Death Howl News

[p]Hello Lost Souls!


After the release we are coming back to you with small pack of quick fixes which we are introducing today, according to your feedback.


Patch Notes:
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• [p]Fixed a bug where unlocking the Special Realm Card before unlocking any other card in that realm did not give access to the realm's Card Panel.[/p]

• [p]Fixed a bug where the game wouldn’t proceed to the next turn if a Fylge died in the fire from Light a Fire card. Fylge’s remain unafraid of fire.[/p]
• [p]Fixed VFXs persisting after using certain cards in specific circumstances.[/p]
• [p]Sobslug telegraphs its attacks correctly now (!).[/p]
• [p]The player can shoot over Bursting Growth after it has exploded.[/p]
• [p]Fixed bones showing in Cadaver Dunes while inside a grove.[/p]
• [p]Fixed some objects In Forest of Howling Shadows showing up while inside arenas.[/p]
• [p]Fixed Doomglare’s shadow (it is no longer a vampire).[/p]
• [p]Fixed erratic camera’s movement when entering a cave in The Breathing Chasm.[/p]
• [p]Fixed the game not proceeding to the next turn when Gnawskull kills the last boar in a secret encounter in The Hidden Vale.[/p]
• [p]Fixed out-of-bounds issue after talking to the moose in Meadows of Delusion.[/p]
• [p]Fixed the narwhal tooth event in The Hidden Vale. You can now click on it again and again (if you want) and the eye icon has been placed better.[/p]
• [p]Visual fixes for multiple area transitions.[/p]

[p][/p][p]In the coming updates, we will try to make a smoother on-boarding experience, with focus on UI feedback and a better diffuculty curve when entering new areas. We will also do some balancing of caves.[/p][p]
Furthermore, we will try to tackle the biggest bugs and add some QOL here and there.[/p][p]
We want to add some more treats for you, but that will come at a later time.

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Stay tuned for more updates soon!

~ The Outer Zone and 11 bit studios Teams[/p]

[p]Hello Lost Souls,
[/p][p]We are thrilled to announce that Death Howl is now available on Steam! Looking back at the beginning of this journey, we are honestly speechless at how far we’ve come. Countless days, weeks, and months were spent discussing, balancing mechanics, writing the story, and suiting it with music and visuals. The result is over 25 hours of captivating gameplay for you to enjoy!
[/p][p]We want to sincerely thank all of you who helped shape the game by playing the demo and participating in the playtests. Your feedback was invaluable, helping us balance the many cards, mechanics, and modifiers. We are incredibly proud of the outcome and hope you enjoy accompanying Ro on her journey, and that her story will stay with you a little longer.

[/p][p]Check out the new trailer prepared for this occasion and the 11 facts video:
[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Craft and Build Your Deck[/h3][p]Create more than 160 cards and build decks that combine strategies such as poison, strength, sacrifice, retaliation, backstabbing, blocking, movement, and more. Explore shamanic totems with unique effects to strengthen your deck. Each new element gives you the freedom to shape your own tactical approach as you face your next deadly challenge.[/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Experience a Deep and Dark Norse Storyline[/h3][p]In lands lost to legend, Ro, a hunter from a small tribe, is consumed by sorrow after losing her beloved son. Guided by mysterious voices from another world, she ventures into the spirit realm, hoping to reunite with him.
[/p][p]Death Howl tells a haunting story of grief, healing, and perseverance. As Ro, you will confront relentless spirits in turn-based battles that test your strategy and adaptability. To overcome these challenges, you must build and master decks of powerful cards, wield shamanic totems, and uncover forgotten stories and secrets that shape her journey.[/p][p]
[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Enjoy Beautiful Views of the Spirit World[/h3][p]Travel through the Spirit Realm, fractured into 4 realms and scarred with 13 distinct regions, each offering different cards, enemies, environments, and landscapes. Adapt to the challenges, engage in battles with creatures, or simply pause to enjoy the view, accompanied by haunting Dark Norse music.

