Developer Update: Skill System Progress

Hi everyone! I’ve been working on further developing the skill system for the two playable classes currently in Under a Desert Sun: Seekers of the Cursed Vessel.

The goal is to give players meaningful choices through a layered approach to character customization:

On the right side of the screen, you'll find a classic Diablo II-style skill tree—both in appearance and philosophy. It’s deliberately old-school: no free respecs, so each decision matters and helps shape a distinct build.

Complementing that is a more flexible card slot system, which lets you adjust your playstyle on the fly. These cards introduce powerful modifiers and unique mechanics that can significantly alter your approach to combat and exploration.

The interaction between the two systems should create exciting variety. For example, one skill card available to the Adventurer disables rifle usage but unlocks the ability to dual wield pistols, enabling faster, close-range aggression.

The footage included in this update shows the player selecting a Frost or Burn bullet skill card—activating elemental bullets that apply freezing or burning effects to enemies on hit. This is just one of many ways skill cards can evolve your character’s abilities.

Choosing the frost bullet skill:


Using the frost bullets:


ANd use of burnBullets - same card system ofcourse:


More updates soon as the system continues to take shape!