Hello everyone, this is Bread.As many of you may know, our game features quite a few meta elements. During exploration, players will also come across a strange device called the Setting Machine.
The Setting Machine is not a regular mechanism, nor is it simply a tool that grants the protagonist a new ability. It is more like a machine that can rewrite certain “settings” in the game world. Through it, you can change yourself, alter obstacles, and even redefine the “identity” of certain objects.
For example, while exploring the map, you may encounter an extremely narrow passage.
With a cat’s rather solid body, there is obviously no way to squeeze through. However, with the Setting Machine, you can turn yourself into a mouse.
As a result, a passage that was once impossible to enter becomes a new path forward. Even more interestingly, the mice that once treated you as an enemy will react differently after your identity changes. They will no longer see you as a threat, but instead chat with you like friends.
Beyond changing yourself, the Setting Machine can also alter objects in the world.
For example, a gate may be blocking your way. In a more traditional Metroidvania design, the player might need to take a long detour, reach the other side, activate a mechanism, and create a new shortcut.
But in Bolt & Whalington, you can also choose a far less reasonable solution: turn the gate into a bat.
When a “gate” is no longer a gate, it naturally no longer has the responsibility of blocking your path. A route that was once sealed off is opened.
The Setting Machine can also make seemingly ordinary objects become rather unusual.
For example, imagine a treasure chest placed so high up that it is almost impossible to reach. But what if you turn that chest into Bolt?
Once the treasure chest becomes a cat running around everywhere, you will need to chase it down, defeat it, and then claim the treasure inside.
This is the kind of experience we want the Setting Machine to bring to players. We want you to wonder: “What would happen if I changed the setting of this thing?”
Through the Setting Machine, we hope players can discover solutions in ways that feel absurd, unexpected, and maybe even a little ridiculous.
So just how magical is the Setting Machine?
Once our demo is available, you will be able to experience it for yourself in the game. And don’t forget to add Bolt & Whalington to your wishlist.
See you in the next devlog!