Store Page
Encased
All Discussions Screenshots Artwork Broadcasts Videos News Guides Reviews

Encased

Store Page
View Stats:
Global Achievements
Encased > General Discussions > Topic Details
Darx Jun 22, 2019 @ 2:21pm
Psi abilities?
can we use psi abilites in this game?
A developer of this app has marked a post as the answer to the topic above.
Click here to jump to that post.
Originally posted by Cadmus_Labs:
Hello! Lead Designer here :vahlen:

We really love and appreciate your questions about the game but sometimes are overwhelmed with development, so it takes time to respond properly. So today I will try to clarify on PSI abilities in Encased RPG.

The short answer for "Are there PSI-alike abilities in the game?" is "Yes, most definitely there are".

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1851533229

As you can see above, there is a special :csgo_explosion:PSI skill branch in our role-playing system. As you may know in Encased you need to invest Skill Points in skill branches to increase your character's capabilities in that direction. Each 10 Skill Points gives you 1 Ability Points in that particular branch. And with Ability Points, you unlock new abilities. Abilities could be Active and Passive. Your abilities can be used on yourself, allies or enemies (depending on ability mechanics), increase your stats, used in dialogs checks and scripted scenes (vignettes).

In the current build (we are at Backer Beta Build II while I'm writing this) all PSI abilities are locked in the game, but we will unlock those really soon!

PSI skill is derived from Psyche and Brains primary stats, so it's handy to spend more attribute points when you are creating your character.

The list of abilities in PSI skill branch at the moment (Note: everything still could be changed):

:csgo_explosion: PSY-Shock
An attack that causes severe damage to the mind of the adversary.

:csgo_explosion: PSY-Confusion
Makes the adversary temporarily deluded, making him attack his ally or himself.

:csgo_explosion: PSY-Control
Allows you to temporarily take control of the adversary.

:csgo_explosion: PSY-Terror
Forces the adversary to experience extreme fear.

:csgo_explosion: PSY-Telepathy
Allows one to read the other person's thoughts.

:csgo_explosion: PSY-Stasis
Banishes an enemy in stasis.

:csgo_explosion: PSYCHOKINESIS
Allows you to use mental power to move objects.

Now as for "Why we even have PSI-abilities in the post-apocalyptic game" the answer will be - "We planned it all along". It felt natural to have it in our setting. I have two quotes for you, which I hope will inspire you to investigate the secrets of PSI abilities without spoiling too much. One is from Apocalypse World RPG which I had as one of the sources of inspiration and one is from our own Encased world.

Now the world is not what it was. Look around you: evidently, certainly, not what it was. But also close your eyes, open your brain: something is wrong. At the limits of perception, something howling, everpresent, full of hate and terror. From this, the world’s psychic maelstrom, we none of us have shelter.

After a few adventures inside the Nashville object (which we don’t want to spoil just yet), your group encounters an entirely new anomaly. You awaken something dreaming deep beneath the desert of the Dome. Your trespass has activated Maelstrom, a telepathic entity created to serve the Forefathers.

All connection with the world outside the Dome is lost and Maelstrom rages across the desert, infecting the minds of everyone it encounters. You and your group fall into a technology-induced stasis for five long years. And when you come to, the entire world has changed.

---
Please Wishlist and click Follow to stay updated!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/921800/

:lwCheckPoint: Character Generator[cronus.darkcrystalgames.com] - create a character that may appear in the game as NPC and get the cool story item.
:chat: Official Discord Server[discordapp.com]
:checklist: Newsletter[eepurl.com]
:checklist: Twitter (game updates)
:checklist: Facebook (game updates) [www.facebook.com]
:checklist: Youtube (trailers, livestreams and dev diaries)
:checklist: VK (game updates in russian)[vk.com]
:checklist: Instagram (art and stories)[www.instagram.com]
< >
Showing 1-15 of 29 comments
CRONUS EMPLOYEE Jun 25, 2019 @ 3:12am 
Maybe...
#1
Spindles Jul 11, 2019 @ 2:19am 
Maybe? I'd be really interested in seeing psi powers or something like them (supertech, genetic engineering, mutation, cybernetics, etc) paranormal wierdness and fringe science are my favorite things in games like these, and that kind of powers set would really throw in some interesting elements compared to just "guy w/ gun" and "Hit dat boi with a pipe."
#2
Typhon Jul 14, 2019 @ 1:24pm 
If there are psi abilities in a game like this, that would mean instant buy for me.
#3
markelphoenix Jul 26, 2019 @ 8:12pm 
Originally posted by Typhon:
If there are psi abilities in a game like this, that would mean instant buy for me.
plus 1
#4
One Jul 27, 2019 @ 5:02am 
I hate the idea of adding psi abilities in the game like this. It's like adding magic in it - breaks an atmosphere of science fiction and turning it into some stupid fantazy.
Last edited by One; Jul 27, 2019 @ 5:03am
#5
marv Jul 27, 2019 @ 8:39am 
Psychic powers breaks the IMMERSION of a super science bordering on magic dome with possible alien tech?
#6
One Jul 27, 2019 @ 12:32pm 
Originally posted by marv:
Psychic powers breaks the IMMERSION of a super science bordering on magic dome with possible alien tech?

