Echoes of the Forest

Echoes Of The Forest features a small nature simulation where creatures act based on their place in the food chain rather than blindly chasing the player. The player, a raccoon-like creature, must explore this world and survive, facing both predators above and prey below in the food chain.

Setup

A baby raccoon is sent by its tribe, which is suffering from a disease, to find help from the wise owl deep within the forest. To do so, it must navigate the ecosystem, facing various creatures and challenges, and seek the owl’s aid to save its people.

Gameplay

The player must survive without visible health, relying on an energy bar that limits movement when empty. Energy is restored by eating food like berries, mushrooms (some poisonous), or animals - larger prey gives more nourishment. To fully restore energy and create a save point, the player must build a nest by gathering materials (leaves, twigs, stones) and sleep in it. The hunger bar must be full before sleeping. The game autosaves after each chapter, but during chapters, nests are needed for saving; otherwise, death respawns the player at the last nest or chapter start.

Features

• Creatures interacting with each other in an ecosystem
• Jump and run challenges
• Four chapters
• Two endings and paths, depending on where you decide to go at the beginning

About

This prototype was developed during the IGP course at fhooe campus Hagenberg in mediatechnology and design during 4th semester. 

Team members:

• Fabian Kopetzky
• Michaela Holzmann
• Verena Treul
• Alexander Strauss