Alta, the creative minds behind A Township Tale (2021), have recently given us an exciting sneak peek into their newest project, REAVE—a dungeon-crawler with a unique extraction twist. While still in the development phase, they’ve revealed intriguing aspects of the game’s design, including a new dungeon and various enemy types.
The latest developer update spotlights a host of improvements and innovations, particularly in a spectacular area dubbed ‘The Fallen Bastion’. According to Sean Ellis, the lead environment artist, this space offers a thrilling mix of open areas, narrow passages, and a balance of well-lit zones alongside shadowy spots perfect for ambushing unsuspecting players or evading formidable foes.
At the heart of this sprawling dungeon resides a mystical pedestal. It’s here that players can kick off intense boss battles, with the current placeholder being a giant spider to aid in testing combat mechanics. “This spider’s a temporary stand-in for now, but it’s helping us fine-tune the feel of our boss encounters while we develop a more tailored experience,” the studio mentions.
As the project evolves, the team is making significant strides in tweaking and enhancing previously unveiled areas. Some locales might even face complete redesigns as the game takes shape, as shared in their latest dev log.
In a nod to its dynamic world-building, Alta has also introduced a fresh enemy model, set to replace the placeholder skeletons. These foes vary in challenge depending on their gear, adding another layer of depth to the gameplay.
An interesting facet of REAVE is its in-world currency system, known as ‘Echoes’ (though it might not be the final name). Players can collect Echoes in a vessel that gradually fills, acquired by defeating enemies or scouring the environment. These Echoes are key to unlocking loot rooms and are crucial for performing dungeon extractions, returning you safely to the social hub to trade your hard-earned spoils.
Eager to dive into the adventure early? You can potentially snag a tester spot by joining the game’s Discord server, where limited openings are occasionally announced. While a specific release date is still under wraps, Alta has confirmed the game will be available on Quest 2 and newer models, as well as PC VR headsets.
