Hey Jotunnslayers!
Welcome to Dev Blog #13 for Jotunnslayer: Hordes of Hel! The next update is bringing an entirely new world - Jotunheim - along with the arrival of a powerful new god, Skadi!
In today’s blog, we’ll dive into the lore, game design, and visual aesthetics of Jotunheim’s harsh and unforgiving landscapes. We’ll also explore what Skadi brings to the battlefield and highlight additional improvements and fixes coming with this update.
Alright, let's go!
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HOW DOES THE JOTUNHEIM LOOK AND FEEL?
While trying to maintain familiarity with what the old Norse could have described as an alien giant-occupied landscape, we have imagined a cold, harsh, and barely hospitable tundra in the mountainous plateaus of Jotunheim. The realm's environment should be, after all, the reason for the Jotnar savagery and brutality.
We have settled primarily around large basalt column structures, resembling a sort of purposeful giant-cut architecture. The uninviting, yet strangely cozy ambiance of stone-cold rock is underlined by volcanic sands, dry grass, and bone-to-leather props - all to create an eerily primal image.
With the props being the main visual cues to reinforce the environment's theme, we have decided to amp up the ante of the map itself and introduce environmental hazards in the form of strong winds and magical basalt bridges that will connect individual plateaus.
At the end of it all, Jotunheim should seem vivid and northerly exotic while feeling harsh and forbidding.
NEW ENEMIES
Creatures and monsters you encounter in Jotunheim fit right into this fragmented yet primordial landscape. However, with a slight twist: in Jotunheim, everything might end up giant: giants among giants, staggering elementals, gargantuan insects - or the worst nightmare of all - enormous flying bugs!
Yes, aside from the massive ancient civilization of shamans, throwers, and elemental hazards, Jotunheim has been invaded (or swarmed, rather) by relentless waves of insects. Unlike their colossal neighbors, these bugs can traverse the gorges without the need for magical footbridges.
OBJECTIVES
Oppressive elements and invasive insects melt right down into the objectives awaiting you in Jotunheim as well. From venomous elementals, insect invasions, and newly tough, but not unfair Nithstangs.
We haven't forgotten our signature Curse. This time around centered around the storm that seems to be focusing on the area. Thunderstorms with a chance of strong winds. You might want to leave your umbrellas at home, people.
Check out the Jotunheim video teaser HERE: https://youtu.be/Tm79YOl4buk
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What else is dropping with the 0.2 UPDATE?
SKADI - Mistress of ice and precision - joins the Pantheon
Goddess of winter, mountains, and bowhunting (as well as skiing this time of year) is the latest member to our gods roster. With Skadi, the crystal giantess with a particular knack for ice, frost, and everything frozen, we are introducing Seal mechanic - you will be able to lock a skill in place through your level-ups for the moments where you certainly can’t have it both ways. Talk about NOT letting it go with her.
Secondly, with all her skills centered around cold and ice, we have heard your cries and decided to give her the power to blow your problems away a tad more often with additional Banishes and Rerolls.
After all, what’s better than being cool, right?
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And to summarize with this - we've been listening closely to your feedback and constantly working to enhance your experience slaying the Hordes of Hel. With that in mind, this update also brings:
- A few UI improvements
- Hotfixes
- Additional language support
- Five new trophies to unlock
Stay tuned for more, fierce Jotunnslayers!
Stay strong, keep the momentum and see you in Hel, everyone!