While working at Bethesda Games Studio, Nate Purkeypile made some massive contributions as an artist to some of the studio’s most renowned games, along with a few other notable franchises such as Metroid and BloodRayne. Now, with the release of Nate’s first solo title, The Axis Unseen, he’s all set to showcase the full breadth of his creativity.
As Fandomwire sat with him to share his story with the rest of the world, Nate also unveiled an exciting titbit involving one monster, with The Axis Unseen set to make the creature’s debut within the gaming landscape.
The Axis Unseen Is Going to Feature Bunyip, an Australian Mythological Creature
Nate Purkeypile shared that The Axis Unseen is a mix of heavy metal and horror that will pit its players against 24 monsters from different mythologies and cultures.
With a bow and arrow in hand, your task as a hunter is to figure out what happened to those who came before you and how the game’s world came into existence in the first place. As you hunt the nightmarish beasts, you gain more abilities and increase your prowess, turning from a rookie into a seasoned hunter.
While the game’s premise sounds exhilarating by itself, wait until you see the monsters that reside in its world. Many of folklore’s popular creatures have had their horrifying qualities dialed to an eleven, thanks to Nate Purkeypile’s 20+ years of experience as an artist.
Out of the many creatures featured in The Axis Unseen, there is one that has arguably never been featured in any other game before. When asked about it, Nate explained in the interview that:
It’s tough to pick one, but one I don’t think I’ve ever seen in anything else is the Bunyip, which is a creature from aboriginal mythology in Australia.
Let’s introduce the bunyip. It is an amphibious monster said to lurk within swamps, creeks, and other smaller waterbodies. It originates from the folklore of south-eastern Australia, with some accounts describing it as a massive seal with horns, while others suggest it to be more alien in nature, with a long neck and a small head.
What exact plans Nate has for the Bunyip are yet to be seen, as the creature hasn’t been featured in any of the trailers or screenshots of the game. However it comes out, though, it is sure to be one of the more memorable encounters in the game and one of Nate’s proudest achievements.
The Axis Unseen Has a Lot More Going On Than You Might Think
While memorable encounters with these monsters will surely be the main attraction of this game, there’s a lot more here than one might initially think.
Starting with what Nate Purkeypile shared, the game’s combat, though basic in the beginning, will slowly show its depth with different types of arrows, elemental compatibility, and more.
The game’s art style and sound design speak for themselves. Combining heavy metal music with an almost overwhelmingly colorful landscape that features minimal UI is a clear artistic choice that speaks on behalf of Nate Purkeypile’s vision for the game.
All these are clear signs that once the game arrives later this year, it will surely leave its mark on all of us. With that said, are you excited to try The Axis Unseen? Have you wishlisted the game on Steam? Let us know in the comments.
