Long time readers will be aware of my involvement with The Fall. Anybody who needs one can get a refresher here.
Before digging into the juicy news, I'd like to take a moment to note that last week we were finally able to get The Fall's Linux builds updated, bringing Linux users into sync with Windows and Mac users, and making new features like developer commentary available across all platforms.
In addition to these changes, we were also able to tweak some of The Fall's visual presentation to significantly reduce banding, thanks to some suggestions from the community. We should also be seeing cross platform Steam Cloud support coming online soon as well.
For anybody unfamiliar with The Fall, the game plays out as a mix between a point and click adventure and a metroidvania platformer in which players take on the role of a Mark 7 exosuit named ARID who is activated in response to pilot threatening danger. In unfamiliar environments and with no awareness of the events which lead up to ARID's activation, The Fall carries particular air of ludonarrative synergy as the players' goals, challenges and frustrations align with ARID's own directives, limitations and urgency.
The Fall is on sale on Steam for US$0.99 until the 9th of August, and for anybody who feels more comfortable paying full price, is also available on Humble Store and GOG.
With that out of the way, on to the exciting stuff!
The Fall part 2: Unbound now has an announced release window of Quarter 1 2017, and along with that announcement, I am able to confirm that we'll be seeing a simultaneous release on Linux. If you haven't played the original game, be aware that there are some spoilers coming up!
Unbound's story follows as a direct continuation of the first installment's story, with ARID coming to terms not only with her physical dismantlement, but also the deconstruction of the laws her existence is governed by.
In part 2, we'll see ARID moving beyond the confines of her own body into and onto a "network" that will allow her access to interact with and attempt to control other artificial lifeforms, each with their own sets of attitudes and limitations.
Contrasting personalities, places and themes are at the core of Unbound, and we'll see this manifested in the game's puzzles, with ARID (and by extension players) needing to cope with and handle other characters' needs and drives. What impact will this have on ARID's own reforming sense of identity? Only time will tell.
I've been helping test and give feedback on early builds (Linux support has been a priority even this early on), and while there's still a lot of work left to do between now and release, I'm excited by the directions the game is taking. I'm looking forward to continuing to play a small part of the game's development, and to sharing it with my fellow Linux users when it's ready!
To more information on Unbound's progress, be sure to keep an eye on the Over The Moon Games dev blog.
Before digging into the juicy news, I'd like to take a moment to note that last week we were finally able to get The Fall's Linux builds updated, bringing Linux users into sync with Windows and Mac users, and making new features like developer commentary available across all platforms.
In addition to these changes, we were also able to tweak some of The Fall's visual presentation to significantly reduce banding, thanks to some suggestions from the community. We should also be seeing cross platform Steam Cloud support coming online soon as well.
For anybody unfamiliar with The Fall, the game plays out as a mix between a point and click adventure and a metroidvania platformer in which players take on the role of a Mark 7 exosuit named ARID who is activated in response to pilot threatening danger. In unfamiliar environments and with no awareness of the events which lead up to ARID's activation, The Fall carries particular air of ludonarrative synergy as the players' goals, challenges and frustrations align with ARID's own directives, limitations and urgency.
The Fall is on sale on Steam for US$0.99 until the 9th of August, and for anybody who feels more comfortable paying full price, is also available on Humble Store and GOG.
With that out of the way, on to the exciting stuff!
The Fall part 2: Unbound now has an announced release window of Quarter 1 2017, and along with that announcement, I am able to confirm that we'll be seeing a simultaneous release on Linux. If you haven't played the original game, be aware that there are some spoilers coming up!
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Unbound's story follows as a direct continuation of the first installment's story, with ARID coming to terms not only with her physical dismantlement, but also the deconstruction of the laws her existence is governed by.
In part 2, we'll see ARID moving beyond the confines of her own body into and onto a "network" that will allow her access to interact with and attempt to control other artificial lifeforms, each with their own sets of attitudes and limitations.
Contrasting personalities, places and themes are at the core of Unbound, and we'll see this manifested in the game's puzzles, with ARID (and by extension players) needing to cope with and handle other characters' needs and drives. What impact will this have on ARID's own reforming sense of identity? Only time will tell.
