Lets talk about the cast of GrimKeep!

In this update, were diving into the kinds of characters youll meet: heroes, villains, and the unfortunate folks in between. In GrimKeep, theres a clear divide between the good guys and the bad guys. No grey morality or narrative twists to wrestle with, just a classic, grim showdown between light and dark. That doesnt mean our characters are shallow, though. Each one carries weight, both in story and gameplay. Were breaking this down into three main categories:

• Player Characters
• Non-Player Characters (NPCs)
• Enemies

For each, well touch on both lore and mechanics.

Player Characters

Lore

Our playable heroes are reimaginings of famous Brothers Grimm fairy tale characters, now older, wearier, and shaped by years of hardship since their original tales ended. They might go by new names, and many carry the emotional or physical scars of whats happened since "happily ever after." We're keeping the narrative light, but meaningful. Think iceberg storytelling, whats above the surface is just a glimpse, with more implied beneath. Through visual design, item descriptions, and snatches of dialogue, youll get hints of a life lived.
Sketches and final art of the character portrait of Red

Mechanics

Mechanically, our player characters are designed to:

• Be distinct enough to encourage trying multiple.
• Be easy to pick up (especially early on).
• Allow flexibility in playstyle.

To support this, each character will likely have:

• A single defining stat: Health.
• A pre-equipped item (potentially).
• Slight variations in point values from dice combos.

For example, a character with low starting health might begin with a powerful item or score higher on certain combo types. We know this might sound a bit abstract without a full look at how the game plays, but bear with us! That day is coming.

Non-Player Characters (NPCs)

This is less of a traditional category. What were calling NPCs are really Encounters, weird and sometimes dangerous interactions you'll find across the city.

Lore

Some civilians are still out there, hiding, surviving, and maybe a little... off. They're probably not the friendly neighborhood type anymore, but talking to them might reveal glimpses into the strange world of GrimKeep.

Mechanics

These NPCs show up through encounter events where you'll be offered choices, some straightforward, others more of a gamble. Think dialogue options or event cards. Theres no guarantee these situations will go in your favor. GrimKeep isnt a world where good intentions always lead to good outcomes.

Enemies

Lore

Something foul seeps out from Castle GrimKeep. It warps everything, humans, animals, even objects. Theres no plan behind the madness. Just cruel, senseless transformation. Enemies in GrimKeep are grotesque parodies of their former selves. A butcher might become a hulking beast wielding meat cleavers; a seamstress may stitch herself into something monstrous. And when they kill, they drag their victims back to the castle.
Link to the making of video

Mechanics

Youll face these enemies in turn-based combat. Here's how that works:

• You attack using dice combos and item synergies.
• Each enemy has a set of standard actions, like attack, defend, or unique abilities.
• Before you act, you'll get a hint about their next move, letting you adjust your strategy.

For example, if theyre prepping to defend, it might be a good time to trigger a healing combo or buff. Thats it for now on characters in GrimKeep! Were excited to show more soon, especially once we can reveal how all of this plays out in the game.

Thanks for sticking with us. Stay tuned for our next devlog and don't forget to WISHLIST!

[ 2025-06-02 15:35:50 CET ] [ Original post ]