Bethesda is known for many things. Massive open-world games that take you on different journeys as you defy the laws of curiosity, especially with games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Characters and stories that transcend novels and short stories alike. And, the unforgettable bugs that make these games so fun at times.
However, there’s an ex-developer from Bethesda who’s working on a game about ‘bugs’ of a different type. The Axis Unseen is an open-world game that focuses on hunting, and developer Nate Purkeypile has been quite clear about the game’s vision. Without the restrictions of too many UI elements and a HUD to mess around with, you’re thrown into a world all about hunting cryptids.
No Actual Map Like Skyrim, Yet a Large Universe to Explore
PCGamesN explored the game’s conceptualization, thanks to developer Nate Purkeypile’s openness with the process of it. Turns out that the game is another attempt at your classic survival horror, but with elements that are clearly much more than what meets the eye.
For instance, there is no map players can pull out when they’re exploring this huge landscape. Instead, you’ll have to navigate the areas very carefully, trusting your instinct that guide you to your prey. Nate paid special attention to this:
I needed a lot of space for hunting creatures. Honestly, I was not super concerned about doing a giant open-world game because I’ve done six,
What a show-off! The gaming community will certainly be glad that this genre seems to be in good hands.
While the game may seem like a mix of a hunting sim with a horror first-person shooter, the Bethesda feel to it is uncanny. Especially if you’re a gamer who has spent hours hunting in other games.
Your Instincts Shall Guide You Through the Axis Unseen
While Skyrim wasn’t entirely new to the sneak system, and how different markers on the screen made for some incredible moments in gaming, The Axis Unseen does things a lot differently. For instance, there are 24 unique kinds of creatures that players will be hunting down, with around 42 variants that pose different challenges.
However, the process of this is what makes this game so unique. There’s a heartbeat system that warns player about the dangers in their vicinity, and how they should be prepared for incoming threats. The developer proudly speaks of it:
Your vision starts to constrict, sounds are muffled – nobody hears birds chirping when you’re fighting a werewolf.
This is the kind of ‘focus’ that survival-horror games often lack, and even games like Skyrim couldn’t get it entirely right. In this game, however, the lack of markers and HUD will let players dive deeper into the experience. This certainly adds to the charm of innovative horror game design.
Are you excited for The Axis Unseen? What do you think of the game so far?
