Chronicles of Vaeltaja: In Search of the Great Wanderer Early Access coming!

Welcome, traveler! Chronicles of Vaeltaja: In Search of the Great Wanderer early access is closing, so it’s time to share some details and let’s start with the date:

Early access starts at Steam and Itch.io (I’m still waiting news from GOG) in October 10th, which is the birthday of Finland’s national author Aleksis Kivi.

What is included in the early access release:

For starters, if you have tried the demo, you will notice that it was more like a ‘light version’ of the game with less mechanics and non-existent story content while the release version is deeper and vaster in many ways.

- Early access launch version will contain at least four overworld areas, Twin Falls, The Great Forest, Pramea and Marsh of the Condemned, which all are divided in multiple areas. For example the biggest of them all, Twin Falls, contains five main areas, plus two smaller areas, and the Castle Town, which also has two parts. At the moment I’m finalizing Lake Road, which is almost complete, but because of the day/night cycle, I have to make some adjustments to it, so I can’t promise it will make it in time for the launch. If not, it will follow during the first month in the first updates.

- Each of those main areas contain their own secrets and side quests.

- There will be several dungeons, some of them are bigger than others, with puzzles to solve, traps to avoid, enemies to fight and secrets to be found. Four (or five, if you count the small one) of them are related to plot, others are optional.

- Several plot related quests to progress the story and some bigger and smaller side quests.

- At launch there are at least seven character classes: Guide, Warrior, Hunter, Shadow, Mage, Priest and Witch, but I’m working on two other classes, which will either be part of the launch or follow in the first big content update. Some classes have alternative skill/spell sets: For example Mage can choose to become Warlock or Wizard with different set of spells, or he can learn little bit from both.

- Stat and skill system, which affects beyond battle system: For example to find some secrets, the main character must have good Perception, or good Charisma if you want some of the non-playable characters to discuss about certain topics and to progress in those conversations Speech skill is needed. But beware, if you do questionable things that lower your reputation, some NPCs might stop talking to you. On the other hand, if you build up reputation with good deeds, some NPCs may notice it and reward you with a gift.

- Lots of weapons (swords, axes, daggers, maces, bows, crossbows, staves), armors (robes, light, medium and heavy armors) and other useful equipment like shields, cloaks, gloves, rings and necklaces. Some of them raise stats and have other helpful qualities.

- Tools and other items such as torches, lanterns, lockpicks, camping gear, potions etc.

- Quest related items.

- Turn-based battles and boss fights, but some boss encounters doesn’t have to end up in violence.

- Day and night cycle, so dungeons aren’t the only places where those torches and lanterns are needed. Streets will get quieter and merchants will lock their doors when the night falls, but there might be other things happening when common people are sleeping.

- Nvidia 3D Vision support. At Steam when launching the game you should be able to choose between normal and