Fading Echo News

[p]Three weeks ago, we launched the very first closed alpha playtest for Fading Echo. Today, that playtest comes to an end and we couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible support we’ve received from all of you.[/p][p]Seeing the game in your hands and witnessing how warmly it was received by the community means the world to us. Your enthusiasm and encouragement are a huge motivation as we continue building Fading Echo.[/p][p]Of course, this is only the beginning of an exciting journey. Every single piece of feedback you shared has been carefully reviewed, and we’re already working on improvements to make the experience even better in the future.[/p][p]Looking ahead, we’re preparing another opportunity for players to get hands-on time with the game. While the format and timing isn’t locked in yet, we’ll keep you updated as soon as we have more details to share.[/p][p]From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for playing, testing, and sharing your thoughts with us. We can’t wait to show you what’s coming next.[/p][p]Stay tuned for more updates soon. and don’t forget to stay hydrated 💧[/p][p][/p][p]The Fading Echo & Emeteria Team[/p][p][/p][h3]🌊 Flow with us [/h3][p]✨ Wishlist Fading Echo[/p][p]Steam | Epic Games Store | PlayStation Store | Xbox Store[/p][p][/p][p]💬 Join the Echoverse on Discord[/p][p]And follow the adventure:[/p][p]YouTube | TikTok | Instagram[/p]

[p]In the recent playtest and gameplay trailer, we introduced a key new feature in Fading Echo: the Perk System.[/p][p]While combat in Fading Echo already leans into systemic interactions like elemental combos and environmental reactions, we also wanted to give you the tools to customize and upgrade One throughout her journey.[/p][p]That’s where perks come in.[/p][p]As you progress, you’ll be able to reconnect sources to the Bastion, each one unlocking new perk choices. But choose wisely: you’ll need to prioritize which perks to unlock first, shaping how you approach challenges in Corel.[/p][p]🛠️ Everything is still a work in progress, so details may change as we continue development, but the core idea remains the same.[/p][p][/p][h2]✨ How Perks Work[/h2][p]To unlock new perks, you’ll first need to gather Aetherfact Points, a special resource primarily earned by opening chests and beating ennemies scattered across Corel. Once you’ve earned enough, you can spend these points at the Bastion to activate new perks and build out your own way to play.[/p][p]Changed your mind about a build? No worries, perks are fully refundable, so you can reset your choices and get your Aetheric Points back whenever you want to try a different approach.[/p][p]Perks are divided into different categories, each supporting a different playstyle:[/p]

• [p]Defensive: Boost your health or defensive stats to stay in the fight longer.[/p]
• [p]Offensive: Unlock new attack combos or increase your raw damage potential.[/p]
• [p]Spell-focused: Modify how you use abilities like the Waterbomb or Wave casting.[/p]

[p]Whether you're crafting a resilient tank, a spell-slinging glass cannon, or something totally in between, perks let you tune One's build to match your vision. [/p][p][/p][h2]🌊 A New Way to Cast[/h2][p]One of the perks we teased in the gameplay trailer was a modification to the Wave spell and if you looked closely, you might’ve noticed something different.[/p][p]This particular perk extends the range of Wave casting, letting you hit enemies from farther away. But there’s a trade-off: the width of the spell is reduced, meaning you’ll need to aim more carefully to land your attacks.[/p][p][/p][p]Here’s a quick comparison:[/p][p][/p][p]▶️ Original Wave Spell[/p][p][/p][p]▶️ Perk-Modified Wave Spell[/p][p][/p][p]This is just one example of how perks can fundamentally reshape your combat style. Do you prefer wide-area coverage or precise, long-range strikes? The choice is yours and it’s only the beginning.[/p][p][/p][h2]🗝️ Not Everything Is in the Bastion[/h2][p]As we mentioned during the playtest: not every perk is unlocked by reconnecting sources to the Bastion.[/p][p]Some perks are hidden throughout the world of Corel, tucked away off the main path, waiting to be discovered by the most curious and determined explorers. 🧭[/p][p]So if you're aiming to build the strongest version of One, you’ll need more than just Aetheric Points, you’ll need to be a true explorer.[/p][p]Keep your eyes open, trust your instincts, and maybe take that strange side path you ignored the first time around. Who knows what kind of powerful upgrades are out there, just waiting to be found? [/p][p][/p][h3]🌊 Flow with us [/h3][p]✨ Wishlist Fading Echo[/p][p]Steam | Epic Games Store | PlayStation Store | Xbox Store[/p][p][/p][p]💬 Join the Echoverse on Discord[/p][p]And follow the adventure:[/p][p]YouTube | TikTok | Instagram[/p][p][/p][p]📝 Sign Up for the Alpha Playtest[/p][p]https://fadingecho.firstlook.gg/signup/playtest[/p]

