Greetings, Wanderers!
As I get closer to release, I want to give you a detailed look at the core systems that drive Shardstorm. If you enjoy some theory-crafting, hunting for unique loot, and watching your character grow from a fragile initiate into an unstoppable force, keep reading on!
Let's start with meta-progression, what is saved, what isn't, how the system works, and how it helps you in the long run.
1. Harness the Shards - Character & Account Progression
Your journey doesn't reset when a run ends. Every victory and defeat feeds back into your global power. You can quit a run at any given time, and everything you have gathered up to that point, your gold, items, and materials, is persistently saved to your account. You will never lose your progress, though the run itself will be marked as "Abandoned."
In Shardstorm, there are three possible outcomes for a run: Victory, Defeat, and Abandoned. While the game never punishes you for leaving mid-run, a run can only end in Victory once you successfully defeat Kaelira, the Ashheart. All other outcomes are considered a Defeat or Abandoned.
Mastery Account Level - Earn passive experience across all runs to permanently boost your global account standing, granting you currency, stat boosts, and materials.
Infinite Shard Leveling - Individually level up your Shards to unlock extra raw damage and scale your offensive power.
Astral Wounds - Harness 9 distinct Astral Powers to decimate the screen and completely alter the flow of combat.
The Tree of Whispers - Customize your playstyle using a sprawling passive skill tree that allows for powerful synergies between your Shards, active skills, and Astral Wounds.
Prestige Skills - Master your abilities through 15 base ranks, then push them even further into 10 game-breaking Prestige Ranks.
Enchanting - Visit the Void Merchant with a purse full of coins and raw materials to enchant your weapons, armor, and relics. But be careful, his services do not come cheap!
Skill Manager (Per-Run Only) - Unlike your permanent meta-progression, the Skill Manager resets every single time you start a new run. This system gives you the freedom to build your character in a completely different way each play session. Every in-game level-up rewards you with 1 Skill Point to spend here, making it the perfect sandbox to experiment with new builds.
2. The Storm - Bosses, Loot, Chests, & Crafting
Combat in Shardstorm isn't just about surviving, it is about crafting the ultimate build. Hunt down the chests that spawn around you, loot the essential materials needed to enchant your items, and collect coins to spend on valuable upgrades at the Void Merchant.
Unique Echo Boss Loot - Fight your way through the storm, and as you do, powerful manifestations will start to take notice. Each Echo boss has a chance to drop their own signature weapon, as well as the rare Blood of Aevia.
In-Game Chests & Material Hunting - Scavenge the map for rare crafting ingredients like the Script of the Veiled Star or the Compass of the Hollow Path. Enemies, bosses, and chest drops all provide the essential materials required to enchant your equipment.
Item Enchanting - Every piece of equipment can be enchanted, regardless of its rarity, whether it is Common, Legendary, or Unique. If you bring the required coins and materials, the Void Merchant can upgrade it for you.
3. Choose Your Ordeal - Game Modes
Whether you have 10 minutes to spare or want an infinite challenge, there is a mode for you. Do you want to hunt bosses and Echo manifestations, or push your limits in New Game+?
Answer the Storm: The core campaign where you face escalating threats, unlock the secrets of the Storm, and ultimately confront Kaelira, the Ashheart.
New Game + and HARDCore Mode - Dive into the NG+ cycles, which increase in difficulty each time you defeat Kaelira. How far can you push your build? Alternatively, you can test your skills in Hardcore Mode, where there are no second chances.
The Crucible - A ruthless gauntlet of trials. Put your build to the test in The Iron Gauntlet or see how long you can survive in Maelstrom's Edge. (Note: The Eternal Storm mode is currently under active development and may or may not be available for the 1.0 release).
Daily Run - Compete to see how long you can survive. This mode features Pure Mode rules, no equipment, no Astral Wounds, and no Tree of Whispers passives. This ensures a completely level playing field for everyone, featuring a unique daily seed with custom modifiers, Shards, and maps. You get exactly one attempt per day.
Wishlist Shardstorm!
If you like what you see and want to support the project, please add Shardstorm to your Steam Wishlist.
Developer Note
I am currently working hard on final UI/UX adjustments, hunting down remaining bugs, polishing visual effects, and balancing the gameplay to ensure the 1.0 release is as polished as possible. Thank you all for your patience and incredible support!