Shadow of the Road News

We are thrilled to once again connect with you and share the exciting developments happening at our studio. Lately, our plate has been full, both in terms of growing the studio and continuously refining the game itself.

We've been hard at work, polishing and incorporating new ideas to enhance gameplay and provide a deeper, more enjoyable experience.

[h2]Diving into the depths…[/h2]

Environment is one of the aspects that we continually improve. Our goal is to ensure that each level immerses players profoundly. To achieve this, we're diligently working on diversifying the levels on multiple fronts, and we want to make sure that in the vast world of Shadow of the Road, you'll traverse different landscapes.



You might be journeying through frozen realms where every breath freezes, and the next moment, you can find yourself in the vicinity of an active volcano, where the temperature becomes just one of the many formidable adversaries.

[h2]That’s not all…[/h2]

Of course, our adventures won't be happening solely under the open sky. Prepare to explore enclosed locations – sometimes inspired by Japanese culture, other times deeply rooted in steampunk aesthetics, and occasionally shaped predominantly by nature.



It’s one of our ways to combat monotony and boredom. We want players to feel a constant sense of discovery, preventing the notion of going in circles. Be prepared for surprises hidden in the details, as we aim to deliver fresh experiences and encourage players to immerse themselves in this captivating world.

[h2]Become a samurai! [/h2]

For those eager to stay up-to-date, we warmly invite you to follow us on social media and join our Discord server. It's where information surfaces first, and it's the hub for direct interaction with the community as we collaboratively shape the world of Shadow of the Road.



Once again, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for supporting the game's development, maintaining a continuous interest in its production, and adding it to your wishlists. Your enthusiasm fuels our passion, and we're excited to continue this journey together.

Thank you for being a part of Shadow of the Road!

Cheers
Another Angle Games

Follow Shadow of the Road:
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https://store.steampowered.com/app/1173980/Shadow_of_the_Road/

It's been a while since we last connected, but rest assured, our silence has been filled with the bustling excitement of the holiday season and intense dedication to making Shadow of the Road the best game it can be.

We're thrilled to see your ongoing interest and are eager to share the fruits of our recent labors!

[h2]Volcano[/h2]

Let's dive into what we've been working on lately - the Volcano. This fiery environment offers a stark contrast to the frosty landscapes we showcased previously. As you might expect, it's a level teeming with danger, yet irresistibly captivating. Every step must be calculated, and only the strongest samurai will survive there!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h2]Relax and contemplate… [/h2]

But fear not, Shadow of the Road isn't all peril and flames. We've also crafted spaces of serenity and peace. Here, time slows down, offering moments for contemplation, haiku writing, and training. Take a glimpse at one such relaxing spot in the footage below.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

What do you think? Do you prefer a darker ambiance or a more serene setting? Don't worry, we've got both covered in the game!

[h2]Knock, knock![/h2]

Focusing next on our interaction system, we've been fine-tuning this aspect extensively to enhance the game's realism and depth. Each interaction with the environment is designed to enrich your immersion. Check out how we've been experimenting with door interactions!

Let us know what you think and which option works best!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h2]We’re on TikTok! [/h2]

As a reminder, we've been active on TikTok, bringing you exclusive content from Shadow of the Road. Our posts range from serious to comical - which, surprisingly, fits perfectly with the game's vibe. We invite you to visit us there - you might find yourself lingering longer than expected! ;)

Join us!

[h2]In the end…[/h2]

We want to express our gratitude for your support, feedback, and contributions to the game's development direction. To further involve you in the production process, we encourage you to join our Discord channel.

Your responses to our questions can significantly influence Shadow of the Road's development. Come and be a part of our journey!



Warm regards
Another Angle Games

Follow Shadow of the Road:
📍 Facebook
📍 Twitter
📍 Instagram

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1173980/Shadow_of_the_Road/

We are thrilled to invite you to our Discord server, where you can connect with fellow warriors and stay updated on the development of Shadow of the Road – our game that promises an immersive story which will change the fate of the Empire.

[h2]Why should you join?[/h2]

⚔ Engage with a dynamic community of like-minded gamers;
⚔ Partake in thrilling events and get a chance to participate in upcoming beta tests;
⚔ Gain access to exclusive announcements, sneak peeks, and updates;
⚔ Influence the development of Shadow of the Road!

[h2]Choose the direction! [/h2]

Recently, we've opened a new channel on our server where you, Samurai, can participate in game-related polls. Your responses will have a significant impact on the final outcome that will be revealed during the Shadow of the Road release. Your vote matters!

[h2]How to become a part of our clan? [/h2]

It's as straightforward as the way of the sword! Simply follow this link to enter our server! Click the image below!



Let's enhance Shadow of the Road together!

Until we meet again
Another Angle Games

Follow Shadow of the Road:
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📍 Instagram

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1173980/Shadow_of_the_Road/

We're back with another exciting peek into the world of Shadow of the Road! As always, we're thrilled to have you on this journey with us, and we've got some great updates to share that we believe will make your wait for the game more enjoyable.

Today, we'd like to discuss the three primary aspects we are currently focusing on. Let's dive into the first one!

