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Full Grotto update
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Repeated intro
Hello friends! Grotto arrives very soon – it releases Tuesday, 26 October – so we wanted to give some extra insight into this narrative adventure from the genius/twisted minds at Brainwash Gang, and what you can expect when you enter the mysterious cave on launch day.
What changed
- Balance
- Gameplay
- Events
- UI and audio
- Store
Grotto changes
Price: $12.99 Launch discount: 10% off for the first week Launch time: 26th October, 10am PT/ 7pm CEST (add it to your wishlist and you'll receive a notification as soon as it's available)
THE STORY
As you will discover, Grotto is a story about many things. Ultimately, though, it's a story about YOU. As a mysterious, cave-dwelling stranger, you play the part of a soothsayer – someone with the power to use means of divination to foresee the future.
You are visited by members of a tribe who live in a nearby valley. They are a primitive, superstitious people known as 'The Brutes', and they come to you for guidance during a time of great turmoil. You must help them as best you can, by making choices based on your own interpretations of the stars. As the story unfolds, you become inextricably entwined with the tribe's fortunes, and every augury brings them – and you – closer to an uncertain fate.
A single play-through takes about 4-5 hours, and the whole thing takes place within the titular subterranean setting. However, thanks to the stories shared by those who come to you for advice, the world of Grotto feels much larger than the confines of the cave.
THE TRIBE
Most visitors to your grotto will be from the tribe of the valley, The Brutes. Each of these strange, exotic characters has their own place within the tribal hierarchy, their own motives and desires, and their own personal tales to tell. Hunters. Herbalist. Farmers. Songster. These and many more seek you out. Some view you with hostility, others with reverence, but they all covet the wisdom the constellations impart upon you.
These are just some of the tribespeople you can expect to meet:
Over the course of the story, you learn about the clan's customs and traditions, such as 'Last Duty', 'Mating Night', the 'Kid No More' ritual, and the Ceremonial Tree. Despite your isolated existence, you play an integral part in the trials and tribulations of the tribe, wielding more influence over it than anyone. For example, if you played the demo, you will know that
following the death of the chief, it's up to you to decide who should be the new leader of the tribe.
THE STARS
Through a hole in the cave ceiling you have a window to the night sky through which you can see a cluster of stars. You must connect stars to draw constellations. There are 24 constellations to discover in total, and each one carries a different meaning.
Once you have discovered a constellation, it is transferred to a mural on a wall of the cave, so it can be selected when needed without having to redraw it. At the start of the game you will find two constellation shapes already marked on the wall. One of these is the 'Sword' constellation. As you can see below, Sword consists of two separate lines, both containing four connected stars.
To discover the Sword constellation, you must draw two individual lines, each consisting of four stars. Don't worry about trying to recreate the actual shape, you just need to get the number of lines and connected stars correct. Here you can see two different ways to create the Sword, although the common feature of them both is two lines, each with four connected stars:
When visitors to the cave ask you to consult the stars for guidance, it's up to you to choose the constellation you think will be most appropriate. However, there is ambiguity in the meaning of the stars, and how others interpret their riddle-like prophecies can be unpredictable.
As the story progresses, you learn other means of divination besides star reading. The bones of an old chief, a strange musical instrument, and a smoking pipe with special significance to the tribe can all be used to gain extra insight and aid your decision making.
YOU'RE READY FOR GROTTO!
That's a little taster of what to expect from Grotto when it launches next week, but if you want to know more, there are a few reviews out there. Links below if you want to give them a read:
“It had me hooked from start to finish... what it has to say about the limitations of language and the meaning of words will stick with you long after you reach the end credits” Rock Paper Shotgun
“A truly unique game... impeccably designed both visually and narratively” Vandal (8.5/10)
“A wild concept... you’ll struggle to find another game like this” Movie Games and Tech (8/10)
We can't wait for you to play Grotto and discover all the mysteries and twists for yourselves. Thank you all for your support!
Matt | Digerati
WISHLIST AND FOLLOW!
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