[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Try It On Steam Deck![/h3][p]Death Howl is Verified on Steam Deck from Day One! Take your journey anywhere and craft cards on the handheld device, even in the middle of a foggy forest next to your campfire.[/p][p]
[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]
Suit yourself for the Spiritual Adventure[/h3][p]Apart from the game release, we have just dropped new merch with Death Howl designs which is available for you here. Death Howl T-shirts, pads, and bags await you in the Spirit World![/p][p][/p][carousel][/carousel][hr][/hr][p][/p][p]We could not have reached this milestone without your support. Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping Death Howl into the game it is today.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for joining us on this journey and for being part of it.

Don’t hesitate to leave your reviews on Steam!
[/p][p]~ The Outer Zone and 11 bit studios teams[/p][p][/p]

[p]Hello everyone,

Death Howl is launching next week on December 9th, so we would like to take your time to explain some of the mechanics a little bit more deeper than last time.

But before that, check out the release time-zone map for your region:


Now let’s immerse ourselves in Spirit Realm:
[/p][hr][/hr][h3]
Ro’s Journey Into the Spirit World[/h3][p]So let’s start with our main character - Ro, a mother pushing through grief and decay in search of her lost son, Olvi. Her path winds through thirteen biomes, each filled with unique threats, craftable cards, materials, and over thirty enemy types. Although the world is open for exploration, progression is shaped by combat encounters that block the paths between Sacred Groves - the rare places where Ro can heal, save, and upgrade her abilities.

[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]
Tactical, Turn-Based Combat[/h3][p]Every encounter unfolds on a turn-based, grid-based battlefield. You begin by placing Ro on the grid and planning the first move. Each point of mana (red dots) allows her to move one tile or play a card, creating constant decisions between positioning, offense, and survival.[/p][p]Enemies respond dynamically to your actions. Some punish careless movement, others exploit gaps in your defense, and all follow patterns you must learn and adapt to. Failure is part of the learning process, and every defeat pushes you toward smarter strategies (much like in Soulslike games!), but this time with cards.[/p][p]Here are some examples of monster moves:[/p]

• [p]Gloomcroak, which pulls Ro in with its tongue [/p]
• [p]Slobslug, which poisons and shields itself [/p]
• [p]Dreadfins, which counter ranged attacks with a piercing dash [/p]
• [p]Dire Shrooms, which drag Ro closer before striking hard [/p]

[p] [/p][p]
Understanding these behaviors and anticipating them will help you achieve victory.
[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Deck-Building and Card Synergy[/h3][p]Your deck defines your capabilities. Cards are crafted from world materials (such as rocks, sticks, flora) and the Death Howls earned from enemies. Every card has a cost, effect, and synergy potential, many of which are tied to the biome where you find them. The deck also reflects the consequences of Ro’s journey; certain enemy attacks add Wound cards, and quests may temporarily place items into your draw pool, disrupting your normal play flow.[/p][p]Death Howl’s combat encourages thoughtful sequencing. Even modest cards can become powerful when combined properly. For example, pairing damage-increasing effects with discard-based attacks can escalate a simple strike into a devastating chain.

[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][h3]
Sacred Groves, Skills, and Growth[/h3][p]Sacred Groves act as your checkpoints in the hostile world. Here, Ro can recover her health, save progress, and convert collected Howls into Teardrops, the resource used to unlock or upgrade skills.[/p][p]One such ability is Overwhelmed, which boosts the damage of every card you play during a turn. It becomes especially valuable when draw clutter, such as quest items or Wound cards reduces your options. Strategic use of Overwhelmed can swing difficult battles back in your favor.[/p][p]
[/p][hr][/hr][p][/p][h3]Totems and Long-Term Strategy[/h3][p]Beyond cards and skills, Ro can equip Totems: powerful artifacts that reshape the rhythm of battle. As she gains experience, additional Totem slots unlock, allowing you to strategize your play flow even further..[/p][p]For example: The Pearl Totem, shown in the gameplay video, lets you discard cards during combat and gain Block equal to their cost. Items like this reinforce the idea that skills, decks, and Totems operate together as a flexible combo.[/p][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]
We think we have explained the most important mechanics so far here, and now Death Howl’s world is on the horizon, and we can’t wait for you to experience it!

Thank you so much again for your support, and see you on the launch next week!

