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The Other Tales
The release of Outcast Tales is getting closer. We hope the game provides plenty of fun for everyone, with many hours of content to take a crack at. But dont just sit on your hands simply replaying The First Journey over and over in anticipation, as we will be releasing an update to The First Journey, so you might want to wait before jumping into adventure with fresh eyes. How about you play or watch something else for now instead? And thats why were here today. Together, we are going to take a look at media with obvious similarities to Outcast Tales; some of it mightve even inspired us in some ways! Hopefully, these stories will tide you over while youre biting your nails off in wait for the game.
Its a zombie apocalypse and only your dim-witted friends can save you! Explore the cute and quirky side of post-civilizational mayhem, ward off zombies with a bunch of random items, and survive while ransacking locations for fuel and resources.
The idea of a team of unique characters going on a large, semi-randomized adventure definitely was a big inspiration for the general progression of Outcast Tales. We really wanted our game to have tons of items, unique events, and character interactions that make every playthrough feel different. And yet, even with all the carnage going on, each new run still manages to tell a unique story and create a fun memory. The big highlight for us were the car rides in-between the action locations: each one sets up some sort of a unique scenario and mini-story, lets the player do a meaningful choice that changes the outcome of their playthrough or affects their resources, and also acts as a springboard for character dialogue and fun banter. Having these episodes accomplish multiple goals at the same time while keeping things brisk and breezy is something we definitely learned from for our Campfire sections.
Surely you expected a Western picture to be a big inspiration, didnt you? Many probably expected something closer to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, though Both Trigun and Outcast Tales fall into the category of Western, but only metaphorically so: things dont literally take place in the Wild West (in fact, both take place in the far future), but things do happen against a somewhat desert-y backdrop meant to symbolize an unconquered frontier.
What really sets these apart is injecting a hearty dose of comedy into the usually stoic setting, with both Vash and your main party bouncing off other characters in unexpected ways (that said, Outcast Tales definitely brings even more havoc to the table). It isnt all smiles and laughs, though: as you watch or read Trigun, deeper layers will come into play, revealing secret pasts and clandestine conspiracies. While this isnt exactly the template used in Outcast Tales, we did want to highlight a few more thought-provoking moments throughout the adventure: as you play, your party will be faced with plenty of funny and somber choices, leading to unexpected and permanent consequences. A lot of these moments are played for laughs, but theyre often based on some type of a real moral dilemma, and we hope these sequences give you a nice opportunity to engage with the game on a slightly deeper level. Sometimes just stopping and thinking for a few moments makes the ensuing carnage all that sweeter, you know? Its just a few moments, though!
You might have expected that, and its no surprise, as the games do share some of the DNA.
Obviously, Outcast Tales is not a deck builder game, but what we really wanted to hone into are the tactics surrounding your opponents. Each battle in Slay the Spire is an event that requires you to plan your deck accordingly and engage in an arduous fight that will test your planning, wits, and maybe a little bit of your luck. For Outcast Tales, we aimed to take that feeling of each fight being an important, boss-like event, and boosting the strategic factor way up. You are not dealt a deck of cards this time, but you are also not braving the sandstorms all alone. The key factor to every battle is your party composition and being able to plan around your teams moves and long-term growth. Most importantly, Outcast Tales lets you view the upcoming turns and actions of your opponents. All the machinations are laid bare, which lets you focus on the strategizing aspect of a particular fight. Your luck really only matters for the critical hits and out-of-battle scenarios.
We hope the tactical nature of our games battle system produces plenty of synergies with your customizable party and the myriad of random events, making each run truly a unique experience and a tale to be told and retold.
Last but not least. Lets address what is possibly the biggest highlight of Outcast Tales: the writing. We always wanted to zero in on the concept of making an RPG rougelite game. But is it really a true RPG if you don't have miles upon miles of optional dialogue that dives deep into every characters personal history, the worldbuilding, and the social mores that echo our own predicaments? We thought so too, so instead we filled the game to the brim with jokes and outrageous situations to make it as shareable and repostable as possible. In all seriousness, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a brilliant piece of writing and a masterpiece of sci-fi satire, and if you havent listened to it, or read it, or at least watched it you really should. What makes it special for us, is that it deconstructs its genre while still preserving what makes it fun for the readers in the first place. Taking the sci-fi tropes and plot contrivances and cranking them up to eleven doesnt take away from the core aspects of a sci-fi story, nor does it make the what-if philosophical quandaries less compelling; lampshading the trappings of the genre only ends up making them shine brighter. That, and we just wouldnt be able to live without the thick, succulent paste of its British cheekiness.
A moment from the 2005 movie adaptation For Outcast Tales, we strived to do a similar thing for the Western genre, post-apocalyptic scenarios, and sci-fi, all rolled into one. We even brought in Samuel Barnett to do the voice and provide the game with that missing Englishman touch. Of course, we wouldnt be able to preserve exactly the same narrative structure due to the games interactive and randomized nature. However, were hoping the writing chops will shine through in a myriad of character encounters, scenarios that skirt the line between hilarious and morbid, and all the billions of words of character dialogue were working on. Outcast Tales can be many things, but at the end of the day we hope it becomes a fun and funny story for you to experience and share with others.
So how was that for a trip down the memory lane? Obviously, these werent the only influences on Outcast Tales weve also been inspired by even more video games, Terry Prachett, and our tabletop sessions, among a multitude of other media. We hope sharing those with you gave you some insight into our creative process. Who knows, maybe youll even pick up some new favorites and have something to scratch that itch before the inevitable release of the game! But enough about us: what is it that makes you excited for Outcast Tales? Are there certain inspirations youre looking forward to? A certain gameplay mechanic you like, or a feeling you wish to capture? Share all of it on the CRITICAL REFLEX Discord server! And dont forget to follow our Twitter page and wishlist the game on Steam to stay posted on all the upcoming updates. See you soon! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-05-30 12:51:06 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, Misfits!
The release of Outcast Tales is getting closer. We hope the game provides plenty of fun for everyone, with many hours of content to take a crack at. But dont just sit on your hands simply replaying The First Journey over and over in anticipation, as we will be releasing an update to The First Journey, so you might want to wait before jumping into adventure with fresh eyes. How about you play or watch something else for now instead? And thats why were here today. Together, we are going to take a look at media with obvious similarities to Outcast Tales; some of it mightve even inspired us in some ways! Hopefully, these stories will tide you over while youre biting your nails off in wait for the game.
Death Road to Canada (2016)
Its a zombie apocalypse and only your dim-witted friends can save you! Explore the cute and quirky side of post-civilizational mayhem, ward off zombies with a bunch of random items, and survive while ransacking locations for fuel and resources.
The idea of a team of unique characters going on a large, semi-randomized adventure definitely was a big inspiration for the general progression of Outcast Tales. We really wanted our game to have tons of items, unique events, and character interactions that make every playthrough feel different. And yet, even with all the carnage going on, each new run still manages to tell a unique story and create a fun memory. The big highlight for us were the car rides in-between the action locations: each one sets up some sort of a unique scenario and mini-story, lets the player do a meaningful choice that changes the outcome of their playthrough or affects their resources, and also acts as a springboard for character dialogue and fun banter. Having these episodes accomplish multiple goals at the same time while keeping things brisk and breezy is something we definitely learned from for our Campfire sections.
Trigun (1998)
Surely you expected a Western picture to be a big inspiration, didnt you? Many probably expected something closer to The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, though Both Trigun and Outcast Tales fall into the category of Western, but only metaphorically so: things dont literally take place in the Wild West (in fact, both take place in the far future), but things do happen against a somewhat desert-y backdrop meant to symbolize an unconquered frontier.
What really sets these apart is injecting a hearty dose of comedy into the usually stoic setting, with both Vash and your main party bouncing off other characters in unexpected ways (that said, Outcast Tales definitely brings even more havoc to the table). It isnt all smiles and laughs, though: as you watch or read Trigun, deeper layers will come into play, revealing secret pasts and clandestine conspiracies. While this isnt exactly the template used in Outcast Tales, we did want to highlight a few more thought-provoking moments throughout the adventure: as you play, your party will be faced with plenty of funny and somber choices, leading to unexpected and permanent consequences. A lot of these moments are played for laughs, but theyre often based on some type of a real moral dilemma, and we hope these sequences give you a nice opportunity to engage with the game on a slightly deeper level. Sometimes just stopping and thinking for a few moments makes the ensuing carnage all that sweeter, you know? Its just a few moments, though!
Slay the Spire (2019)
You might have expected that, and its no surprise, as the games do share some of the DNA.
Obviously, Outcast Tales is not a deck builder game, but what we really wanted to hone into are the tactics surrounding your opponents. Each battle in Slay the Spire is an event that requires you to plan your deck accordingly and engage in an arduous fight that will test your planning, wits, and maybe a little bit of your luck. For Outcast Tales, we aimed to take that feeling of each fight being an important, boss-like event, and boosting the strategic factor way up. You are not dealt a deck of cards this time, but you are also not braving the sandstorms all alone. The key factor to every battle is your party composition and being able to plan around your teams moves and long-term growth. Most importantly, Outcast Tales lets you view the upcoming turns and actions of your opponents. All the machinations are laid bare, which lets you focus on the strategizing aspect of a particular fight. Your luck really only matters for the critical hits and out-of-battle scenarios.
We hope the tactical nature of our games battle system produces plenty of synergies with your customizable party and the myriad of random events, making each run truly a unique experience and a tale to be told and retold.
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy (1978-1979)
Last but not least. Lets address what is possibly the biggest highlight of Outcast Tales: the writing. We always wanted to zero in on the concept of making an RPG rougelite game. But is it really a true RPG if you don't have miles upon miles of optional dialogue that dives deep into every characters personal history, the worldbuilding, and the social mores that echo our own predicaments? We thought so too, so instead we filled the game to the brim with jokes and outrageous situations to make it as shareable and repostable as possible. In all seriousness, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a brilliant piece of writing and a masterpiece of sci-fi satire, and if you havent listened to it, or read it, or at least watched it you really should. What makes it special for us, is that it deconstructs its genre while still preserving what makes it fun for the readers in the first place. Taking the sci-fi tropes and plot contrivances and cranking them up to eleven doesnt take away from the core aspects of a sci-fi story, nor does it make the what-if philosophical quandaries less compelling; lampshading the trappings of the genre only ends up making them shine brighter. That, and we just wouldnt be able to live without the thick, succulent paste of its British cheekiness.
A moment from the 2005 movie adaptation For Outcast Tales, we strived to do a similar thing for the Western genre, post-apocalyptic scenarios, and sci-fi, all rolled into one. We even brought in Samuel Barnett to do the voice and provide the game with that missing Englishman touch. Of course, we wouldnt be able to preserve exactly the same narrative structure due to the games interactive and randomized nature. However, were hoping the writing chops will shine through in a myriad of character encounters, scenarios that skirt the line between hilarious and morbid, and all the billions of words of character dialogue were working on. Outcast Tales can be many things, but at the end of the day we hope it becomes a fun and funny story for you to experience and share with others.