The alien tech is a risky thing too. For me the less weird staff the game has (alien tech, psi abilities) - the better. Original Fallout didn't have this semi-magical s.h.i.t and was a great game.
Last edited by One; Jul 27, 2019 @ 12:33pm
#7
Darx Jul 28, 2019 @ 3:13am 
did psi break the emersion for anyone when they played mass effect? no.
#8
One Jul 28, 2019 @ 4:58am 
Nothing personal but I feel that those who want psi abilities so much are quite young people who played Mass Effect maybe but didn't play original Fallout from 1997-98

This game is inspired by original Fallout and by russian book Roadside Picnic which is known only in Russia I think (I am russian, so I read it)

I wish it stayed close to those two sources without adding some trendy staff like psi-abilities or so.

It's up to developers to decide of course. Just my opinion of an old age player
Last edited by One; Jul 28, 2019 @ 4:58am
#9
marv Jul 28, 2019 @ 6:31am 
You do remember that the original Fallout had literal aliens out the wazoo, including star trek references and an Alien Blaster, right?
#10
One Jul 28, 2019 @ 7:06am 
Originally posted by marv:
You do remember that the original Fallout had literal aliens out the wazoo, including star trek references and an Alien Blaster, right?

I do remember. And it was easter eggs, jokes there rather than something typical for Fallout world

Btw there are people who blame Fallout 2 for such jokes comparing it to Fallout 1 (that didn't have them) saying that they spoiled the right dark mood of the Fallout. I am not this person, I am ok with the game having some weird staff as a joke, just not as a common thing. While people asking for psi abilities obviously want them to be a common thing what for me turns the game into some stupid fantazy.
Last edited by One; Jul 28, 2019 @ 7:17am
#11
nottrusted Jul 28, 2019 @ 8:33am 
Originally posted by One:
Originally posted by marv:
You do remember that the original Fallout had literal aliens out the wazoo, including star trek references and an Alien Blaster, right?

I do remember. And it was easter eggs, jokes there rather than something typical for Fallout world

Btw there are people who blame Fallout 2 for such jokes comparing it to Fallout 1 (that didn't have them) saying that they spoiled the right dark mood of the Fallout. I am not this person, I am ok with the game having some weird staff as a joke, just not as a common thing. While people asking for psi abilities obviously want them to be a common thing what for me turns the game into some stupid fantazy.

You will probably also start complaining about "alien/magic" relics, that magically enhance your abilitys by just having them in your inventory, once you've played the game.
Maybe Encased isn't simply a rewrite of FallOut 1 with some flavour from a russian book, the Devs may have a different approach and therefor it's not your cup of coffee.
However, sharing your opinion about features you don't like here in the forum , by calling them "stupid", "useless" or "tedious" and claiming that as a fact is somehow arrogant, more so if you havn't actually played the game yet.

In the Alpha itself the psi abbility part isn't quite outlined yet, it seems in the rough description it is something like awareness to Relics, resistance to anomalys and the like.
For me, it doesn't hurt my immersion in a SciFi scenario, with probably aliens or an other unknown force.
Last edited by nottrusted; Jul 28, 2019 @ 8:36am
#12
One Jul 28, 2019 @ 10:16am 
Originally posted by nottrusted:
Originally posted by One:

I do remember. And it was easter eggs, jokes there rather than something typical for Fallout world

Btw there are people who blame Fallout 2 for such jokes comparing it to Fallout 1 (that didn't have them) saying that they spoiled the right dark mood of the Fallout. I am not this person, I am ok with the game having some weird staff as a joke, just not as a common thing. While people asking for psi abilities obviously want them to be a common thing what for me turns the game into some stupid fantazy.

