Project Overview
Ethereal Odyssey builds on the workflow and lessons learned during the development of Centurion, focusing on streamlining development and creating a richer gameplay experience. The project incorporates:
- An in-world menu hub system as the Nexus Atrium, which serves as the player’s base of operations.
- Hybrid combat mechanics, blending active and passive combat systems for dynamic gameplay.
- Roman mythology-inspired lore, creating a fantasy version of the Roman Empire with unique characters and environments.
While the game is currently on hold, it represents a strong foundation for future continuation with refined lore and game design.
Development Highlights
Streamlined Workflow
Building on the Unity templates and workflows established in Centurion, this project utilized:
- Efficient project hierarchy for better organization.
- Low-poly asset creation for a consistent and visually appealing art style.
- Integration of Unity’s VFX and Shader Graph for visual effects.
Gameplay Features
Nexus Atrium: The In-World Hub
The Nexus Atrium acts as a sanctuary for the player, connecting the overworld to the various temples. Key features include:
- The Animus Obelisk: A soul container that evolves as the player progresses, offering combat assistance and upgrades.
- Realm Portals: Allowing players to travel to corrupted temples.
Dynamic Combat System
Combat combines active player-driven abilities with passive assistance from the Animus Obelisk. Key mechanics include:
- Attack combinations that create larger effects (e.g., fireballs igniting poison clouds).
- Elemental damage systems
- Core defense mechanics where players protect the Animus Obelisk during raids.
Skill Tree System
To enhance gameplay progression, a custom Skill Tree Editor Tool was developed in Unity. This tool allows for easy creation and editing of abilities, streamlining future content creation.
Lore Highlights
The game is set in a fantasy version of the Roman Empire, where the player is tasked with retrieving lost souls scattered across corrupted temples. The overarching narrative is steeped in Roman mythology, featuring gods, heroes, and spectral entities.
Key lore elements:
- The Animus Obelisk: A divine artifact that bridges the realms of the living and the dead.
- The Nexus Atrium: A mystical hub where the player can meditate, upgrade, and strategize.
- Corrupted Temples: Dungeons filled with soulbound guardians, offering unique challenges and treasures.
Reflection
This project successfully:
- Applied workflows and art styles developed in previous projects, saving time and resources.
- Expanded technical skills in custom Unity tools like the Skill Tree Editor.
- Experimented with hybrid combat mechanics, blending active and passive gameplay.
While the game was put on hold to refine its lore and overall design, Ethereal Odyssey remains a strong foundation for future development.