***
So how was that for a trip down the memory lane? Obviously, these werent the only influences on Outcast Tales weve also been inspired by even more video games, Terry Prachett, and our tabletop sessions, among a multitude of other media. We hope sharing those with you gave you some insight into our creative process. Who knows, maybe youll even pick up some new favorites and have something to scratch that itch before the inevitable release of the game! But enough about us: what is it that makes you excited for Outcast Tales? Are there certain inspirations youre looking forward to? A certain gameplay mechanic you like, or a feeling you wish to capture? Share all of it on the CRITICAL REFLEX Discord server! And dont forget to follow our Twitter page and wishlist the game on Steam to stay posted on all the upcoming updates. See you soon! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-05-30 12:51:06 CET ] [ Original post ]
A Day's Journey Part 2
[ 2024-03-29 18:56:56 CET ] [ Original post ]
Continuing from last time...
One of your team-mates is exhausted after a long trip. Earth to Valery: we literally just camped out! You decide to urge your crewmate to keep going, but this choice comes with a personal check.
Heres where your personality comes into play.
This is definitely a task for Big Buddy. Being a big charming goofball, he gives his big speech and lifts everyones spirits. Nice choice!
Finally, you arrive at your destination: the mysterious village hungry for blood, perhaps in more ways than one. Seems like beasts and men here mingle together, and everyone is everyone elses kin.
Wishing to avoid any sanitary or virological catastrophe that would surely ensue if you stayed in this place for more than 10 minutes, you receive your reward and quickly press on. And I mean, really quickly.
And immediately arrive at a more disturbing sight: a village that practices cock fighting. Or whatever grotesque substitute the Wasteland provides.
Sometimes, there are more choices than fight and give money
You decide to bet your pet companion, but an internal debate rears its ugly head: it seems like not everybody here is a fan of animal cruelty and the opinions within the group split (they can do that?). The personalities clash, and no mutant fight ensues. And who could blame them? No pet lizard is getting any harm coming its way on our watch. Unless it belongs to the enemy, obviously.
Afterwards, you stop at a shelter, which is just like a campfire but doesn't require spending any rations. where your crew rests by playing dice. Unfortunately, this is a zero sum game: some must win and some must lose, which means you inevitably gain some morale and lose some as well. Let this be a lesson: even gambling among friends and comrades can be bad for you.
Rest in peace, Chomp
As you make your way onto a new battlefield, Valery unfortunately loses her pet to the skirmish, and with that, her defining personality trait. That sounds sad on so many levels. Alas, unlike us, beasts were just not made to be permanent party members
Finally, you arrive at the big boss fight. This is what your whole campaign led up to. Time to show those brutes the power of teamwork and a complete disregard for your own safety! You initiate combat...
And promptly lose, perhaps joining Chomp in wherever he ended up.
What a downer ending, isnt it? However, this is but a single day in the world of Outcast Tales, only one journey of many. What will your journey be like? Well, that one is easy: go and install the free campaign of Outcast Tales: The First Journey right now and try it out! With all the abundance of content in this free prologue, your story is sure to have a very different, perhaps even happier ending.
And with so many stories afoot, wouldnt you just want to share them with fellow adventures? Well, you can do just that on our Discord and Twitter!
Finally, echoing the wise words of Big Buddy, make sure to add the full game to your wishlist so you can keep track of any and all upcoming updates! See you around!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-03-29 18:56:56 CET ] [ Original post ]
A Day's Journey Part 1
...Who am I talking to? You three, obviously. Youve got an important mission today, so lets get on with it. Time for another day in the Wasteland. Lets see if it proves fruitful, shall we?
Nobody in their right mind would set out for adventure without assembling a party first. The world of Outcast Tales might seem brimming with total loons, and yet you dont see any of them traveling alone, do you? Your team members personality type will determine their base stats, as well as perks and disadvantages they might receive during dialogue and other specific situations. Do take a look at the attacks available to your character: one of them is a special and somehow it recharges other moves upon use. Do some attacks give respite to our heroes, somehow? Perhaps its just like when you take a break from your office job by moonlighting as a nighttime security guard or something.
You can also set up custom names for your heroes, which is a great way to make some of your friends real mad! Make sure you screen every party member before you set out. So what if all of half of them are good-for-nothing outlaws? You really dont want a person with a record in your crew in this day and age, trust me.
An eye-catcher, a brave if unhinged daredevil, and a hermit pacifist walk into a bar... As you examine the map, you realize you can choose your next destination after most encounters. Maps truly are the greatest invention of man. And yet, the first choice is made for you, so you venture forth.
You can also use this screen to set up camp and heal your party with rations
Alas, you are quickly thrust into battle. But dont worry just yet: all the moves the enemy is planning are displayed in the upper part of the battle screen. Thats right: you can see the enemys turn order, who theyre planning to strike and the type of attack they will use. Lets see how you fare with this information in mind. Many of your attacks are also tailored to these strategies.
You use your foreknowledge of the enemys next move and execute an attack that deals extra damage to any enemy focused on that character. After you exchange regular blows and set up a protection barrier, you use your foreknowledge to quickly deal with the foes planning to gang up on your pet. In the end, you emerge victorious, but one of your teammates receives some battle scars, while another receives enough experience for a new perk. Makes you wonder whose experience proved to be more valuable in the end
Choose carefully! Enough action for one day, eh? However, your encounter is far from over
You combine your personal skills with a pinch of luck and trip up the fleeing enemy. As your sarcastic back-and-forth escalates, the outlaw gives you a vial of his own blood as a parting gift? Wait, what? Apparently, vast riches await you in his village if you bring this token to the outlaws kin. Wouldnt the villagers beat you up if you come bearing blood of one of their own? Wait, thats the plan, isnt it? Nah, couldnt be it. A new destination is suddenly marked on your map, so you decide to make your way there.
However, you first make your way to a nearby settlement
Which apparently is hosting a tournament. Feeling exhausted, yet hungry for a distraction, you decide not to take part, but still watch the event. This boosts your morale, making you not only a better warrior, but a better comrade to your teammates, which will prove useful really soon.
Short on money, you buy some rations and continue your journey. The next destination might prove dangerous, so you decide to set up camp for the night.
Apparently our unhinged daredevil has a softer side?.. And what sort of campfire would it be without a heart-to-heart? Grown adults still do that, right? Apparently, the charming big guy really wants you to add something to your wishlist. You wouldnt say no to a guy named Big Buddy, would you? We've got to stop there, but this was only half of that crew's adventure. What will await them on Day 2? Fast friends, deadly enemies, or new philosophical quandries? Tune in for the second part of this entry in just a bit! And while you wait, join our Discord and Twitter and gather round your own campfire with fellow adventurers! See you soon! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-03-25 18:26:32 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, misfits!
...Who am I talking to? You three, obviously. Youve got an important mission today, so lets get on with it. Time for another day in the Wasteland. Lets see if it proves fruitful, shall we?
Setting out
Nobody in their right mind would set out for adventure without assembling a party first. The world of Outcast Tales might seem brimming with total loons, and yet you dont see any of them traveling alone, do you? Your team members personality type will determine their base stats, as well as perks and disadvantages they might receive during dialogue and other specific situations. Do take a look at the attacks available to your character: one of them is a special and somehow it recharges other moves upon use. Do some attacks give respite to our heroes, somehow? Perhaps its just like when you take a break from your office job by moonlighting as a nighttime security guard or something.
You can also set up custom names for your heroes, which is a great way to make some of your friends real mad! Make sure you screen every party member before you set out. So what if all of half of them are good-for-nothing outlaws? You really dont want a person with a record in your crew in this day and age, trust me.
An eye-catcher, a brave if unhinged daredevil, and a hermit pacifist walk into a bar... As you examine the map, you realize you can choose your next destination after most encounters. Maps truly are the greatest invention of man. And yet, the first choice is made for you, so you venture forth.
You can also use this screen to set up camp and heal your party with rations
Day 1
Alas, you are quickly thrust into battle. But dont worry just yet: all the moves the enemy is planning are displayed in the upper part of the battle screen. Thats right: you can see the enemys turn order, who theyre planning to strike and the type of attack they will use. Lets see how you fare with this information in mind. Many of your attacks are also tailored to these strategies.
You use your foreknowledge of the enemys next move and execute an attack that deals extra damage to any enemy focused on that character. After you exchange regular blows and set up a protection barrier, you use your foreknowledge to quickly deal with the foes planning to gang up on your pet. In the end, you emerge victorious, but one of your teammates receives some battle scars, while another receives enough experience for a new perk. Makes you wonder whose experience proved to be more valuable in the end
Choose carefully! Enough action for one day, eh? However, your encounter is far from over
You combine your personal skills with a pinch of luck and trip up the fleeing enemy. As your sarcastic back-and-forth escalates, the outlaw gives you a vial of his own blood as a parting gift? Wait, what? Apparently, vast riches await you in his village if you bring this token to the outlaws kin. Wouldnt the villagers beat you up if you come bearing blood of one of their own? Wait, thats the plan, isnt it? Nah, couldnt be it. A new destination is suddenly marked on your map, so you decide to make your way there.
However, you first make your way to a nearby settlement
Which apparently is hosting a tournament. Feeling exhausted, yet hungry for a distraction, you decide not to take part, but still watch the event. This boosts your morale, making you not only a better warrior, but a better comrade to your teammates, which will prove useful really soon.
Short on money, you buy some rations and continue your journey. The next destination might prove dangerous, so you decide to set up camp for the night.
Apparently our unhinged daredevil has a softer side?.. And what sort of campfire would it be without a heart-to-heart? Grown adults still do that, right? Apparently, the charming big guy really wants you to add something to your wishlist. You wouldnt say no to a guy named Big Buddy, would you? We've got to stop there, but this was only half of that crew's adventure. What will await them on Day 2? Fast friends, deadly enemies, or new philosophical quandries? Tune in for the second part of this entry in just a bit! And while you wait, join our Discord and Twitter and gather round your own campfire with fellow adventurers! See you soon! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-03-25 18:26:32 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hotfix v1.02
[ 2024-02-21 12:25:07 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, wastleanders! The hotfix addressing multiple localization errors is live, and it also has a nice QoL feature an option to adjust font size!
Changelog:
- Fixed localization errors.
- Added an option to adjust fonts size. It can be accessed in the settings menu. To apply the effects you need to restart the game.
[ 2024-02-21 12:25:07 CET ] [ Original post ]
Outcast Tales: The First Journey Hotfix v1.01
[ 2024-01-29 20:30:27 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hey misfits! Here's a quick post launch hotfix round of bugs we encountered (and successfully fixed!) just now:
- Fixed bugged behaviour in the Wasteland Beast Master event
- Fixed a bug in tutorial (not showing the button if you go back during the initial event)
- Fixed a few localization issues
- Fixed a bug with Twitch integration poll in RU localization
[ 2024-01-29 20:30:27 CET ] [ Original post ]
Outcast Tales: The First Journey is OUT NOW!
It is finally time to set foot into the perilous wastelands of Outcast Tales! You heard it right: as of this moment, the prologue chapter of Outcast Tales titled Outcast Tales: The First Journey is out now! So you can pause reading this devlog and go download it right now. Well wait. [previewyoutube=T2JRPrdKnPA;full][/previewyoutube] But Mr. Outcast, what is this prologue chapter? we hear you ask. Here is the rundown, just for you:
More than just a prologue, Outcast Tales: The First Journey features a unique shorter campaign you can sink your teeth into right now! Just dont get any sand in your mouth. Assemble your crew, battle your way through monsters and crooks, awkwardly stumble around social interactions, and maybe even defeat some big guy at the end of the run! Not yet an Outcast Tale, but an Outcast Short Story for sure!
The first step towards your own tale awaits.
