Hello again dear friends!

I appreciate your patience during the hiatus since the last post. Rest assured, progress has been made! In my initial post, I provided a glimpse into my game development journey and the birth of Green Serpent Games. Today, let’s delve deeper into the game itself, focusing specifically on our main protagonist and her remarkable abilities.

You play as Ella Cinder, an evil witch and member of the notorious Blackmarsh Coven. Betrayed by your sisters, you met an untimely demise only to be resurrected many years later by your loyal serpent Hissy.

However, this came at a cost. You are plagued with severe memory loss. As you embark on your quest for revenge, you must relearn essential skills—casting spells and brewing potions. Fortunately, scattered throughout the murky Blackmarsh are ancient scrolls containing the knowledge you seek. With a little help from Hissy, you'll be putting your cauldron to good use again in no time.

More on this will be revealed at a later stage. For now, let's focus on Ella's basic movement mechanics. In the video below, you can see how these movements look in the game.

1. (Double)Jump

As a player, you will have tight controls. The ability to perform a double jump grants flexibility and forgiveness, allowing for captivating platforming sequences.

2. Crouch

By ducking, players can obviously evade certain incoming projectiles. However, there’s a twist: while crouched, you won’t be able to launch attacks, meaning you are unable to hit the smaller enemies with certain spells. Instead, you can switch between spells on the fly. This dynamic approach ensures that no single spell dominates—each incantation has its own advantages and drawbacks.

3. Attacks

Ella’s journey involves mastering a diverse array of spells. Each incantation comes at a cost—mana. The more potent the spell, the greater the mana expenditure. This strategic balance forces you to consider magical resources carefully. Ella also has the ability to cast spells mid-air.

4. Getting hit

We’ve all experienced the frustration of player pushbacks in games, especially during precarious platforming sequences. I've stepped away from the conventional pushback mechanic. Instead, when Ella takes damage, the world momentarily quivers—a subtle screenshake that resonates with impact. During a brief window of invulnerability after you take a hit, you can reconsider your approach, ensuring a seamless experience.

5. Barrels

Ella’s magical prowess extends beyond combat. Heavy barrels yield to her power allowing you to strategically manipulate them. Use these barrels as stepping stones to reach higher ground. You'll come across explosive variants as well. Ignite them, watch walls crumble and unveil hidden secrets.

I hope this post gave you some more insight in the game. Let me know what you think about the mechanics.

Until next time!