Developer: Julian Creutz, Skydevilpalm
Publisher: Apogee Entertainment
Genre: Early access, Action-Adventure, Skydevilpalm
Release Date: May 29th, 2024
Where to Buy: Steam, Epic(Wishlist it), GOG(Wishlist it)
Quest Master throws open the dungeon door, not for intrepid adventurers, but for aspiring architects of peril. This early access title from Skydevilpalm invites players to become the ultimate Quest Master, crafting elaborate dungeons brimming with puzzles, traps, and fearsome foes.
Drawing inspiration from classic top-down adventures, Quest Master boasts a vibrant pixel art style and a
robust level editor. With intuitive drag-and-drop tools, players can sculpt sprawling multi-level labyrinths across diverse landscapes, from lush forests to scorching deserts. The creative sandbox is vast, allowing for the construction of intricate narratives or purely skill-testing obstacle courses.
The early access period offers a glimpse into the full potential of Quest Master. Players can test their dungeon-building mettle with a variety of tools and mechanics. Lethal traps, like flaming pits and retracting spikes, can be strategically placed to test adventurers’ reflexes. Devious puzzles, involving levers, pressure plates, and timed switches, can add layers of complexity.
Quest Master’s early access offers a treasure trove of tools and mechanics for aspiring dungeon architects. Let’s delve deeper into the building aspects:
Environments and Themes:
- Variety is the Spice of the Dungeon: The level editor isn’t limited to a single biome. Craft dungeons that sprawl across diverse landscapes – from dripping, stalactite-filled caverns to sprawling desert ruins.
- Theming is King: Environments are just the canvas. Enhance the atmosphere with themed props and decorations. Imagine a haunted castle adorned with cobwebs and flickering torches, or a sunken pirate ship overflowing with gold and treasure chests.
Building Blocks of Peril:
- Traps for Every Occasion: More than just a pit with spikes! Set up swinging blades, poison gas vents, and even magical glyphs that zap intruders. Trigger mechanisms can be pressure plates, timed switches, or even activated by solving puzzles.
- Puzzle Power: Challenge adventurers beyond brute force. Design intricate logic puzzles that involve manipulating levers, activating pressure plates in a specific order, or even using environmental elements like movable blocks.
- Enemy Encounters: Populate your dungeons with a bestiary of beasties! Choose from various enemy types, each with unique behaviors and attack patterns. Strategic placement of enemies can create dynamic encounters that force players to think on their feet.
Advanced Techniques for the Master Builder:
- Secret Passages and Hidden Rooms: Surprise players with hidden chambers accessible through secret doors or clever use of the environment. Perhaps a hidden button opens a bookcase, revealing a passage to a hidden treasure room.
- Environmental Storytelling: Dungeons aren’t just about combat. Use environmental details to hint at the backstory of your dungeon. Scattered bones, broken weapons, or cryptic messages etched on the walls can all add depth and intrigue.
- Challenge Ramps: Don’t overwhelm new adventurers. Design dungeons with increasing difficulty, gradually introducing new mechanics and enemy types.
Beyond the Basics:
The early access version offers more than just building. You can test your creations by playing through them as an adventurer. This allows you to refine your designs based on actual gameplay experience.
The Community Connection:
Quest Master’s online level sharing feature lets you share your dungeon masterpieces with the community. This opens doors for endless inspiration as you explore and play dungeons crafted by other players.
The Future of Dungeon Building:
With the developer’s focus on community involvement, you can expect even more tools and features to be added in the future. Imagine crafting elaborate boss encounters, designing branching narratives within your dungeons, or even creating custom loot drops.
But Quest Master isn’t just about building. The early access version also features a taste of the adventuring side. Players can explore pre-made dungeons, test their combat prowess against monstrous denizens, and even team up with friends in local co-op. This dual perspective – builder and explorer – allows players to truly understand the impact of their creations.
Being early access, Quest Master is still under development. Players can expect occasional bugs and a limited content pool. However, the core gameplay loop – designing, testing, and refining dungeons – is already incredibly engaging. Additionally, the developer’s commitment to community involvement, with features like online level sharing and leaderboards, promises a vibrant ecosystem for budding Quest Masters.
In Closing:
If you’ve ever dreamt of crafting your own Legend of Zelda dungeon or a fiendish gauntlet worthy of a Soulsborne title, then Quest Master is an early access gem waiting to be explored. With its intuitive tools, deep creative potential, and promising community features, Quest Master is poised to become a haven for dungeon masters in the making.
