Beyond Galaxyland Interview – World, Combat, Art Style, and More

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that Beyond Galaxyland has piqued my interest like few other games have in recent memory. The blend of fast-paced combat, capturable creatures, and streamlined progression mechanics harkens back to the golden age of RPGs, a time when every turn felt like a life or death situation.

“Beyond Galaxyland” blends elements of side-scrolling adventures with those of retro RPGs, offering a distinct mix of genres. Its captivating pixel art and the prospect of an immersive sci-fi narrative tale make it stand out. Notably, this project is a solo endeavor, which adds to its intrigue. Although details about “Beyond Galaxyland” are still scarce, our curiosity piqued, we posed questions to its developer, Sam Enright, uncovering valuable insights into the game’s mechanics and more. For a comprehensive look at our interview with him, please find it below.

“Restricting the gaming experience to 2.5D format brought about design advantages, while it also opened up some intriguing possibilities for unique gameplay experiences.”

Outside Galaxyland, there’s a unique, semi-retro 2.5D visual style that immediately grabs attention. How did you decide on this appearance for the game?

I chose to primarily work in 2.5D because I wanted to create an expansive story and found that developing a fully 3D world as a single developer would be too challenging. Additionally, pixel art allows me to achieve the level of detail I aim for while keeping the project manageable for such a large-scale environment. Furthermore, I have a fondness for the aesthetic of pixel art (having grown up with it) and the nostalgia it evokes.

Was the concept behind creating a 2.5D adventure game combined with RPG elements initially brainstormed in this manner? Is it possible that Beyond Galaxyland was developed by initially focusing on the mechanics and then shaping the game’s setting and story, or did the setting and narrative come first before the mechanics were established?

My primary objective has always been to spin an engaging yarn. I’m quite smitten by science fiction films and cinematography in general. Additionally, I harbor a deep affection for the JRPGs that were part of my upbringing, with “Chrono Trigger” being my absolute favorite. Restricting gameplay to 2.5D had its advantages from a design standpoint, while also opening up intriguing gameplay possibilities. I believe the platforming and RPG mechanics complement each other seamlessly, creating a unique, harmonious blend. The 2.5D platforming segments interact wonderfully with the RPG battle features in numerous ways: You can leap over adversaries to bypass battles, or even assault foes before a fight and vanquish them without engaging (provided you possess sufficient strength).

Going beyond Galaxyland’s distinctive retro-futuristic sci-fi ambiance, let me share some insights into its function within the game and the broader narrative. How significantly will this setting contribute to the gameplay and storyline, and what importance does it place on worldbuilding?

In this game, we’ve put a significant focus on creating an intricate, captivating universe – Galaxyland, and its surrounding realms. Our aim is to draw players in completely, making them feel as though they’re part of something extraordinary. I firmly believe that compelling narratives are what keep gamers hooked for years to come, so crafting a mesmerizing world to tell an epic tale was crucial. I hope the unique blend of humor and seriousness, silliness and grandeur, lived-in feel that we’ve built into this world will resonate with players. I’ve strived to find the perfect balance between offering amusing elements and those that can be taken seriously. For instance, many characters in the game, like numerous NPC robots named OtherBot, are intentionally silly and lighthearted, while key characters and villains demand respect and careful handling.

Beyond Galaxyland Interview – World, Combat, Art Style, and More

In this game, we’ve placed great significance on creating a captivating universe. Our aim is for players to become fully engrossed in the enigmatic realm of Galaxyland (and its far reaches). I firmly hold the conviction that compelling narratives are what keep gamers revisiting titles long after their initial release, so constructing an extraordinary world to weave an epic tale was a primary focus.

What range of different environments can players encounter as they travel through the game’s settings throughout their playthrough?

Among the strengths of Beyond Galaxyland lies its vast array of diverse environments. As a minimalist, I aim to give each planet its own unique identity, encompassing graphics, narratives, and music. Each location should feel distinct from the last and serve a specific purpose. My objective for each planet was to create a distinctive biome, often drawing inspiration from classic themes such as deserts, jungles, ice worlds, and so on. However, each planet features unexpected twists to leverage the freedom of space/Galaxyland. For instance, one planet takes inspiration from a traditional fantasy RPG setting, where villagers believe in magic and fairy tales – an unconventional adventure, given its distance light-years away from Earth!

