Hello everyone and welcome to our second development update! Today we want to introduce you to one of the most important features of the game: [b]The Healing Attack[/b]. This is the mechanism that allows you to regain “[b]Will[/b]” (health points) on the course of your adventure. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41890985/071ad736b6a64d6cfb7e3505fc5503e487815166.gif[/img] The Healing Attack derived directly from the psychological narrative behind the game, and it is the perfect example of [b]how we are trying to create a cohesive structure[/b] that binds narrative and gameplay together as much as possible. This is done in order to craft a complete experience through the tools offered by the video game medium. [h2]The process behind this special attack can ne divided in two steps. [/h2] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41890985/962373685604ba6faf0096707d1feec0416042fe.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41890985/bed665aa84f661c3fb70e2ab12993eab26036a53.gif[/img] First the players will have to confront the enemies directly by attacking them. This will allow them to gather “[b]Courage[/b]” (energy). This is a clear reference to the core meaning of the game: confronting obstacles to overcome them and proceed on your journey. Once you have gathered enough “[b]Courage[/b]” (energy), you’ll be able to transform it into “[b]Will[/b]” (health points). This is done by charging the Healing Attack and - once the charge phase is completed and the attack is still charged - landing the next blow on an enemy. This is another instance where the narrative of the game shines through: you have the power to transform your Courage, through action, into Will. It is said Will that is necessary to keep you standing in the face of adversities. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41890985/eb46102e9e04d83244c5616ef2780ad3cf714448.jpg[/img] [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41890985/ee9f661fad2c9217fc03b27982165b385588874f.png[/img] A small detail that you might find significant is the fact that you’ll be able to gain “[b]Will[/b]” (health points) regardless of [b]whether the enemy might be parrying or not[/b]. From a narrative standpoint you are not gaining from their loss, but from the act itself of confronting difficulties. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41890985/9b9eee78673f0c68e7ac8a8b2844692213550d4a.gif[/img] We believe that this ability will make for a very entertaining gameplay and it will keep players on edge: players will be able to regain health only by exposing themselves to danger when they are at their most vulnerable. When their Will is low, they need Courage to overcome, survive and continue their journey. [h2]A hidden game mechanic: [/h2] There is further use for this ability. What happens if you haven’t taken any damage, and you try the Healing Attack when your halth bar is full? This will unleash a more powerful blow that will deal more damage to your enemies and will allow you to defeat them more easily. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/41890985/9949d63c96d07440585205faa50a333da96bacc9.gif[/img] [h2]About Us [/h2]The team was born in 2019 and it has slowly grown since then. It is now composed by 10 people: programmers, artists, game designers, a social media manager and a psychologist. Plus an external studio for musics and sound design. We are all based in Italy, and we love what we are doing! [h2]If you want to try The Perfect Pencil & support us... [/h2] You can download the demo and play it right now! It works also on Steam Deck! If you want to support us just wishlist and follow the game page in Steam! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1858810/The_Perfect_Pencil/