Before I start making a game I think about two parts before I begin. The controls (because this sets a foundation) and atmosphere (because this sets the spirit). This is a fun part for me, because I can just dream. It goes kind of like this:


The game will be 2 buttons and scary. Okay, time to find some inspiration – what 2 button scary games are out there? NES. Mobile. Okay time to play. 

I sort of keep a mental catalogue of what I play and I let what stands out… well stand out. 

So when Dave texted me in the morning about making a 1bit game in 72 hours, I went to my mental catalogue. What if Zelda met Dark Souls? Or, what if Link was in the Dark Souls universe?

There was just something… good about it. Something that made sense.

This is the idea that The Tomb of Varanus was birthed. Zelda controls and Dark Souls atmosphere.

Okay – so now the messy part. How is Zelda and Dark Souls alike? Also, I can do this, but should I? Note* I was going with Zelda on NES until I started doing art, and it felt boring to me. I decided to turn the dial to SNES and Link To The Past

What about Zelda stands out to me.

• 4 facing directions with 8 direction movement

• Weird strafing mechanic when charging attack

• Simple combat system

• Abilities

• Light puzzles

• Go anywhere

• Enemies have patterns

• Cartoony and arcade-y

What about Dark Souls stands out to me.

• Brooding

• Complex, paced combat system

• Multiple weapons and ways to play

• Go anywhere

• Enemies are the puzzles and they have patterns

• Huge bosses and cool cinematics

• Grounded in reality

And this is where we are today. I’m looking for that nice catalyst that will join the two. I don’t believe it’s oil and water, more like oil and vinegar. The purist in me says, “these are two very different games and the mechanics serve their purposes”. The other guy says, “hindsight’s a whore and you shouldn’t use it to foreshadow.” Once way to find it is to work on the thing you’ll do the most and most common between the two. Combat.

The crème of Dark Souls isn’t the difficulty or its combat system. Dark Souls isn’t original with either – but how they are used to keep the player engaged and rewarded is where it shines. Something I think Zelda lacks – obviously, you don’t want to make Zelda really, really hard. With both games you can block, dodge, attack, and use spells. As far as dying, well I’ve dyed plenty in both.

I understand that a Zelda meets Dark Souls inspired game creates a lot of expectations. It’s easy to look at the mechanics and say, “This is what it is”. But, within the nuances of both games, is the mechanics and feel for The Tomb of Varanus. – So please join this journey with us, even if it’s to spectacular failure. I’m not afraid and neither should you. Thankfully we are not AAA or Disney, so your voice will be heard. Leave a comment, leave an insult, we enjoy both. But don’t be angry

I don’t understand why gamers are angry,

Salt & Pixel