Overview
Within the Abyss, there are many terrors. As an unnamed researcher, players climb into a rickety submarine and brave the darkness of the deep ocean in search of a mystery 'ghost ship' on the seabed. Once inside, players will encounter intriguing and terrifying challenges that await them.
Core Mechanics
Abyss is split into two very distinct methods of play - first, the submarine that carries the player around the outside of the ship. The gigantic ocean faring ship, larger than any ship ever built, proves to be a challenge for the player to navigate. As such, the submarine provides a means for the player to quickly access major sections of the ship. Internally, navigating the ship takes place in first person, with the character being able to equip a few tools (like torches) as they explore the creaking and flooded vessel. Mysteriously, the availability of oxygen is widespread in the ship, but so are the dangers. The ship fights as much against the player as do its inhabitants. A wide variety of challenges (leaking, rusted doors, rickety ladders, etc.) present themselves to the player, who has to defeat them in order to progress. Inhabitants of the ship include humans as well as a variety of large fish, all of whom consider the player a tasty snack.
Environment
The ship in Abyss is just as much of a character. The rusting, leaky bulkheads and the vast open cargo holds are just some of the results of spending years submerged in the darkness. The ghosts of a profitable past inhabit the ship - empty dining areas, vacant accommodation, and equipment areas still left full are a few of the locations a player can visit within the ship itself. Items and records the player can gather provide exposition and part of the backstory behind the mysterious nature of the ship.
Within the Abyss, fortune finds the fortunate.
Overview
The Mechanist is an entertaining and humorous game starring Orion, a down on his luck ship mechanic who has crashed on a planet full of robots. Orion can assemble a small army of robotic minions as he fights to get off this planet, beating gigantic bosses and puzzling his way to the only ship that can get him off this garbage-filled rock.
Core Mechanics
Mechanist is controlled from a 3rd person perspective, with players taking direct control of Orion and guiding him between levels. As he encounters robots in the scenery around him, Orion can boot them up and reprogram them with a variety of functions. Orion can tell robots to attack, or perform a variety of puzzling functions. These can include stacking themselves, throwing each other, and even rebuilding other robots in the immediate area. Robots carry over between levels, so one robot that performs a specific task in one level might become immensely useful in another level. Certain robots also have different attributes, and combining smaller robots can create bigger ones. Larger robots can lift heavy equipment, while taller robots can reach items that are out of reach. Experimenting with the construction system can create interesting and exciting ways to solve puzzles.
Narrative
Orion, being a mechanic is obviously skilled at robot repair and construction. Orion also has a backstory, which is discovered both through his interactions with the robots, and logs from the ship that he crashed. These can be found in crashed sections of his ship, which are scattered throughout some of the levels. These narrative logs provide insight into Orion's past, as well as other characters that Orion can come across, scattered throughout the planet as survivors of the ship crash.Players progress through scrapyards.
Overview
Endless void has the player piloting a gigantic sleeper ship on a journey through deep space. The ship itself is huge, full of numerous passages and tunnels for players to explore and find issues with. The objectives are fairly straightforward - keep the ship ticking over as it moves through space. Numerous issues can arise - from faulty engines to loss of power. As the sole human on the ship, it is the player's task to make sure the ship continues to trek on.
Core Mechanics
The ship's travel through the void is a lonely one; players only have the automated systems aboard the ship as their companions, and they serve a variety of functions. Players can deploy them to different areas of the ship to collect resources, check for issues, and retrieve items. As the game is presented from a first person perspective, the player controls these robots through one of the many terminals scattered throughout the ship. Void does not involve combat of any kind - instead requiring players to both problem solve and work within limitations to complete tasks. Players have to prioritise issues - choosing to fix the cooling units over the engines means that there will be a lower risk of the ship's occupants being compromised. Different benefits and penalties applied for certain jobs also forces players to make quick decisions.
The Ship
The ship itself is a dilapidated, crumbling wreck. As last hopes of humanity go, it is one of the least inspiring. Because of this, players are charged with making sure it reaches its destination without dooming its occupants. Whether players choose to neglect their tasks and enjoy the splendor of outer space, or diligently go about their duties is up to them. The player is able to wander about the ship at will, observing the countless citizens of a past earth, entombed forever in stasis. The ship has multiple observation and mechanical areas, allowing players to craft tools and equipment that help them navigate the ship. As the journey progresses, the ship may change. If the player keeps it in good repair, the quality of mechanical equipment will improve, resulting in less major repairs. If the player neglects their duties, sections of the ship may 'go dark' and need to be repaired. In extreme circumstances, players may have to fix entire sections of the ship with a giant construction vehicle.Players may need to at some times, venture out into space to fix sections of their ship.