Finishing your first run is just the start of that journey, though. It aint a good tale if you dont want to read it over and over again, after all! And theres plenty of stuff to keep you coming back: try out the 4 available characters and 5 available personality types, engage in numerous unique events, and challenge yourself with 3 difficulty modes.
One cant attend a big event without putting on something dapper! To celebrate the games sort-of-birthday, we got it some new clothes as well: the UI has been completely revamped for that rustic Western-y look, and the backgrounds have all been given a new life. The Wasteland has also been populated with many more items and deadly enemies. So look around, but dont dawdle!
The cool thing about surviving is not making it, but telling everyone else you did. To that end, we added Twitch integration for all your backseat gaming buddies. And if youre more of a lone wolf, The First Journey will have plenty of achievements so you can style on your friends without ever having to lock gazes.
One cant have a tale if theres no one to tell it. Thankfully, Outcast Tales features a narrator ready to describe all of your ups and downs, failures and successes, questionable decisions and downright awkward moments. To make the zany and often-ridiculous world of Outcast Tales more cohesive, the story needs to be delivered with all the deadpan impartiality of a British voice, and who could be better for the role than Samuel Barnett? Known for his roles as Dirk Gently and Cyberpunk 2077s Delamain, Barnetts soothing cadence is sure to alleviate the pain of failure and make that one sneaky dialogue choice resonate that much more.
We hope all of these arguments convince you to drop everything you were doing and give the game a go right now (aside from the whole prologue thing being free, of course). All of that and more is just the start of our collective journey as were reaching the finishing stretch of development: expect the full game to feature a much longer campaign, tons of new enemies and items, more characters and personality types, and many more of those sweet unique events. Speaking of that
Now that youre all buttered up, set forth! And once youve had your share of adventure, dont forget to share your tale on our Discord and Twitter. See you soon! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-01-29 18:00:48 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, misfits!
It is finally time to set foot into the perilous wastelands of Outcast Tales! You heard it right: as of this moment, the prologue chapter of Outcast Tales titled Outcast Tales: The First Journey is out now! So you can pause reading this devlog and go download it right now. Well wait. [previewyoutube=T2JRPrdKnPA;full][/previewyoutube] But Mr. Outcast, what is this prologue chapter? we hear you ask. Here is the rundown, just for you:
Your first journey awaits!
More than just a prologue, Outcast Tales: The First Journey features a unique shorter campaign you can sink your teeth into right now! Just dont get any sand in your mouth. Assemble your crew, battle your way through monsters and crooks, awkwardly stumble around social interactions, and maybe even defeat some big guy at the end of the run! Not yet an Outcast Tale, but an Outcast Short Story for sure!
The first step towards your own tale awaits.
Many tales to tell
Finishing your first run is just the start of that journey, though. It aint a good tale if you dont want to read it over and over again, after all! And theres plenty of stuff to keep you coming back: try out the 4 available characters and 5 available personality types, engage in numerous unique events, and challenge yourself with 3 difficulty modes.
Old wounds, new looks
One cant attend a big event without putting on something dapper! To celebrate the games sort-of-birthday, we got it some new clothes as well: the UI has been completely revamped for that rustic Western-y look, and the backgrounds have all been given a new life. The Wasteland has also been populated with many more items and deadly enemies. So look around, but dont dawdle!
Living to tell the tale
The cool thing about surviving is not making it, but telling everyone else you did. To that end, we added Twitch integration for all your backseat gaming buddies. And if youre more of a lone wolf, The First Journey will have plenty of achievements so you can style on your friends without ever having to lock gazes.
A reliable narrator
One cant have a tale if theres no one to tell it. Thankfully, Outcast Tales features a narrator ready to describe all of your ups and downs, failures and successes, questionable decisions and downright awkward moments. To make the zany and often-ridiculous world of Outcast Tales more cohesive, the story needs to be delivered with all the deadpan impartiality of a British voice, and who could be better for the role than Samuel Barnett? Known for his roles as Dirk Gently and Cyberpunk 2077s Delamain, Barnetts soothing cadence is sure to alleviate the pain of failure and make that one sneaky dialogue choice resonate that much more.
We hope all of these arguments convince you to drop everything you were doing and give the game a go right now (aside from the whole prologue thing being free, of course). All of that and more is just the start of our collective journey as were reaching the finishing stretch of development: expect the full game to feature a much longer campaign, tons of new enemies and items, more characters and personality types, and many more of those sweet unique events. Speaking of that
the full version of Outcast Tales will be released this year!
Now that youre all buttered up, set forth! And once youve had your share of adventure, dont forget to share your tale on our Discord and Twitter. See you soon! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-01-29 18:00:48 CET ] [ Original post ]
Prologue Release Date Announcement
Weve been through a lot together. The adventures, the drama, the extensively-written devlogs And we finally arrived at today, a special day. No, we are not releasing Outcast Tales just yet, but weve got just the next best thing for you: the Prologue release date announcement! Without further ado, Outcast Tales: The First Journey will release on
Thats right! The release of the prologue chapter of Outcast Tales is just a few days away. This prologue chapter is releasing free-of-charge, but it is more than a mere demo. The release includes:
and more! Well share more details on the Prologue and the game proper on release day, so stay tuned! Before you go and share the good news with all of your loved ones, join our Discord and Twitter! The people there are just as excited as you all are. One last thing: the Steam page for the full release of Outcast Tales is now live, so you can wishlist the game and keep up with all the updates to come. See you around! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-01-24 10:51:18 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, misfits!
Weve been through a lot together. The adventures, the drama, the extensively-written devlogs And we finally arrived at today, a special day. No, we are not releasing Outcast Tales just yet, but weve got just the next best thing for you: the Prologue release date announcement! Without further ado, Outcast Tales: The First Journey will release on
January 29, 2024.
Thats right! The release of the prologue chapter of Outcast Tales is just a few days away. This prologue chapter is releasing free-of-charge, but it is more than a mere demo. The release includes:
- The entire first act of the game's campaign
- Multiple heroes and personalities
- Tons of in-game content
- Surprises for especially die-hard junkyard junkies
and more! Well share more details on the Prologue and the game proper on release day, so stay tuned! Before you go and share the good news with all of your loved ones, join our Discord and Twitter! The people there are just as excited as you all are. One last thing: the Steam page for the full release of Outcast Tales is now live, so you can wishlist the game and keep up with all the updates to come. See you around! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2551970/Outcast_Tales/
[ 2024-01-24 10:51:18 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Status Update + The Road Ahead
These past few months, youve read many entries about the world of Outcast Tales (formerly known as Ragtag Crew). Now youre all prepared to brave the wilds and become the best diplomat/cutthroat you can be! However, this time were going a little meta: we know youve been clamoring to know more about the current state of the game, and weve come with some good news. So here are some answers to questions you asked. Or didnt. But you probably thought about them in your head anyway!
The game is steadily nearing completion. No specific dates yet, but a lot has been done in the meantime. There are still some things were working on, such as adding more narrative events, balancing the game, tweaking meta-progression loops, adding voiceover, and giving everything that extra polish, but rest assured: the biggest bulk of the game is done. Weve also completely revamped the UI and updated the look of the games locations, some of which you mightve noticed from our previous devlogs!
Nothing says a blood-soaked wasteland like that rustic UI look
True, it was: the game changed the name from Ragtag Crew to Outcast Tales. We feel that Outcast Tales is more than just a roguelite with loot and numbers going up, and really want to focus on the storytelling part of the experience, as well as the numerous stories (or tales) your characters will encounter along the way. At its core, its still the same game youve all been looking forward to, just bigger and better.
Expect Outcast Tales to have lots of content and replayability. The game now boasts many characters, possible archetypes, and events. There are numerous ways to mix-and-match it all, so the number of possible variables and thus unique runs is somewhere in the thousands. More than that, the heart of the game lies in its unique events, and rest assured weve got plenty of those (totaling up to 160k words and counting!). But dont fret: you dont have to read all of it thanks to all the narration were putting in! And with the many possible endings on offer, you arent going to be stopping your adventure any time soon
You got us. No one likes leaving empty-handed: its a holiday, after all. Heres one last piece of good news:
And while youre getting that sweet taste of wasteland massacre, well be putting the finishing touches on our game. Expect the Prologue to support multiple languages as well, such as English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. There are a couple curious tidbits we still wanted to share with you but now youll just have to play the Prologue and find out on your own! Whew, now that was a load off our chest. We hope this update answered some of your more pressing questions and got you excited for whats to come. Now sit tight as we put the finishing touches on the Prologue! And if you want to share the hype, dont be shy and hop on in to our Discord and Twitter. See you all very, very soon!
[ 2023-12-26 10:20:31 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, misfits!
These past few months, youve read many entries about the world of Outcast Tales (formerly known as Ragtag Crew). Now youre all prepared to brave the wilds and become the best diplomat/cutthroat you can be! However, this time were going a little meta: we know youve been clamoring to know more about the current state of the game, and weve come with some good news. So here are some answers to questions you asked. Or didnt. But you probably thought about them in your head anyway!
Q: Hows the game coming along? Whats taking so long?!
The game is steadily nearing completion. No specific dates yet, but a lot has been done in the meantime. There are still some things were working on, such as adding more narrative events, balancing the game, tweaking meta-progression loops, adding voiceover, and giving everything that extra polish, but rest assured: the biggest bulk of the game is done. Weve also completely revamped the UI and updated the look of the games locations, some of which you mightve noticed from our previous devlogs!
Nothing says a blood-soaked wasteland like that rustic UI look
Q: Wasnt this called Ragtag Crew? Why the name change?
True, it was: the game changed the name from Ragtag Crew to Outcast Tales. We feel that Outcast Tales is more than just a roguelite with loot and numbers going up, and really want to focus on the storytelling part of the experience, as well as the numerous stories (or tales) your characters will encounter along the way. At its core, its still the same game youve all been looking forward to, just bigger and better.
Q: Youve been working on it for too long! Hope the game lasts more than a couple of nights, at least
Expect Outcast Tales to have lots of content and replayability. The game now boasts many characters, possible archetypes, and events. There are numerous ways to mix-and-match it all, so the number of possible variables and thus unique runs is somewhere in the thousands. More than that, the heart of the game lies in its unique events, and rest assured weve got plenty of those (totaling up to 160k words and counting!). But dont fret: you dont have to read all of it thanks to all the narration were putting in! And with the many possible endings on offer, you arent going to be stopping your adventure any time soon
Q: So thats it? You got anything more exciting?
You got us. No one likes leaving empty-handed: its a holiday, after all. Heres one last piece of good news:
The Prologue Chapter, Outcast Tales: The First Journey, is coming out Q1 2024!
And while youre getting that sweet taste of wasteland massacre, well be putting the finishing touches on our game. Expect the Prologue to support multiple languages as well, such as English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. There are a couple curious tidbits we still wanted to share with you but now youll just have to play the Prologue and find out on your own! Whew, now that was a load off our chest. We hope this update answered some of your more pressing questions and got you excited for whats to come. Now sit tight as we put the finishing touches on the Prologue! And if you want to share the hype, dont be shy and hop on in to our Discord and Twitter. See you all very, very soon!
[ 2023-12-26 10:20:31 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Shoot Never Talk
Last time we took a peek at the various personalities of Outcast Tales and took some guesses on what kinds of interactions might arise from these hellish concoctions. This time we are diving even deeper into the banter, the contemplation, and the eleventh-hour backstabbing. As you venture through the Wasteland, its not just mindless goons and loot that await you. There are also events, encounters, sticky situations, and all manner of shenanigans to block your path forward. Will you shoot em with your gun or strike em down with the pure, unadulterated power of your mind?
