Hey everyone! Apologies for the INCREDIBLY LONG wait between posts. I have been, admittedly, getting myself wrapped up in working on HI-09. I picked up on working on Water Treatment after December 22nd (after the Christmas demo), and then directly after that, my focus has pivoted to the different floors of Water Treatment (Work Floor, Sewers).
It's been a lot of work. For context, here's a look at the sewers from an overhead angle. Mind you, it isn't even done yet.
Admittedly, one of the harder attributes of this game has been its puzzles. Shipwrecked's most common criticism was an overuse of codes. Everything was a keypad and it got to a point of just being really annoying for a grand majority of players. I'm trying to find a bit of a fine line between codes, and object-based puzzles.
The sewers, so far at least, have zero keypads set up, the puzzles here are entirely physical and there is a really interesting puzzle that requires you to make use of flooded rooms and drainage systems. It was a hassle of code but I'm very happy with it.
So, what's left to do? Where are we at?
Well, Sewers are the last area of "Phase 1" (Even though we aren't really doing "Phases" in the final release model). Phase 2 starts with the Nightmare, and then the Infirmary.
Phase 2 and 3 (Infirmary and Hotel) are already 100% done.
After this point, I get to direct all of my attention to Phase 4. I am VERY excited for this one. I don't wanna spoil it but even thinking about it's contents makes me VERY excited. I do not wanna make any false promises, but as of now, my hope at least is midway through the year is when we're gonna release this. ABSOLUTELY NO PROMISES, I remember when this was gonna release in 2024, I am not setting myself up to rush the game to completion, but that's my general ETA.
I will also have to prepare for the end of Pre-Show, which is a shorter, but still significant Phase that will happen when the game itself is complete, to kind of serve as an interlude between Shipwrecked and HI-09 (which, is ironic because originally the entire game was an interlude instead of a direct sequel LOL).
I hope this game ends up being worth the wait! I'm really trying to get it don't quickly but, I also do not wanna rush it. It's a difficult balance but I'm doing my best.