Instead of the usual month devlog, the developers of Nivalis decided to answer some questions from the game’s Discord community. The goal is to give players a clearer idea of what your experience in the game will look like, while also summarizing some of the things we’ve covered in previous monthly devlogs.
For the full list of questions and answers follow the link above. Otherwise, let’s go over the most interesting bits!
- What is the core gameplay loop of Nivalis? What will players spend most of their time doing? Nivalis is a unique combination of narrative, life simulation, and management gameplay, where the core experience revolves around discovering the interconnected stories of its inhabitants by interacting with them and building relationships. You’ll spend a lot of your time following quests across the city, unraveling the mysteries of the plot and getting to know its main characters.
- Is there a main story or end goal, or is the game more open-ended like a life sim? Nivalis has a defined story it wants to tell, and a specific ending we want players to reach.
- How deep are side quests, and can they impact the main story or your personal progression? Each character has their own goals, background, and personality, and how you choose to interact with them will lead to very different dialogues and outcomes.
- How do you move around Nivalis? What transportation systems are available? In Nivalis, you’ll move between districts using automated systems like HOVA taxis and trains. You won’t be able to drive cars, but you will be able to pilot your own boat.
How interactive is the city? Can you explore interiors, and are there loading screens? The city is divided into large, detailed districts, and there will be loading screens when traveling between them. You will also be able to purchase multiple restaurants or venues to expand your business, as well as apartments and standalone houses across different districts of Nivalis, each with its own style.
- How do relationships and romance work in the game? With each character, you can build different kinds of relationships, from friendship to rivalry, business partnerships, or romance. Each character has their own story and personality shaped by their past and their goals, and the way they interact with you will change based on your choices. Business relationships can also impact your experience economically and open up new opportunities. For example, buying more often from certain vendors might get you better prices.
- Do systems like weather, day/night cycle, or media (radio, TV, internet) affect gameplay? Yes, some systems have a direct impact on gameplay. For example, day and night life offer different opportunities (after all there’s a curfew for a reason).
- Will there be post-launch updates or ongoing support? The developers We definitely plan to keep supporting Nivalis after release, especially by improving the game based on your feedback and suggestions.
- Cloudpunk players might notice some familiar details and small connections. That said, Nivalis is designed to be a standalone experience.