Ah, witch hunting. Your run-of-the-mill moral dilemma. Some dialogues are tied to in-game mechanics, such as shops. But unlike many other games, accepting or declining the offer aint your only choices
The famous 30% off stare-down. Still, some choices are more complex than that
Childs play indeed. Not only are there skill checks, but you can choose between personal and party checks as well. Really puts all that character creation you did in the beginning into perspective, doesnt it?
Dead bodies in a post-apocalyptic wasteland?! The horror! Beware: failing skill checks might put a damper on your morale, among other things. And nobody likes a party pooper. But hey, at least you'll have your two trusty (and deadly) sidekicks to bail you out, just try not to make them regret tagging along with you in the first place.
If only our parents saying that came with a perk As in life, failing at something can also come with experience of its own. No pain no gain, right? Not all encounters are one-off affairs, by the way. Some are multi-phase events that just keep going as you keep traveling. But just like in reality, actions have consequences. So dont expect being a weirdo not to catch up with you.
This road sign just wont let up! So many people, so many stories! Sometimes you meet a kind stranger on your way, sometimes you get indoctrinated into a weird cult. Stuff happens. And thats just the tip of the iceberg, so we hope you join in for more soon! And do expect a bigger update just around the corner. Finally, here's something to chew on for dessert: a couple of dialogue snippets you might or might not run into during your adventure. Dont forget to join us on Discord and Twitter while youre chewing: they say its good for you.
[ 2023-11-17 16:34:31 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, misfits!
Last time we took a peek at the various personalities of Outcast Tales and took some guesses on what kinds of interactions might arise from these hellish concoctions. This time we are diving even deeper into the banter, the contemplation, and the eleventh-hour backstabbing. As you venture through the Wasteland, its not just mindless goons and loot that await you. There are also events, encounters, sticky situations, and all manner of shenanigans to block your path forward. Will you shoot em with your gun or strike em down with the pure, unadulterated power of your mind?
Ah, witch hunting. Your run-of-the-mill moral dilemma. Some dialogues are tied to in-game mechanics, such as shops. But unlike many other games, accepting or declining the offer aint your only choices
The famous 30% off stare-down. Still, some choices are more complex than that
Childs play indeed. Not only are there skill checks, but you can choose between personal and party checks as well. Really puts all that character creation you did in the beginning into perspective, doesnt it?
Dead bodies in a post-apocalyptic wasteland?! The horror! Beware: failing skill checks might put a damper on your morale, among other things. And nobody likes a party pooper. But hey, at least you'll have your two trusty (and deadly) sidekicks to bail you out, just try not to make them regret tagging along with you in the first place.
If only our parents saying that came with a perk As in life, failing at something can also come with experience of its own. No pain no gain, right? Not all encounters are one-off affairs, by the way. Some are multi-phase events that just keep going as you keep traveling. But just like in reality, actions have consequences. So dont expect being a weirdo not to catch up with you.
This road sign just wont let up! So many people, so many stories! Sometimes you meet a kind stranger on your way, sometimes you get indoctrinated into a weird cult. Stuff happens. And thats just the tip of the iceberg, so we hope you join in for more soon! And do expect a bigger update just around the corner. Finally, here's something to chew on for dessert: a couple of dialogue snippets you might or might not run into during your adventure. Dont forget to join us on Discord and Twitter while youre chewing: they say its good for you.
[ 2023-11-17 16:34:31 CET ] [ Original post ]
Outcast Tales Joins the Roguelike Celebration Starting Oct 19
[ 2023-10-19 17:00:18 CET ] [ Original post ]
Thats right! Outcast Tales will take part in the Roguelike Celebration Steam Event taking place on October 19 through October 26. You know, Outcast Tales is not just an exercise for tactical masterminds, or a story of many choices, or a gritty post-apocalyptic tragicomedy. It is also, coincidentally, a video game of the roguelite variety that you can play. And play it you will!
In the spirit of the event, lets take a couple of (carefully curated) peeks at some of the things that make Outcast Tales a roguelite.
You grow as one does in most RPGs. However, this game being a roguelite contractually forces us to turn progression into an irreversible choice
Still, you continue to grow even after you finish your run
No run ever ends without pain, though
Which is still worth it, as you might unlock something much bigger than a typical 0.1% damage boost.
We hope that our use of the scientific method has demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that Outcast Tales is, indeed, a roguelite, and thus deserves to take part in this milestone event.
Were looking to celebrate it with you, so join the festivities on Discord and Twitter and share your impressions of Outcast Tales and other cool rougelik(t)es you find (just dont forget to play our demo while you do that). Sit tight, some bigger news is coming up pretty soon.
See you out in the Wasteland!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/882590/Outcast_Tales_The_First_Journey/
[ 2023-10-19 17:00:18 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Hell Is Other People
Weve now spent some time getting to know our enemy and finding ways to deal with various threats. But what about getting to know ourselves? What about the battles fought with words and emotions? One would think this heartless world is all about brute strength and material possessions, but personality does matter!
Stats or a sharp tongue? You decide!
Character flaws come in two flavors! As you create your starting character, you must imbue them with a preset personality. This not only determines their skills and abilities, but nets them positive and negative traits, which affect conduct in battle or during events. Here are some of those personality types:
Hermit. Someone who grew tired of the bloodshed and decided to work from home. Apparently, they became so attuned with nature, they managed to befriend a pet theyre now riding, which technically qualifies them for being promoted to a Disney princess. Having a scaly companion does give them an intimidation factor, but what good is it if theyre so averse to violence? They are just begging to get reprimanded by a ragtag group of killers. Lets hope they learn the error of their ways.
Daredevil. The complete opposite of a Hermit. They love getting their hands dirty (note: the dirt mostly consists of the guts and tears of their enemies). As expected, someone with that much pent-up rage is hardly a role model of emotional maturity: avoiding dangerous situations leaves those adrenaline junkies with a bad case of withdrawal, which leads to temper tantrums. Aww, he just wanted to rip this cute little wobot in half with his bare hands! Will your team of delinquents simply get annoyed or provide the Daredevil with a counseling sesh? Time will tell.
Egghead. One cannot underestimate the importance of intellect and resourcefulness in a world ripe with scarcity. Still, for all their IQ, the Eggheads are lacking in empathy and do not mince words, which can create unwarranted tension with friends and foes alike. Lets hope your crew gets to make a delicious omelet without breaking a few eggheads along the way.
Eye catcher. A charmer and a smooth-talker. Due to their ego, they hardly pay attention to the more practical side of things, which results in more wasted rations during your journey. Guess our diva just doesnt like fried lizard tail for breakfast. However, they are a smooth operator and know how to diffuse all sorts of situations, whether on the battlefield or within the team. How does one even get good at diplomacy if the world around you is just hideous creatures and village idiots?
Lone wolf. This is a no mans land, and the Lone wolf takes the expression literally. Their weariness and mistrust of society will inevitably become a point of tension within your crew. However, this does come with some upsides: the Lone wolf (also known as the cooler Hermit) exhibits worldly awareness that is sure to put you out of harms way. What will give first? Your partys patience as they try to get into the Lone wolfs good graces or your patience as you groan at yet another hard-boiled cowboy monologue? There are more personality types you will unlock along the way. We will let you discover them on your own, which is our way of saying you should really play this game.
Not getting your neck snapped is not the only perk of being a good sport. Healthy communication helps smooth out misunderstandings within your own team and keep your spirits high.
They will remember that Probably Who knows? Some of them might even grow closer. And in the harsh, lonely lands of Outcast Tales the only treasure you can really find is a good friend. That, and overpowered alien technology. Lastly, you simply cannot decimate hordes of living creatures and save dozens of towns without wanting to curl up in a little violent ball and cry at least some of the time. To illustrate this idea, weve included the morale stat. Each character has their own view of the world which will affect their morale, so choose your responses wisely during events. Boosting your teams morale improves combat performance, while low spirits may prove detrimental and even result in emotional outbursts unbecoming of a team of adult raiders. Seriously, its not a pretty sight. Well, that was a ride. We bickered, we talked, we laughed. Just as friends do. But like most relationships, this lecture must eventually come to an end. Dont worry, though: theres still loads to learn about the world of Outcast Tales, so stay tuned for more very soon! And now that youre a master of social interactions, dont be shy and hop onto our Discord server or check out our Twitter! See you next time!
[ 2023-10-02 14:14:16 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, misfits!
Weve now spent some time getting to know our enemy and finding ways to deal with various threats. But what about getting to know ourselves? What about the battles fought with words and emotions? One would think this heartless world is all about brute strength and material possessions, but personality does matter!
Personalities
Stats or a sharp tongue? You decide!
Character flaws come in two flavors! As you create your starting character, you must imbue them with a preset personality. This not only determines their skills and abilities, but nets them positive and negative traits, which affect conduct in battle or during events. Here are some of those personality types:
Hermit. Someone who grew tired of the bloodshed and decided to work from home. Apparently, they became so attuned with nature, they managed to befriend a pet theyre now riding, which technically qualifies them for being promoted to a Disney princess. Having a scaly companion does give them an intimidation factor, but what good is it if theyre so averse to violence? They are just begging to get reprimanded by a ragtag group of killers. Lets hope they learn the error of their ways.
Daredevil. The complete opposite of a Hermit. They love getting their hands dirty (note: the dirt mostly consists of the guts and tears of their enemies). As expected, someone with that much pent-up rage is hardly a role model of emotional maturity: avoiding dangerous situations leaves those adrenaline junkies with a bad case of withdrawal, which leads to temper tantrums. Aww, he just wanted to rip this cute little wobot in half with his bare hands! Will your team of delinquents simply get annoyed or provide the Daredevil with a counseling sesh? Time will tell.
Egghead. One cannot underestimate the importance of intellect and resourcefulness in a world ripe with scarcity. Still, for all their IQ, the Eggheads are lacking in empathy and do not mince words, which can create unwarranted tension with friends and foes alike. Lets hope your crew gets to make a delicious omelet without breaking a few eggheads along the way.
Eye catcher. A charmer and a smooth-talker. Due to their ego, they hardly pay attention to the more practical side of things, which results in more wasted rations during your journey. Guess our diva just doesnt like fried lizard tail for breakfast. However, they are a smooth operator and know how to diffuse all sorts of situations, whether on the battlefield or within the team. How does one even get good at diplomacy if the world around you is just hideous creatures and village idiots?
Lone wolf. This is a no mans land, and the Lone wolf takes the expression literally. Their weariness and mistrust of society will inevitably become a point of tension within your crew. However, this does come with some upsides: the Lone wolf (also known as the cooler Hermit) exhibits worldly awareness that is sure to put you out of harms way. What will give first? Your partys patience as they try to get into the Lone wolfs good graces or your patience as you groan at yet another hard-boiled cowboy monologue? There are more personality types you will unlock along the way. We will let you discover them on your own, which is our way of saying you should really play this game.
Other tips
Not getting your neck snapped is not the only perk of being a good sport. Healthy communication helps smooth out misunderstandings within your own team and keep your spirits high.