~ The Outer Zone and 11 bit studios Teams
[/p]

[p]Dear Souls,[/p][p]Recently, we opened beta playtests and over 1500 of you requested access! We are grateful for all your help and feedback in shaping Ro’s journey, which helped us resolve most of our balancing concerns.
[/p][p]Now, with confidence, we can announce that Death Howl will be released on December 9th!
[/p][p]This Fall, you will be able to enter the spirit realm in its fullest form. Over the past months, we have worked hard to ensure that all of you will have a great experience at launch. Now we can proudly say that we are on the final stretch before release.
[/p][p]Check out our new Date Announcement Trailer:[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]Prepare Your Decks for the Otherworld Journey[/p][p]Explore the realm of spirits and gather ingredients to craft cards from each region. Discover shamanic totems to enhance your deck, cast a variety of attacks, and seek the most effective combos to suppress your enemies. Each new card lets you tailor your tactical style as you prepare for your next deadly encounter in grid-based combat.[/p][p]
[/p][hr][/hr][p]Explore 13 Different Locations Filled with Deadly Beasts and Monsters[/p][p]Embark on a journey through the realms of Distorted Hollows, Piercing Winds, Gloomy Waters, and Hostile Plains. Each of these regions contains three locations with unique settings, creatures, and mechanics. Learn their patterns, use the environment, and defeat them by adjusting your deck to reach the Mountain of Sorrow eventually.

[/p][hr][/hr][p]Steam Deck Verified from Day 1[/p][p]That’s right! Death Howl is already fully verified on Steam Deck. You can take your journey anywhere you want and craft cards on your handheld, even in the middle of a moody forest.[/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][hr][/hr][p]We cannot wait to greet you in the Spirit Realm and see your reactions as you experience Ro’s story on December 9th.[/p][p]Thank you for being with us, and see you very soon.[/p][p]Take care![/p][p]~ The Outer Zone and 11 bit studios Teams[/p][p]
[/p]

[p]Greetings, Lost Souls!
[/p][p]We can proudly say that our adventures with Ro are taking more shape than ever. We are almost ready to announce the release date, but we need to keep you waiting a little bit longer. And yes, we are still on track to release Death Howl in 2025!
[/p][p]13 locations, 24 different types of enemies, around 150 different cards, quests, and many more features unlockable through story progression is almost done at the moment.

[/p][carousel][/carousel][p][/p][p]To help you get more familiar with the mechanics and gameplay awaiting you in the full release, we have prepared a new Gameplay Showcase Trailer, where we break down all the important things you need to know while playing Death Howl.
[/p][p]Check it out here: [/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p][/p][p]Our trailer is divided into 5 parts:
[/p]

• [p]“Balancing The Scales” – An example of a quest appearing in a location and how it affects gameplay.
  
  [/p]
• [p]Cards, Crafting & Upgrading Skills – As your story progresses, you will find materials to upgrade your deck. Here, you will learn how to do it.
  
  [/p]
• [p]Combat Basics – Combat is a major part of the game, and here you will find everything you need to get started.
  
  [/p]
• [p]Advanced Combat Strategies – Combos, synergies, and environment interactions that will help you defeat stronger enemies.
  
  [/p]
• [p]Spirit Cards & Totems – A skill tree with powerful boons that enhance your deck’s power.
  [/p]

[p]In the next announcements, we are planning to prepare a whole article series for you, which will serve as a guide when you need help or want to learn more about the game’s mechanics.[/p][h3]
Sign up for the Playtests this weekend![/h3][p]
As we have almost everything set, we would like to make sure that everything is balanced to your future journeys

That’s why we are opening sign-ups for the closed playtests of Death Howl which will be held from November 7th to 10th. [/p][p]
[/p][p]To sign up, just click a button on the Steam Store Page, and you are all set![/p][p]
During the playtests, you will be able to experience most of the content that will be available in the final release of the game (around 20+ hours of it), both on PC and Steam Deck!
[/p][p]We will appreciate all of your feedback and cannot wait to see you in the Spirit Realm.
[/p][p]Take care,
[/p][p]~ 11 bit studios and The Outer Zone teams[/p][p]
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