Greetings ladies, gentlemen and any eldritch entities watching us from the void!
It’s been a while since we last shared any news following the announcement of Stygian: Outer Gods, and given the season of ever-lengthening darkness giving rise to the tendrils of madness and despair reaching out from the depths of night, gripping and squeezing our minds all day long… Erm, well. What we meant to say is, Happy Holidays everyone! We think it’s the right time now to lift the curtain a little and give you a first taste of what’s coming with Stygian: Outer Gods next year.
One of the most frequently asked questions since the announcement has been about the game’s connection to Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones. Yes, they are indeed connected; as we are developing a prequel set in the misty town of Kingsport, before the Black Day began. Arkham is still located in Massachusetts, and its residents are living their ordinary lives.
Creating a game within an already established universe while doing justice to the original source material - the works of H.P. Lovecraft - is both a great honor and a true challenge for us. Especially considering the transition from a side-view classic RPG to an immersive first-person experience in full 3D.
Our team approaches this with utmost care. We hope to not only delight the old guard of H.P. Lovecraft fans but also attract new ones, introducing them to his unique take on horror and the genre his mind gave birth to.
It’s important to note that while the game is a part of the Stygian universe, and we aim to connect our prequel’s story to the original Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones in many ways, we are very much making a standalone game, with its own unique features, accessible to complete newcomers to the franchise as well.
The World
As we have already mentioned, the game takes place in the misty town of Kingsport, which plays a key role in the future fate of the world. Due to bloody, profane rituals conducted deep within a local mansion, this place has become a locus for Lovecraftian nightmares that lie in wait, ready to ensnare any and all unwelcome guests. Players will have the chance to visit iconic locations from many of H.P. Lovecraft’s works: a lighthouse of the old keeper, a mysterious mansion, an abandoned church, and others.
The Story
The game’s narrative is deeply rooted in the Stygian universe, reflecting its themes and lore. To ensure authenticity and seamless connections, we consulted with the narrative designer of Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones. His insights helped us align the story, weaving it into the overarching universe and tying all elements together cohesively.
The game's protagonist is a former anthropologist and soldier, discharged due to a severe injury. Struggling with a fragile and deteriorating mental state, he is haunted by recurring nightmares and consumed with guilt over the unresolved disappearance of his father.
At the start of the game, everything shifts dramatically for our hero, and his life takes on a new purpose. He receives an invitation from a young woman to join an expedition to Kingsport, a secluded, enigmatic place that captivated his father’s interest. This journey offers not only a chance to uncover the secrets of Kingsport but perhaps also the key to understanding his father’s mysterious fate.
Players will find themselves drawn into a labyrinth of mysteries and hidden schemes, where every character harbors their own secret motives, shrouded in layers of deceit. As the clock ticks, the ominous arrival of the Black Day looms ever closer, leaving little time to unravel the truth. And as for the enigmatic Dismal Man—what role does he play in this unfolding drama? That’s a tale for another time, we will not be uncovering that particular secret today.
The Legacy
As they explore the town, players will encounter a variety of characters, including familiar faces from Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones.
Naturally, iconic Lovecraftian characters, such as Keziah Mason, will make their presence felt, each woven into the eerie tapestry of the game, strengthening and expanding it with the threads of their own captivating storylines.
Players will have the opportunity to not only meet familiar faces from the original Stygian, but also to discover iconic items; such as the H&W Military Police Revolver or the Cayuga Double-Barreled shotgun.
The game will feature a diverse arsenal of intriguing weapons, used in both ranged and melee combat - but don’t mistake it for a straightforward first-person shooter. Ammo will be scarce and enemies formidable - meaning that avoiding encounters through stealth might often be the wiser choice. “Choice” being a key word when talking about the gameplay in Stygian: Outer Gods, as the players will always have various options for how to approach an encounter. The game will also feature a character customization system that will let them unlock and upgrade skills and abilities to further hone their preferred playstyle – but more on that later, stay tuned!
We plan to gradually reveal more aspects of the game. After all, we haven’t yet touched on topics such as the immersive environment, role-playing elements, combat system, crafting, the protagonist’s supernatural abilities, survival mechanics, the role insanity will play, and more.
What would you like to hear about next? Write your questions in the comments - we’ll be sure to address the most popular and interesting ones in future developer diaries. And don’t forget to wishlist and follow the game here on Steam, so you don’t miss any of our coming updates!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2581410/Stygian_Outer_Gods/