Hey folks, Chris here!
I'm the director of BIG HOPS. I wanted to share an update on our progress getting the final touches of BIG HOPS funded on Kickstarter!
After two weeks, we're about to hit our funding goal! That means we'll have the money we need for full VO, localization, QA, and getting started on PS5 and Xbox ports. We'll still be live for another 13 days, so if you're interested in helping us reach some stretch goals, getting early access to the full game, getting some digital rewards (artbook, OST, and design notes), or adding your hat, NPC, or challenge room design to the full game then hop over to Kickstarter:
Don't expect this feed to get spammed with promotional links, think of this as a one time thing to celebrate our campaign imminently crossing 100%. To that end I'm going to share some details about the Red Desert area that immediately follows our demo:
So what is BIG HOPS? What do you DO?
BIG HOPS is an adventure first and foremost. The game takes place across four big Worlds: Hop's Forest, the Red Desert, the Ocean Rigs, and Shattered Mountain. You'll spend hours in each meeting dozens of characters, discovering new veggies and tongue interactions, and exploring carefully crafted worlds.
Each of these Worlds has a self contained story. You'll meet a main character, get involved in their drama, and try to help make things better while also seeking the Airship Part you need to get home.
The story in each World offers a different perspective on the big thematic question running through Hop's adventure: How do we balance individual pursuit with social responsibility? I won't say more about the subtext behind the game or Worlds, but that question underlies everything you do in the game.
Let's take a deeper look at the Red Desert (which follows the demo):
In the Red Desert, you'll find a hidden village of Rabbits where a giant sinkhole is threatening to swallow the town. The villagers are nervous and panicked, but the village council continues to reassure everyone that things are fine (they're not). There, a masked stranger invites you to spy on a supposed organized crime family to determine if they're behind the sinkhole.
To reach the family hangout, Gulley HQ, you'll need to cross sand dunes and desert canyons using froggy parkour and a new Cactus Fruit that lets you scale walls by building tightropes.
Eventually you'll find yourself deep underground in the sewers under Gulley HQ. You'll find gross Goo Balls that'll help you get around- make sure to handle with care, since they're one of our trickiest veggies to get a handle on.
To make it through the Sewers you'll have to use your tongue to pick locks, crawl through vents, and use a handy Camera Gadget to collect evidence proving who's behind the growing sinkhole.
Who IS behind the sinkhole? Why is this masked stranger leading you around? Is there even an Airship Part for you in all this mess? I'll leave these questions for you to figure out during your full playthrough when BIG HOPS releases later this year!
Cheers,
Chris