Discover IMPALED, Ncubate Studios' thrilling new roguelike action game currently in development for Steam. Immerse yourself in a blend of dark fantasy and sci-fi horror, brought to life with a distinctive graphic novel visual style. Here, you'll find all our latest updates, dev diaries, and showcases of our art, tech, and gameplay evolution. Follow our journey closely and witness the creation of something truly unique!
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Styleguide
At the heart of Impaled's visual identity is a bold, high-contrast aesthetic heavily inspired by the stark, striking visuals of cinematic noir and the iconic style of Sin City. We meticulously craft a world where grim dark fantasy meets unsettling sci-fi horror, utilizing a unique approach to shadows—our distinctive "non-black darks"—and dramatic, theatric lighting to forge profound suspense and depth. Amidst this atmosphere stand the sets of ruined Romanesque and Art-Deco influenced structures, hinting at the strength, massive scale, and lost stability of a once-impressive alien civilization. For a comprehensive look at our artistic vision and principles, explore the full Style Guide here: impaled.ncubate-studios.com
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Characters - BTS
Step into the unique world of Impaled and meet its inhabitants. From the enigmatic Wanderer to the relentless Red Gunslinger, and rest of the grotesque Entities that populate this fractured reality, each character is meticulously crafted to embody our distinct blend of dark fantasy and sci-fi horror. This section offers a glimpse into their designs, roles, and the artistry behind them. For an evolving look at new character work, behind-the-scenes insights into our tech, and in-depth showcases of our evolving roster, follow our dedicated character dev blog here:
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Lore and Game Design
At its core, Impaled's game design is intrinsically woven into its lore, echoing the Red Gunslinger's relentless pursuit to unravel and reshape time. Embracing the challenging nature of a roguelike experience, players will find that death is not an end, but a crucial step in understanding the fractured reality and adapting their strategies. To ensure every grim odyssey feels fresh and unpredictable, our levels are crafted using a blend of procedural generation and AI-assisted design. This means no two playthroughs will ever be exactly alike, continually challenging you to master the shifting landscapes and face the Abyss Current's chaotic influence in new and unexpected ways.
Developer Highlight
A pivotal force behind Impaled is Rafay Khawaja, our visionary Gameplay Engineer and Creative Designer. Rafay has been the primary driving force in crafting the foundational gameplay systems and spatial design, truly bringing the whitebox experience to life. His dedication and creative insight are instrumental in shaping Impaled's core mechanics and unique feel. Stay tuned for a full blog spotlight in the future, where we'll delve deeper into Rafay's invaluable contributions and the innovative work he's doing!