Did this game actually get finished?

[Etiowsa]

Even ignoring the very abrupt and sequel bait ending, it feels like this had a bunch of stuff cut. Like you can ask the bartender for rumors, but there never are any. There's no fast travel point in the scrap sea for some reason, but they put one next to the final boss, past the point of no return warning, despite there being one a few screens away outside. The city is long as hell and has a bunch of rooms, but the vast majority of them are completely empty. It just feels like there should be more game here.

[wiki]

Yeah, it does feel like they couldn't complete all of what they wanted to do. The machinist seemed like they would be an interactable shop-npc and there are shops that simply aren't accessible even though they look like they should. Then there's the idea of Urd being a whole area, where I'm still not sure whether it was actually planned to go there or not.

It's too bad because I really like the idea of the game and the gameplay, but then again it seems to be their first game altogether, so I give them some slack. Doesn't excuse all of it, though.

[Zelakon]

Agreed; you can tell some threads of content are unfinished. It happens from time to time when a small studio is pressured by their publisher to release the product by a certain deadline. Not saying that was the case here, but you can tell they wanted to flesh out the town and didn't have the time or resources to do so.

You can also tell that their development responsibilities were imbalanced, 'cause the pixel art and animations went so far above and beyond the rest of the game. Just look at the inclusion of that final 'showcase' area with the clockwork horse, devoid of all gameplay except a forced slow walk to the left...

[Rastrelly]

Originally posted by Zelakon:

Just look at the inclusion of that final 'showcase' area with the clockwork horse, devoid of all gameplay except a forced slow walk to the left...

You actually CAN run there :D And technically you control Cass in that segment =)

[Jet]

I noticed these things as well and felt kinda disappointed that nothing came of them. Maybe they'll have a purpose in the sequel.

[Seisachtheia]

It's definitely got the feel of a "first effort" game. I don't think it's bad and I think it lays some interesting groundwork for another game by the same team. The world and lore is kind of interesting, some of the characters have well developed identities (Balthazar specifically), and the gameplay is solidly executed, if basic. Honestly, looking forward to the next effort.

You are correct though that there are a tonne of "we couldn't get to it" signs all over the game. even the bounty board system is insanely basic and feels like it was supposed to be more expansive.

[Stalbon]

I've had this game on my wishlist since the original announcement 4 years ago now, and have played each demo...and each time I got into it, the gameplay was updated/upgraded and it kept feeling better. So while I'm very glad I have this game and played through it, I was baffled at the ending (or lack thereof) and definitely noticed some unfinished portions, especially in the town itself.

I did love the story and the relationships, but I was coming here to make sure I didn't have to find some 'true ending' to unlock with all of the corgis or something.