SacriFire News

Hello and welcome, everyone!

Today, we’re going to delve briefly into the meat and potatoes of most role-playing games: combat!

As SacriFire pays homage to various icons and eras of the jRPG genre, it shouldn’t be surprising that a similar sentiment found its way into our approach to designing combat. Broadly speaking, our main goal was to bridge classic turn-based fundamentals with more contemporary real-time innovations. We also wanted to avoid meaningless, assembly-line battles that rely on similar scenarios and mindless repetition. It had to be sleek. It had to be challenging. And most of all, it had to be fun. Sounds easy enough, right?



Needless to say: it wasn’t. Keeping things exciting without sacrificing tactical depth can be something of a balancing act, and we’d hate to leave either facet feeling half-baked. Throughout the years, SacriFire’s combat system has gone through numerous iterations, and all of them played very differently, each favoring one part of the gameplay equation over the other. Eventually, after countless hours of poking and prodding, we (hopefully) found a way to make it all gel. We’ve reached a point where combat has finally met our demands. How? Read on!
[hr][/hr][h3]💎 COMBAT INSPIRATIONS[/h3]

If you’re familiar with certain PlayStation RPG classics of yore, some of the concepts employed in SacriFire might strike a chord. For this particular blend of real-time and turn-based mechanics, we drew inspiration from titles such as Valkyrie Profile 2 and Xenogears, with a sprinkling of Vagrant Story here and there for good measure.



Additionally, elements of other, non-RPG games eventually slipped in, which we believe worked to the game’s benefit. As a certain industry legend once said… it just works. *cough*
[hr][/hr][h3]💎 COMBAT FUNDAMENTALS[/h3]

The end result is that SacriFire uses a real-time combat system, but with a twist: time flows only when Ezekiel is moving around the battlefield. Consequently, this means that even in the most gruesome of battles you can always stop and plan your next move. While enemies can surprise you with many different actions and abilities, they are ultimately subject to the flow of time. No movement, no pressure!



Even with fabulous clock-stopping powers on your side, simply swinging your sword around won’t cut it (get it?). All enemies possess innate Affinities which translate into specific damage vulnerabilities. Naturally, exploiting these vulnerabilities is key to success. As Ezekiel is something of a one-man army and doesn’t enjoy the benefit of traditional party building, he has to rely on his shape-changing DIVOS weapon for all his tactical needs instead. Each weapon type takes advantage of a specific Affinity and comes with a unique playstyle attached, encouraging the player to diversify their slaying habits for maximum efficiency. We also tried to play with the usual basic attack concept by introducing combos. By chaining light and heavy attacks together in specific sequences, the resulting combo may gain otherwise absent properties and better help control the flow of battle.

One of the more unique combat aspects in SacriFire that we’re especially proud of is its fluidity. In a way, the game can be as actiony or as deliberate as the player likes. A good example of that can be found in how enemies execute their projectile-based attacks, a game mechanic popularly and affectionately known as “bullet hell”. If real-time dodging isn’t your cup of tea, you can always lean on the time-stopping feature and take it slow. On the other hand, if you want to challenge yourself and feel like you’re playing Ikaruga again, the option is there. The choice is yours!
[hr][/hr][h3]💎 CHARACTER PROGRESSION[/h3]

We’ve already briefly mentioned Ezekiel’s unique weapon, DIVOS, and its unique forms - astras. As the story progresses, our hero will unlock additional forms, and dedicated skill trees along with them. In a traditional RPG fashion, leveling Ezekiel up grants bonus DIVOS points to invest in those trees. It’s not all set in stone, though - aside from predefined perks, each tree comes with empty nodes which can be filled with special Orbs that further allow to develop individual character stats.



That is not to say that skill trees are purely weapon-oriented, however. Skills encompass a broad category of benefits, from simple attacks to magic-like Arts abilities and style-altering passive boons that weave together to become more than just a sum of their parts. There is nuance to be found and distinct character builds to be discovered - so feel free to experiment!
[hr][/hr][h3]💎 SEE YOU AROUND![/h3]



And that’s it for today! Admittedly, we merely took a quick peek at the topic, but we really don’t want to give everything away just yet. We hope that you’ll find joy in unearthing the various nuances of SacriFire’s combat system by yourself.

See you next time!

[h3]Join our Discord server![/h3]

[h3]Connect with us on other channels[/h3] Follow us on Twitter Check our TikTok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/

Hello, SacriFire community, we’re back with another devlog!

This time around we’d like to explore some of the lore surrounding religion in SacriFire. Join us as we discuss the enigmatic Church of Sheol (and the myriad ways it influences the life of the citizens of Antioch), and reveal more about the elite holy warriors known as the bishops.