Could you provide some insights into the combat system of Beyond Galaxyland? How does one engage in the turn-based fights considering its unique 2.5D viewpoint? And, how significant is the strategic aspect in this game?

I’m such a huge believer in combat systems not needing to be overly bloated to feel strategic, intense, and most importantly: fun. Getting back to Chrono Trigger, this is something that game did so incredibly well. Chrono Trigger has very limited combat options compared to many of its peers/modern games, but in that simplicity comes so much exciting strategy. There’s a holy grail for turn-based games as I see it: If done right, battles should feel incredibly intense, as if each matter is life or death, and the clock is ticking… but in actuality, the game is basically in a total state of pause waiting on an action. I think it’s a fastening concept that a “chess” like game can create such a sensation of immediate danger.

Beyond Galaxyland offers a mechanic where you can seize opponents for battle purposes. How profoundly integrated is this feature within the gameplay? What’s the scope of the collection of capturable creatures in this game, and to what extent can they alter the course of combat?

In the game, there are a grand total of 29 enemies or bosses that can be captured. The variety of creatures ranges from the most fundamental enemies found throughout the game, all the way up to larger, optional bosses involved in side quests. To ensure an engaging capture mechanic, more of these giant bosses are capturable than those that cannot be captured.

In this game, when an enemy is defeated, you can enhance and upgrade them, allowing you to utilize their unique skills instead of spells. For instance, capturing an Ice Elemental enables you to unleash Ice attacks, or a Baby Raptor to amplify the party’s strength. Once your Ice Elemental reaches level 3, you can deploy Ice All, attacking all opponents simultaneously. I often compare these summoned creatures to Materia from the original Final Fantasy 7 for those in the know.

Beyond Galaxyland Interview – World, Combat, Art Style, and More

I anticipate that, similar to numerous features within ‘Beyond Galaxyland’, players will discover the mechanics simplified yet intuitive, and at the same time, experience a sense of richness.

As an eager fan, I can’t help but wonder what lies ahead in the progression mechanics of Beyond Galaxyland, particularly since it falls under the category of a Role-Playing Game. What can we anticipate in terms of customization and character development? How crucial will it be for players to focus on build diversity and carefully craft their party compositions? The excitement is real!

As a long-time RPG enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in games like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VII, I can confidently say that Beyond Galaxyland is a breath of fresh air. It skillfully incorporates elements from these classics while introducing innovative systems that expand the possibilities for character development. Instead of simply leveling up through EXP gained at the end of battles, this game offers a rich array of build diversity and party composition options through its Artifacts and Summon systems. These features allow players to create unique parties tailored to their preferred playstyles, making each playthrough feel distinct and rewarding. Overall, Beyond Galaxyland is an excellent choice for RPG fans seeking a challenging and engaging experience that honors the legacy of gaming’s greatest classics while offering something new and exciting.

Each character can arm up to four Artifacts, which can perform various actions like: Retaliating against enemies, contaminating enemies, starting battles with Haste, and so forth. This means that one character could specialize in physical attacks, sporting a setup that triggers counterattacks and poison on the enemy’s attack, while another character might concentrate on healing and summoning allies, armed with Artifacts to improve summon potency.

In much the same way as various parts of ‘Beyond Galaxyland’, I expect that players will discover the mechanics to be both simplified and intuitive, yet still providing a sense of richness and fulfillment.

Roughly how long will an average playthrough of the game be?

As an eager gamer, I’m excited to share that this game is anticipated to take approximately 14 hours for the main story, with side quests extending the playtime to around 18 hours. For completionists, the journey could stretch up to 20 hours as you hunt down hidden tokens, conquer the monster arena, and perhaps even discover a secret development museum (a delightful surprise indeed!).

Regarding side missions: Certain planets are entirely optional and each offers its own unique narrative (there are some fantastic ones waiting to be uncovered by players). Essentially, we’ve made sure the side quests are as well-crafted and engaging as the main story. I envision Beyond Galaxyland more like a fast-paced movie rather than a typical video game. I hope this feeling is conveyed during gameplay. It has the emotional depth of a 50-hour RPG, but we’ve managed to squeeze it into a compact, exhilarating adventure.

2024-08-18 15:41

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