It's been a while, so I'm here with new information about the upcoming action adventure game 1428: Shadows over Silesia. Most importantly, I've got a bunch of new screenshots. You can check them out on Steam store page: Store.steampowered.com. I've also created a short, separate gameplay edit from the trailer: Youtu.be.
Last time, I provided a quick overview of the game's main features, and today I'd like to elaborate on these a little more. But first, I'd like to express my gratitude for the awesome coverage this game has received! A lot of domestic as well as foreign media outlets wrote about it. My thanks to all!
Inspiration and setting
The entire game was strongly inspired by Andrzej Sapkowski's Hussite trilogy and the events in the game even partially take place in the same time period and place - during the spring campaign of 1428. Just like the famous author, I'm trying to tell real history and combine it with a fictitious story with fantasy elements.
Silesia is suffused with magic. Specifically, you will encounter wizards under false identities, possessed devil worshipers, sexual demons, and beasts from hell, as well as creatures well-known from European mythology. The game is linear and you will go through the whole story chapter by chapter, both on foot and on the back of a horse. You will visit a variety of real as well as fictitious places. Among others: Röwersdorf, Nysa, the Brzeg monastery, or the Rabesberg castle. You will plunder villages, doggedly defend streets of towns, or explore places such as secret dungeons, abandoned mines, and forbidden parts of monasteries.
The story is a serious one and it's intended exclusively for mature audiences. However, humor and cynical lines are sprinkled in here and there, and attentive players will pick up on a good number of pop culture references to famous movies, TV shows, or books.
Graphics and game mechanics
The game graphics are inspired by classic RPG games (although there are no RPG elements here). The graphics are isometric, stylized, and a bit fairytale-like. The action often takes place underground, in the rain, or at night, which amplifies the whole atmosphere and focus, which is placed mostly on light and shadow.
Gameplay is built on three main pillars - exploring, riddles, and combat/stealth. You will have to take advantage of your environment, search for objects, obtain information, and solve riddles or enciphered messages. Some challenges can be solved in multiple ways or can be cleverly worked around. I will give two quick examples:
- In a dungeon, you will either solve a riddle on the wall - the solution will refer you to moving statues which open a door with no lock. Or, in an opportune moment, you can surprise and defeat skeletons patrolling nearby and get past the door through a hole in a collapsed wall. If you discover both of these options, the choice of how to proceed is yours.
- In another place, you will be passing through a narrow corridor where you discover a trap. You will realize that it must be deactivated in order for you to get past it, but several enemies will cluster around you right then and there. You will go back and activate the trap at the exact moment your enemies are walking through it. They all die in spasms.
The combat system is easy to understand. It only uses two buttons, after all - one for attacking and the other for defense. Still, it will take practice to fully master it. Being outnumbered is a problem! If three or more opponents jump at you at one time, you will die! The key is to take advantage of their mistakes, wait for the right moment, and then attack. You will face not just knights, villagers, or highwaymen, but also various supernatural beings - and you shouldn't underestimate them.
In certain parts, direct confrontation is not the way to go. You will sometimes become invisible and creep through shadows past your enemies in order to avoid being seen. Monitoring their patrol routes and habits might help you find the ideal path. Or you can try to eliminate them quietly, one by one.
Czech dubbing
I was able to establish cooperation with the dubbing in-group Fénix ProDabing and therefore I can happily announce that the game will include not only Czech subtitles, but also complete Czech dubbing! In relation to this, a Czech-dubbed announcement teaser trailer is being released: Youtu.be.
Fénix ProDabing is an interest group which mainly focuses on non-commercial amateur dubbing and voiceovers with a wide fan and supporter base - more information (only in Czech language) at Fenixprodabing.cz.
Future plans
At some point in the second quarter of next year, a second (story) trailer will follow, along with a press release which will shed light on other, so far undiscussed aspects of gameplay and especially the story. I will also announce the expected (approximate) release date.
At the end of October, a playable demo will be available exclusively at the Gamerpie festival in Brno, Czech Republic. The game will be a part of the so-called "Gamer's Path" in which Bohemia Interactive will participate with its game Vigor, Spitihněv with the retro action Hrot, as well as Silicomrades with Outside the Fox, among others. More information (also only in Czech) at Gamerpie.wtf.
About the team
I've been developing the entire project as its sole programmer and designer for approximately the last year and a half. Several external collaborators have assisted me with the project (mainly with graphics, music, dubbing, and localization) as well as a team of volunteer testers.
Technical details
The game is currently planned only for Windows and PC and it runs on the Unity engine. I'm counting on gamepad support. Other platforms are being considered.
Other useful links
- Steam: Store.steampowered.com
- Web: Shadows1428.com
- Discord: Discord.gg
- Twitter: Twitter.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com
- Facebook: Facebook.com
- Youtube: Youtube.com
