Start Screen Spotlight (Patreon)

Hey everyone, V.D.Y. here! Back with another Hereafter post!

You can probably guess from the date of this post that we've got a new release schedule; we'll be doing a post on the last day of every month.

Today, I want to show off the opening start screen animation for the game! First off, let's dive into the initial concept sketch crafted by Twi:

What stands out as my favorite part is Aurora's unamused expression – she's just too adorable!

Following the initial concept, Twi brought the scene to life with a fully colored sketch:

But wait a second! Who are those two unfinished characters!?

You might recognize the fearit perched on Absinthe's back as Willow – we introduced this spooky cutie in our Halloween update last month! As for the mystery character alongside them... I'll leave that exciting reveal to our resident griffon, DongDiagram, in next month's update!

The placeholders are there for a good reason; one cool feature we're implementing is that as you progress in the game, the characters you encounter and the appearance of Deru's wagon on the start screen will evolve. New characters will appear as you recruit them, making the start screen a living reflection of your journey.

Now, for the grand finale: feast your eyes on the completed opening and start screen!

If viewing this on our site rather than the Patreon post, click on the image to enjoy the start screen in its full, high-quality glory!

Seeing this come together is incredibly satisfying; it's one of those crucial elements that truly makes the game feel cohesive and closer to completion!

Let us know your thoughts on the start screen in the Patreon comments or over in Discord! 'Til next time!

~ V.D.Y.

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