Hi all,
A big update released today. It's taken over a month to get the load and save game system working to our satisfaction. Initially we planned to allow saving and loading at any time, then decided only to allow checkpoints between levels, and we have kinda settled in the middle allowing load and save at any time, but also auto-check pointing at certain key points.
The're one catch, otherwise things may get just too damn easy, is to only allow ONE SAVE GAME. Yup, you heard it right! It's basically a discretionary checkpoint - a mid way compromise.
Now why would we do this? Discrepant is not your traditional FPS or Open World game where instant save/load is desirable. A lot of the game is based on improving your approach and strategy each time you .. and it has a time limit (at least in certain parts of the game). Game play testing has shown that death can be swift and sudden, and its pretty tough to go back to the start. So check pointing seemed a good idea.
For now, we're allowing discretionary checkpoints (i.e. just as you are about to do something risky, you can at least go back to where you were). But we're not keen to allow the player to build up a lot of alternative threads, as the game might get too easy. So - you have one! Pick your moments carefully.
We'll possibly revise this with feedback, but it seems to work for now.
One last point... and it is not clear from the screenshots and game play videos, is that yes.. you DO HAVE WEAPONS... they are not gratuitous, rather purposeful and important to the plot - and ammo is tough to come by. Also, we have drive-able vehicles of all sorts, several other characters to interact with, and a good measure of NPC enemies - not all human.
We are still looking for beta testers. Apply on our website: http://www.discrepantgame.com
Enjoy!