn’t any campaign co-op at the moment, but it is something that the developers would want to explore later on.
Along with the premiere of EA, there will be a dedicated mode for co-op. The co-op will put players through trials in randomly generated dungeons to test their skills. This way players won’t interfere on each other’s progress in the campaign. However, we are hoping to explore campaign co-op in the future
The Open Beta and Moving Forward
The team at Dark Point Games has been very happy with all the feedback gathered from theOpen Beta. It has been “nerve-wracking” but is overall happy with what they’ve been hearing so far. They will be sorting through all the player feedback and then attempt to show off as many unique things as they can before launch. They share that the feedback from players has been “invaluable” especially when it comes to difficulty and combat.
Be sure to follow us for more news and updates for Achilles: Legends Untold!
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