You will probably also start complaining about "alien/magic" relics, that magically enhance your abilitys by just having them in your inventory, once you've played the game.
Maybe Encased isn't simply a rewrite of FallOut 1 with some flavour from a russian book, the Devs may have a different approach and therefor it's not your cup of coffee.
However, sharing your opinion about features you don't like here in the forum , by calling them "stupid", "useless" or "tedious" and claiming that as a fact is somehow arrogant, more so if you havn't actually played the game yet.

In the Alpha itself the psi abbility part isn't quite outlined yet, it seems in the rough description it is something like awareness to Relics, resistance to anomalys and the like.
For me, it doesn't hurt my immersion in a SciFi scenario, with probably aliens or an other unknown force.

My expectations for this game are based on how it is declared by developers at the steam store:

"Encased is an isometric role-playing game in a sci-fi post-apocalyptic setting. It was inspired by the first two Fallout installments, Divinity: Original Sin, Baldur’s Gate and the like."

Btw, russian description for it is different. It mentions the russian book and doesn't mention Baldurs and Divinity.

Anyway description says it's a sci-fi game. Sci-fi means science fiction. Science fiction is not about let's add as much weird staff as we can. Science fiction is about technologies which already exist or can be invented in the future as they don't contradict our current knowledge about laws of physics and so. It's not a stupid (yes, I call it stupid) fantazy where you can add anything you want just becouse why not?

There are thousands of fantazy games with magic already. There are few sci-fi. I just don't want a promissing sci-fi game turn into another stupid fantazy

Of course devs a free to do anything they want with their game, while I am free to express my opinion on that, and you are free to call it arrogant - I don't see any problem in it all together.
Last edited by One; Jul 28, 2019 @ 10:32am
#13
Alprog Jul 28, 2019 @ 11:25am 
There is a unique psi anomaly in the game: Maelstrom. There is also a special stat Psyche and a separate branch of skills to interact with maelstrom. It is important part of the game and main story. So I can't provide you too much information about these abilities and how it works without spoilers. But it is sci-fi for sure, not just a magic or phantasy.
Last edited by Alprog; Jul 28, 2019 @ 11:35am
#14
nottrusted Jul 28, 2019 @ 11:25am 
Originally posted by One:
Originally posted by nottrusted:
snip
Anyway description says it's a sci-fi game. Sci-fi means science fiction. Science fiction is not about let's add as much weird staff as we can. Science fiction is about technologies which already exist or can be invented in the future as they don't contradict our current knowledge about laws of physics and so. It's not a stupid (yes, I call it stupid) fantazy where you can add anything you want just becouse why not?

And here I disagree with you the most: Science Fiction was never limited to possible technical inventions in a forseeable future, nor limited to already known physical rules; It was also about going beyond that, about thinking out of the box, creating something new and also mixing in other aspects of the evolution of mankind into it. Like changing societys, cultural behavior even the transformation of the human body and physic/mind.
There are sooo many examples of "weird" "magically" stuff even in classic SciFi literature, from Roddenberry, Asimov, Lem, Clark, Strugatzki bros., A.D. Foster etc. etc. were Psi abilitys or phenomens simmilar to that don't interferres with the general SciFi theme.
For example "Solaris" were a planet materialise the dreams of a spaceship crew into the reality, or the the whole StarTrek world, all these visions of future are not disclassivied into "stupid fantazy" just by using elements like psi powers, at least not for me , nor the majority of readers. /viewers.

However, I don't think we have the same view on SciFi, but I still don't agree that using Psi force as a feature, given how common it is in literature from the past til today, disquallifys a story/game etc as stupid, nor as fantasy.

cheers
Arb
Last edited by nottrusted; Jul 29, 2019 @ 12:35am
#15
< >
Showing 1-15 of 29 comments
Per page: 1530 50

Encased > General Discussions > Topic Details
Date Posted: Jun 22, 2019 @ 2:21pm
Posts: 29

Discussions Rules and Guidelines