[h3]💎 SHEOL, THE PROTECTOR[/h3]



A central aspect of the life of many Antiochians is their daily worship of Sheol. Worship, not belief - because Sheol is the only god in Antioch, and communicates directly with people through their prayers, atheism is nonexistent in the city.

Sheol is called “Protector” by many Antiochians, and with good reason. It is He who carried humanity safely through hell and delivered them to Antioch, their promised land. It is He who maintains the Hellgate, which keeps the city safe from the demons above. It is He who controls the Servers - those mysterious creatures that provide the citizens of Antioch with much of their food, and water. It is He who created Erebus, the beautiful spirit world which Antiochians visit whenever they pray. And so on.

Beyond His roles as protector and provider, Sheol himself does not interfere with daily life in Antioch, or play an active part in the city’s politics or the personal affairs of its citizens. This role is taken by the Church.
[hr][/hr]

[h3]💎 THE CHURCH OF SHEOL[/h3]



The Church of Sheol endeavors to serve as Sheol’s hand within Antioch. Their primarily role is to provide spiritual guidance for the people of Antioch, according to the divine texts (the Word) - a collection of stories, sermons and other divine texts which they have accumulated over the years. Texts such as The Voyage, The Myth of the Night Sky, The Sacrifice, and The Creation of Erebus form part of the Word.

The Church also enforce the three divine tenets, the only truly inviolable laws of Antioch:

Doubt not thy God
Harm not thy Servant
Kill not thy Fellow Man

The center of operations of the Church is located in the Spire district, built upon the highest stalagmite peak of the city. Chief amongst the many beautiful structures of Spire is the Dome - an enormous cathedral, built directly beneath the Hellgate.

While the Church enforces the divine tenets, it does not rule the city. At present, this function is performed by the Assembly of Antioch (a somewhat democratic institution with representatives from the nobility of all the different districts of the city).
[hr][/hr]

[h3]💎 HIERARCHY OF THE CHURCH[/h3]



So, how is the Church structured? Head of the Church is the Divine Mother, a revered and venerable spiritual leader, whose role, while respected, is largely that of a figurehead. The real meat of the Church’s administrative tasks are carried out by the nine cardinals (including Cardinal Adhemar, who will play a central role in Ezekiel’s journey).

Aside from the Divine Mother and the cardinals, the most powerful figures of the Church are the inquisitors. Mysterious and feared, inquisitors serve as agents of the Sorrow Court - an institution dedicated to eradicating Heresy from Antioch. Little is known about these shadowy figures, who prefer to work in anonymity from behind a mask.

The vast majority of the Church of Sheol, however, is composed of priests and deacons. Priests serve as spiritual guides for the community, while deacons are soldiers, responsible for enforcing the three divine tenets. After completing their studies of the word, each novice (church trainee) must decide which of the two paths they will walk. Our hero Ezekiel has elected to become a priest, while his best friend Zephaniah will become a deacon. There is, however, another possibility…

Exceptional novices (those who pass the Trials) are promoted to the rank of bishop. Bishops are amongst the most respected members of the Church. They are effectively priests AND deacons - acting as both specialist soldiers and spiritual guides on behalf of the people of Antioch. The best of the best, you might say.
[hr][/hr]

[h3]💎 BISHOPS: ELITE WARRIORS OF THE CHURCH[/h3]



The bishops reside in Sanctuary, a majestic golden building located in Antioch's plaza, which only they have permission to enter. Of course, should Ezekiel Ridan succeed in passing the Trials, you will be able to see its halls, dormitories, and sparring yard for yourself.

As people in the city set great stock in the protection offered by the bishops, any member of their ranks glimpsed walking the streets of Antioch is treated with respect and dignity, almost as a mythic figure. You will see people whispering and admiring their status, as well as their warrior skills and unique armaments...

Ah yes, the armaments. DIVOS technology, available only to members of the Church of Sheol, gives bishops access to extraordinary weapons infused with energy, capable of changing form upon demand. Something that even the most experienced blacksmiths in Antioch had never seen before.

The bishops also have another role in Antioch. One as important as it is secretive. One which… actually, we’ve already said too much.
[hr][/hr]

[h3]💎 SEE YOU AROUND![/h3]



That’s all for today’s devlog, but we've only just scratched the surface of the world of SacriFire. Myths play a crucial role in the game's story, shaping the characters and the history of the places you visit. We’ll leave these for you to discover for yourself once the game launches ;)

See you next time!

[h3]💎 Check out our previous devlogs:[/h3]

https://steamcommunity.com/games/1661330/announcements/detail/3754369573821613266?snr=2___
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1661330/announcements/detail/3694694342039814328?snr=2_9_100000_
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1661330/view/3660916075957024359
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1661330/announcements/detail/3660912271266395188

[h3]Join our Discord server![/h3]

[h3]Connect with us on other channels[/h3] Follow us on Twitter Check our TikTok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/

Hello, SacriFire community!

