Another month of intense work has gone by, and it’s time for our third “Between Realities” devlog 🪓
This time, we want to update you on the progress we’re making as we move closer, day by day, to the Early Access release. We’ll give you a glimpse into some crafting and building dynamics, with a special focus on something that will allow you to explore areas that initially seem out of reach: bridges!
THE WAY OF THE LUMBERJACK
Over the past month, the team has focused on several core aspects of the gameplay experience. We’ve introduced new crafting logic, defined basic behaviors for various types of monsters, and enriched the game world with assets, atmospheric dynamics, and dungeons. The world of Among the Trolls is coming to life more and more each day, and in such a dense forest, a large number of towering trees is a must – they’re an extremely valuable resource for anyone trying to survive under their canopy.
Naturally, you’ll be able to cut down trees on the island and use the wood in many ways, but this action won’t be purely functional: it reflects the relationship between humans and nature – a give and take that must be done with respect.
This month, we’ve worked on improving tree physics and animations – for example, how the trunk falls and splits into different parts. We’ve also refined the look of the logs (which Anna can physically carry), as well as the branches and twigs that can be collected and used for crafting and environmental interactions.
Work-in-progress screenshots. Assets are still subject to change.
Cut wood can be used in a variety of ways, but today we’re focusing on one in particular: building your ticket to explore previously unreachable areas… sturdy bridges.
ALTERNATIVE PATHS: BRIDGES
In the wild world of Among the Trolls, you won’t just find pre-marked roads or convenient trails – sometimes you’ll need to find alternate paths to reach your goals, or even create them yourself.
We recently introduced the bridge-building system, which allows you to use the wood you’ve gathered to construct custom connections – whether it’s to reach a distant island or to cross a challenging path.
Using a ghost placement system and smart anchor points, you’ll be able to preview where each part of the bridge will go, with full control over the rotation of each piece so you can build around any obstacles. We’ve worked on feedback systems that will always ensure the structure you’re building is “valid,” so you never risk reaching the end only to find you can’t place the final piece.
Thanks to these constructions, you’ll gain access to new islands, secrets, and – who knows – maybe even forgotten creatures. Bridges will also require maintenance, and you’ll be able to dismantle the ones you no longer need to recover valuable materials. We can’t wait to see all the creative ways you’ll use them!
Work-in-progress clip. Assets are still subject to change.