Team WIBY's Ben Marrinan talks whips, art style and so much more.
At a glance, Phantom Abyss seems like a simple Indiana Jones-type game. Jumping into it, I was expecting it to play like a 3D version of Temple Run. However, my original assumptions were quickly put the bed after an initial playthrough. I was then lucky enough to chat to Phantom Abyss Lead Designer Ben Marrinan and together, we delved into why Phanton Abyss is decidedly its own thing.
Who knew whips could be such fun?
The main utility you are given to traverse through Phantom Abyss is your trusty whip. This tool helps you climb walls, open chests and even helps you save yourself from the verge of death. It adds a new dimension to gameplay and opens the door for players to have greater freedom in how they tackle unique dungeons. With twenty whips to choose from and collect, players are also able to use them to adjust their playthroughs and make them as easy or as challenging as they like.
Marrinan discussed how this central gameplay element wasn’t something that was a part of the initial concept for the game.
“The whips are actually a fairly late addition to the game, surprisingly. Like it seems like such an obvious choice now, but I guess we also focus on iOS for a long time, and then we kind of wanted to add this extra element that gave you a lot more options and or things to do and so and so we came up with this idea of having a whip where basically anything is graspable.”
Failure is the key to success
One of the most unique aspects of Phantom Abyss is how you aren’t alone during your playthroughs. Rather, you are joined by the phantoms of previous players who have tried — and failed — to make their way through. If you’re in a dungeon and see phantoms about, it means that there isn’t a single real-life player alive that’s bested the arena you find yourself in.
What makes this feature so interesting is how it then adds so much more weight and complexity to what seems like a straightforward game. Something as simple as watching others fail can be the key to your own success… or the reason for your own demise. For Marrinan and Team WIBY, this feature is something they love about the game too.
“The phantoms can massively impact the run in different ways. But that was also kind of intentional,” Ben said, adding that he “wanted the phantoms to affect [the player] in ways that you can’t predict. Part of the idea behind it is they add an extra x-factor. That it is different every run.”
Ben also went on to discuss how the incorporation of the phantoms had some unexpected reactions from players. He said it created a sense of competition and speed that can really hinder another player’s attempt.
“We often see phantoms run off and like go really fast or something, and it makes you feel like you have to go really fast as well,” he said. “That’s not the case at all, right? Everyone kind of feels like they need to compete against the ghosts and it kind of takes a while. To have this a higher moment of like, well, no. I’m not competing against these people. These guys all died.”
Great art design rounds things out nicely
While gameplay may have been the focus for Ben and his team, he also knew that having a great art design was important. Team WIBY worked had to find one that first aligned with its vision for the game.
“We knew that we were making a first-person game and knew there was like an element of quality and expectation there that we wanted to hit,” Marrinan said.
However, Team WIBY also wanted to make sure that the design captured a uniquely indie style as well.
“We definitely had that goal… of making it clear that it’s indie, not triple-A,” he said, “because we don’t want to be compared to triple-A.”
Final thoughts
Phantom Abyss captures a sense of fun and adventure that encourages players to keep coming back for more. Developers Team WIBY and publisher Devolver Digital have worked hard to create a unique and fresh experience for gamers.
Available now in early access on Steam — and with updates in the pipeline (and will keep you posted on what to expect and when, of course) — the future looks bright for Phantom Abyss and Team WIBY. Check out some choice gameplay below.
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