We’re happy to be back with a brand new installment of our devlog!

First of all, thank you so much for your awesome reception of our previous posts, each of which has revealed some further info about the world of our game! Today, we would like to go even deeper, and share some further details about SacriFire’s story and themes.

And don’t worry, our devlog is spoiler-free — so without further ado, let’s dive right in!

[h3]💎 GODS AND DEMONS[/h3]



The story we want to tell in SacriFire has a lot of background to it — background relating to the long and colorful history of the city of Antioch (you can read more about the city itself here). This is why we say that the events presented in our game are not the beginning, but rather the culmination, of a centuries-long struggle between good and evil (or to be precise, the struggle between the god Sheol and the demon lord Amaymon).

The Church of Sheol ensures that life in Antioch is peaceful, with law and order as fundamental values. Unfortunately, the city will soon face another outbreak of the plague heresy, which brings with it a confrontation with various unsavory demons.
[hr][/hr]

[h3]💎 HERETICS WITHIN[/h3]



What exactly is Heresy? It’s difficult to be sure. Some call Heresy a plague, others think of it as a form of demonic possession. What’s certain is that Heresy is a serious threat that has loomed over Antioch for centuries. The danger is ever-present; sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle, but unchanging in the threat it poses to the god Sheol.

The group known as heretics — and their motivations and methods — will become more familiar to you as you play the game. For now, suffice to know that these mysterious rebels are sworn to destroy Sheol, and are willing to go to any lengths to make this plan a reality. In the upcoming demo, you will see the heretics take the first — but not the last — step towards that end.

The terrifying thing about the heretics is how easily they blend in with the rest of the population of Antioch. They may look like normal citizens by day, but at night they don their masks and robes and go out to put their plans in motion. Each heretic has their own demonic power, beyond their heightened strength and speed, so that even one poses a significant threat.

Heretics also have unique weapons. During battles with demons, you will notice some dangerous-looking red sparks of light taking over the location — heresy not only corrupts the soul but also the world around you…
[hr][/hr]

[h3]💎 CRISIS OF FAITH[/h3]



As gods and demons clash once more, the battle begins to impact on the life of Ezekiel Ridan, the main character of SacriFire. As a soldier of the Church of Sheol, Eze is naturally involved in the events of its war, and soon is confronted with his real test: the two immortal beings who both attempt to claim his soul.

Together with a companion, such as best friend Zephaniah Milto or fellow bishop-recruit Ava Valeri, Ezekiel will travel to the spirit world Erebus (and a number of other mysterious locations), in order to fulfill his duty as bishop of the Church of Sheol.
[hr][/hr]

[h3]💎 BRINGING SACRIFIRE’S CHARACTERS TO LIFE[/h3]



The inhabitants of the world of SacriFire are carefully crafted, each with their own personality, back story, and motivations. The characters evolve as the story progresses (none more so than Ezekiel himself), and these changes will be reflected in their dialogue and actions.

Of course, telling compelling stories and creating believable characters goes beyond words — there’s also the question of how those words are delivered. We’ve paid a lot of attention to this aspect, and all the characters in the main storyline of SacriFire will be voiced thanks to the incredibly talented team from Sound Cadence Studios!

Let’s not forget music. As you may already know, the soundtrack of the game has been composed by the legendary Motoi Sakuraba (scores for Dark Souls, Tales series and more) and G4F Records. We’re hoping to create a true JRPG vibe! You can listen to the first publicly-released track, called “Awakening”, which is already available on Spotify and which recently surpassed 100k streams!

Aside from the sound, we can’t neglect the visual aspect. Individual portraits, each with multiple expressions, will help bring the characters of SacriFire to life.
[hr][/hr]

[h3]💎 SEE YOU AROUND![/h3]



Time to wrap up today’s devlog, as we don’t want to reveal too much about the main storyline of SacriFire. We cannot wait for you to dive into the story of Ezekiel and his companions, and we’re looking forward to seeing your reactions to the mysteries of demons lurking in the shadows of Antioch.

See you in the next devlog!

[h3]💎 Check out our previous devlogs:[/h3]

https://steamcommunity.com/games/1661330/announcements/detail/3694694342039814328?snr=2_9_100000_
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1661330/view/3660916075957024359
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1661330/announcements/detail/3660912271266395188

[h3]Join our Discord server![/h3]

[h3]Connect with us on other channels[/h3] Follow us on Twitter Check our TikTok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/

Hey SacriFire community!

We’re happy to share that we’re at PAX West 2023 in Seattle! Drop by our booth 3011 in the Seattle Convention Center between September 1-4!