[p]The current playtest of Fading Echo hides a lot more than meets the eye. Some secrets are right under your nose, others... a little further off the path. 👀[/p][p]We’ve seen how creative you’ve already been exploring every nook of Corel and we love it. So, we thought it was time to share a few hints about things that might’ve escaped your radar.[/p][p]And of course, if you manage to find the things we mention here, don’t hesitate to share them with us on our Discord. We can’t wait to see your discoveries! 💬[/p][p][/p][h2]💎 Chests and Secrets – The Great Corel Hunt[/h2][p]Let’s start with everyone’s favorite topic: chests.[/p][p]During your journey through Corel, you’ve probably stumbled upon a few — tucked behind cliffs, hidden in corners, or teasing you from just out of reach.[/p][p]We’ve noticed some of you have been very dedicated to tracking them all down (yes, we see you, chest hunters 👀). So here’s the truth: there are 16 chests in total.[/p][p]Each one rewards you with a bit of EXP when opened, so every discovery not only feeds your curiosity, but your progression too.[/p][p]Some are very sneaky. So don’t worry if your count doesn’t quite match yet, it just means there are still discoveries waiting for you.[/p][p]Might be worth starting a new run just to find them all, don’t you think? 😉
[/p][p][/p][h2]🏰 The Bastion’s Summit – A World in View[/h2][p]During your adventure, you’ll come across a key location at the heart of Corel: the Bastion. This fortress plays a vital role, it’s where you can enhance your character once you’ve managed to connect the different sources to it.[/p][p]But the Grand Hall isn’t the only part worth exploring. Did you know you can actually climb to the roof?[/p][p]Up there, a small cinematic will play, and more importantly, you’ll get one of the most beautiful views in all of Corel.[/p][p]From the top, you can spot the four distinct regions of the world, a perfect glimpse of what Fading Echo has in store for the future.[/p][p]It’s also a great way to get a little closer to our good friend, the Last Wonder.
[/p][p][/p][h2]🌳 The Big Tree – A Glimpse Into the Future[/h2][p]Speaking of Corel’s regions , the only one you’re supposed to be able to explore right now is the Volcano. Well… supposed to.[/p][p]There is a way to reach the Big Tree region and even explore it a bit. But getting there won’t be easy.[/p][p]You’ll need a good dose of creativity and a solid understanding of elemental reactions to pull it off.[/p][p]There’s no extra story waiting there, it’s simply a sneak peek at another environment beyond the Volcano, a little taste of what Fading Echo will offer in the future.[/p][p]That’s the only hint we’re giving you. Good luck, explorers. 🌱
[/p][p][/p][h2]🔥 Elemental Shortcuts – Bending the Rules[/h2][p]Remember that zone shown in the screenshot below?[/p][p]What if we told you it’s actually possible to keep exploring the Volcano without even solving that puzzle? 👀[/p][p]Yep, it’s true. Sometimes, the devs leave doors that can be… well, walked around.[/p][p]It’s also a nice reminder that Fading Echo rewards players who get creative, those who experiment with elements and think outside the usual path.[/p][p]Oh, you were hoping for a hint on how to do it? Sorry… not this time. 😏
[/p][p][/p][h2]✨ One Last Surprise[/h2][p]Before we wrap up, here’s one more for the road.[/p][p]When you first discover the Bastion, the game introduces you to the perk system, a way to enhance your character and shape your own unique playstyle.[/p][p]It’s mentioned that some perks are hidden throughout the world of Corel… and, well, surprise, there’s one waiting for you in this playtest.[/p][p]Good luck finding it!
[/p][p][/p][h3]🌊 Flow with us [/h3][p]✨ Wishlist Fading Echo[/p][p]Steam | Epic Games Store | PlayStation Store | Xbox Store[/p][p][/p][p]💬 Join the Echoverse on Discord[/p][p]And follow the adventure:[/p][p]YouTube | TikTok | Instagram[/p][p][/p][p]📝 Sign Up for the Alpha Playtest[/p][p]https://fadingecho.firstlook.gg/signup/playtest[/p]