They will remember that Probably Who knows? Some of them might even grow closer. And in the harsh, lonely lands of Outcast Tales the only treasure you can really find is a good friend. That, and overpowered alien technology. Lastly, you simply cannot decimate hordes of living creatures and save dozens of towns without wanting to curl up in a little violent ball and cry at least some of the time. To illustrate this idea, weve included the morale stat. Each character has their own view of the world which will affect their morale, so choose your responses wisely during events. Boosting your teams morale improves combat performance, while low spirits may prove detrimental and even result in emotional outbursts unbecoming of a team of adult raiders. Seriously, its not a pretty sight. Well, that was a ride. We bickered, we talked, we laughed. Just as friends do. But like most relationships, this lecture must eventually come to an end. Dont worry, though: theres still loads to learn about the world of Outcast Tales, so stay tuned for more very soon! And now that youre a master of social interactions, dont be shy and hop onto our Discord server or check out our Twitter! See you next time!
[ 2023-10-02 14:14:16 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Mind Your Status
Last time we covered the basics of planning your moves and setting them into motion, like a broken-down-but-still-oddly-amusing Rube Goldberg machine. Its time to cover a few extra points that should add a bit of spice to your encounters.
They say making it is all about money and status. Well, would you look at that: they are right! Especially about the status thing. Status effects are special passive attributes that might make your journey a bit easier or sucker punch you into the stratosphere if youre not careful.
Hover over an enemy icon for a dose of extra sugar (or spice) Attacks that inflict status effects include the status description for you to read. Who knew mercenary life came with so many text boxes? Some status effects stack, which makes them synergize with other status effects, while some do not. Think of it as waking up with a cold and an upset stomach all at the same time, yikes!
The status effects inflicted on your characters are displayed as icons above their health bars. Aside from enemy attacks, there are other situations that might get you a buff or a debuff, like an enemy ambush. Maybe stay on your toes and dial back on philosophizing with your teammates next time.
Sometimes, you might even debuff yourself. And same goes for your enemies! Guess you arent the only one who tends to skip the fine print. You know what that means: time to put your strategist cap on! Or maybe a skull would be more appropriate Never forget that those status effects can apply to both your enemies and your party. And its your job to make accidents into miracles.
A few more status effects for you to chew on. Just dont get a stomachache
Its time to address the elephant in the room healing your party. Sounds simple enough. Just cast a little healing spell or one of those fancy buffs, right? Slow down there, cowboy. Why would everyone live in a dump if things were so easy? There are very few ways to heal during battle, so dont expect to make your way out by just tapping X. Even the most simple encounters could prove fatal if you dont play your cards right. Each stolen health point can and will come back to bite you in the long run. And this game is all about the long runs.
Here is one way to handle the situation: armor. It acts as a protective layer that absorbs HP until its destroyed with enough damage. How do you get extra armor, you ask? By using those pesky status effects again! In other words, you have to attack first to trigger the Armor status effect. Since you usually know which party member gets attacked next, that gives you yet another opportunity to strategize. Whew, all this talk about fights and enemies must be exhausting sometimes you just want to sit down and talk to people. So do expect some of the upcoming devlogs to focus on the characters and their interactions. Speaking of interactions, dont forget to check out our Twitter and hop onto our Discord server to stay updated on all things Outcast Tales. See you soon!
[ 2023-08-29 09:37:38 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, misfits!
Last time we covered the basics of planning your moves and setting them into motion, like a broken-down-but-still-oddly-amusing Rube Goldberg machine. Its time to cover a few extra points that should add a bit of spice to your encounters.
Status effects
They say making it is all about money and status. Well, would you look at that: they are right! Especially about the status thing. Status effects are special passive attributes that might make your journey a bit easier or sucker punch you into the stratosphere if youre not careful.
Hover over an enemy icon for a dose of extra sugar (or spice) Attacks that inflict status effects include the status description for you to read. Who knew mercenary life came with so many text boxes? Some status effects stack, which makes them synergize with other status effects, while some do not. Think of it as waking up with a cold and an upset stomach all at the same time, yikes!
The status effects inflicted on your characters are displayed as icons above their health bars. Aside from enemy attacks, there are other situations that might get you a buff or a debuff, like an enemy ambush. Maybe stay on your toes and dial back on philosophizing with your teammates next time.
Sometimes, you might even debuff yourself. And same goes for your enemies! Guess you arent the only one who tends to skip the fine print. You know what that means: time to put your strategist cap on! Or maybe a skull would be more appropriate Never forget that those status effects can apply to both your enemies and your party. And its your job to make accidents into miracles.
A few more status effects for you to chew on. Just dont get a stomachache
Healing
Its time to address the elephant in the room healing your party. Sounds simple enough. Just cast a little healing spell or one of those fancy buffs, right? Slow down there, cowboy. Why would everyone live in a dump if things were so easy? There are very few ways to heal during battle, so dont expect to make your way out by just tapping X. Even the most simple encounters could prove fatal if you dont play your cards right. Each stolen health point can and will come back to bite you in the long run. And this game is all about the long runs.
Here is one way to handle the situation: armor. It acts as a protective layer that absorbs HP until its destroyed with enough damage. How do you get extra armor, you ask? By using those pesky status effects again! In other words, you have to attack first to trigger the Armor status effect. Since you usually know which party member gets attacked next, that gives you yet another opportunity to strategize. Whew, all this talk about fights and enemies must be exhausting sometimes you just want to sit down and talk to people. So do expect some of the upcoming devlogs to focus on the characters and their interactions. Speaking of interactions, dont forget to check out our Twitter and hop onto our Discord server to stay updated on all things Outcast Tales. See you soon!
[ 2023-08-29 09:37:38 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Battling and Common Threats
Your survival in the Wasteland depends on braving the elements, scavenging for resources, and outchatting your adversaries - But even with all this riveting dialogue, your sword (metaphorical, use guns instead) will sometimes be mightier than the pen (also metaphorical, most characters cant even read, let alone write). Here are some things to keep in mind as youre playing with sand in the Wasteland:
Ragtag Crew is a turn-based game. You rearrange your enemies faces during your turn, and they respond in kind. You can choose the order your party members attack in, allowing for deeper strategic maneuvers. Sounds familiar, doesnt it? Well, here is a little western twist:
Your mightiest weapon. No oversized swords required. Those icons correspond to the upcoming moves of your opponents. The enemy order, the approximate damage youre going to receive, and even the attack type. You wont survive in the Wasteland for long if you cant use this knowledge to your advantage. You are far from being a clairvoyant, however. Take a gander:
Stand back, I'm good at dice. As you can see, a lot of the stats and outcomes are not predefined. Even if the initial fate of your party is somewhat out of your control, your final destiny isnt. Will you take your chances and attack? Will you debuff the enemy before they show their hand? Will any of this matter, if you're but a tumbleweed, rolling through the sands of life? Life in the Wasteland is like a game of chess, but your opponent is a donkey who can simply flip the table. (Just like in real life!) But seeing the enemys hand lets you flip the table back while its in the air(Okay, maybe not exactly like real life) This is the sort of mindset you must adapt if you wish to live another day.
Here are some threats you may come across as you and your crew make your way into parts unknown.
You might want to squish this repulsive bug, but beware of its hellish shrieks as you do. Becoming deaf will rob your party of its Ability Points for a while - which is kind of important. How will you plan ahead? Do you concentrate your fire on the sucker or buff yourself in preparation?
Call pest control; we've got a situation here... If you get sprayed by its pheromones, you become the primary target for the enemy team. But they aint looking for hugs: the pheromones effects make you extra brittle and damageable, making for a nice slushy to digest later. Sounds rough, but perhaps a more callous tactician can take advantage of this knowledge
No, these guys don't wield bazookas. They might look scary but are actually very shy: they will immediately burrow underground till the end of the turn after they receive damage. But this aint the end of the story, as they will come back in style Maybe you should wait and save them for dinner?
This universe didn't have an Azimov, so many robots are inherently hostile. These little guys are dropped by Scavenger Technicians and act as an extra defense barrier. However, they take a while to activate, which is something you can track and account for. *Beep*repared! This ends our little debrief for now, but these basic tips can only get you so far and the war is only beginning. But dont fret: there are plenty more battle tips and tricks waiting for you in our next devlog. In the meantime check the Ragtag Crew demo and try stomping some worms yourself! Who knows what secrets you might learn? https://store.steampowered.com/app/882590/Ragtag_Crew/ See you soon! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter for gameplay teasers, and feel free to drop in and say hi to us on our official Discord!
[ 2023-06-27 09:43:32 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings, misfits.
Your survival in the Wasteland depends on braving the elements, scavenging for resources, and outchatting your adversaries - But even with all this riveting dialogue, your sword (metaphorical, use guns instead) will sometimes be mightier than the pen (also metaphorical, most characters cant even read, let alone write). Here are some things to keep in mind as youre playing with sand in the Wasteland:
The battle system
Ragtag Crew is a turn-based game. You rearrange your enemies faces during your turn, and they respond in kind. You can choose the order your party members attack in, allowing for deeper strategic maneuvers. Sounds familiar, doesnt it? Well, here is a little western twist:
Your mightiest weapon. No oversized swords required. Those icons correspond to the upcoming moves of your opponents. The enemy order, the approximate damage youre going to receive, and even the attack type. You wont survive in the Wasteland for long if you cant use this knowledge to your advantage. You are far from being a clairvoyant, however. Take a gander:
Stand back, I'm good at dice. As you can see, a lot of the stats and outcomes are not predefined. Even if the initial fate of your party is somewhat out of your control, your final destiny isnt. Will you take your chances and attack? Will you debuff the enemy before they show their hand? Will any of this matter, if you're but a tumbleweed, rolling through the sands of life? Life in the Wasteland is like a game of chess, but your opponent is a donkey who can simply flip the table. (Just like in real life!) But seeing the enemys hand lets you flip the table back while its in the air(Okay, maybe not exactly like real life) This is the sort of mindset you must adapt if you wish to live another day.
Punching bags
Here are some threats you may come across as you and your crew make your way into parts unknown.
Screechers
You might want to squish this repulsive bug, but beware of its hellish shrieks as you do. Becoming deaf will rob your party of its Ability Points for a while - which is kind of important. How will you plan ahead? Do you concentrate your fire on the sucker or buff yourself in preparation?
Insectoids
Call pest control; we've got a situation here... If you get sprayed by its pheromones, you become the primary target for the enemy team. But they aint looking for hugs: the pheromones effects make you extra brittle and damageable, making for a nice slushy to digest later. Sounds rough, but perhaps a more callous tactician can take advantage of this knowledge
Worms
No, these guys don't wield bazookas. They might look scary but are actually very shy: they will immediately burrow underground till the end of the turn after they receive damage. But this aint the end of the story, as they will come back in style Maybe you should wait and save them for dinner?
Scavenger bots
This universe didn't have an Azimov, so many robots are inherently hostile. These little guys are dropped by Scavenger Technicians and act as an extra defense barrier. However, they take a while to activate, which is something you can track and account for. *Beep*repared! This ends our little debrief for now, but these basic tips can only get you so far and the war is only beginning. But dont fret: there are plenty more battle tips and tricks waiting for you in our next devlog. In the meantime check the Ragtag Crew demo and try stomping some worms yourself! Who knows what secrets you might learn? https://store.steampowered.com/app/882590/Ragtag_Crew/ See you soon! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter for gameplay teasers, and feel free to drop in and say hi to us on our official Discord!
