Underrail

Underrail
Developer(s) Stygian Software
Publisher(s) Stygian Software
Designer(s) Dejan Radisic
Stefan Cupovic
Mario Tovirac[1]
Programmer(s) Dejan Radisic
Ivana Radisic[1]
Artist(s) Dejan Radisic
Mario Tovirac
Mark Wowk
Diego Candia
Kira Mayer[1]
Writer(s) Dejan Radisic
Stefan Cupovic[1]
Composer(s) Josh Culler[1]
Series Underrail
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
Release date(s)
  • WW December 18, 2015
Genre(s) Role-playing
Mode(s) Single-player

Underrail is a post-apocalyptic turn based isometric role-playing video game developed by the independent developer Stygian Software for Microsoft Windows. It has been available as an early access title since late 2012 and was fully released on December 18, 2015.

Gameplay

Underrail is an old school isometric role-playing game focused on combat and exploration. It features tactical turn based combat, a vast underground world to explore, extensive character customization possibilities and a detailed item crafting system. Many different playstyles are allowed by the character customization options.[2] The player controls a single character, whose development and interactions with the game world are the focus of the gameplay.[3]

The game's ruleset is mainly inspired by Fallout's SPECIAL system and later editions of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). It is a classless system with multiple levels of customization. Base ability scores determine a character's core potential, skills represent a character's linear progression in specific skills and feats can grant new abilities, provide passive bonuses or alter a character's existing abilities. The turn-based combat system is similar to Fallout's with more options added on top of it, such as the use of special abilities, psionics and more combat utilities. The system is intended to provide many combat options and unique playstyles.[4]

Plot

Setting

The game is set far in future where Earth's surface has been uninhabitable for a long time and the remaining humans live in the eponymous Underrail metro network, where conflicting factions struggle violently to survive in the harsh underground conditions.[2] The most scarce resources in Underrail are food and living space.[5] There is also a greater background plot concerning the nature of time, but the game is mostly about the inhabitants of Underrail, their politics, strife and the dangers of Underrail itself.[6]

Story

The player takes on the role of a new member to one of the stations on the fringe of Underrail. The player character starts as a blank slate, allowing the player to develop him or her as preferred. The story is narrated primarily through dialogue with non-player characters inhabiting the world of Underrail.[4] The player is positioned to side with different competing factions in their battle to annex stations.[5]

Development

Game engine development for Underrail begun in late 2008.[7] The game's custom engine and development tools are built using C#, Microsoft's .NET 4.0 framework and XNA Game Studio 4.0.[3] The game has been in full-time development since late 2009 and it was known as Timelapse Vertigo during its pre-alpha and earlier development stages.[7][8] Prior to Steam early access release, most of the development work including design, programming, writing and graphics excluding character models and title screen, was done by Dejan Radisic.[3] Since its initial demo version release in 2012, updated versions of Underrail have been released roughly every three or four months. These updates and development progress between releases are detailed on the developer's publicly accessible development logs.[9]

The alphafunding model is used to completely finance the game's development, with no additional crowdfunding campaigns.[10] Sales on Steam early access allowed expansion of the development team from one full-time developer to a team of three developers.[11][12] Character models and music of the game are created by freelance artists and the game uses royalty-free sound effects purchased from online sound libraries.

The first trailer for Underrail was released on March 11, 2013, showcasing alpha version gameplay footage.[13] Second trailer for Underrail was released on August 6, 2014, showcasing gameplay footage from the game's most recent alpha version update.[14]

Release

On August 22, 2012, a demo of Underrail was released on IndieDB.[15] On December 6, 2012, an alpha version became available on both Desura and GamersGate digital distribution platforms,[10][16] and on September 24, 2013, alpha version became available as an early access title on the Steam store as well.[17]

The complete game was released on December 18, 2015.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Stygian Software (2014-12-22). Underrail. Scene: staff credits.
  2. 1 2 3 "Underrail - An indie role playing game". Stygian Software. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Adam Ames (26 July 2012). "Old Broken Technology: Underrail". True PC Gaming. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Underrail – interview with Dejan and Alpha Demo released". RPG Italia. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  5. 1 2 Eduardo Garabito (13 February 2013). "Dejan Radisic: "Me gusta hacer las cosas a mi manera y ser mi propio jefe"". Indie-o-rama (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 August 2014.
    English translation: Chris Priestman (15 February 2013). "Keeping On The Tracks: Developing Underrail As A One-Man Force". Indie Statik. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Underrail, formerly known as Timelapse Vertigo - rpg codex". Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  7. 1 2 Dave Yeager (6 May 2013). "Underrail Hands-on Alpha Preview". RPGFan. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Jeffrey Davis (4 February 2013). "GamerTell Preview: Underrail". GamerTell. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  9. ↑ "Underrail - Development Log". Stygian Software. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  10. 1 2 Tom Sykes (6 December 2012). "Underrail - Arcanum meets Metro 2033 - is available to alpha-buy now". PC Gamer. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Dev Log #23: Expanding the Business". Stygian Software. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  12. ↑ "Questions about development?". Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  13. ↑ Michael Johnson (12 March 2013). "Underrail gets a trailer". BeefJack. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  14. ↑ "Underrail - Core City update". Stygian Software. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  15. ↑ Cassandra Khaw (5 December 2012). "Demo: Underrail (Stygian Software)". IndieGames.com. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  16. ↑ "Underrail released on Desura and GamersGate!". Stygian Software. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Underrail now live on Steam!". Stygian Software. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 28 August 2014.

External links

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