In addition, you will be able to play the demo of SacriFire on our gaming station and chat about the game with Adam, Art Director from the Pixelated Milk develompent team!

You can find us here:



[h3]Join our Discord server![/h3]

[h3]Connect with us on other channels[/h3] Follow us on Twitter Check our TikTok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/

Hello community!

We’re coming back with a brand new SacriFire devlog! Our last entry, which you can check here, covered the lore of Antioch, the main city and primary location in the game. Today we are traveling to the spirit world of Erebus…

Are you ready to learn more about its secrets?

[h3]💎 ABOUT EREBUS[/h3]



Erebus provides a stark contrast to the ‘real’ world of Antioch, in terms of the environment you will explore as well as gameplay encounters. After teleporting from Antioch’s urban areas to Erebus’ beautiful hub, you can’t help being struck by the idyllic atmosphere of nature.

You will hear the calm murmur of nearby waterfalls, the chatter of people in the gardens, and see “angels”, mysterious creatures, floating above the ground.

As a spirit world, Erebus is populated by spirits of the dead (as well as spirits of the living, coming here for a visit from Antioch). Besides exploring more dangerous parts of Erebus, which only the bravest individuals - such as bishops - can do, a lot of people spend time around the beautiful golden tree, Dendreon.


[h3]💎 PRAYER WHEELS[/h3]



You may wonder, how can people of Antioch travel between worlds? The answer is... Prayer Wheels.

These special devices are another example of technology developed in the subterranean city. Erebus Wheels are just one of several varieties.

In the process known as “prayer,” citizens enter Prayer Wheels and teleport themselves to idyllic paradise. In Antioch itself, wheels can be found in chapels, as you can see in the clip above, as well as in some private residences.


[h3]💎 THE TREE OF ECHOES[/h3]



The first thing that immediately draws your attention when arriving in Erebus is Dendreon — the huge golden tree in the center of its gorgeous landscape.

The story of Dendreon starts with Sheol, the deity worshiped in Antioch, and it is connected with the origins of Erebus itself. The creation of Erebus began with a single seed which over time grew into the beautiful Dendreon.

The Tree of Echoes is another name for this wonder of nature, which has a very special purpose in the life of Antiochians. Through Dendreon, people can communicate with your friends via “echoes” — saved messages which can be stored upon the branches of the tree.


[h3]💎 SECRETS OF THE SPIRIT WORLD[/h3]



You can stop for a moment and chill out near the Dendreon, to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and ambient tracks composed for this location. All in all, this is just the “waiting room” before entering the parts of Erebus full of real adventures.

As SacriFire mixes 2D and 3D gameplay perspectives, this is also a feature in discovering various parts of Erebus. Many parts of the location will give you some classic “platformer-like” sections where you can reach higher or lower levels with the proper timing of your jumping, search in the darkest corners for some treasures, backtrack to collect some useful items, or clear the area from demons.

In addition to this, we want to surprise you with some new ways to explore Erebus. Sometimes it may be a secret passage behind the waterfall that lets you see a completely new part of the location, or the so-called “Erebus locks” - environmental puzzles involving maneuvering both in 2D and 3D. Solving Erebus locks will let you progress through dungeons back in Antioch.

From time to time, you will also meet NPC’s in Erebus, who can give you information about the areas you’re in.


[h3]💎 DEMONS[/h3]



Views and atmosphere in Erebus can be stunning, but this world also has a darker side. As we’ve mentioned in our previous devlog related to Antioch, there is a group of so-called “heretics” whose goal is to destroy the Sheol. Their activity also influences what happens in Erebus.

The outbreak of heresy is one of the important events within the story in our game, and one of its results is that Erebus is attacked by demons. Traveling through many forest areas, caves, or dungeons, you will very often encounter strange blood-red creatures taking many different forms.

As a bishop of the Church of Sheol, your task will be to eliminate them, whether through tactical battles involving our dynamic turn-based combat system, or with skills such as DIVOS blast (a powerful spell that can destroy the enemy with a single attack, and stop the encounter without entering combat mode.

And of course, you can count on some boss fights as well!

[h3]💎 TILL NEXT TIME[/h3]

We do hope that our short trip to Erebus has been enlightening for you, and we cannot wait to give you the opportunity of experiencing these adventures yourself! It is also worth mentioning that there are even more locations outside of Antioch which you will be able to visit, but we will save some info about them for later. ;)

See you in the next devlog!

[h3]📜 Check out our previous devlogs:[/h3]

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1661330/view/3660916075957024359
https://steamcommunity.com/games/1661330/announcements/detail/3660912271266395188

[h3]Join our Discord server![/h3]

[h3]Connect with us on other channels[/h3] Follow us on Twitter Check our TikTok

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1661330/SacriFire/