[p]We’re back with another round of our live Q&A sessions on Discord, where the dev team behind Fading Echo hangs out with the community, answers your burning questions, and shares insights into how the game is shaping up behind the scenes.[/p][p]Our second session took place on September 11, and this time, Charles and Rémi from the design and tech teams took the stage.[/p][p]If you missed it, here’s a recap of some of the most exciting questions and answers from the event.[/p][p]And don’t forget: more Q&A sessions are on the way, so if you want to be part of the next one, make sure to hop into our Discord![/p][p]Let’s get into it 👇[/p][p][/p][h2]👨‍💻 Meet the Design & Tech Minds Behind Fading Echo[/h2]

[p]Charles (Lead Game Designer):[/p][p]Hey everyone! Glad to be here! I'm Charles, Lead Game Designer on Fading Echo. I work with the rest of the design team on all gameplay mechanics and basically anything you'll do in the game![/p][p]Rémi (Technical Director):[/p][p]Hey everyone! Glad to be here with you! I’m Rémi, Technical Director at New Tales. Together with the tech team, we strive to bring game designers’ wildest ideas to life.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]💧 Why Water? Rethinking Elemental Combat[/h2][p]Water is usually seen as defensive or supportive in games. What made you decide to build an aggressive combat system around it?[/p]

[p]We wanted the game to feel fluid, literally and mechanically. The combat pushes players to move constantly, which naturally led us toward an aggressive playstyle.[/p][p]While water is often seen as passive or defensive in other games, we decided to flip that on its head. We’re using properties like movement and state changes (liquid, vapor, etc.) to keep things dynamic.[/p][p]There are still some defensive abilities of course, but even if you're wielding water, you're on the offensive more often than not. And while water is our focus, we’re not limiting ourselves to just that element.[/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][h2]🔁 Everything Reacts—So Should You[/h2][p]The game emphasizes elemental reactions, even the enemies are elemental. Will we have to adjust our playstyles accordingly?[/p]

[p]Exactly. That’s a core part of the experience.[/p][p]The same water spell can behave very differently depending on what element it comes into contact with. For example, using water against a water-based enemy won’t be very effective, so you’ll need to adapt your approach.[/p][p]As the player, you’re constantly pushed to experiment and change tactics. There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy here.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]🧪 How Deep Do the Elemental Reactions Go?[/h2][p]Are reactions just basic combinations like fire + water = steam, or are there deeper chains involved?[/p]

[p]Great question. We built our system to support a ton of element types and a wide variety of interactions.[/p][p]This lets us create some really cool chained effects and think more than just “fire meets water.” But we’re also careful to maintain clarity: no matter how complex things get under the hood, players should be able to understand what’s happening on-screen.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]🎮 Your Playstyle, Your Choice[/h2][p]Is there a “right” playstyle, or can players approach combat in different ways?[/p]

[p]Totally up to you. While you’ll always be dealing with fluids and elemental mechanics, how you use them is up to your playstyle.[/p][p]For example, if you enjoy shapeshifting, you can use water-based transformations to coat enemies and set up reactions. If you’re more strategic, you might lean into positioning and arena manipulation.[/p][p]And yes, the game will feature multiple difficulty modes, whether you want a hardcore challenge or a smoother ride to enjoy the story, the choice is yours.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]🦖 Combat Showcase: Chicken-Dinos and Tactical Risk[/h2][p]Do you have any gameplay clips to share?[/p]

[p]We showed off a short combat clip during the session! It features enemies we’ve nicknamed “chicken-inspired dinosaurs” that rush toward you and leave a hazardous fluid trail behind.[/p][p]The cool part? You can choose to spare certain enemies to use them strategically—keeping some alive longer can help you take out others… if you’re willing to take the risk.[/p][p][/p]

[p]Sometimes it’s not even about the elements, just physics.[/p]

[p]Exactly. In some situations, it’s more efficient to just push enemies out of the arena. We want you to take full advantage of the combat environments—not just rely on elemental power.[/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][h2]🌱 Character Progression: Perk Upgrades[/h2][p]Are there upgrade systems for spells and abilities?[/p]

[p]Absolutely! We have a system called Perks, which lets you customize and upgrade your character.[/p][p]You can equip multiple Perks that enhance abilities, tweak your combat style, or unlock new effects. It’s a flexible system designed to support a wide range of builds and preferences.[/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][p]That wraps up our second Q&A recap! Huge thanks to Charles and Rémi for sharing their insights, and to our amazing community for the great questions![/p][p]Until then, keep your spells sharp and stay hydrated.[/p][p][/p][h3]🌊 Flow with us[/h3][p]✨ Wishlist Fading Echo[/p][p]Steam | Epic Games Store | PlayStation Store | Xbox Store[/p][p][/p][p]💬 Join the Echoverse on Discord[/p][p]And follow the adventure:[/p][p]YouTube | TikTok | Instagram[/p][p][/p][p]📝 Sign Up for the Alpha Playtest [/p][p]https://fadingecho.firstlook.gg/signup/playtest[/p]

