Long ago, in the year AD 2006, we first embarked on an epic journey that began in ancient Greece. Thrust into the heartland of legend and myth itself, we discovered fetid lairs, explored Mycenaean ruins, and conquered the great Labyrinth of King Minos. The core element that connects all of these memorable moments is of course the unique and cherished setting of Titan Quest. In order to create an experience worthy of the original, the world of Titan Quest II is being handcrafted from the ground up, and today we want to take a deeper look into what this means. [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/1c01b2c72b22704c0443a43db19ebefc59dd58f7.jpg][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/1c01b2c72b22704c0443a43db19ebefc59dd58f7.jpg[/img][/url] [b]A Setting of Mythic Proportions[/b] When exploring the world of Titan Quest II you will discover many points of interest--from stately temples to lairs of mythological beasts and the realms of divine beings. Some are along the beaten path, while others are secluded, offering greater mystery and greater rewards, but also deadlier encounters to overcome. We’ve designed our locations with the history and mythology of ancient Greece in mind. The player might stumble upon ancient ruins that reflect the the style of Bronze Age Mycenaean civilization, while locations more contemporary to the setting of Titan Quest II draw inspiration from the Archaic era. Doric temples and architecture showcase classical Greek style with simplistic columns and detailed upper trims. In the example above, we have a ruined Doric shrine, surrounded by cascading waterfalls overlooking the turquoise coasts of the Peloponnese. Perhaps it was once used as a pilgrimage site for sailors or fisherman to seek good fortune before their voyage, but now it is overrun and defiled by ichthians. Environmental storytelling like this is an essential part of our level design process and helps reinforce the theme and function of each location. This is just one of many side areas you can come across. [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/59da8742ca272ac9e7644b9a28474d4dd62322b3.png][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/59da8742ca272ac9e7644b9a28474d4dd62322b3.png[/img][/url] [b]Open World Potential[/b] Titan Quest II’s world is a blend of open roaming spaces and structured points of interest. Our roaming areas are tailored toward freedom of exploration, environmental interaction, verticality, and uncovering secrets. Ladders can be climbed, ledges jumped, and if you look closely, you might even notice that it’s possible to interact with a part of the environment to create a new way forward. Epic vista points reveal glorious panoramic views of the picturesque, handcrafted world. Meanwhile, smaller side locations and structured points of interest break up the open world, offering opportunities for grand adventures, like a harrowing mountain climb leading to a gryphon’s nest. The world itself provides player guidance, and we're sure you'll be pleased to see the classic 'zone torches' return! [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/aeceaea7de09b5c9dc80cc96b195dc45335dfe4e.png][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/aeceaea7de09b5c9dc80cc96b195dc45335dfe4e.png[/img][/url] Handcrafting each area means we can use navigation features and really reward those who want to explore every nook and cranny. Keep your eye out for hidden paths and ledges to jump from--you never know what’s waiting on the other side! These new ways of traversing the world also compliment the verticality of our environments with deep canyons, coastal cliffs along pristine beaches, and backdrops of beautiful Grecian farmlands hinting at where your next adventure or challenge awaits. [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/f23a7f2b5a3b11424a7f53120940e0f78db686a7.png][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/f23a7f2b5a3b11424a7f53120940e0f78db686a7.png[/img][/url] [b]Mythological Legacy[/b] Finally, what would Titan Quest be without mythology? This is quite literally where the magic of Titan Quest II comes from, and we’ve designed the moment to moment experience to emphasize a feeling of wonder and myth as you step into the world. You never know what might be waiting for you just ahead. From towering colossi of the Olympian pantheon, to ancient Trireme shipwrecks yet to be plundered, or even a sunken temple where the remains of ornate statues and sacred chambers, once dedicated to the great sea gods, now lie encrusted with barnacles as the ocean claims them back. A ruined shrine with a mysterious riddle could be an opportunity to win the favor of a god, while a relic of the Titans might be hidden underground, waiting to turn the unsuspecting into monsters. Attention to detail is key to ensuring that all these locations contribute to the end goal of crafting a world worthy of myth and legend. [url={STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/3f6a2d8605f6f2291a30356af4e1de1d680448a2.png][img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44490409/3f6a2d8605f6f2291a30356af4e1de1d680448a2.png[/img][/url] With these pillars, we hope to create a world that captures all the magic of the original Titan Quest while delivering a rich, modern ARPG experience. What sorts of environments are you most excited to explore in Titan Quest II? Let us know in the comments!