Adventure Game Studio

AGS Games => AGS Games in Production => Topic started by: shaun9991 on Fri 03/07/2020 12:17:35

Title: The Excavation of Hob's Barrow - published by Wadjet Eye games!
Post by: shaun9991 on Fri 03/07/2020 12:17:35
Hi guys!

The Excavation of Hob's Barrow is a folk horror narrative-driven adventure. Explore the isolated moors of rural Victorian England as you uncover the mysteries of Hob's Barrow. The answers lie in the soil...

You can check out the Steam page here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1182310/ (Wishlists are appreciated if you like the look of it! Thanks :))



A mysterious letter brings noted barrow-digger Thomasina Bateman to the isolated and somewhat unwelcoming village of Bewlay, England. A subsequent series of strange events in this ancient and sodden landscape prove that this will be no ordinary dig for Miss Bateman.

The excavation of Hob's Barrow will uncover more than was bargained for...

FEATURES:
- A dark, complex and evolving storyline featuring interwoven elements from real English folklore- with many twists and turns.
- Traditional point and click adventure game puzzles and interactions, with an easy modern interface.
- A cast of intriguing characters, from suspicious villagers to sickly vicars to lordly landowners, all with their own unique stories and motives.
- A distinct "folk horror" tone and grounding.
- Evocative pixel-art graphics, featuring cut-scenes and engaging animations.
- A suitably atmospheric original soundtrack from the musician behind the award-winning "Football Game" soundtrack.
- Fiends in the furrows, the smell of damp soil, and a cat or two.

(https://cadgames.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/7/5/11750879/inc1_orig.png)

(https://cadgames.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/7/5/11750879/in2_orig.png)

(https://cadgames.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/7/5/11750879/incantamentum-woods-pic_orig.png)

(https://cadgames.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/7/5/11750879/inc3a_orig.png)

Thoughts welcome!

Many thanks,
Shaun
Cloak and Dagger Games
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: JackPutter on Fri 03/07/2020 12:59:52
This looks terrific! I particularly adore the character designs. I'm always a fan of horror point-and-click games, so I will definitely be picking this one up as soon as it's ready! It's gone straight onto my wishlist and I'll definitely be following the development if you plan on posting updates.
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: milkanannan on Fri 03/07/2020 13:38:05
Looks great! Just wishlisted it (nod)
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: Matti on Fri 03/07/2020 14:55:40
Mee too  :)

I really like the looks of this!
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: heltenjon on Fri 03/07/2020 15:17:02
This looks really great!
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: ukz530 on Fri 03/07/2020 15:51:51
The background art is so cool!

I'll look forward to it  ;)
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: Pogwizd on Fri 03/07/2020 16:01:31
This looks super cool. Given that Mudlarks is still one of my top AGS games, I'm really looking forward to that one : )

Before reading the description I thought it was set in Ireland around the time of the Great Famine.
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: Frodo on Fri 03/07/2020 17:07:30
The game looks fantastic.   :cheesy:

Any plans for a DRM-free release?  Please don't make it steam-only. 
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: Gord10 on Sat 04/07/2020 08:07:29
I have been following you and this game. Can't wait to play it!
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: rongel on Sat 04/07/2020 08:33:07
Looks great, and the setting is interesting.

Wishlisted! :-D
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: sag_aloo55 on Sat 18/07/2020 15:14:41
The look and feel of this are absolutely fantastic! Have wishlisted and can't wait to play
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM
Post by: AndreasBlack on Thu 13/08/2020 11:34:49
Looks fantastic!  8-0 A bit of a Indy Fate of Atlantis graphics vibe too it!

Keep it up!!
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM - demo available!
Post by: shaun9991 on Sun 11/10/2020 22:00:30
Thanks for all the lovely feedback! :) Development has been going well and we are on track for a Q1 2021 release on Steam and itch.io

The INCANTAMENTUM demo is available to download on Steam until October 13th, as part of their Steam Game Festival: Autumn Edition. You can find the demo here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1182310/INCANTAMENTUM/ (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1182310/INCANTAMENTUM/)

We also had some great key art made recently, I love it!
(https://cadgames.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/7/5/11750879/psdfile-10_orig.jpg)

Would love to hear what you think!

Thanks,
Shaun
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM - demo available!
Post by: Mandle on Sun 11/10/2020 23:47:49
You had me at "Hob's Barrow"!
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM - demo available!
Post by: Vincent on Mon 12/10/2020 09:21:20
I played the demo on Steam today and I have no words to describe the quality of the graphics and animations, they are truly beautiful! I can't wait to purchase this game when it comes out! I would have liked to hear the voices of the characters on such a masterpiece, I hope there would be a chance for adding them because all of this it would be even more amazing! Congratulations and thanks for releasing the demo, I wish you the best of luck with the development!

Spoiler

A small report when I played it happened that the text that appears at the bottom of the screen got stuck while a cutscene was being performed, I think that I first went to talk to the old man and then I started the conversation with the owner of the inn, I made a screenshot to show you:
(https://i.imgur.com/IYY0E73.png)
[close]

Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM - demo available!
Post by: rongel on Mon 12/10/2020 11:06:28
Tested the demo, and it was great! The art style really evoked the atmosphere of the rugged countryside. And things started to get exciting just as the demo ended, which made me want to see more.

Looking forward to the full game!
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM - demo available!
Post by: Matti on Mon 12/10/2020 21:14:44
I very much enjoyed the demo and I'm very much looking forward to the full game  :)
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM - demo available!
Post by: Shadow1000 on Mon 12/10/2020 22:04:49
 I played it today and the graphics, animation, sound, lighting and rain effects are FLAWLESS. The story is fresh and intriguing. Awesome preview.

My only gripe is that I had to download Steam and create a login. I think I had to go through the process 4 times clicking all squares that contain a taxi or a bus and so on just to play the game. I guess if people have Steam then it's not a big deal but otherwise...
Title: Re: INCANTAMENTUM - demo available!
Post by: sag_aloo55 on Tue 13/10/2020 19:48:57
I too played the demo today and thought it was excellent. I think one thing the game achieves really well is capturing the feel of the setting - I felt drawn in straight away and it gave me a strong urge to continue. Fantastic.

It struck me that the game is more 'task-oriented' than 'puzzle-oriented' (i.e. the player is given tasks to do which advance the story, rather than hard puzzles for the sake of being hard); this is great because it keeps the focus story-telling, which is what I enjoy most about adventure games. Oddly enough, yesterday I was reading a 1989 (!) article by Ron Gilbert, in which he makes this point:

If any type of game is going to bridge the gap between games and storytelling, it is most likely going to be adventure games. They will become less puzzle solving and more story telling, it is the blueprint the future will be made from.

https://grumpygamer.com/why_adventure_games_suck

So the prophecy was true.

One minor semi-bug I spotted:
Spoiler
when I removed the plank that was blocking the toilet door I didn't open the door from the outside but instead went back into the pub and through the toilet again; when I tried to open the door from the inside Thomasina said something like "there must be something blocking it from the outside" but the plank had already been removed; I went back and opened it from outside and it worked fine.
[close]
I doubt it will come up much but just pointing it out in case helpful.

Looking forward to the full game.