[h2]Combat Animations[/h2]

As you've probably noticed, we've been hard at work improving the finer details of our combat system. They may seem like small things, but they have a significant impact on the outcome.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

The newest animations will add a new layer of immersion to the game, making combat feel more fluid and responsive. It's still a proof of concept, but there's a high likelihood that it will find its way into the game. Visual effects are impressive, right?

[h2]Verticality[/h2]

What’s more, we’re enhancing verticality in combat! We’ve got some exciting ideas in the pipeline, including the ability to throw enemies at one another and more intricate environmental hazards. Imagine being able to use the surroundings to your advantage, like shoving an opponent onto a barricade or impaling them on spikes!

The possibilities are endless, and we can't wait for you to explore them. Just take a look at the WIP version of this feature! Looks painful…

[previewyoutube]Wideo #2 - Zepchnięcie na beczki[/previewyoutube]

[h2]Let it snow, let it snow…[/h2]

And here's a little treat for you, gamers. We're crafting the next landscape in our game and we're eager to show you a few screenshots to whet your appetite. The winter holidays are approaching quickly, so we already have snow on our minds.



We haven't shown much of the winter environment yet, so this could be your first peek at the frosty challenges that you can expect. We've got some stunning visuals in store, and we can't wait for you to dive into this world.



[h2]That's it for today![/h2]

Our goal is simple - we want to make this game an unforgettable experience, and we're thrilled to have you along for the ride. Keep an eye out for future devlogs and, as always, feel free to share your thoughts and feedback with us.

Your input is invaluable in shaping the game into something truly special. And if you want to stay up-to-date with everything and actively participate in the creation process, join our Discord server!



Thank you for your unwavering support! Stay tuned for more exciting updates on Shadow of the Road…

Cheers
Another Angle Games

Follow Shadow of the Road:
📍 Facebook
📍 Twitter
📍 Instagram

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1173980/Shadow_of_the_Road/

Recently, we treated you to an interview with our sound magician, and today we're bringing you a devlog straight from the heart of our game development process!

Have you ever heard of an initiative system? It's an incredibly vital component in many turn-based RPGs! And the situation is no different in Shadow of the Road, where it plays a fundamental role. In simple words - its primary task is to determine the order in which characters get to make their moves.

Let us share a bit of the history of how this system has evolved in our game…

[h2]In the past…[/h2]

At first, we had a very “XCOM-like” approach where players could make moves with all characters in any order (and multiple times within their turn, using available action/movement points). In other words, the player would switch between characters, take actions, end their turn, and after that the game would switch to AI which would act similarly.



We showcased this combat system at PAX in 2020. And while it served its purpose, we felt that our game needed something more… Something deeper! We needed a system that would allow players to anticipate enemy moves, analyze situations, and have full influence on what is happening on the battlefield!

[h2]So now! [/h2]

The current iteration of the system draws its inspiration from samurai battles, where it's crucial to observe everything and make decisions that significantly impact the course of the clash.

The core of this mechanic revolves around character initiative.

All characters participating in the battle are sorted based on their initiative values and the one with the highest value starts the whole action. Default initiative values are predefined, but can change as the game develops. Several factors influence the status, such as an initiative penalty for taking damage and side effects.



By introducing this system, we were able to incorporate more combat mechanics that enhance its depth.

The main innovation here is delayed attacks!

These attacks are more effective, but carry a risk of failure. A delayed attack is carried out as a new element on the timeline. So the character initiating it cannot move and automatically ends their turn. If they are attacked before executing the attack, it will be interrupted.

This system also operates in rounds, with each unit making one move per round.

[h2]Unfortunately… [/h2]

Introduced changes also have some drawbacks that make this solution less than perfect. Notable issues include:

⚔️ Delaying attacks by a fixed value can lead to situations where nobody on the battlefield can counter or interrupt them. We attempted to solve this by delaying attacks based on factors like the number of characters, but this fix won’t be good enough.

⚔️ Time axis shifts are inconsistent. We couldn't find a solution that would allow us to predictably and fairly move a unit, for example, to the next round. A character that received a high amount of damage would end up at the end of the queue in a given round.

⚔️ The chance of having a negative initiative value. After receiving a sufficient amount of damage, a unit might have a negative initiative value, which isn't considered a valid value. While we could theoretically try to soften this effect by increasing base values, it wouldn't eliminate the entire problem.

But guess what…? These issues prompted us to work on another version of the system!

[h2]What the future holds…[/h2]

Treat this like a small sneak peek, but…

In previous systems, the gameplay was divided into rounds in which action points and character movement reset at the beginning of each subsequent turn. The new system will have an additional dimension, and we will be abandoning the concept of rounds. However, we don't intend to reveal too much just yet, as there's more to come.

Rest assured, everything is continuously evolving!

[h2]Stay tuned![/h2]

To stay in the loop regarding our progress, come join our Discord community! And once again, thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!



Best regards
Another Angle Games

Follow Shadow of the Road:
📍 Facebook
📍 Twitter
📍 Instagram

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1173980/Shadow_of_the_Road/