Heartbound (video game)

Heartbound is video game being developed by American indie developer Pirate Software. The game centers around a boy who deals with depression, anxiety, and fear as he embarks on a journey through different locations in search of his dog, Baron. The narrative changes with different pathways depending on how the player interacts with the environments, other characters, and combat system. Each choice or interaction has the potential to change the game by adding dialog, encounters, or interactive objects to the world.

An alpha of the game was released for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux in November 2016 on Steam Greenlight. The game was greenlit by the community in ten days and received enough community support to reach the top game on the platform for that time period. A beta was then released for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux in February 2017 along with a Kickstarter Crowdfunding campaign. This campaign was successful within the first twenty-four hours and Heartbound is now in development for the final release. Originally the game was intended to release by December of 2017, but the current proposed release is Early/Mid 2018.

Gameplay

Combat

Heartbound does not use the traditional systems of Levels, Experience, or Consumables; everything is skill-based and combat can change based on your relationships with others or things you have done. Equipment can be found throughout the world that augments Lore's damage and maximum Health. Every enemy you encounter has unique mini-games that are not encountered anywhere else in the game. There are no random battles and a number of encounters are avoidable based on how you ProgresS.

Alternate Reality Game

A series of cryptographic puzzles can be solved outside of Heartbound, accessible from the game's website. This puzzle series helps fill in the story with additional lore and offers an alternative narrative in parallel to the game. Completing portions of the ARG augments or unlocks additional content inside of the game.

Characters

Main Characters

Lore

Lore is the main protagonist of Heartbound. A troubled young man who routinely fights off internal turmoil and negative thoughts. His outlook can alter how he perceives both communication from others and the physical world around him. Together, with his faithful companion Baron, Lore manages to make it through each day. Lore has an incredibly bad habit of never cleaning up his socks and they can be found nearly everywhere he travels. Lore has brown colored hair, black eyes, white and blue striped pajamas, and a forest green sweater.

Baron

Baron is Lore's dog, guardian, and best friend. He overflows with happy-go-lucky positivity in every situation and always knows just what to do. This helps to balance out Lore's innate negativity and unease. Baron has an intense fear of isolation and cannot function without Lore nearby. Because of their reliance on one another the duo are essentially inseparable. Baron would do anything for Lore even at the cost of himself. Baron is a brown and tan German Shepard with a Red Collar.

Binder

A mysterious old man who is said to live deep in the forest. Binder possesses Immense strength of will and can be incredibly stubborn. His home serves as a makeshift library with tomes and research material covering every available surface. Binder knows a lot more than he lets on but he prefers to allow others the pleasure of discovering things for themselves. He has an intense addiction to apples but will not admit this fact to any living soul.

Lore's Father

Lore's father is almost entirely absent from his life due to issues outside of his control. As Lore's mental state deteriorates The Two drift farther apart. Perception and understanding play a large role in their relationship as father and son.

Animus Villagers

• Ramul

A quick-witted and quick-footed rabbit that serves as the mailman in Animus. If you ever need a message delivered before you finish writing it Ramul is the guy you need to see. His mother and father are Shelly and Sheldon mossback. Sheldon WISHES Ramul would slow down and do "real work" on the family farm. In his spare time he also helps Cirsi around her shop with hopes that he can one day be a great Alchemist as well.

• Remé

As the grand conspiracy theorist of the village Remé is always up on the latest rumors and regards himself as the go-to source for news before it's news. He has an uncanny ability to detect vibrations in the ground and can hear others speaking from a great distance away. Remé is constantly cold in the generally chilly environment and wears winter clothing the whole year round.

• Phil

As the resident outsider not much is known about Phil. He appeared one night and took up residence without a word to any of the other villagers. Remé claims that Phil is a government assassin sent to kill him but says if he cites any sources they would be "taken out" as well. Phil speaks using a strange dialect that results in bubbles filled with imagery depicting his thoughts.

• Rhode

Spends most of her time combing the forests outside of Animus searching for medicinal herbs and beautiful flowers for her shop. Rhode does a lot of trade with Cirsi to provide materials for her alchemical creations. She also spends a lot of time hanging out with Ramul and Remé chatting about the latest news or dreams of the future. Pines over Fern but is far too shy to be forward enough for the oblivious deer to notice.

• Fern

A deer possessing a singularly dominant personality. Fern appears to care nothing for the opinions of others and is very confident in herself. This confidence however is just a mask she uses to hide her immense self-doubt and worry. Most of her days are spent with Avocado reading hundreds of books aloud for the mole to transcribe. Because of her internal turmoil Fern is entirely unaware of Rhodes interest.

• Seto

A great bear of immense power and the guardian of Animus. Seto stands watch over the village and would lay down his life for any of the other villagers. A stoic and aloof creature Seto prefers a life of quiet solitude in a cave near the edge of the forest. Only the oldest remember the times before Seto and they have nothing pleasant to say about it.

• Cirsi

One of the most down to earth possums around Cirsi serves as the village alchemist. Her tinctures and tonics help the crops grow and bring others back from the brink in times of sickness. She describes the villagers as "a bunch of downright animals" and is never afraid to say how she really feels about things even if it's not the most popular opinion. She spends much of her day creating new alchemical tinctures and taking care of her sister Carli.

• Carli

Sister to Cirsi and one of the sweetest members of the village. Carli is exceptionally shy and prefers to stay indoors. Many months ago her mother's life was cut short in a terrible accident and she hasn't left the house since. Cirsi takes care of her and keeps her away from the other villagers.

• Avocado

A small and mostly blind mole that is infatuated with books and puns of all kinds. She spends most of her time transcribing stories into braille with the help of her friend Fern. Avocado rarely leaves her home but when she does it's usually to pickup ink and supplies from Cirsi's shop. Her incredible hearing allows her to sense even the slightest movement.

• Shelly

A kind and caring Tortoise that walks the streets of Animus delivering food from Mossback Farms to the other villagers. In stark contrast to her husband, Shelly believes deeply in following Mania and strives to do something new and exciting each day. She loves her son Ramul and wants him to follow his dreams and be whatever he wants to be

• Sheldon

An old snapping turtle, the owner of Mossback Farms, and husband to Shelly Mossback. A strong believer in Misery he denounces Mania and sticks to his ways claiming that the earth provides for those with a routine and persistence. He dislikes the direction that his son Ramul's life is going in and voices this frequently.

• Emilio

A gruff and no-nonsense blacksmith that builds all of the tools that keep the farm running. A strong believer in the primals Emelio does everything he can to be productive and neutral in all aspects of his life. He's a very good friend of the mossbacks and spends a lot of time talking to them.

• Mania

The primal aspect of chaos, death, and madness. Mania can be found all around us in every terrible accident or lapse of judgement. He is the storm in sky threatening to overtake everything in an instant. The villagers believe that Mania must be sated with the chaos of new ideas and changing of old ways to avoid total destruction.

• Misery

The primal aspect of order, life, and sadness. Misery keeps order in the world and ensures the elderly pass on before Mania takes hold of them. When someone is lost to sickness, age, or accident Misery takes their body to the void beyond and replaces it with a small sapling. The villagers believe that taking care of these trees honors their ancestors and keeps them happy in the afterlife.

Development

Hall lists Secret of Mana, Earthbound (and the Mother Series), Wario Ware, 1o57, and Undertale as sources of inspiration for Heartbound.

Reception

Heartbound's alpha and beta releases were both well received. Both IGN and Game Skinny have shown interest in the direction the game is headed.