All the best way again in 1988, Elite put out a 2D platformer named Past the Ice Palace, a recreation that definitely gained over greater than its fair proportion of followers again within the day, however by no means actually broke by into the mainstream with its reputation. Now, nonetheless, developer Storybird Studio, in collaboration with publishers PQube and PixelHeart, goes again to the cult basic and following up on it with an sudden sequel. Past the Ice Palace 2 is trying like a promising evolution of the unique recreation’s sidescrolling motion, and from its gameplay enhancements to its retro artwork type, it’s checking numerous the best bins. We lately had the possibility to ship a few of our questions concerning the upcoming sequel to its improvement crew at Storybird Studio, within the course of studying extra about the way it follows up on its 36-year previous predecessor, what enhancements it brings to the desk, and extra. You’ll be able to learn our interview under.
“Past the Ice Palace stood out to us as a beloved gem with a devoted fan base, making it a pure alternative for revival, constructing on and increasing the sport.”
What motivated the choice to make a sequel to Past the Ice Palace, over three-and-a-half many years on from its launch?
We approached Elite with a proposal to breathe new life into one in all their basic titles. Past the Ice Palace stood out to us as a beloved gem with a devoted fan base, making it a pure alternative for revival, constructing on and increasing the sport!
Given the lengthy hole between Past the Ice Palace 2 and its predecessor, how do you, as builders, establish which components of the unique expertise you wish to retain and type of try to emulate, and which components you should shed and reinvent as you try to ship a recreation that trendy audiences will take pleasure in?
Retaining the essence of the unique recreation really feel was paramount to us. Nonetheless, as we ventured into modernising gameplay, we fastidiously built-in modern mechanics to counterpoint the expertise. We aimed to strike a stability between nostalgia and innovation, making certain each previous and new gamers discover one thing to like!
What was the method like of defining the sport’s visible id? The pixel artwork type is a beautiful look that looks like a smart evolution of the unique recreation, however was there ever a dialog to try to take the sport in a considerably completely different path the place its visuals have been involved?
Crafting the visible id was a journey of evolution. Whereas the pixel artwork pays homage to the sport’s roots, our imaginative and prescient matured as improvement progressed. Impressed by titles like Soul Reaver, we embraced a darker aesthetic, infusing the sport with a extra mature ambiance whereas retaining its nostalgic attraction.
“Crafting the visible id was a journey of evolution. Whereas the pixel artwork pays homage to the sport’s roots, our imaginative and prescient matured as improvement progressed. Impressed by titles like Soul Reaver, we embraced a darker aesthetic, infusing the sport with a extra mature ambiance whereas retaining its nostalgic attraction.”
In what methods would you say Past the Ice Palace 2 is most completely different from its predecessor?
The sequel introduces a vastly expanded world and gameplay mechanics, catering to advanced participant expectations and delivering a richer, extra immersive expertise. Past the Ice Palace 2 can also be darker in tone with grotesque bosses and sinister lore unfold all through the world… We needed to create a recreation that felt mature and constructed upon the foundations of Past the Ice Palace, retaining the protagonist and the unique lore.
How are you approaching problem in Past the Ice Palace 2 by way of each fight and platforming?
Our strategy to problem is to supply accessibility with layers of complexity. Whereas the sport stays difficult, stage design ensures that even inexperienced gamers can progress by the journey. We now have aimed for simplicity in gameplay that unfolds into depth over time.
What are you able to inform us concerning the recreation’s boss fights and the way diverse these encounters can be?
All I can say is that there are lots! There are the principle bosses, which require gamers to make use of all of the hero’s abilities. However there are additionally loads of distinctive mini-bosses and duels towards very highly effective monsters. For a few of them, there are a number of methods to kill them, we are able to’t wait to see if gamers will discover all of the strategies to beat these challenges!
“There are the principle bosses, which require gamers to make use of all of the hero’s abilities. However there are additionally loads of distinctive mini-bosses and duels towards very highly effective monsters.”
Past the Ice Palace 2 is promising development mechanics that may permit gamers finer management over their character and the way they energy up all through their journey. Is construct selection one thing that you simply’re seeking to emphasize within the recreation, or are the development mechanics meant extra as additive, ancillary methods, with the first focus being elsewhere?
Development mechanics are central to the participant’s journey. Whereas it’s attainable to finish the sport with out maximizing character stats, doing so enhances the gaming expertise. Whether or not gamers prioritise character development or concentrate on different facets, the development system provides flexibility and depth.
Roughly how lengthy will a median playthrough of Past the Ice Palace 2 be?
The length of a playthrough varies based mostly on participant ability and curiosity… With quite a few secret passages and hidden areas to discover! A full play time is but to be absolutely outlined as we’re nonetheless in improvement however we’re aiming to creating a content material wealthy recreation that has loads of layers for the group to take pleasure in!
