Expose your self to the solar…and threat getting the worst sunburn of your life. Good day Sunshine is a powerful step up from the same old post-apocalyptic survival RPG formulation, with some intelligent concepts about scorching daylight, blissful shade, and day/night time cycles.
We sat down with builders at Pink Thread Video games to preview a hands-free pre-alpha model of Good day Sunshine’s story-driven single-player marketing campaign. Most of the builders are veteran builders on this planet of narrative video games (Dreamfall, The Longest Journey, The Secret World, and many others.).
Good day Sunshine is extraordinarily subtle for a manufacturing constructed by simply seven folks, and it places a cool spin on the that means of “suspense” within the style. From the blistering warmth of the day to the lore of the frigid nights, this is why I imagine Good day Sunshine’s future is vibrant.
It is getting scorching
The staff hasn’t talked about any inspiration from the Fallout collection, however the visible similarities are simple from the opening display – a skeleton sitting in a folding camp chair, clutching a drink as if the world ended halfway by means of. While you press the beginning button, your participant character stumbles previous you and instantly dives into this unusual wasteland world. I wasn’t positive if she was a preset character or a customizable character, however she appeared just like the quiet kind (no less than on this preview).
It’s clear that she is already affected by the early signs of warmth stroke on this merciless and scorching desert, and can also be very saddened to search out an empty water bottle. This scene is an introduction to Good day Sunshine’s warmth and thirst mechanics, a fragile balancing act to keep away from collapse from dehydration or sluggish cooking in harsh daylight. Robots apart, the solar is basically your largest enemy (however in ray tracing).
Deserted buildings present water and different provides to assist keep a survivable physique temperature, however shadows additionally play a giant function. When you’re roasting, resting within the shade may help decrease the temperature. And nearly instantly we encounter probably the most attention-grabbing shadow motion of all: the opposite “protagonist” of Good day Sunshine. He is a robotic the dimensions of a skyscraper who appears to have a clearer thought of ββthe place he is going than you do.
chasing the shadow
This light metallic big wanders this wasteland similar to you. You may really feel like ignoring it at first, however as you chase it by means of sand dunes and rusted delivery containers, you will admire the shadow it casts and protects you from the hurt of UV rays as you progress. No, it will not wait patiently should you wander round. If you wish to keep away from dying from a humiliating sunburn, you’ll want to sustain.
That is survival not solely with a well being bar, however with solar intuition and (we coined a extremely popular new time period right here) shade administration, creating a way of urgency that provides an unconventional type of suspense to your weird journey.
In fact, the panorama hides helpful sources, however you’ll want to strategize and punctiliously time your quick detours from the robotic’s shadow. When you spend an excessive amount of time lazing round, your robotic could go too far and be unable to return earlier than the warmth meter runs out. The trail of the solar from afternoon till sundown was particularly stunning. Shadows develop and shrink because the day progresses, so you must use your judgment as to how far you stroll.
In fact, the additional you go, the extra superior loot you may anticipate finding. There isn’t any phrase but on whether or not the loot will likely be randomized for every playthrough, however we hope so. No matter supplies you’ve got obtainable can restrict what you may craft, including additional challenges relying on the gear you may craft and the way that limits your required playstyle.
carry warmth
Nevertheless, it isn’t all sunshine. Good day Sunshine consists of fight, which may be tailor-made to fit your most popular playstyle. For instance, noisy and aggressive gunfire (or bow assaults, to be precise) will most likely appeal to extra enemies and acquire extra loot from their our bodies.
Alternatively, you may select a extra defensive choice to keep away from a head-on collision. I had no thought what a stealthier playthrough can be like, however I hope it ranges from confrontation to evasion.
By the best way, your enemies are extra like robots and undoubtedly angrier than your big mates. And surprisingly, they appear to take the type of a fleshy species that I assume turned extinct in the course of the apocalypse. For instance, a small metallic jackal would possibly snap at your heel, or a large robotic crab would possibly attempt to skewer you with its big claws.
A personality’s bow is one in every of their major weapons. At first it does not appear to be a lot – actually pitiful in opposition to big armored bots – however all through the sport you’ll improve and create higher ammunition, corresponding to explosive arrows.
Small occasions happen right here and there to make the journey attention-grabbing. For instance, unspecified gadgets are air-dropped from a distance, and sandstorms provide you with a brief respite from the solar, however visibility is poor and it is easy to lose monitor of your robotic mates. Many of those occasions are procedural, and subsequent playthroughs are anticipated to supply a different expertise.
Turn out to be mates with a sleeping big
Conveniently, your big robotic buddy has a circadian rhythm and takes a break to recharge when the solar goes down. Within the preview, this passed off within the stays of the Sunshine Service Station. It is owned by this creepy firm whose shareholders most likely voted for the minimal and most finances for the top of humanity.
Service stations are principally inexplicably cheerful craft workshops with glad tinkling music. Right here you may take a breather, take a look at the day’s loot, “recycle” any undesirable gadgets, and use the elements to 3D print new gear, from well being packs to flashlights and even new footwear. You too can restore gear that has worn out all through the day. Did you slide down a sand dune butt-first and tear your pants? Please repair it right here.
The Sunshine constructing additionally serves as a upkeep facility for robots, permitting them to be repaired and upgraded. As talked about earlier than, it’s going to largely ignore you within the early phases, however should you make sufficient of an impression with continued care, it might begin to care about you too.
Nevertheless, it might probably get chilly at night time, so do not go far. The preview did not present “night time operating,” however apparently it is doable and may very well be an ideal (or troublesome) accompaniment to a day journey. There isn’t any phrase on how non-obligatory these runs are or whether or not they supply completely different rewards (or plot developments).
The majority of the story unfolds throughout these night time sequences. When you begin a campfire, strangers could present up. The previews did not present any interplay with these strangers, however they could or will not be very good folks. Whether or not they grow to be mates or imply, they will uncover a few of the mysterious origins of the Sunshine Company.
Briefly, it is a victory for the shade.
The preview ended at Sunshine Relaxation Space, however gamers have been informed that they might progress by means of numerous biomes over the subsequent in-game days. I solely noticed desert areas, so wildly completely different climate circumstances in numerous different environments might make a giant distinction in what to anticipate by launch.
I solely noticed a part of the single-player marketing campaign, however there will even be co-op (split-screen and on-line). While you turn out to be mates, you each expertise a reimagined model of the story. We suggest doing this after the principle marketing campaign so you may know the total story behind what the heck is occurring on this world.
Good day Sunshine is the studio’s first foray into each the RPG and survival genres, however will their story line pull it off? From what I’ve seen to this point, I like their probabilities. Everybody loves a very good “evil company” story, however I truthfully nonetheless cannot recover from how cool the dawn-to-dusk shadow mechanic is (I can think about different recreation designers pondering, “Rattling, why did not I consider that?!”).
In case your total query about Good day Sunshine is “does it look good?” then sure, it’s extremely promising. And if it is “Will I soften to dying holding a home made bow?” The reply continues to be sure, however we’re working exhausting.