Game Announcement: Subterranea

Posted by Rampant Coyote on February 11, 2014

Okay, I normally don’t like to report on games that are this early in development, but I make plenty of exceptions. In this case, it’s because creator John Mabbot… well, he asked. So here it is. The game is called Subterranea, and it’s another one of these games that, on paper anyway, sounds like it was custom-designed for my personal enjoyment.

Subterranea by Cloud Nine Games

First of all – it’s a party-based western-style RPG with turn-based combat. Those used to be an incredible rarity. Fortunately, indies have been stepping up to the plate.

Secondly – it’s incorporating the Open Gaming License for the ruleset. We saw this in Knights of the Chalice, and it worked pretty well in a turn-based game. In fact, Knights of the Chalice remains one of my favorite RPGs, period, occupying something of a similar tier as Pool of Radiance and its sequels in my heart, so hearing that another game is delving into that territory makes me happy.

In fact, John tells me that Pool of Radiance is a major inspiration for this game. He says, “I’ve always imagined that game, with the classic D&D turn-based tactical combat, exploration, political intrigue via the council and storytelling in an engine with modern graphics and physics.”

Okay. Do you think that’s a tease? Try this: “(I’m) looking to introduce PnP-type non-combat gameplay experiences, like feigning death, cutting rope bridges, physics-based traps that cause random chaos, heavier use of ‘exploration spells’, puzzles, etc.”

Elements like natural cover and positioning, physics-based puzzles and environmental challenges are planned. Expect rolling barrels, swinging rope-bridges (as seen in the video), and all other kinds of fun stuff.

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