My last piece of content concerning VED was back in 2023. Today, after 12 years of development, the debut game from Lithuanian indie studio Karaclan is ready to announce the November 2024 release date on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam, Epic Games Store, and GoG). What started as a small platformer project has evolved into an expansive story-driven RPG, blending a deep branching narrative with turn-based combat and set across vivid floating islands.
Turn-based combat and Story-Driven Gameplay
Taking inspiration from Disciples 2, Darkest Dungeon, and Slay the Spire, VED features tactical, turn-based combat combined with a branching storyline full of player choices. The game lets you teleport between floating islands, unlocking unique paths and challenges.
The branching narrative is another standout feature, with over 10,000 lines of dialogue, 1,000+ choices, and multiple endings spread across nine chapters. This gives VED strong replayability, as each playthrough can take the story in dramatically different directions.
In VED, you play as Cyrus, a young hero who arrives in the city of Micropolis only to discover his ability to teleport between two interconnected worlds filled with magical floating islands, strange creatures, and dangerous monsters. As Cyrus, your journey is shaped by your decisions, with a narrative branching into irreversible consequences and multiple endings.
The combat system in VED revolves around strategic positioning and magical abilities, blending traditional turn-based mechanics with a focus on tactical movement. You’ll unlock new powers by constructing buildings in your village, improving your abilities and those of your allies. Each battle will test your ability to craft combinations of magical powers, known as Veds, to overcome increasingly difficult foes.
Additionally, the game features a dynamic relationship system with different factions, which allows you to influence key characters and factions in the game. Your choices can sway major events, altering the path of the story. To add further complexity, interactive events provide blessings or curses that last throughout the game.
Unique Key Elements
- Teleportation between two worlds: This mechanic adds a layer of depth to exploration, creating new ways to solve puzzles and navigate the game world.
- Turn-based combat with a twist: Positioning is crucial to gaining the upper hand, combining tactical strategy with character customization.
- Village-building mechanics: You’ll build structures to unlock new skills and improve both yourself and your allies as you progress through the game.
- Non-linear story: Your choices have permanent consequences, leading to multiple possible endings.
- Interactive events: These provide bonuses or penalties that can last until the end of the game, making each playthrough unique.
A Visual and Narrative Experience
VED‘s art style remains a core part of its identity, drawing from Karaclan’s years of artistry. The game features hand-drawn environments, complemented by detailed 2D animations made with Spine. In addition, the team has introduced voice acting and lip-sync animations to elevate the storytelling, inspired by games like Banner Saga and Pyre.
The world of VED is heavily influenced by mythologies and diverse cultures, giving the game a rich and varied aesthetic. As Cyrus, you’ll explore both a magical realm and a more grounded reality, learning more about each as you uncover deep secrets. The tension between factions and the choices you make will determine whether you save these worlds or plunge them into destruction.
The Long Road to Release
After years of development, setbacks, and learning curves, Karaclan partnered with Fulqrum Publishing in 2020, securing the resources needed to complete the project. Despite the initial vision of a platformer, VED has become a richly layered RPG that merges exploration, tactical combat, and narrative depth. The game’s release in November 2024 will mark the culmination of more than a decade of persistence, creativity, and adaptation.
With its unique blend of art, storytelling, and turn-based combat, VED promises to be a captivating experience when it arrives on multiple platforms later this year. Be sure to catch the demo at Steam Next Fest on October 14th! Below is the Story trailer.
