IMPALED! - the game

First Look: Unveiling the Unique Style & Core Gameplay of IMPALED

Hey everyone, and welcome to the very first dev diary for IMPALED! We're incredibly excited to pull back the curtain just a little and give you a glimpse into the world we're building – a challenging roguelike action experience unlike anything you've seen before.

Today, we're focusing on two key aspects: our distinctive visual style and an early look at our gameplay through a whitebox demonstration.

The Vision: Crafting IMPALED's Striking Aesthetic

From the very beginning, we knew IMPALED needed a visual identity that truly stood out. We've been working to blend the grim atmosphere of dark fantasy with the unsettling feel of sci-fi horror, all presented through a bold, high-contrast, graphic novel-inspired aesthetic.

One of our core artistic principles involves the use of "non-black dark shadows." This might sound a bit unusual, but it's crucial for our look. Instead of simply using pure black for shadows, we employ different shades and tones that create depth without making areas feel completely flat or losing detail. This approach helps our stylized characters and crucial visual elements "pop" against the background, ensuring they remain the focal point within the composition. It creates a distinctive visual tone that we believe captures the essence of a world unraveling.

We invite you to dive deeper into the full artistic vision and mood that's shaping IMPALED by checking out our complete Style Guide here: impaled.ncubate-studios.com

First Glimpse: A Peek into Whitebox Gameplay

pardon the broken IK-Legs, still WIP :P

https://youtu.be/WL5XVmot8y4

While our full lore visuals are still being polished, we're thrilled to share an early look at IMPALED's core mechanics within a "whitebox" level.

For those unfamiliar, a whitebox level is essentially a functional prototype. It uses placeholder visuals (think basic shapes and untextured environments) to allow us to focus entirely on gameplay systems and spatial design. This means you'll see how movement, combat, and level flow feel without being distracted by final art assets.

In IMPALED, every run is a desperate fight for survival and progression. Players will navigate procedurally generated environments, engaging in intense, skill-based combat. You'll wield a singular firearm that blends seamlessly with fluid melee attacks to overcome increasingly grotesque "Entities." And remember, death is not an end, but a core mechanic for growth, offering new insights and opportunities to refine your builds and adapt your tactics. This whitebox stage is where we refine the fundamental "feel" of that challenge.

We also want to give a huge shout-out to Rafay, our incredibly talented engineer and visionary. Rafay has been the primary driving force behind the game so far, meticulously crafting the foundational gameplay systems and spatial design you see. His dedication and vision are truly bringing IMPALED's core experience to life!

What's Next?

We're incredibly excited about what we're building and can't wait to share more with you. This first diary is just the beginning of our journey to bring you a truly unique roguelike experience. Stay tuned for future updates where we'll delve deeper into the lore, introduce characters, and reveal more of the polished world of IMPALED!

Thank you for joining us on this grim odyssey. The Ncubate Team.