[ 2023-06-27 09:43:32 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Surviving the Wasteland
You can drag the map to view your charted journey in full. Hope the sight doesnt break your spirit This aint a holiday brochure. In fact, this thing might just save your life or not. Each point on the map is its own journey: are you going to buy some gear, get ambushed by monsters, or get turned into mincemeat for showing a single act of kindness in this merciless world? The choice is yours. Kinda. Still, the icons do give you some idea of what you can expect. Here are some of them:
Wasteland. Get used to the desert, you are in one, after all. These locations will put you to the test with combat challenges and other surprises. Is your party a well-oiled machine or just a band of deviants after all?
Ruins. Every barren world has got a sappy backstory. Thankfully, thats not what we're in for here: your teams gotta survive, and ancient gears the ticket. Loot the place, or die trying.
Settlement. Spend your blood-drenched and gray-matter-stained coins here. Hear the woes of the townsfolk or get clobbered on the head by them.
Training camp. Spend cash to train and level up. No training montage included.
Oasis. Sometimes, we can have nice things. Or can we? how about you discover the rest on your own? Isnt this what gaming is about?
This screen also lets you choose your difficulty level Your squads always come in threes. Just the perfect amount for love triangles and needless drama. You can try to outsmart your destiny with the team creator or leave it up to fate. If you do decide to play God, do take note of your characters background and personality. The Background determines your crew members sorry life story up until this point. This determines their initial skills, abilities, and appearance. Roleplay your heart out. Personality here determines how your character acts in the present. This always comes with one negative and one positive trait. This all affects your characters skills, the way they speak, and the manner of interaction with their crewmates and surroundings. No Mary Sues get to survive the Wasteland.
Being this buff and having zero persuasion? Impossible Crew members cant get the same background or personality. That'd make things pretty boring, wouldn't it? Now go and try minmax the system. We dare you.
Think of it as the crew pet. Just maybe don't give it a name... Remember how we said you only get three crew members? Well, we mightve lied a bit. During your run, you might get one extra companion willing to tag along just this once. To meet a companion, you have to stumble your way to a rare event, and then try to get on top. If you do join up, they will be accompanying you until their last breath, acting as a fourth party member. They will also heal during rest, and might help you with certain events. But if theyre gone thats it! This was just a taste of what's to come as the game's zeroing in on its release. Expect more in-depth info and hardcore survivor strats in the upcoming devlogs. Just try your best not to bite the sand until then. See you soon.
[ 2023-05-26 15:02:57 CET ] [ Original post ]
First of all, it's been a while since our last update, so thank you for your patience and continued support. We apologize for what may have been perceived as a lack of communication on our part. However, you can rest assured that the development is going smoothly, and the release is getting closer than ever. We will do our best to keep communication going via multiple channels, including a new series of devlogs. Please make sure to wishlist and follow Ragtag Crew to receive all the latest updates the moment they arrive. Greetings, misfits. Before you set out to beat the living sand out of a bunch of folks using your fists, guns, and philosophical inquiry, it might be a good idea to review some basics.
The Map
You can drag the map to view your charted journey in full. Hope the sight doesnt break your spirit This aint a holiday brochure. In fact, this thing might just save your life or not. Each point on the map is its own journey: are you going to buy some gear, get ambushed by monsters, or get turned into mincemeat for showing a single act of kindness in this merciless world? The choice is yours. Kinda. Still, the icons do give you some idea of what you can expect. Here are some of them:
Wasteland. Get used to the desert, you are in one, after all. These locations will put you to the test with combat challenges and other surprises. Is your party a well-oiled machine or just a band of deviants after all?
Ruins. Every barren world has got a sappy backstory. Thankfully, thats not what we're in for here: your teams gotta survive, and ancient gears the ticket. Loot the place, or die trying.
Settlement. Spend your blood-drenched and gray-matter-stained coins here. Hear the woes of the townsfolk or get clobbered on the head by them.
Training camp. Spend cash to train and level up. No training montage included.
Oasis. Sometimes, we can have nice things. Or can we? how about you discover the rest on your own? Isnt this what gaming is about?
Team make-up
This screen also lets you choose your difficulty level Your squads always come in threes. Just the perfect amount for love triangles and needless drama. You can try to outsmart your destiny with the team creator or leave it up to fate. If you do decide to play God, do take note of your characters background and personality. The Background determines your crew members sorry life story up until this point. This determines their initial skills, abilities, and appearance. Roleplay your heart out. Personality here determines how your character acts in the present. This always comes with one negative and one positive trait. This all affects your characters skills, the way they speak, and the manner of interaction with their crewmates and surroundings. No Mary Sues get to survive the Wasteland.
Being this buff and having zero persuasion? Impossible Crew members cant get the same background or personality. That'd make things pretty boring, wouldn't it? Now go and try minmax the system. We dare you.
Companions
Think of it as the crew pet. Just maybe don't give it a name... Remember how we said you only get three crew members? Well, we mightve lied a bit. During your run, you might get one extra companion willing to tag along just this once. To meet a companion, you have to stumble your way to a rare event, and then try to get on top. If you do join up, they will be accompanying you until their last breath, acting as a fourth party member. They will also heal during rest, and might help you with certain events. But if theyre gone thats it! This was just a taste of what's to come as the game's zeroing in on its release. Expect more in-depth info and hardcore survivor strats in the upcoming devlogs. Just try your best not to bite the sand until then. See you soon.
[ 2023-05-26 15:02:57 CET ] [ Original post ]
See us at Tacticon
[ 2022-09-22 14:24:40 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, everyone! First of all, we wanted to apologize for the long radio silence. Sadly, we had to part ways with our publisher and start looking for a new one. Were doing everything we can to resolve this issue. Now to the good news, were participating in Tacticon! Come check it out!
[ 2022-09-22 14:24:40 CET ] [ Original post ]
Opening the demo for the Tiny Teams event
[ 2022-08-01 17:09:28 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings!
Ragtag Crew is taking part in the Tiny Teams event, which will take place from August 1 to 8. In honor of this joyful news, we're reopening the demo and inviting you to play.
The game will be released very soon! Add the game to your Wishlist, and join our Discord.
Regards,
Ragtag Crew.
[ 2022-08-01 17:09:28 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog #42 - The imperfect traits of your characters
[ 2022-07-09 15:30:51 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings!
In Ragtag Crew, traits will heavily influence the minds and bodies of your party; the desert will change your characters.
At the beginning of the game, each team member will have a specific character trait, which will have its advantages and disadvantages in combat. For example, the Daredevil is daring and fights fiercely (+chance for critical success) - he's also an Adrenaline Junkie who is reckless and rushes into battle (this can be a hindrance).
The desert is a dangerous place and characters can suffer serious mental and physical damage, such as "Head Trauma" or "Nightmares." This will negatively impact a fight and can have long-lasting effects.
You can get rid of negative traits, but it isn't going to be easy. Only a doctor can remove these conditions and there aren't many of them out in the desert. Your character may have to live with their flaws for the rest of the journey.
However, fortunate coincidences and particularly impressive events can leave your characters with positive traits, like "Determination" or "Lizard Tattoos." Who needs personal growth when you can just use mechanical implants?
Some traits, like "Inspired" and "Upset" are fleeting and will only last until the next rest, while others will last forever. The views of your characters are not immune to the influence of the desert. Only time will tell how they see the world in Ragtag Crew.
Meanwhile, be on your guard in the wilderness!
[ 2022-07-09 15:30:51 CET ] [ Original post ]
Four days until the demo closes
[ 2022-06-16 15:02:00 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings! There are 4 days left until the end of the Steam Next Fest digital event. That means you only have 4 more days to play. Hurry up and play now! Send your feedback and join our Discord, where you can ask questions about the game.
[ 2022-06-16 15:02:00 CET ] [ Original post ]
Play the new demo!
[ 2022-06-13 17:03:16 CET ] [ Original post ]
Greetings!
Ragtag Crew is participating in the Steam Next Fest. The event is a digital showcase where you can try out hundreds of demos, watch developer broadcasts, and talk to developers about their upcoming games.
From June 13 to June 20, we're releasing a new Ragtag Crew demo! Travel across the desert with a team of companions, fight unusual enemies, and form or break bonds.
Play, stream, write reviews, and join our Discord to chat with other players and share your gaming experiences.
[ 2022-06-13 17:03:16 CET ] [ Original post ]
Play new demo now!
[ 2022-05-31 12:03:23 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, adventurers! Our brave heroes are participating in the DreamHack Beyond event. Can you guess what we have in store for you? That's right, a new demo! Hurry up and download it, play, enjoy it, don't forget to post your videos and screenshots and tag us in your social networks.
[ 2022-05-31 12:03:23 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog #41: Life in the Wasteland
[ 2022-05-20 15:21:05 CET ] [ Original post ]
Sit down, my child, and let me tell you about life in the wasteland. Why do you look so miserable?! In my time, we respected our elders. Now, come closer, and maybe you'll learn something.
Yes, the old order was no match for today. Huge cities grew out of the sands in the desert, and marvelous technology was available to mankind at the snap of a finger. The whole world was in the palm of our hands, sometimes too much so. But all of that was changed by the Exodus and the Great War. I know you're wondering about who was involved in the war, but there's no point in uttering those godforsaken names aload. The important thing to remember is that those ancient cities are clogged with deadly machines, and our past is lost forever.
And now, well, we live in the filth and scrounge for scraps to eat. After the war, we had to go West, deeper into the desert, and as far away from the robot-infested cities as possible. We survived in the wasteland before; we're surviving now. I'm sure the damn savages didn't notice the change at all.
A lot has changed. Every settlement wants to protect itself, and bandits prowl here and there, looking to prey on the weaker ones. Vapor Wave Inc., those corporatists, are the most like the real power. They used to make condensers to extract water from the air, but now they're so important, with an army of personal mercs and all that. You'd better not cross them, or they'll put a bounty on your head. You know what happens to people like that
What, you don't know?! The hounds will follow your trail, you little desert worm! Not that they obey anyone except their organization, temple or whatever. They say it's because they're raised as orphans and trained from childhood to track down and kill criminals, well, supposed criminals. Just thinking about it gives me the creeps.
We may have managed to get back on our feet after fifty years, but the technology of the past is lost to us forever. Yes, the Technomancers Guild pretends to know about the artifacts of the Old Men. But they can only keep the old machines afloat for so long; they can't make something new, or even copy something old. And their own creations look childish at best.
Where do they get their shiny trinkets from? In the East! The old cities, factories and warehouses are still full of working machines. And they're worth a lot of Zinkreds, I should say! But those clean-cutters don't go there themselves. Creepy beasts, deadly robots, and other gangsters inhabit the eastern lands, so only scavengers and desperate people go there.
In fifty years, everything that could be scavenged is gone. Now, every salvage trip is a dance with death, where every wrong step leads to your untimely doom. May space help these madmen.
You want to be a scavenger?! Are you bored with life, you little fool?! Listen to me, there's no such thing as an honest hustler, a poor corporate and an old garbage man. If you want to live to my age, don't talk nonsense - help your father with the mushroom farm! You're thinking of getting rich, aren't you? Bah, there's no way for people like us to do that!
[ 2022-05-20 15:21:05 CET ] [ Original post ]
Going Rogue: A Festival of Persistence
[ 2022-05-02 17:02:53 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hey, everyone!
Ragtag Crew is taking part in Steam's Going Rogue: A Festival of Persistence, which will last from May 2 to May 9.
You'll be able to play the Ragtag Crew demo during the event! Just remember to hang in there if you fail or rejoice like crazy if you win.