I've been helping test and give feedback on early builds (Linux support has been a priority even this early on), and while there's still a lot of work left to do between now and release, I'm excited by the directions the game is taking. I'm looking forward to continuing to play a small part of the game's development, and to sharing it with my fellow Linux users when it's ready!
To more information on Unbound's progress, be sure to keep an eye on the Over The Moon Games dev blog.
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Is this still supposed to be trilogy? It looks like something I would totally enjoy playing, but I really don't want to wait for another 2-3 years to see an ending.
0 Likes
Not sure how I missed part one when it released, sorted that situation out now.
1 Likes, Who?
Looking good, really glad to see a sequel for this awesome game.
I noticed that banding but didn't bothered me.
One thing that I hope to see is functional gamepad support from day one. The first game it was a bit wonky in that regard initially.
I noticed that banding but didn't bothered me.
One thing that I hope to see is functional gamepad support from day one. The first game it was a bit wonky in that regard initially.
2 Likes, Who?
I had bought part one without realizing that it's episodic. :-/
Didn't yet play it.
Didn't yet play it.
0 Likes
Ah, great to see that it's in good hands and being worked on. I was just today reading about part 2 for Wii U, so it doesn't come as a surprise, but the updates to part 1 sure do! Thanks for your work, Cheeseness :)
1 Likes, Who?
Love love, LOVE the first one. This is great news. Instabuy. Just a bit gutting that I've got another tortuous 6 months to sit through before I can throw money at this...
1 Likes, Who?
Quoting: LinasIs this still supposed to be trilogy? It looks like something I would totally enjoy playing, but I really don't want to wait for another 2-3 years to see an ending.Yep! It was envisioned as a trilogy of short stories that could stand on their own rather than an episodic title. I can't really comment on Unbound, but IMO the first game works well as a standalone story - enough that it makes me sad when I see people who're just hanging out for the next installment instead of appreciating/thinking about first installment's story on its own.
Nothing wrong with waiting though if that's your thing!
Quoting: dubigrasuOne thing that I hope to see is functional gamepad support from day one. The first game it was a bit wonky in that regard initially.If I recall right, most of this stemmed from some gaps in InControl's supported gamepads. As part of my contributions to The Fall, I wrote several profiles that were contributed upstream to InControl. This benefited a bunch of other games, and should help make Unbound's launch a bit more solid in that regard too :)
4 Likes, Who?
I am so looking forward to Part 2. Unfortunately Part 3 will be another wait afterwards.
0 Likes
Quoting: CheesenessYep! It was envisioned as a trilogy of short stories that could stand on their own rather than an episodic title. I can't really comment on Unbound, but IMO the first game works well as a standalone story - enough that it makes me sad when I see people who're just hanging out for the next installment instead of appreciating/thinking about first installment's story on its own.Ok, you got me convinced. I'll give it a shot... in the morning. :)
1 Likes, Who?
I loved the first game. The storytelling really stayed with me for a long time. I went back and played it again a few months ago and it was every bit as good.
I am very glad that Part 2 is coming. Ironically, I ended up looking at the dev blog just two days ago wondering how it was coming. For $0.99, this game is an absolute must-have for anyone who likes the style.
I am very glad that Part 2 is coming. Ironically, I ended up looking at the dev blog just two days ago wondering how it was coming. For $0.99, this game is an absolute must-have for anyone who likes the style.
Quoting: CheesenessIt was envisioned as a trilogy of short stories that could stand on their own rather than an episodic title. I can't really comment on Unbound, but IMO the first game works well as a standalone story - enough that it makes me sad when I see people who're just hanging out for the next installment instead of appreciating/thinking about first installment's story on its own.I can vouch for this. I don't like playing "unfinished" games. The Fall was complete as far as I was concerned. Just think of it as a bit shorter (but not too short) and leaving you very keen to see what comes next.
1 Likes, Who?
Currently working on Winter's Wake, a first person text adventure thing and its engine Icicle. Also making a little bee themed base builder called Hive Time :)
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