Interview with the Developer of One Way Home
We absolutely loved the look of One Way Home when we first saw it a couple of years ago and now that the stars have aligned we’re even more excited to have them as part of this month’s showcase.
A huge thank you to the team for answering my questions about the game!
Can you tell me about the team behind One Way Home and how you got started working on the game?
The game is being developed by a small studio of seven people. Each of us has worked on our own small games, as well as in large companies.
We started developing the game with the idea of showing how a child would survive at the very beginning of the apocalypse. From the very beginning, we had the idea of zombies, but we abandoned it, because it is interesting to kill zombies, but not to run from them. Therefore, the first demo was quite weak, both visually and technically. Now it is a more mystical story, but in a post-apocalyptic setting, which gives an interesting mixture of the atmosphere of mysticism and apocalypse.
What are some ways that players' choices can affect the game?
In the demo version, this choice does not have much effect, in fact, this is now a test version of the choice. It was important for us to find out how interesting such mechanics are in games of this genre. We made sure that it is in demand and players like to choose different paths, some even replay the demo 3-4 times to check what will happen.
In the full version of the game, the choice will affect many factors, such as:
Visual change of locations. Some locations will still be repeated, but they will be outwardly different from each other, so the player will be pleased to see something new with each new choice
Soundtrack. Yes, the music and sounds will change. The player will not only see the changes, but also hear them.
New locations. Having chosen one path or another, the player will be able to come to a completely new location, which he will not be able to get to by going through the other 2 paths. This location will have a new plot element and a new character customization element.
Different cutscenes. Yes, the choices will affect the development of the story. Each choice has its own cutscene, they will take place in the same location, sometimes they will have a similar plot, but the characters' actions will be different. It turns out that the player is building his own story.
Of course, different endings. The choices affect which ending you get and how the journey ends
Can you tell me more about the “crayon stories” that players will find throughout the game?
Yes, of course. “Crayon stories” is the narrative of our game. It is its history and heart. Through these drawings, which come to life when the protagonist touches them, we learn the history of this strange world.
The drawings tell about the inhabitants, about what happened in the past and what may happen in the future. Each drawing is connected to each other and tells its own part of the story.
Having found all the drawings, it will be possible to open a secret ending and finish the game early.
Does gameplay for One Way Home involve a lot of stealth? Will players be able to take their own approach to different situations?
We try to balance the gameplay. You won't always have to hide. Sometimes you'll have to be smart to fight enemies, and sometimes you'll have to run away from them quickly.
I'm not sure that there will be many alternative ways to solve puzzles or fight enemies, but if part of a location is difficult or not always obvious, we leave an alternative way to get through it. For example, if it's a puzzle, we'll leave a parkour option, and if it's parkour, we'll leave a stealth option. There will be places for speedrunners in the game to
What are the enemies like in the game? How will bosses differ from normal enemies?
Right now the enemies in the game are shadows. Later in the game the set of enemies will become more extensive and they will have their own behavior patterns that you will have to adapt to.
The bosses in our game are mostly distinguished by gigantism, more detailed visual development and behavior patterns, I am sure you will like them
If you were stuck in a situation similar to Jimmy, what are a couple of items you would hope to have with you to help you get back home?
I hope I never find myself in such a situation. I hope no one finds themselves in such a situation!
For starters, I would take a flashlight and maybe a friend, why go through all these fears alone, together it will be a little less scary. And of course, food, without food the trip will be simply unbearable
What does “indie” mean to you?
For me, "Indie" is an unbearable desire to leave a mark on history and show the whole world that, despite everything and everyone, you can achieve what you have dreamed of for so long.
One Way Home is available to wishlist on Steam now.