Open-world caves and hidden dungeon entrances

Scars of Honor presents caves and dungeon approaches as part of the explorable world rather than as purely menu-driven activities. The footage shows an early cave space near the Human starting region and uses it to explain the intended traversal and discovery experience.

The cave shown is described as very early and rough, not representative of final quality, but it illustrates the direction for open-world dungeon access, hidden routes, and environmental mystery.

Open-world dungeon philosophy

Most smaller dungeons and related content are intended to exist in the open world. Loading screens are said to occur mainly between continents, with some larger dungeons potentially using loading for optimization. The stated goal is that roughly 90% of minor dungeons and content remain open-world rather than heavily instanced.

This approach is tied to a preference for physical traversal. Entering a cave, moving through side passages, and locating deeper areas are treated as part of the content itself.

Hidden paths and secret entrances

The cave includes concealed routes and a hidden doorway. One path is intentionally obscured by geometry so that it is not immediately obvious on first entry. This is presented as an example of how important locations may be hidden rather than exposed directly through interface shortcuts.

The intended design is that players may discover entrances, solve access conditions such as keys or puzzles, and then bring friends or guildmates to investigate. The game is described as favoring player-shared information and preparation over immediate automated access.

Mystery, bosses, and environmental storytelling

The cave contains ruins, statues, and a campfire area, with the environment framed as suggesting an unknown past. The space is described as large enough to support a boss encounter and substantial enemy presence. The emphasis is on mystery and on leaving some things unexplained so that players investigate rather than simply follow guides.

The discussion also raises the possibility of randomization or changing elements that would make some discoveries harder to solve through external guides alone, though this is presented as exploratory design direction rather than a confirmed final system.

Source

• Recording: Live Gameplay Preview | Scars of Honor - September 2024
• YouTube: Watch on YouTube
• Published: Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 9:00 AM UTC