Bellular Games, the Belfast, Northern Ireland based game development company, has developed a new hybrid game called The Pale Beyond that combines elements of resource management, survival simulator and visual novel.
The game has already received a positive rating of 92% on Steam and is eagerly awaited by fans of the genre.
In The Pale Beyond, the player takes the lead of an Antarctic expedition following a failed previous mission in which the captain disappeared and the ship got stuck in the ice.
Managing Resources, Safety and Morale
The player must now take care of the resources, safety and morale of the crew, making difficult decisions in order to survive the fight to the absolute magnetic south.
The player's decisions have an impact on the survival of the crew and the overall performance of the expedition. The player must make sure to maintain the balance between the needs of the crew and the goals of the expedition in order to prevent a mutiny or removal of the player.
Visual Novel with Many Characters
The second half of the game is a visual novel with a variety of characters that the player must get to know and learn to love or hate. Each character has their own needs and behaviors that the player must take into account in order to ensure a successful expedition.
The game is particularly challenging, as the environment is hostile and challenges the player in every situation.
Every Decision Has Consequences
The game has the slogan "Every Decision Counts and the Ice Knows No Mercy". The developers wanted to make sure that every decision that decides life or death has an impact on the game and the fate of the crew. Every decision the player makes is important and has consequences.
Developers with Experience
The developers, Thomas Hislop and Michael Bell, have already worked on the ambitious overhaul of World of Warcraft quests before Blizzard shut down the project. The team at Bellular Games has taken on a new and challenging project with The Pale Beyond, and the game is a promising addition to the world of hybrid games.
