Hello everyone!
scriptwelder here. If you've ever played any of my games, you probably know I like to mix genres and game mechanics. And Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken is no exception!
We are just a week away from the launch on August 21, and today I wanted to give you a closer look at one of the game’s most unique elements: its turn-based combat.
While Labyrinth of the Forsaken is first and foremost a point-and-click adventure packed with exploration, puzzles, and atmosphere, there will be moments where Amy must face her fears head-on. These encounters are handled through a tactical turn-based combat system.
Turn-based combat? In my point-and-click?
Horror without an actual danger is shallow. Instead of cheap jump-scares, Deep Sleep settles on setting a dark, eerie atmosphere, but that doesn't mean the world of nightmarish dreams is safe.
In many horror games the main protagonist is forced to run away from the monsters; and yes, this might be true in some cases in Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken, but more often than not, you can stand your ground and try to fight the nightmares back.
You will have to manage limited resources, and decide when it's wiser to fight or avoid danger altogether. This is what I strongly believe a survival horror should be about, and Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken aims to be exactly that.
However, unlike many classic survival horrors out there, instead of frantic action, combat plays out like a puzzle and you will choose your attacks at your own pace. That's because I never wanted Deep Sleep to be an action game. I find the turn-based approach to be a good middle-ground between your classic point-and-click and a high-stakes horror game, where spooks are something more than just scripted narratives.
Point and hit!
Some of your regular inventory items can be used to attack the enemy, others will let you defend, and some will heal your wounds. One thing they have in common: they are limited. A wrench can only smash so many times before it breaks and a can of meat only has so many bites before it is empty.
And while you can get those items back simply by Imagining them (you're a lucid dreamer, after all!) it will give your adversaries time to strike, so it's better to begin an encounter while prepared.
Now, you can't just use any weapon recklessly; every decision counts. There is a difference between stabbing with a pocket knife and bashing with a crowbar: one will make the enemy lose more health over time, but its short range will also allow them to strike you sooner, so maybe it's not always worth it? Crowbar, on the other hand, can smack the enemy hard enough to stun them, delaying their attack further and buying you time.
Not too hasty!
Like in classic turn-based combat games, you need to think before you click. If your health is running low, it's probably a good idea to do something about that before it's too late. But also, you need to observe your enemies closely: the game tells you what their intent is and how many turns you have before they act. See a red skull icon and a blinking red 0 turns warning? Better grab anything that could be used as a shield and brace for impact!
And yes, I said enemies, plural. Sometimes fights are not fair and you will be outnumbered, forced to juggle your attention between incoming attacks of more than just one foe.
Skill issue?
Not every fight will be possible to beat - at least not right away. Amy will be learning how to lucid dream throughout her adventure and, using an experimental technology from a certain corporation, she will be able to level up and unlock new skills. Weapons will become more powerful in her hands, her ability to summon items will improve in many various ways and she will discover how to read enemies' intentions more precisely to even better prepare for what's coming. Have I mentioned there are also secret special weapons hidden around the realm of dreams?
Dream me a dream
While the combat is designed to be strategic and meaningful, it is just one of many aspects of the game. You might go a long stretch exploring eerie dreamscapes without fighting at all, only to have a sudden encounter that tests your preparation. So maybe it's better to avoid the fight? Sometimes it's possible and actually beneficial, since you save up your precious resources for later. Admittedly, some encounters cannot be avoided: there is an enemy in your direct path and you will have to grab the pipe wrench, like that guy in the Take On Me music video.
Going beyond combat, survival in Labyrinth of the Forsaken will also mean solving environmental puzzles (so don't break that shovel too fast, if you've seen something interesting potentially buried somewhere), and making your way deeper into Amy’s dream world to uncover the truth about her brother Thomas.
I cannot wait for you to experience the tension, mystery, and occasional surprises that await in the Labyrinth. As always, I would love to hear your feedback, so if you have thoughts, ideas, or just want to share your experience, use Steam forums, or join my official Discord server
Stay tuned, and get ready to enter the dream on August 21!
— scriptwelder