We look forward to your feedback and questions about the game!
You'll also see hundreds of Roguelike games that have already been released and are about to be released, play a range of demos, and grab titles at fantastic discounts.
See you on May 2 at 09:00 PST.
[ 2022-05-02 17:02:53 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog #40: Combat Challenges
[ 2022-04-15 15:16:04 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, everyone!
In our last newsletter, we showed you the different relationships your characters can have with each other, and how you can influence these emotions. Today, we're showing off the easiest way to do this: combat challenges!
Combat Challenges are unique events that allow you to improve the moods of your characters. If you succeed, that is.
Combat challenges are a great way to improve the moods of characters that have been fighting during text events. If you respect the requests of your characters, tensions may improve between some of them. Or, at least, the instigator will be in a better mood after the battle.
Each challenge will depend on different characters. For example, the cautious Lone Wolf will insist on eliminating what he thinks is the most dangerous target, while the Daredevil will give enemies a head start because he wants a real challenge! On the other hand, the Hermit will ask you not to kill fleeing enemies.
You'll be able to see the details of these combat challenges in a special window:
Be warned that challenges won't appear in every battle, but there is a high chance of that.
The combat challenges can also be tracked in the upper-right corner of the screen. Most of these tasks will go against optimal combat tactics. Fortunately, it is not necessary to complete the tasks; nothing bad will happen to the team if they fail.
Following the whims of your subordinates is your choice. Meanwhile, be on your guard in the wilderness!
[ 2022-04-15 15:16:04 CET ] [ Original post ]
International Women's Day
[ 2022-03-08 15:14:16 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, everyone!
Today is International Women's Day, a day to celebrate the achievements of the women's rights movement and society's progress with gender equality. Video game development strives to create an atmosphere where everyone regardless of gender can bring out their best as a developer or player.
We're excited to see more and more women entering the game development industry. According to 2021 statistics, 30% of all game developers are women the percentage of female players is also rising! And of course, there are more titles being developed and released with strong female characters who are three-dimensional in their characteristics and motivation.
We also have awesome women in Ragtag Crew, both in the team and the storyline!
Remember, don't be afraid to assert yourself and be yourself. Send our card to the women in your life and wish them all of the success in what they do.
[ 2022-03-08 15:14:16 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog 39: Find the key to a good relationship. Or fake it
[ 2022-03-05 15:07:02 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, everyone!
Is your Ragtag Crew slaying countless enemies during the day but fighting with each other at night? Do you want to stop their bickering before it drives you insane, or maybe you love the drama? Either way, we're here to help!
So how do relationships in Ragtag Crew work? At the start of your journey, your characters will be indifferent to each other. Well, except for the Lone Wolf, who doesn't trust anyone.
Your crew members may warm up to one another, showing Respect, Affection, and eventually Adoration; on the opposite end of the scale, they may grow cold with Mistrust, Contempt, and then Hatred.
The feelings of Adoration and Hate are so strong that no decision or event will ever be able to change the relationship.
And while Affection and Adoration are useful in combat, there is one caveat to these feelings...
Just like in real life, characters might not reciprocate feelings. From time to time, you will encounter a situation where one character holds the utmost respect for another but receives only contempt in return.
Is there a way to fix this?
First, have a look at the traits of your fighters this will help you make the right choices based on their preferences. For example, avoiding a dangerous fight in an event will earn the respect of the Lone Wolf, but the Daredevil will consider you a weakling until the end of the journey. It's a double-edged sword.
Second, sometimes it's just not up to you. For better or worse, characters may act on their own. The Daredevil will charge mindlessly into combat, ignoring tactics, reason, and self-preservation instinct. And the Hermit will avoid all unnecessary fights, which will lead to them getting upset with the Daredevil.
Some personalities are better at dealing with people's emotions. The Center of Attention will quickly bond with the team and help to resolve internal conflicts. On the other hand, it's hard to earn the trust of the Lone Wolf, and the Egghead is known for giving a hard time to anyone that makes the smallest of mistakes.
That's not all! During battles, your characters will sometimes propose crazy ideas or issue challenges. The Center of Attention loves to be just that the center of attention while the Hermit tries to spare enemies that flee, and the Lone Wolf will aim to destroy a specific target first. If others in the team support any of their endeavors, the helper will earn some respect!
Now that you know more about the relationships in Ragtag Crew, you can nurture friendships, complete crazy challenges, and stay alert in the desert!
[ 2022-03-05 15:07:02 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog 38: Team moves
[ 2022-01-17 19:51:01 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about character interactions and relationships in Ragtag Crew. Your heroes don't exist in a vacuum. Their traits and characteristics will allow you to create a balanced team and may lead to relationships between each character. Some of your characters may favor each other initially, but anything can happen during the journey. Some decisions can lead to respect, sympathy, and even adoration towards their fellow heroes! On the other hand, they can also seed discord, hostility, or conflict. If characters do manage to get along and form friendships, they can provide additional assistance during battles. There are several types of team interactions:
- Team-up attacks. Every time their friend is attacking, a character has a chance to execute a follow-up strike. It won't deal a significant amount of damage, but it can still turn the tide of battle by finishing off the wounded enemy.
Only characters capable of learning Elimination abilities can perform this move.
- Protection. Each time a character is under attack, their friend will have a chance to save them by reducing the enemy's damage. The probability is even greater for lethal strikes.
However, only characters capable of learning Maneuver abilities can perform this move.
- Inspiration. Characters have a chance to add Ability Power when they support a friend, receiving additional benefits.
As usual, only characters capable of learning Support abilities can perform this move.
Building a strong team of friends is essential to the survival of the entire group. But don't be discouraged if things don't go according to plan. The journey is unpredictable, which makes it even more interesting!
[ 2022-01-17 19:51:01 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog 37: Mercenaries
[ 2021-12-02 14:03:12 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, everyone!
Today we'll be talking about some more enemies. Time to look at some of the scariest monsters of them all people! Not scavengers or lowly bandits, but powerful and dangerous Vapor Wave Inc mercenaries.
The first one on the list is the Exterminator.
Heavy armor protects him from bullets, knives, and boomerangs; an enormous gun fills enemies with lead. He'll make quick work of you... once the system charges up.
What does it mean gameplay-wise? He starts with 2 armor (takes 2 less damage from attacks) but has to skip the first turn charging up.
Dealing with heavy merc in early/mid game can be troublesome. Try to lower his armor with your abilities. Boost one character and make a powerful strike instead of multiple weak ones. Use the first turn to take care of his allies, who aren't as protected.
For example, this shady Merc.
His lazgun stings, sure, but lack of armor makes him an easy target. Kill him quickly and move on.
Or, don't. You see, this mercenary is just trying to earn some cash; dying isn't a part of the plan. If any of his teammates drop, he'll be gone in a blink of an eye.
Take a shady merc out of the picture quickly, or try to go for his beefier friends to get two-for-one? That's up to you.
Expect more mercenaries to pop up in a future update and stay alert in the desert.
[ 2021-12-02 14:03:12 CET ] [ Original post ]
New battle music theme!
[ 2021-11-22 14:10:40 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, adventurers! We are currently working on the musical design of the game, and today we'd like to present to you a new battle theme created by our composer Zack Parrish: [previewyoutube=oVgpx7D9scM;full][/previewyoutube]
[ 2021-11-22 14:10:40 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog 36: Secret Abilities
[ 2021-10-26 10:36:53 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, everyone!
Today we'll tell you more about backgrounds' secret abilities. You don't receive them at the beginning of the game, don't get them on level-ups, don't buy them. You won't even know what these abilities look like! They are not called secret for nothing.
Do not worry, though; we're willing to share. See the markers on the Rogue's skill progress bars? One pair blue, the other one yellow?
These are thresholds. If Rogue ever upgrades her Athletics to level three and Knowledge to level two, she'll immediately learn an ability called "Peak Performance". It'll dish out impressive amounts of damage, but only while Rogue is unscratched. "Peak Performance" synergizes well with Rogue's kit, supporting her "staying out of harm's way" playstyle.
Here's the catch: if your character learns one secret ability during the run, the second one is locked until you start a new journey. It means you'll have to choose early. Do you want an easy-to-get but weaker ability for an early momentum? Or the stronger one to make yourself a late-game powerhouse? That's for you to decide!
Want to try out secret abilities but don't know how to raise the skills? We got you covered! Learn from your own mistakes by failing skill tests or learn from other people's mistakes by paying them at Training Camps. Go out of your comfort zone!
Hopefully, this helps you survive the dangers of the wasteland! Remember to stay alert in the desert!
[ 2021-10-26 10:36:53 CET ] [ Original post ]
Eastern European Games event!
[ 2021-10-25 11:51:12 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, adventurers! We are proud to announce that we are taking part in the Eastern European Games Steam event powered by Dev.Play! In honour of this event, we launched a stream: watch the developer play! We are waiting for you in the stream chat ready for any questions! Also, please vote for your favorite game at Dev.Play 2021!
[ 2021-10-25 11:51:12 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Unlockables
Where can we go without them! The player starts with 5 classes and 5 characters, but thats not all. You will unlock another 3 additional classes and 2 additional characters along the way, during adventures for significant achievements. And we plan to add even more after we release the game!
It doesnt matter whether it is victory or defeat, the player gains experience after each run. The more successful the run was, the more points will go to the box. You scored enough points - it added new content to future adventures. You cannot see the purpose of the new items immediately, discover them in the next game!
Is the game too simple? Is the ultimate boss just a little trouble? Not a problem! If you complete the game at least once for each class and character, it will unlock a special secret boss, stronger and more dangerous than the previous one!
Depending on the chosen characters and personalities, items and decisions made during the run, the adventure can end in different ways. The game has 12 endings planned. Try opening them all!
And, of course, achievements. For those who love to collect! Next time, we will tell you about the secret abilities of each class, which can be unlocked during the races.
[ 2021-10-06 11:15:57 CET ] [ Original post ]
Good day! Today we are going to tell you how Ragtag Crew changes between runs, what can be opened, found and unlocked.
New classes and characters
Where can we go without them! The player starts with 5 classes and 5 characters, but thats not all. You will unlock another 3 additional classes and 2 additional characters along the way, during adventures for significant achievements. And we plan to add even more after we release the game!
More content
It doesnt matter whether it is victory or defeat, the player gains experience after each run. The more successful the run was, the more points will go to the box. You scored enough points - it added new content to future adventures. You cannot see the purpose of the new items immediately, discover them in the next game!
Alternative hard boss
Is the game too simple? Is the ultimate boss just a little trouble? Not a problem! If you complete the game at least once for each class and character, it will unlock a special secret boss, stronger and more dangerous than the previous one!
Endings
Depending on the chosen characters and personalities, items and decisions made during the run, the adventure can end in different ways. The game has 12 endings planned. Try opening them all!
Achievements
And, of course, achievements. For those who love to collect! Next time, we will tell you about the secret abilities of each class, which can be unlocked during the races.
[ 2021-10-06 11:15:57 CET ] [ Original post ]
Demo v8 Update!
Please, share your feedback:
[ 2021-08-26 14:32:00 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello! Today we've updated the demo with few fixes, QoL changes and major interface update:
- The interface has changed a lot
- The Mercenary is back, with sound effects!
