Towers of Aghasba launches in Early Access on November 19 – first look at new gameplay with developer details – PlayStation.Blog

Building a living space like a house or town, gathering and using resources, and expanding and discovering new ways to interact with your environment are themes that have universal appeal and Many players feel extremely satisfied. Now, independent developer Dreamlit Inc. is getting ready to bring a new take on the building genre with Towers of Aghasba, launching in Early Access on November 19 on PS5. Towers of Aghasba is a visually stunning game in a vibrant, fantasy environment, combining open-world exploration, combat and adventure with building and resourceful life simulations. We recently had the chance to preview the new gameplay and gain some insight from the developers about this upcoming enthralling adventure.

Withering altitude

Long ago, the Shimu were forced from their ancestral lands – the Aghasba – by a destructive force known as the Withering. Fate intervened with the shipwreck at Aghasba, and now it was time for Shimu to reclaim what was taken from them. Stepping into the role of the young Architect of the tribe, you have many roles to take on: explorer, hunter, adventurer, archaeologist, craftsman, fisherman, planner, collector cross and builder. All of these skills (and more) will be needed to learn about Withering and end the dark forces once and for all.

Although there are dark forces and warlike creatures in these lands, you are not pushed into combat but are instead taught how to farm and build. By revitalizing the world’s ecosystem and building community, you work to reclaim arid lands and create new places filled with color and life.

Rebuild your way

You start small by choosing a plot of land and planting seeds. The first seed you plant will sprout a small, strange plant creature next to the Giant Tree. The tree and the countless plants that grow – more than 120 different varieties – bring in other types of life and provide resources for building and crafting. By bringing in and planting different seeds, you can nurture the local ecosystem and thereby build towns and agricultural facilities. How these lands transform is entirely determined by your actions.

Player agency and choice are the guiding principles behind much of Aghasba. Besides choosing what you grow, you can decide how to interact with the world’s fauna through actions such as hunting, fishing, feeding wildlife, rebuilding towns and creating out countless customization items.

As you explore and farm, you begin to find remnants of the old Shimu society and hints at why the people had to abandon the land. “There is a story surrounding the group of people you arrive with,” explains Towers of Aghasba designer Dave Nguyen. “You are all trying to restore the land together, and along the way, there will be many quest branches and many optional quests and freedom to explore. Through NPCs and by exploring relics scattered across the land, players will discover pieces of history surrounding the land as well as civilizations older than before.”

It’s not all rebuilding and exploration, however. Occasionally you will be forced into conflict, perhaps through the need to hunt for supplies or fight creatures corrupted by Withering. At the start of the game, about 70% of the world is covered by Withering’s destruction, leaving you with a lot of work to do to reclaim it. Whether you want to spend time rebuilding to craft equipment and items before attempting to tackle the Withered monsters or try to conquer these areas as soon as possible, as is typical of this game, depends on you. depends on you.

Aghasba is beautiful

One of the most striking elements of the Towers of Aghasba is its imagery. Enchanting environments, strange creatures and mysterious structures dotted across the landscape create a world rich in charm and intrigue. The best part is that you are free to explore it as you wish.

The game’s development team discussed the many inspirations behind their graphic design during our preview session. Ancient civilizations from Africa, as well as the Aztecs and Jomon people, are referenced to give a sense of distinction to the game’s visual identity. The filmmaking team also expressed great admiration for Studio Ghibli’s beloved anime films, especially Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke. In fact, there’s a direct connection to Studio Ghibli in Towers of Aghasba: Many of the game’s textures were hand-drawn by Ghibli artist Yoichi Nishikawa.

PS5 players can also rejoice knowing that they’re getting a specially optimized sensory experience. 3D spatial audio has received special attention, helping you immerse yourself in the world as you explore. “You’ll hear insects flying around and waves crashing along the beach, and you can pan the camera around and really get a sense of where the sounds are coming from,” notes Nguyen.

Players can also expect the DualSense wireless controller to play a key role in the Aghasba experience. “We use control lights to indicate low and critical health conditions. Haptic feedback is used during combat and many events will pull the player into an immersive experience, such as being close to the footsteps of a large creature or feeling the power behind its roar. Adaptive triggers are also used to create a feeling of heft when swinging various melee weapons and also when the bow is constrained,” Nguyen continued.

Towers of Aghasba is one of the few promising titles launching in Early Access on PS5 this November 19, with additional content and regular updates.