[p]Hey everyone,[/p][p]The Closed Alpha for Fading Echo is now live on Steam and we couldn’t be more excited (and a little nervous) to finally have you in the game![/p][p]This is a very early look at what we’re building, raw in places, unfinished in others, but a major milestone in the journey toward full release. With your help, we’ll be able to pinpoint what’s working, what’s not, and what needs more love moving forward.[/p][p]Below is a transparent list of known bugs, incomplete features, and other quirks you might run into.[/p][p][/p][h3]🎬 Cutscenes[/h3][p]Some story moments are presented as early animated storyboard cutscenes. You’ll hear final voice acting, but there’s no music, and the visuals are rough like you’re in the booth with the actor and audio engineer watching a live sketch. These will be polished in future builds, but for now, they help carry the narrative forward.[/p]

• [p]One exchange with Rahne currently has no voiceover ![/p]

[p][/p][h3]⚔️ Combat[/h3][p]Combat can get a little wild especially with all the fluids and effects flying around. That chaos is partially intended, but we’re still refining where the fun ends and confusion begins.[/p][p]We’re especially looking for feedback on:[/p]

• [p]Combat clarity: When does it feel readable vs. overwhelming?[/p]
• [p]Tactical depth: How does the evolving endgame system feel in its current state?[/p]
• [p]Difficulty & deaths: Are deaths frustrating? Do they feel fair or unavoidable?[/p]

[p]Known bugs affecting combat:[/p]

• [p]Falling and dying at the same time can softlock the player.[/p]
• [p]If you jump during the dying animation, you may respawn in an unnatural position.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]🌍 The World[/h3][p]You’ll explore parts of the world that are already in solid shape, but some areas like the later zones in the Volcano, other islands, and the Bastion exterior are visually unfinished. Expect placeholder textures or blocked-out environments in those spots.[/p][p][/p][h3]🧠 Perk Screen[/h3][p]Our perk system is in, but the perk screen UI is still using placeholder assets. It’ll get its visual upgrade in the next alpha build, we were just a few weeks short this time around. 😊[/p][p][/p][h3]🎮 Controls & Controller Notes[/h3]

• [p]No key remapping yet: It’s on the roadmap, but not in this build. To get the best experience, we recommend playing with a controller.[/p]
• [p]Steam Form movement: There’s a known issue where this form can automatically propel the player forward, making it feel like you’ve lost control.[/p]
• [p]Controller audio bug (PS5/Switch): Due to a known Steam issue affecting many indie games, sound may be routed to controller vibrations.[/p]
• [p]When pausing the game while haptic feedback is active, the haptics continue running.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]🚧 Performance & Stability[/h3][p]This alpha hasn’t been fully optimized yet, so you may notice:[/p]

• [p]Performance dips in certain arenas[/p]
• [p]Crashes on lower-end hardware[/p]
• [p]Game can crash if you kill too many ennemies at the same time (it means you did a great job tho 😅)[/p]
• [p]On rare occasions, the game may crash on first launch from Steam.[/p][p]➤ This issue only occurs once (and only sometimes). The game launches fine every time after the initial crash[/p]
• [p]On AMD graphics cards, some visual elements may not display correctly : One’s hair might not appear at all. We're investigating and will address this in a future update.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]🙌 Help Us Make Fading Echo Better[/h3][p]We’re all ears, everything helps, not just the compliments (though we do like those too!). You can share your thoughts in two ways:[/p]

• [p]Join the conversation on the Fading Echo Discord[/p]
• [p]Fill out our feedback Survey[/p]

[p]Thanks for your understanding and your support as we build this together.
The Fading Echo Team[/p][p][/p][h3]🌊 Flow with us[/h3][p]✨ Wishlist Fading Echo[/p][p]Steam | Epic Games Store | PlayStation Store | Xbox Store[/p][p][/p][p]💬 Join the Echoverse on Discord[/p][p]And follow the adventure:[/p][p]YouTube | TikTok | Instagram[/p][p][/p][p]📝 Sign Up for the Alpha Playtest [/p][p]https://fadingecho.firstlook.gg/signup/playtest[/p]