- Personality now affects the starting set of the character's abilities: it matters not only which personality is chosen, but also for whom
- Enemy traits are now displayed graphically
- The map is now much easier to overview
- Explanations of terms have been added
- Bug fixes
Please, share your feedback:
- on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/eDCrQ5zcNN
- on Steam Discussions
- take the survey: https://forms.gle/6JpE7Qv5v7HYvHh26
[ 2021-08-26 14:32:00 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Events
Map events are "you against the world": escape danger, grab loot, make friends, and fight enemies.
Rest events only take place during the rest phase. They focus on the character's internal problems and relationships with the group.
[/olist] Often, you'll be presented with a choice. We try to avoid "right" or "wrong" answers, so different options have different outcomes and are better depending on the situation. Scare off the bandits and move on without a scratch. Fight the bandits and gain loot and experience, but be prepared for them to retaliate later. Many decisions require your characters to take a skill test. Sometimes one person is enough, sometimes the whole party has to make an effort. Skills range from athletic to persuasion and are appropriate for a variety of situations.
How can you improve your skills? Seek a challenge; step out of your comfort zone! Every time you fail a skill test, that skill increases! And if the test is difficult enough for the character, they will learn even after they succeed!
But wait! What if I told you that it's not always up to you to determine the outcome of the event? Your crew members are people with their own desires! A team member can approve of your decision or complain about it, and it will affect their morale. A character can bring their own solution to the table and expand their options. And sometimes a teammate takes over the event entirely and steers it in an unexpected direction, for better or worse.
This can happen because of his past, his personality, his relationships, his allies, or his items! This makes events highly replayable: Pick a different crew and see how it changes familiar situations! What about the consequences? Not only do you gain or lose Zincreds, rations, or equipment during these events, but there's more! Your characters will receive permanent changes in the form of traits. You will be given quests to complete! You'll make decisions that can bite you in the ass later or even change the finale of the game!
Good luck, and stay alert in the desert!
[ 2021-08-05 10:52:57 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, everyone! Time to tell you about the journey! Every time you pass through a location in Ragtag Crew, a text event will appear. In these events, you will face challenges, fight enemies, listen to crew banter, make decisions, and suffer the consequences. These text events come in two forms: [olist]
[/olist] Often, you'll be presented with a choice. We try to avoid "right" or "wrong" answers, so different options have different outcomes and are better depending on the situation. Scare off the bandits and move on without a scratch. Fight the bandits and gain loot and experience, but be prepared for them to retaliate later. Many decisions require your characters to take a skill test. Sometimes one person is enough, sometimes the whole party has to make an effort. Skills range from athletic to persuasion and are appropriate for a variety of situations.
How can you improve your skills? Seek a challenge; step out of your comfort zone! Every time you fail a skill test, that skill increases! And if the test is difficult enough for the character, they will learn even after they succeed!
But wait! What if I told you that it's not always up to you to determine the outcome of the event? Your crew members are people with their own desires! A team member can approve of your decision or complain about it, and it will affect their morale. A character can bring their own solution to the table and expand their options. And sometimes a teammate takes over the event entirely and steers it in an unexpected direction, for better or worse.
This can happen because of his past, his personality, his relationships, his allies, or his items! This makes events highly replayable: Pick a different crew and see how it changes familiar situations! What about the consequences? Not only do you gain or lose Zincreds, rations, or equipment during these events, but there's more! Your characters will receive permanent changes in the form of traits. You will be given quests to complete! You'll make decisions that can bite you in the ass later or even change the finale of the game!
Good luck, and stay alert in the desert!
[ 2021-08-05 10:52:57 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Decisions
[ 2021-06-25 20:28:19 CET ] [ Original post ]
We would like to thank everyone who participated in the Ragtag Crew playtest. Every feedback is valuable for us!
If you missed it then here is the information:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/882590/view/2987556908482720494
Today we're going to talk a little bit about our design philosophy "decisions should matter".
Ability Power is a simple example. Currently, it enhances your character's abilities and makes no difference between them. What if we split it into three types: one for Elimination, one for Maneuver, and one for Support?
On the one hand, it expands the number of possibilities: now we can have specialized equipment for each category. On the other hand, it reduces the number of meaningful decisions taken during the run.
Example:
The player acquires a shiny new item that improves all Support abilities. Who should get it? No need to think twice if the Technomancer is the only crew member who can use Support.
In combat, she can also use Maneuvers. But why would the player do that when her Support abilities are now much stronger?
In both of these cases, the player technically has a choice. Not a very interesting one, though, since one option is objectively better than the other. We try our best to keep the number of such situations to a minimum.
Stay alert in the desert and see you soon!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/882590/Ragtag_Crew/
[ 2021-06-25 20:28:19 CET ] [ Original post ]
Playtest update with sounds and difficulty levels!
[ 2021-06-22 09:29:27 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, adventurer!
Our work is in full swing, and we have prepared an update for the version available to everyone for playtesting! Also, the playtest is now open to gain access to the game, you no longer need to wait for an email, but immediately after pressing this button
you can click PLAY MOW
What's new:
[olist]
- on our Discord server: https://discord.gg/eDCrQ5zcNN
- on Steam Discussions
- take the survey: https://forms.gle/6JpE7Qv5v7HYvHh26
[ 2021-06-22 09:29:27 CET ] [ Original post ]
Devlog: Personalities [Updated]
Brave and always ready to fight. The rest of you arent? Well, thats your problem.
Smart and arrogant. He/She knows many things and wont hesitate to share the knowledge after he/shes done laughing at your stupidity.
A charming smooth-talker who likes attention so much, He/shed give away his/her last shirt. Which isnt always in your best interest.
A pacifist who travels with a Giant Lizard and resents fighting. Guess what your party will be doing on a daily basis?
A cautious loner. Vigilance is useful, but why travel with a company if you hate company? Join our Discord and choose YOUR personality: https://discord.gg/H5K2rAVJSa
Also, let us remind you about the Playtest, which is open until May, 31th: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/882590/view/3041595663516700752 If you already have tested the game, please take a survey: https://forms.gle/6JpE7Qv5v7HYvHh26
[ 2021-05-18 10:50:42 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello, adventurers! Let's get to know available personalities. This is one of two characteristics you have to pick when creating a new crew member. Personality defines starting skills and determines how the character sees the world and interacts with it. It also applies to the manner of speech, reactions to events, starting relationships etc. Each personality comes with positive and negative traits, affecting events and battles.
Daredevil
Brave and always ready to fight. The rest of you arent? Well, thats your problem.
Egghead
Smart and arrogant. He/She knows many things and wont hesitate to share the knowledge after he/shes done laughing at your stupidity.
Eye Catcher
A charming smooth-talker who likes attention so much, He/shed give away his/her last shirt. Which isnt always in your best interest.
Hermit
A pacifist who travels with a Giant Lizard and resents fighting. Guess what your party will be doing on a daily basis?
Lone Wolf
A cautious loner. Vigilance is useful, but why travel with a company if you hate company? Join our Discord and choose YOUR personality: https://discord.gg/H5K2rAVJSa
Also, let us remind you about the Playtest, which is open until May, 31th: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/882590/view/3041595663516700752 If you already have tested the game, please take a survey: https://forms.gle/6JpE7Qv5v7HYvHh26
[ 2021-05-18 10:50:42 CET ] [ Original post ]
Welcome to the Playtest!
[ 2021-05-04 14:41:43 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hey!
We are launching a playtest in which any brave enough scavenger can participate!
All you need to do is... follow these simple steps:
1. Go to the Ragtag Crew Steam page:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/882590/Ragtag_Crew/
2. Find the section that says "Join the Ragtag Crew Playtest" and click on Request Access:
3. Check your email and find a letter with the "You've been invited to help test Ragtag Crew" title
4. Go to your Steam library, find a game called Ragtag Crew Playtest, and install it:
5. Great, you did it! Note that
- Only English version is available
- There are no sounds in the game
- Adventures for each playthrough are generated randomly (but not as varied as they will be in the future)
[ 2021-05-04 14:41:43 CET ] [ Original post ]
F.A.Q. about us and our game's development
[ 2021-04-21 10:35:39 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hello to all scavengers!
We decided to collect answers to the most frequent questions and made a F.A.Q.:
We told about the team, the development process and our inspiration. If you have more questions feel free to ask in the discussions and comments, we will answer!
The fastest communication with developers in our Discord: https://discord.gg/H5K2rAVJSa
https://store.steampowered.com/app/882590/Ragtag_Crew/
[ 2021-04-21 10:35:39 CET ] [ Original post ]
We have Discord server now!!!
[ 2021-04-06 15:46:00 CET ] [ Original post ]
Hooray! We have the Discord server now: https://discord.gg/H5K2rAVJSa
Join, take friends with you and let's make a COMMUNITY!
We'll share devlogs, more details about the lore and answer all the questions. Grrrr!
[ 2021-04-06 15:46:00 CET ] [ Original post ]
Ragtag Crew
Hardlane Studio
Developer
Hardlane Studio
Publisher
Q2 2022
Release
Game News Posts:
39
🎹🖱️Keyboard + Mouse
Very Positive
(218 reviews)
Public Linux Depots:
- [0 B]
You will lead a squad of scavengers on a venture across the wasteland in pursuit of profit, food and all sorts of cool stuff! Each character has a unique combination of class and personality, which will provide an unrepeatable (literally!) adventure.
Combat action breaks by short ironic events, during which the traits of the heroes are revealed, and your choices determine your own history of the squad. The pool of events is large, and personalities and classes can drastically change the outcomes.
Your enemies will be strong but predictable. You need to explore their flaws and quickly adapt to different enemy compositions.
- Each run, choose 3 characters out of 8 classes (some unlockable). Experiment with synergies and party compositions to slay everyone in your way!
- Every character can choose a personality from the 7 available (some unlockable). These influence their dialogue, battle capabilities, relationships, morale, stats, and overall style — but most importantly, they can drastically change the course of events.
- The heart of the game lies in the tough tactical fights. The enemies are strong, but often have flaws to exploit. Adapt, improve, overcome!
- Slay bosses… or sneak past. These large and unique enemies come with their own mechanics and storylines. The rewards may be game-changing — but are you in a good enough condition to take them on? Sometimes it’s smarter to walk past a fight.
- As you progress through the game, more options become available.
- Every node on the map offers a text event. A smart choice can grant you loot, help two characters form a bond, or hint at the deeper truth behind the events. An unsuccessful one might end in a disaster.
- Over the course of an adventure the party members will grow to become friends… or bitter enemies. Nudge their stories to receive unique events and outcomes!
- From cute baby lizards to passionate fighter-pilgrims, all kinds of characters may aid you on your journey.
- A mixture of post-apoc, Westerns, and sci-fi creates a relatable yet original world. "Firefly meets Douglas Adams."
- Try again. Most bands of misfits fail — this is a roguelite, after all. But even failed runs bring progress in the form of unlockable classes, personalities, and items. You’ll be better equipped next time — and the game’s high variance offers high replayability.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/882590
MINIMAL SETUP
- OS: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 64 bit
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHzMemory: 3 GB RAM
- Memory: 3 GB RAM
- Graphics: Open GL 3.2+ Compliant
- Storage: 4 GB available space
- OS: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 64 bit
- Processor: Intel Core i5 3.0 GHzMemory: 4 GB RAM
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760. AMD Radeon R9 280X
- Storage: 4 GB available space
GAMEBILLET
[ 6132 ]
GAMERSGATE
[ 2625 ]
FANATICAL BUNDLES
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HUMBLE BUNDLES
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