Hello everybody! I hope you're all having a great month thus far, I have been working a lot meanwhile!
OK, so what have I been up to? Firstly, I've come up with a general outline of how I plan to direct the project, and my progress in the pre-production process.
Metamorph: Aftermath will have 3 Chapters: I plan to have these chapters be approximately 1 hour long of gameplay each, if the player does the relatively fast route (and not the preferred Golden Path, or Designer's Path).
And adding to what I've said in the previous post, the game will not only just be released on Steam... It will be released in Early Access in December 2026, with the entirety of Chapter 1 complete. Of course, if most things go according to plan!
And an idea I have to separate Chapters is to have it in "Segments" (alike how I did with Chang3D). My idea is that each Chapter will be a Sector, and the sector will have 4 floors. Each floor will have a playable time of 15 minutes. Combining this, we get the desired one hour of playtime for the Chapter!In this setup, it is also easier to develop it and provide playable, fun builds for you guys, and get feedback and suggestions along the way.
Also, we'll be giving more importance to transformation and monster-play with a brand new mechanic and lore aligned toward it... The C.R.U.X. Nexus.This device will allow you to transmorph into monsters, and then un-transform back into human, allowing unique play styles and experimentation... I'm sure you'll love it! Just be sure to not abuse it... O.oThis device is also capable of speech, and has a personality. E.C.H.O. is one of the names we're considering. It also acts as a companion along the way!
So, enough of future, what have I been doing with the Pre-production process in the present?
I timeboxed myself to finish a couple of Pre-production design questions before February 10, such as: Enemy Types / List, Level Types, Items and Weapons list.
Just recently, I have finished the general list of enemies you will be able to encounter in the game! With a variety of enemy types, tiers, properties and unique behaviors. Here's a preview of some of them...
---
Pure Liquimorph Infestor (Tier 1, Pure):
Found on Chapter 1.
A relatively small headcrab-like monster; spider-like; has an "opening" in its chest to attach itself to non-Liquimorphs; it's body pulses, growing and shrinking slightly; has a shape of a strange "syringe";
Very weak, but quite fast; deals damage first, and when you're less than half health, it can successfully attach itself to you, assimilating you.
Transmorph: When doing so, it will cocoon its victim and commence transformation. Upon finishing, the Infestor and the victim will merge into a Pure Torment.
Pure Liquimorph Expectorator (Tier 2, Pure)
Found on Chapters 1 and 3.
Anthropomorphic; bipedal; Stands curved; Has goo "sacks" on its back; along with spiny protrusions; Has the head alike a Komodo Dragon (or other more fitting reptile);
Easy to kill, hard to deal with in groups. A group of them makes that “unit” become a Shepherd (drives prey to conversion sites).Additionally, hard to get close as it tends to try to get away and shoot from afar.
Transmorph: Having one close up and having him grab you and throw up on you will turn you into another Pure Expectorator; otherwise, if shooting its "acid" from afar, it will turn you into a Pure Drone.
Tenebris Liquimorph Phantasm (Tier 1, Tenebris)
Found on Chapter 2.
A semi-anthropomorphic, dark-coloured, bat-like creature; quintuple the size of a normal bat; wears a Crystal Mask on its face;
Very weak, albeit agile; can fly; Can easily hide at walls or ceilings; it is quadruped by default, but can stand in two legs in some occasions; will react to light negatively, becoming aggravated; lingers in darkness;
Transmorph: will fly toward your head and "hug" you with its wings, and will start growing until it completely engulfs you; the merging will result in a Tenebris Liquimorph Specter.
---
As you can see, there are different tiers, starting from zero and topping in five, and "purities" — ranging from the sickly white Pure, going into the middle, gray Silver, and lastly contrasting with the dark, corrupted Tenebris.
The Enemy Types List currently has a total of 34 enemy types, and will be used along the game and its levels, and gives me a whole lot more stability and guidance to me, as a developer.
Now, I was currently working on the Level Types and made some good progress, but there were some time impediments, and I ran out of time, so I'll have to start working this Monday on the Items list. At the end of this Sprint, I think I'll re-focus on the Levels again.
When I finish this Pre-production and designing process, I will commence work on the actual art and game mechanics of the game, and you'll start seeing builds frequently!But I feel this process is really important, as it's something I didn't do before, and it was costly to me.
Anywho, more news are on the way as I complete my tasks for this process! I'm sure this extra organization will pay off in the end :D
Thank you all very much for supporting my work, especially this month, where contributions were very consistent. You have my deepest gratitude !!! See you all quite soon.